Barrington freshmen battle Hendricken in state championship

Eagles lose 7-6 in defensive battle

Posted 11/22/17

The Barrington High School freshman football team lost to Bishop Hendricken, 7-6, in the state championship game on Sunday, Nov. 19, at Johnston High School.

The Eagles, who defeated Cranston West …

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Barrington freshmen battle Hendricken in state championship

Eagles lose 7-6 in defensive battle

Posted

The Barrington High School freshman football team lost to Bishop Hendricken, 7-6, in the state championship game on Sunday, Nov. 19, at Johnston High School.

The Eagles, who defeated Cranston West 19-12 in the semis, put forth an impressive defensive effort against the high-powered Hendricken offense; the Hawks blasted Portsmouth 42-14 in the other Division I semifinal game. 

Linebackers Tommy Rocha and Luke Gorham led the Barrington defense with a number of key tackles, while defensive linemen Josh Nutter, Brett Hoder and Evan Van Bree also made some big stops. 

Barrington's Cole Reed came through with a huge stop on a crucial third down play against Hendricken, and Will Sanchez finished the game with two quarterback sacks. Barrington coaches said Sanchez put pressure on the Hendricken quarterback all game long.

Meanwhile, Thomas McAdams was stellar in pass coverage and made a number of important tackles. Fellow defensive back Brigham Dunphy forced a fumble against the Hawks and recovered another fumble.

Hendricken's lone touchdown came late in the first half, and was set up by a questionable pass interference call on a key third-down-and-eight play. 

Barrington's offense responded with a highlight reel touchdown play. 

Set up by a booming 50-yard punt by Sanchez, the Eagles' defense stopped Hendricken deep in its own end of the field. The Barrington offense took over at the Hawks' 30-yard line. Facing third-and-long, Barrington's quarterback Brigham Dunphy faked a handoff and scrambled to his right. A Hendricken defensive end grabbed hold of Dunphy's jersey, but the Eagles' play-caller spun away and sprinted back across the field to his left. He stiff-armed one would-be tackler and then, as more defenders closed in, Dunphy whipped a pass to Barrington Mark Bernardo.

The hard-charging running back hauled in the pass, darted away from two Hendricken defenders and faked out a third on his way to the end zone. Eagles' players celebrated in the end zone.

A hard-blowing wind forced a missed extra point kick.

Barrington continued to play hard, led by an outstanding effort on the kick-off by special teams players Spencer Thys, Andrew Jamieson, Matt Daft, Jack Kelty and Ben Proulx. Barrington coaches also praised the Barrington offense, which included wideouts Jay Schiffelen and Declan Cooke. 

Despite the loss, Barrington head coach Drew Genetti applauded his team's effort throughout the game and for the entire season. The championship marked the final game for longtime assistant coach Glenn "Sal" Salgueiro.

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