Big test awaits Clipper defense
Bishop Hendricken will come to Tucker Field tonight
With shutouts in back-to-back weeks, defense has been the calling card for the Cumberland High football team.
Friday at 5:30 p.m., the Clippers will face their tallest order to date when perennial power Bishop Hendricken visits Tucker Field. The Hawks put up a 30-spot in a win over North Kingstown after flattening Burrillville, 42-7, in a nonleague game that doubled as the season opener.
Cumberland held Shea off the scoreboard in the season opener (15-0) and kept East Providence out of the end zone last Saturday (14-0). To head coach Josh Lima, everyone involved on the defensive side of the ball has been connected. It’s that simple.
“It’s not even about not allowing points. It’s the way they’re all playing together,” said Lima.
Hendricken resides in the fourteam Championship Division while Cumberland competes out of Division I-A. For the Clippers, a matchup against the Hawks serves as the “play-up game” where Division I teams are randomly assigned an opponent from the Championship Division. For both teams, Friday’s result will count towards their playoff seeding.
Now, let’s look at the other games on tap:
6 p.m. – St. Raphael (2-0, Division II-A) at Lincoln (0-2, Division II-A)
The Saints are rolling and the Lions are young in many key spots. If you’re playing R.I. high school fantasy football, make sure SRA quarterback Andre Gray is in your starting lineup.
6 p.m. – Shea (0-2, Division I-A) at Bishop Hendricken junior-varsity
A trip to the end zone would be just what the doctor ordered for a Shea outfit that’s been fine defensively but has yet to register a point through eight quarters of league play.
Saturday
Noon – East Providence (0-2, Division I-A) at Burrillville (1-0, Division I-A)
The Townies have yet to score a point and they’re facing a Bronco offense that’s led by junior quarterback Wes Cournoyer, who threw three touchdowns in last week’s win over Shea.
Noon – Davies Tech (1-1, Division IV) at Toll Gate (1-1, Division IV)
The Patriots will look to see if they can build off last week’s win over Hope. A win over the Titans would allow Davies to jump into an even higher realm as a D-IV playoff contender.
Monday
6 p.m. – North Smithfield/Mount St. Charles Co-op (2-0, Division III) at Johnston (1-0, Division III)
Among the local entries, this may be the top game of the weekend. The Northmen/Mounties head out on the road for the first time this season. The Panthers haven’t played since March 26.