Division I Semifinals

Rams edge 'Bolts to set up Super Bowl match-up with Hawks

Matt Metcalf, Assistant Sports Editor
Posted 11/25/14

When the Cranston East football team played at La Salle earlier in the season, the ‘Bolts turned the ball over three times en route to their third loss of the season.

On Friday night, it was a …

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Division I Semifinals

Rams edge 'Bolts to set up Super Bowl match-up with Hawks

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When the Cranston East football team played at La Salle earlier in the season, the ‘Bolts turned the ball over three times en route to their third loss of the season.

On Friday night, it was a similar story for East and ultimately, the result was the same.

The ‘Bolts turned the ball over four times in a 14-7 loss at the hands of the undefeated Rams in the Division I semifinals, ending East’s bid to reach a second consecutive Super Bowl as a No. 4 seed.

One of East’s turnovers, in particular, stood out among the others.

Late in the third quarter with the score tied 7-7, East quarterback Darrio Carter threw a pass in the middle of the field that was read perfectly by La Salle’s Nick Varrichione. Varrichione intercepted the pass and took it back 40 yards for a touchdown, giving his team a 14-7 lead and the eventual game-winning points.

The ‘Bolts had a prime opportunity to tie the game late in the fourth quarter before turning the ball over on downs. A 34-yard pass from John Anderson to Michael Castillo took East down to La Salle’s 13-yard line with three and a half minutes left.

Anderson carried the ball for a 9-yard gain on the next play, making it second-and-1 at the four-yard line.

However, the ‘Bolts never got any closer than that.

On third down, Marquem Monroe got forced out on the left sideline for a loss of two yards and on fourth down Anderson got sacked in the backfield.

Just like that, East’s comeback season fell short in the red zone.

La Salle’s offense took over with less than two minutes and running back Kyron Lopes was able to run out the clock.

“We just couldn’t put it in the end zone when we needed to,” East head coach Tom Centore said. “We just didn’t score. Our offensive struggles certainly came through as they have all year.”

East’s lone score came on a 45-yard punt return by Castillo in the final two minutes of the first quarter to give the ‘Bolts a 7-0 lead.

Although East’s offense struggled to move the ball all game, its defense was certainly impressive.

The ‘Bolts held the top-seeded Rams scoreless in the first half, intercepting Jace Pena twice and recovering a fumble late in the first quarter.

“(The defense) played out of their minds,” Centore said. “They just played great and we didn’t take advantage of it on the offensive side. It’s disappointing to us because they did such a good job. They’ve kept us in games.”

The ‘Bolts nearly tacked on top their lead late in the first half. Anderson found Monroe down the right sideline for what looked to be a 51-yard touchdown, but the referee ruled that Monroe stepped out of bounds at the 20-yard line for a 31-yard gain.

But East failed to convert in the red zone once again, coming away with no points and missing a prime opportunity to increase its lead to two scores.

That was a huge swing in the game, as Pena connected with Elijah McLean for a 37-yard touchdown to tie the game, 7-7, midway through the third quarter.

The touchdown pass was the only blemish on the defense for the game.

On the ensuing possession, Varrichione intercepted Carter on a third-down pass attempt and took it back to give the Rams a 14-7 lead.

“They were putting a lot of pressure on us and we couldn’t handle the pressure,” Centore said. “When they bring pressure we should be able to complete some passes, but tonight we didn’t when we needed to.”

La Salle’s defense also did an outstanding job of minimizing Monroe’s production, not giving him much room to work with whether it be out of the backfield or lining up as a receiver. The All-Stater carried the ball just five times on the ground for three yards, while adding five catches for 46 yards.

“They did a great job bottling Marquem up,” Centore said. “Physically, he takes a lot of beatings. He’s on defense and he’s on offense. He plays a lot of snaps on both sides of the ball and he never comes off of the field. He had the one pass where if he’s an inch closer, he’s in the end zone and it’s 14-0 instead.”

Although it was certainly a tough one to swallow for the ‘Bolts, they’re now forced to look to their final game on their 2014 slate, which is a rivalry game against Cranston West on Thanksgiving.

“We’ll hopefully get them regrouped for Monday,” Centore said. “It’s not easy and that’s the downfall of playing tonight. This is our peak and now we’ll have to regroup.”

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