CF WANTS TO TAKE NEXT STEP
Central Falls’ seniors have seen program improve every season
CENTRAL FALLS – Veteran head grid coach Jeff Lapierre is hoping simple logic will play a role in Central Falls High’s success this season.
He put it this way: “Our guys have that desire to go someplace they haven’t been in years. As 10th graders, this group of seniors went to the (Division III) quarterfinals and lost, and – last year – they went to the semis and lost (to eventual Super Bowl finalist Juanita Sanchez/ PCD/Wheeler Co-op, 45-22).
“The next natural progression should be the champi- onship final, and that’s what we’re all shooting for.”
Lapierre has all sorts of reasons to believe his Warriors can get there come mid-November, but he nevertheless is taking a “cautiously optimistic” approach to this upcoming campaign. He insists his staff has taken a “one game at a time” mindset into its preseason camp.
The Warriors took the same tact last summer and fall and it paid off, as it finished second in Division III-B with a 6-1 mark (7-4 overall), a game behind unbeaten league champion Burrillville.
One look at a list of 11 returning starters and you’d figure Lapierre and offensive coordinator Anthony Ficocelli would be more confident in their prognosis.
Senior Dutchie Arroyo heads the contingent; he played quarterback most of last year, but this season will see more time at wide receiver and free safety. Among the others are seniors Jordan Alvarado (TB/ FB/LB); Leonardo DaVeiga, the state’s 200-meter track champion (WR/CB/FS); Jonathan Acosta (OG/MLB); Warren Smith (OT/LB/DE); Kenny Carpenter (G/DT); Willie Gonzalez (C/G/DE); and Erickson DaVeiga (WR/DB).
Then there are juniors Justin Cruz (OT/DT) and Darryl Fleurantin (OLB/P).
“I’d say that’s a pretty strong group right there,” Lapierre grinned.
Then again, he’s also excited about the fact he has a trio of key newcomers, kids who he knows already will contribute to the team’s success. Among them senior Tyrique DaSilva (RB/CB); junior Jaquel Cristal (TE/DE); and junior quarterback Luis Gonzalez.
“We had Tyrique with us as a freshman and sophomore, but then he transferred to Tolman last year before coming back,” Lapierre said. “We couldn’t be happier. The kid’s got talent. Then there’s Jaquel, who’s 6-2 and pretty quick for a big guy.
“With Luis, he started for us against Toll Gate and against Lincoln on Thanksgiving Day,” he added. “He’s just a big, strong, tough kid who’s extremely eager to learn; he’s willing to take control of that position. Jaquel’s going to be a big target for him; he’s a guy with great hands.”
When asked why he used the phrase “cautiously optimistic,” Lapierre immediately stated, “Because we don’t have a lot of depth. Our numbers are kind of low this year; we’re hovering around 35. We want to have a JV program, and we have a complete schedule, but we’re missing some key positions like linemen.
“We’re hoping more guys will come out and fill those spots once school starts, but I’m only going to give them a few days to do that. Otherwise; they’ll be too far behind.
“Our strengths? That would be our senior leadership, talent and speed at receiver and in the backfield,” he continued. “Adding Acosta to the offensive line increases our overall girth; I mean, Jonny’s 6-2, 265, but he can move. The guys love running behind him because nobody (on defense) can see them, and he’s like a freight train. If given the opportunity, he’s going to pancake the guys in front of him.
“On the opposite side, Kenny Carpenter has some get-upand-go, and he’s not afraid to mix it up with anybody on the line.”
He indicated his offense will be multiple, utilizing both the traditional run and spread. Defensively, Lapierre will focus predominantly on a 4-4 scheme.
“We like to go 50-50 with the run and pass,” he noted. “Our OC Fic likes to be balanced, but obviously that can change depending on the situation. The good news is he’s got (alum and former signal caller) Brandon Canuto helping out on the staff.
“If we have any weaknesses, it would be depth, in my opinion. We’d like to get a few more guys out.”