BY CHARLIE ADAMS, TSM LEAD WRITER
(Cranston, RI) - Cranston East’s football team celebrated Senior Night this past Friday when they took on Portsmouth High School. The ‘Bolts honored their 20 graduating seniors, including their four captains Nachbi Cherry, Da’Qwon Foster, Peyton Ginolfi, and Thomas Roche. These seniors along with 6 graduating cheerleaders were honored in a pregame ceremony accompanied by their families. Despite the special night, the Patriots were not about to let the good vibes keep going, as they pulled away from the Thunderbolts, 36-6.
The story of the night was the same story of the season for the Thunderbolts. The team’s defense and offense were never in sync, and turnovers were costly in a game that was somewhat competitive for the greater parts of three quarters. The scoreboard wasn’t operating throughout the game, sparing the ‘Bolts from seeing a close game get out of hand in the fourth quarter.
Portsmouth won the opening coin toss, and elected to receive. The Patriots used quarterbacks Adam Conheeny and Thomas Hurd interchangeably due to an early-season injury to their senior starter, Luke Brennan. Hurd came in and promptly converted on third down with a large gain downfield. Despite this, the Portsmouth offense stalled out as Hurd was sacked on their fourth down attempt, giving the ‘Bolts one of their best defensive stands of the season.
Cranston East’s drive started shakily, with a short Foster to Chery pass resulting in a fumble that was luckily recovered. However, it wasn’t the last of it, as a low snap on the very next play couldn’t be handled by Foster and Portsmouth recovered.
Following the fumble, the ‘Bolts defense forced a punt from the Portsmouth offense, one of their first consecutive stops of the year. The offensive struggles continued, punting after a three-and-out. However, Portsmouth’s Carson Conheeny was able to return the punt for the Patriots first score of the game after lulling the East coverage to sleep. George Smith added the extra point for Portsmouth, and then successfully executed a surprise onside kick, giving them a 7-0 lead and the ball back with time left to play in the first quarter.
Portsmouth’s run-heavy drive spilled over into the second quarter, but back to back tackles for loss forced a punt. The race for the first offensive touchdown of the game continued following the Thunderbolts first drive to pass 10 yards of total offense stalling at midfield.
On fourth down and one, senior Neal Tullson, returning from injury, looked completely healthy as he ran nearly 50 yards for the first offensive touchdown of the game by either side. The big play pushed their lead to 14-0 after Smith’s second extra point of the night.
East’s offense was again forced to punt, stuck in their tracks and left scoreless for the first half.
Opening the second half with the ball, the Thunderbolts started driving downfield with a mix of Ginolfi runs, Foster passes, and some help from Portsmouth penalties. Entering the red zone for the first time of the night, Romeo Cordeiro was able to score from six yards out on the ground, bringing East within 14-6. The attempted two-point conversion was no good, keeping the Portsmouth lead at eight.
Portsmouth continued their heavy rushing offense. Nearing the goalline, East’s defense tried to make a stand, but Tullson broke through into the endzone. With the lead opened up to 20-6, Portsmouth attempted the two-point conversion to go up by two full scores, with Carson Conheeny taking a jet sweep in to stretch the lead to 22-6.
Trying to keep themselves in the game, Foster attempted to run a screen pass. The lob pass didn’t make it far enough and was picked off by the Patriots’ Parker Daigle.
Tullson had his third touchdown of the game called back due to a penalty, but it only took him two more plays before he reclaimed his score. The extra point was put through and the game began to get out of hand, 29-6.
After East’s offense failed to close the gap, Portsmouth’s Dylan Brandariz ripped off a 67-yard touchdown run, pushing him over 100 yards rushing on the night despite carrying the ball only four times.
The ‘Bolts will have to look to their consolation match to prevent facing another winless season going into their Thanksgiving matchup with what will be a heavily favored Cranston West squad. East now carries a 1-34 overall record over the past four seasons, and has not won a league game since November 2, 2018.
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