Panthers playing for AYF title
CENTRAL FALLS – Back in early August, head coach Nelson Rodrigues found his Central Falls Panthers’ 13-and-under youth football program in the same predicament as Jeff Lapierre’s varsity high school squad.
That’s when city officials informed both men that their usual Macomber Stadium field would be unavailable for games and/or practices due to possible soil contamination. They asked them kindly to find a new, safe home.
Naturally, it was a supremely difficult way to start a campaign, but the Warriors persevered, earning a surprise second-place finish in Division III-B (6-1 record) and traveling all way to the state semifinals.
The Panthers, however, have oneupped their older grid heroes. After manufacturing a 35-0 bushwhacking over Bridgeport, Conn. in the American Youth Football’s New England Regional championship tilt on Sunday, Nov. 19, Central Falls (9-2 overall) qualified for the AYF National Tournament in Orlando, Fla.
That’s slated to begin Sunday at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex, though Rodrigues and his staff still don’t know what time the team will play, or who the foe will be.
“When we found out we couldn’t have any home games, the kids, of course, were disappointed, but I just told them to keep their eyes on the prize,” Rodrigues explained Monday morning. “I asked them to stay focused and do they best they could on every play.
“I said, ‘You know, boys, there are always going to be obstacles in the way, but you can overcome them if you work really hard. You have to truly want it.’”
Stated Annette Martinez, a first-year Panthers’ vice president but one who has held a variety of positions over the past 18 years: “I’m super proud of the kids. They’ve been thrown a lot of curveballs all year but have overcome them all. It’s been tough with no home field, but these kids have not only persevered but thrived.
“I’ll also say that we can’t forget the hard work and dedication of the coaches,” she added. “They’ve worked countless hours, and I truly appreciate all of them.”
According to Rodrigues, the entire team will fly to Orlando from T.F. Green International Airport at 12:30 p.m., Saturday. That will be the reward for finishing the job it set out to win even before the news about the Macomber Stadium turf.
The Panthers were cruising before encountering the Fall River contingent on Sunday, Oct. 1. Pure and simple, the Falcons clawed their way to a three-touchdown triumph. Two weeks later, at CF’s new home site, Vets Park, the Lincoln Lions secured a one-point win.
“That game against Fall River was supposed to be at our (home field), but we didn’t have access to a home field, so we had to play it down there,” Rodrigues said. “We were able to play Lincoln at Vets, but we didn’t get it done.”
Ironically, CF (6-2 regular season in the Blackstone Valley AYF League) drew Fall River in a state tournament semifinal, and eked out an 18-16 victory at Pariseau Field on Oct. 29. In it, Henrique Ross and Antonio Solar scored on respective touchdowns jaunts of 20 and 15 yards, while quarterback Ty Law Jr. fired a 40-yard TD pass to Bryce Ferrell to avenge the previous loss.
The story gets better, though. The way the bracket fell, the Panthers earned the opportunity to face Lincoln once again – this time in the state 13U Super Bowl.
“I just told the kids before that game (it started at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 5) to take it one play at a time, one drive at a time, give it 100 percent and good things will happen,” Rodrigues recalled. “I guess the pep talk worked.”
CF left Fall River with a satisfying 35-27 verdict, which qualified them for the national tourney in Florida this weekend.
“I told them afterward that hard work pays off and they deserve everything they got because of it,” he said. “We sure overcame a lot of obstacles this year. We were really excited about facing Fall River and Lincoln again; this was our revenge tour. That was our motto once the playoffs started, ‘Get back at the teams that beat us.’ And we did.
“That win against Bridgeport, man, we were firing on all cylinders,” he added. “It didn’t matter which phase of the game you looked at – offense, defense, special teams – the guys were 110 percent focused. They knew what was at stake, and that’s why we’re the New England 13-U champions.”
Rodrigues indicated none of the squad’s success would have occurred without true chemistry between all levels of the program. First, the players, standout athletes such as Law Jr. (the son of New England Patriot Hall of Famer and cornerback Ty Law); receivers Ferrell, Raul Soto and Elijah Osei; running backs Ross and Antonio Solar; and linemen Bryce Rodrigues (center), tackles Dylan Pelletier, Amana Ramirez and Nathanael Rodrigues; and guard Jamie Calixo.
Then there’s Rodrigues’ staff, which includes offensive coordinator Joe Clark; defensive coordinator Brandon Canuto; special teams coaches Chris Karalis and Jesse Ferrell; offensive line coach Seth Nando; and assistant Ty Law Sr.
“We also had some other players contribute to our success when they were called upon, and we couldn’t have done any of it without them,” Rodrigues said. “A lot of these guys – heck, 80 percent of them – I’ve coached since they were little playing flag football. They’re extensions of my own family; I mean, I love these kids.
“I will say that we’re always looking for donations to help defray the cost of the trip,” he said. “Obviously, these are inner-city kids, and it’s a tough time to be asking the parents and their families to come up with some money. I will say that Ty Law (Sr.) has been a huge help, but I don’t want to put it all on him. It wouldn’t be fair.”
Rodrigues noted the Panthers have a GoFundMe page on Facebook, and donations for their “business” excursion to Orlando may be made that way. – CF Panthers coach Nelson Rodrigues
“A lot of these guys – heck, 80 percent of them – I’ve coached since they were little playing flag football. They’re extensions of my own family; I mean, I love these kids.”