CHARLIE ADAMS - THUNDERBOLT SPORTS MEDIA
Published 9:00 p.m. October 17
The ‘Bolts were back in action against the East Greenwich Avengers this week following last week’s cancellation due to COVID concerns. They looked to move on from a 42-6 loss to Portsmouth two weeks ago on October 1st. Both teams came into this game chasing their first win of the season. On a packed homecoming night, the Thunderbolts fought hard but ultimately fell to the Avengers 33-28.
Cranston Stadium was packed with an electric crowd, and the Thunderbolts gave them something to cheer about, putting up their strongest scoring effort of the season. Despite this, the Avengers proved too much for the ‘Bolts. Penalties hurt them badly, and multiple big plays were called back due to flags. Still, Cranston East put on an impressive performance and, with how the crowd reacted, they thought so too.
Cranston East’s QB1 Da’Qwon Foster returned for his first game since suffering an injury against Coventry in the second game of the season. Also returning for the ‘Bolts was Tommy Roche to help solidify the offensive line.
The Avengers, however, have been crippled by injuries recently. Their senior quarterback Parke Hardesky injured his foot two weeks ago and, last week against Portsmouth, they lost their sophomore backup quarterback Alex DeTomasis with a collarbone injury. Recovered, Hardesky was well enough to suit up and start for the Avengers facing the Thunderbolts.
The Thunderbolts kicked off to East Greenwich to start their opening drive at their 27-yard line. On the first play of the game, quarterback Hardesky aired out a 50-yard pass to senior wide receiver Jack Farelly. Quickly, Hardesky threw a 17-yard touchdown to senior running back Jonah Hill for the first points of the game.
Romeo Cordeiro’s dramatic kick return for the Thunderbolts set them up well for their first drive on their own 44-yard line. Making it to the Avengers’ 33-yard line, the Thunderbolts suffered a turnover on downs.
A strong defensive stand and another strong return by Cordeiro brought the ‘Bolts back around the 45-yard line to lead off the second quarter. A big 40-yard catch and run by Carlos Cedeno put the Thunderbolts in the red zone for the first time in the game. One play later, senior running back Laquinton Kelly got in for a rushing touchdown and brought Cranston East back even with the Avengers.
In the next Avenger drive, the ‘Bolts forced East Greenwich to punt for their second drive in a row. A poor punt placed them on the Avengers’ side of the field to start the drive. A screen play to Romeo Cordeiro caught a napping East Greenwich coming out late from a time out, springing him free for another Thunderbolt touchdown, putting them in front 14-7.
East Greenwich answered back with a rushing touchdown by senior running back Michael Balsamo. However, East special teams came up big, blocking the extra point attempt and keeping them in the lead 14-13. Hardesky threw his second touchdown of the game to close out the first half, to senior Jack Farelly, putting them up 20-14 heading into halftime.
The Thunderbolts started with the ball to open the second half and got going fast with a 66-yard pass to Naz Milien. Set up in the red zone, Laquinton Kelly got through for his second rushing touchdown of the game to put Cranston East back in front 21-20.
The Avengers continued the back and forth affair with a methodical drive ending in Farelly recording his second receiving touchdown of the game. East quarterback Da’Qwon Foster gave up a crucial interception late in the 3rd quarter, giving the Avengers the ball in the red zone. In one play, Parke Hardesky connected for the third time with his wide receiver Jack Farelly, pushing the Avenger lead to 33-21 at the end of the third quarter.
Starting the final quarter with the ball, chasing 12, the Thunderbolt offense looked to bring the crowd back to life following the interception. A long pass interference put the Thunderbolts back in the red zone, A’drian Foreman rushed into the end zone to cut the Avenger lead to just 5.
After a strong defensive series that took the game down to the five-minute mark, a punt return touchdown by Romeo Cordeiro that would have put the ‘Bolts in the lead whipped the home crowd into a frenzy. However, Cordeiro signaled for a fair catch prior to the punt hitting the ground, then scooped it up and ran, resulting in a penalty for an illegal fair catch signal that wiped out the play.
Starting from their own 34, East’s drive ended in Foster’s second interception thrown on a deep pass. The Cranston East defense gave the team one last chance with 2 minutes left in the game. Sniffing victory on the 25-yard line with 11.6 seconds left in the game, Da’Qwon Foster threw his third interception of the game, forcing a deep throw into the corner of the end zone, ending the Cranston East effort to pull this one out.
The ‘Bolts fought the hardest they have all season, but avoidable penalties, a momentum-killing interception, and East Greenwich wide receiver Jack Farelly really hurt Cranston East. Penalties plagued them, and many big plays were called back that could have changed the complexion of the ballgame. Foster’s interception late in the 3rd quarter allowed for East Greenwich to go up by two possessions for the first time in the game. Jack Farelly accounted for three of East Greenwich’s touchdowns, lighting up the stat sheet.
On the bright side, the ‘Bolts showed that they are able to compete in big games, and their defense gave them a chance to win. The Thunderbolts put up a great fight on homecoming night in front of a loud Cranston Stadium. Cranston East will look to build off of their strongest performance of the year next week as they face East Providence High School at home.
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