Townies secure football playoff berth with late win over West

Hazard’s touchdown in the final minute lifts E.P. past Falcons

Photos by Tyler Maxwell
Posted 10/22/18

EAST PROVIDENCE — It wasn’t pretty by any means, but the East Providence High School football team got the win it needed to punch its ticket into the upcoming Division I playoff tournament as the …

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Townies secure football playoff berth with late win over West

Hazard’s touchdown in the final minute lifts E.P. past Falcons

Posted

EAST PROVIDENCE — It wasn’t pretty by any means, but the East Providence High School football team got the win it needed to punch its ticket into the upcoming Division I playoff tournament as the Townies defeated visiting Cranston West, 13-6, at Pierce Memorial Stadium Friday night, Oct. 19.

The Townies left no doubt about their postseason chances as they improved to 4-2 in the I-A side of the league ranks while the Falcons dropped to the same record in the I-B standings. Each will be part of the eight-team D-I tourney field beginning in two weeks.

Dion Hazard once again quarterbacked the Townies to the win, scoring the game-winning touchdown on an eight-yard keeper with just 31 seconds left in the contest. On defense, the second of the his two interceptions in the waning moments of the contest guaranteed East Providence’s playoff-clinching win.

Neither team was particularly effective offensively Friday. The only other scores both came in the second quarter. The Falcons’ touchdown came on a 13-yard pass from quarterback Cam Alves to Matt Carvalho. Juan Diaz tied it up for the Townies mid-way through the period on a seven-yard burst. Each side missed its kick attempt at point following the touchdowns. East Providence's initial kick was good, but nullified by a penalty.

East Providence seemingly took the lead early in the third quarter on the first of Hazard’s picks, the senior weaving his way back towards the endzone en route to an apparent touchdown. But just before he crossed the goal line he made a waving gesture towards a pursuing West player and was flagged for taunting. The touchdown was nullified by the penalty and East Providence’s subsequent possession deep in the Falcons’ side of the field was mired by more penalties ended with an incomplete pass on fourth down.

The Townies conclude their regular season schedule Friday night, Oct. 26, on the road against unbeaten (6-0) and I-A-leading Hendricken in Warwick at 7 o’clock. A win by East Providence would seal third place in the league standings and give the locals a home game in the opening round of the D-I playoffs. A loss and the Townies would likely be on the road for the quarterfinal round.

Much is to be determined on the final night of the regular season. Cumberland (3-3) holds the inside track to the third place position and the quarterfinal home game. The Clippers already beat both Shea (3-3) and the Townies this fall by the scores of 20-14 and 14-0, respectively. If Cumberland defeats 2-4 Cranston East Friday and East Providence loses, the Clippers hold the head-to-head tiebreaker.

Shea plays at second-place North Kingstown (5-1) in its finale. The best the Raiders can finish is 4-3, but lose in a three-way tiebreaker between themselves, Cumberland and East Providence because they also fell to the Townies, 34-33, in the regular season.

Also of note, last week’s game against West was sponsored by the National Guard, in association with the East Providence Veterans Committee, which supplied the military-themed uniforms worn by both teams. A portion of the gate receipts will be donated to the Wounded Warriors Foundation.

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Mike Rego has worked at East Bay Newspapers since 2001, helping the company launch The Westport Shorelines. He soon after became a Sports Editor, spending the next 10-plus years in that role before taking over as editor of The East Providence Post in February of 2012. To contact Mike about The Post or to submit information, suggest story ideas or photo opportunities, etc. in East Providence, email mrego@eastbaymediagroup.com.