Novans take down Johnston
Woonsocket jumps on Johnston early, cruises
Woonsocket gets impressive win on the road
bmcgair@pawtuckettimes.com
JOHNSTON – Offense, defense, special teams … it was complimentary football at its finest for the Woonsocket High on Friday night.
The Villa Novans tuned up for next Saturday’s key Division II-A home clash against West Warwick with a resounding 46-8 triumph over Johnston at Polisena Stadium. Now 4-1 overall and 3-1 in league action, the Villa Novans jumped out to a 16-0 lead after one quarter and enjoyed a commanding 26-0 advantage at the break. The final points of the first half came as time expired as Hezekiah Adeyeye converted a field goal from 45 yards out.
“Hezekiah has been making them from 65 yards out during practice. If you don’t rush at him, he’s going to make it,” noted WHS head coach Charlie Bibeault. “Great game all around.”
Johnston turned the ball over five times with Woonsocket scoring 13 points off those turnovers. Baye Lo picked up a fumble as Johnston approached the end zone and the Novan senior covered 94 yards for the touchdown. Justo Colon closed out the scoring with an interception near midfield – the senior covered 52 yards for the score.
Emmanuel Gomes found the end zone twice and classmate Dwayne Robinson-O’Hagan got the scoring started for the Novans with a nine-yard touchdown that capped off the game’s first drive. Woonsocket recovered an onside kick to start the contest.
The Novans’ lead grew to 9-0 at 8:35 of the opening quarter as Panthers quarterback Angel Flores was tackled in the end zone by Logan Coles. On the ensuing drive, Gomes barreled into the end zone from six yards out. The touchdown pinned Johnston in a 16-point hole.
Gomes’ second touchdown covered 36 yards and increased Woonsocket’s lead to 23-0 with 4:13 remaining in the second quarter. Colon came away with an interception with 1:36 remaining before the break, yet Johnston’s defense held serve. The Panthers did turn the ball on downs deep in their own territory and that set the stage for Adeyeye to connect from deep as time expired.
Johnston (0-4, Division II-A) spoiled Woonsocket’s shutout bid as Flores hit Thomas Zednik from 15 yards out in the fourth quarter. The Novans responded with a 17-yard rushing touchdown by Coles to take a 40-8 lead. Woonsocket 16 – 10 – 0 – 20 --- 46 Johnston 0 – 0 – 0 – 8 --- 8
W – Dwayne Robinson- O'Hagan 9 run (Hezekiah Adeyeye kick)
W – Safety, Angel Flores tackled in end zone
W – Emmanuel Gomes 6 run (Adeyeye kick)
W – Gomes 36 run (Adeyeye kick)
W – Adeyeye 45 field goal
W – Baye Lo 94 fumble recovery (Adeyeye kick)
J – Thomas Zednik 25 pass from Angel Flores (Zednik from Flores)
W – Logan Coles 17 run (Adeyeye kick) W – Justo Colon 52 interception return (run failed)