Valley teams in good shape to make playoffs
Four squads start October undefeated
The master of witty remarks that he was, Yogi Berra didn’t have the 2018 R.I. high school football season in his sightlines upon saying, “It gets late early out there.”
Here it is, the first weekend in October, and you can see the finish line, particularly in Divisions I and II. The regular season in both leagues will be wrapping up before Halloween. In Divisions III and IV, the regular-season finale for those teams is on the docket for Nov. 2-3.
Yes, it does appear that time is a pressing factor at a point in the high school football calendar where in theory, teams should be hitting their stride. The week-to-week mantras that head coaches cling to so tightly begin to take on a different tenor in accordance to the season kicking into even higher gear.
With September in the books, there’s enough of a sample size as it relates to who’s in prime position for the playoffs and who still needs to polish up their credentials. Honing in on the nine schools who were previewed by Times/Call sports staffers, let’s review where each of them stands with specific subject headers serving as the guide.
IN THE DRIVER’S SEAT Burrillville
League record: 3-0, Division II-B Remaining regular-season games: home to Juanita Sanchez/PCD/Wheeler Co-op (Saturday); away at Middletown (Oct. 12); home to Coventry (Oct. 20); at Westerly (Oct. 26)
Skinny: Bronco Dominance is once again en vogue, led by a high-powered offense that has scored 40 or more points in every game and a bend-but-don’t-break defense. Heading into this weekend’s slate, the Broncos’ next three opponents have won a total of three league games. A home game in the quarterfinals could be locked up as soon as Saturday. The regular-season finale at Westerly figures to be for the division title.
Central Falls
League record: 3-0, Division III Remaining regular-season games: away at Narragansett (Friday); away at Tolman (Oct. 13); away at Plainfield, Conn. (Oct. 19); away at North Providence (Oct. 27); away at Chariho (Nov. 2)
Skinny: No home field, no problem. The Warriors could play on Mars and still score 40 points without breaking a sweat. Next week’s homecoming game against Tolman should be a treat and go a long way in figuring out the D-III playoff picture.
Tolman
League record: 2-0, Division III Remaining regular season games: away at Pilgrim (Friday); home to Central Falls (Oct. 13); home to Narragansett (Oct. 19); away at Smithfield (Oct. 26); home to North Providence (Nov. 2)
Skinny: Wondering when the Pawtucket folks are going to erect a statue in honor of all-world senior quarterback Justin Klemanchuck following his last-second heroics against Chariho last Saturday night. Like the Warriors, the Tigers should pull into next week’s game with a zero still in the loss column.
North Smithfield/ MSC co- op
League record: 3-0, Division IV Remaining regular season games: home to Exeter/Prout co-op (Oct. 12); home to Ponaganset (Oct. 19); away at Hope (Oct. 27); home to Scituate (Nov. 2)
Skinny: The Northmen are idle this weekend. When they return to the gridiron, they’ll embark upon a four-game stretch where three of the contests are very winnable. The true test comes when the Chieftains come calling. That night should determine the order of the top two seeds in Division IV.
IN GOOD SHAPE Cumberland
League record: 2-1, Division I-A Remaining regular season games: away at North Kingstown (Friday); away at South Kingstown (Oct. 12); away at St. Raphael (Oct. 20); home to Cranston East (Oct. 26)
Skinny: In retrospect, facing Bishop Hendricken in the league opener may have been a good thing for the Clippers. You’re able to cross that beast off the schedule before moving on with a series of games where in theory, you’re on even footing with the competition. Cumberland has circled the wagons nicely since Hendricken rolled to a 34-0 win. Defense has been a major factor in their resurgence and will be key as the Clippers play their next three games away from Tucker Field.
Shea
League record: 2-1, Division I-A Remaining regular season games: away at Barrington (Friday); home to East Providence (Oct. 12); home to Bishop Hendricken (Oct. 19); away at North Kingstown (Oct. 26)
Skinny: Sometimes, a reality check is a good thing. The Raiders were undefeated and flying high prior to losing to Cumberland last Friday in a game where Shea struggled mightily in the first half, yet still had a chance to win. Taking care of business over the next two weeks is imperative with tall tasks against Hendricken and North Kingstown awaiting the Raiders following dates against Barrington and East Providence.
Woonsocket
League record: 2-1, Division II-A Remaining regular season games: away at Johnston (Friday); home to West Warwick (Oct. 13); away at Classical (Oct. 20); away at Rogers (Oct. 26)
Skinny: Life is once again good for the Villa Novans, who rebounded from the Westerly blowout by running away from East Greenwich last Saturday. There’s only one game remaining at Barry Field and it’s shaping up to be an exciting one when undefeated West Warwick ventures north next Saturday. That outcome could play a huge role in the Novans’ bid to play a home playoff game for the first time since 2013.
WORK TO DO St. Raphael
League record: 0-3, Division I-A Remaining regular season games: away at Bishop Hendricken (Friday); home to North Kingstown (Oct. 12); home to Cumberland (Oct. 20); away at Central (Oct. 27)
Skinny: The Saints fall under the category of close but no cigar. Two of their three losses have been by single digits. The schedule is about to ratchet up in difficulty, yet SRA could enter the playoff equation providing three of their final four games end in victories.
Lincoln
League record: 1-2, Division II-A Remaining regular season games: away at East Greenwich (Friday); home to Johnston (Oct. 12); home to Rogers (Oct. 19); away at Coventry (Oct. 26)
Skinny: Getting over the hump was achieved last Saturday at Classical. Facing an East Greenwich outfit that’s still smarting from getting run over by Woonsocket will be a stern test for the Lions. After Friday, the road gets a little easier. Lincoln’s final three opponents enter this weekend with a combined 2-7 record in league action. Five Super Bowls are on the docket. Yes, you read that correctly.
The state championship pitting the top teams in I-A and I-B will square off at Cranston Stadium on Nov. 10. That same day, semifinals in all four divisions will be held at neutral sites. This practice represents a departure from past practices where the team seeded higher would serve as the host.
Two divisional championships will be held on Nov. 17 with the remaining two set for the following day. All told, one out of roughly four teams will end up figuring in the Super Bowl discussion.
Eight teams will qualify for the Division I and II tournaments; in Division I, you’ll have the schools that finish second through fifth in the mix. The top four teams in the seven-team Division III and the top four teams in the seven-team Division IV will qualify and meet in the semis. All told, playoff berths will be achieved by 26 of 42 teams.
Calling your attention to Article 19, Section 2, Item C under the RIIL’s rules concerning football. It states that prior to the annual Thanksgiving Day contest, teams must wait four days between games.
With the Super Bowls now being held the weekend before Thanksgiving, it would appear that the aforementioned stipulation needs to be addressed.
For teams like Tolman, Central Falls, and North Smithfield/MSC Co-op, the potential of playing a Super Bowl game on Saturday, Nov. 17, then playing their annual Thanksgiving contest on Wednesday, Nov. 21 would appear to be a clear violation of the four-day waiting period.
Teams that have Super Bowl plans on Sunday, Nov. 18 run into the same conundrum with their Thanksgiving games on tap for Nov. 22.
Will teams like Tolman and Central Falls have to readjust its holiday football plans by moving their Thanksgiving Eve games to Thanksgiving morning in the event of a Super Bowl berth? Stay tuned.