BY CHARLIE ADAMS, TSM LEAD WRITER
(Cranston, RI) - The Thunderbolts football team returned home last Friday, still in search of their first victory of the season. They drew a tall task going up against the Westerly Bulldogs, who were fresh off of a major upset over Central High School, the same Central team that stole East’s thunder in a 38-point victory earlier this season. The Bulldogs were too much for the ‘Bolts, dominating from the opening kick-off to a 42-6 win.
East came off their two closest contests of the year since their homecoming defeat. Last week’s match against Woonsocket saw their most heartbreaking defeat, seeing a 24-6 halftime lead turn into a 34-24 loss. On the bright side, their scoring had shown leaps and bounds of improvement following a shift to a heavier passing offense. In this contest, their defense and offense had no answer as the team’s struggles in front of the home crowd continued.
The Thunderbolts won the opening toss, deferring their choice to the second half.. The decision quickly came into question when Westerly’s Christian Dejour scooped up the squibbed opening kickoff and took it back untouched 75 yards for a touchdown. The ensuing extra point gave them a quick 7-0 lead twelve seconds into the game
Almost as quick was the ‘Bolts first possession, unable to muster a yard and forced to punt in after a three-and-out.
In the drive that followed, Bulldogs quarterback Lance Williams was able to roll out and deliver a dime to Luke Nelson that put them on the Thunderbolts 6-yard line. Senior running back Zack Tuck was able to punch it in on the ground the next play. Westerly led by two touchdowns before many could even find their seats.
In need of some points or at least some momentum, the ‘Bolts crossed midfield with a reception from Nachbi Cherry and a rush from Peyton Ginolfi. Multiple drops unfortunately stalled out the drive, forcing another punt from Tim Calixto.
Calixto’s punt pinned Westerly deep in their own end. Despite being nearly in their own red-zone, the Bulldogs went for and converted on fourth down to keep their drive alive. Their drive spilled over into the second quarter where, in another attempted 4th down conversion, the Thunderbolts got to the quarterback and forced the turnover on downs in their own end.
Cranston East’s offensive struggles continued to mount, punting again after three plays. Back on defense again, a low snap from Westerly had the Bulldogs in a tough spot. On the next play Ginolfi was left unblocked, but the elusive quarterback Williams was able to get the ball off to a wide open Eric Fusaro. The extra point from Drew Pietraszka was again on the money, and Westerly led 21-0 in the closing moments of the first half.
The ‘Bolts threatened on their final drive of the first half. They made their way deep into Westerly’s territory until East’s quarterback Da’Qwon Foster was picked off at the goal line to finish up the second quarter.
Starting the second half with the ball, the Thunderbolts didn’t even take a minute off the clock before fumbling a shotgun snap and turning the ball over. It only took one play for Westerly to capitalize, as Tuck rushed 23 yards for his second touchdown of the game.
Still searching for their first points, the ‘Bolts Foster was picked off for the second time by Westerly’s Fusaro, killing that scoring chance
Williams added to the Bulldogs scoring barrage with a 13-yard scramble, and when Pietraszka added his fifth PAT of the game, Westerly pushed their lead to 35-0.
The third quarter ended with a familiar sight, with Calixto punting it away. With twelve minutes remaining, the ‘Bolts had an insurmountable 35-point deficit to overcome.
Starting the 4th quarter, Westerly already had put the nails in the coffin. Despite this they hammered another one right through the coffin with a rushing touchdown by Terrell Hill. Pietraszka’s sixth PAT of the game made it 42-0.
Westerly maintained that lead until Ginolfi beat the buzzer on a rushing touchdown to give the ‘Bolts 6 points to avoid the shutout. The Thunderbolts moved to 0-6 with the loss, while the Bulldogs improved to 4-2 on the season, showing they are a true Division II contender in the process.
Westerly did what they wished on offense, while any East offensive production was stopped in its tracks with a combination of turnovers and drops.
The Thunderbolts are back in action next Friday where they’ll travel to Pawtucket to face Shea High School, arguably their most favorable matchup for the rest of the season.
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