Portsmouth dismantles Rogers in home opener, 38-0

Patriots’ offense and defense click on all cylinders

Jim McGaw
Posted 9/9/16

PORTSMOUTH — Under the first Friday night lights of the year, the Portsmouth Patriots varsity football team dominated on both sides of the ball to shut out Rogers High School, …

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Portsmouth dismantles Rogers in home opener, 38-0

Patriots’ offense and defense click on all cylinders

Posted

PORTSMOUTH — Under the first Friday night lights of the year, the Portsmouth Patriots varsity football team dominated on both sides of the ball to shut out Rogers High School, 38-0.

Head coach Ryan Moniz said he was impressed by how pumped up his team — and the crowd — was for the Division I opener.

“The thing I’m most happy with was the energy from everybody,” he said. “There’s no environment quite like this environment. These guys have the high school experience once and it’s important to capture each moment. They did a good job today. I think the crowd was great, but I’m really happy with our effort and our energy.”

As he’s done so often, quarterback and multi-position player Sean Coyne, a senior, got the job done for the Patriots. He put his team on the board with 2:30 to go in the first quarter when he kept the ball for a two-yard carry up the middle on fourth down. Coyne also handles all the kicking for the squad, and his point-after made it 7-0 Portsmouth.

In the second half, he made a 39-yard field goal to make it 10-0, shortly after he ran 55 yards down the right sideline to get the team within range.

On the team’s next offensive drive, it was senior running back Alexander Khalfayan’s time to shine. He was given the ball three straight times, the last for a run up the middle and into the end zone, making it 17-0 Portsmouth with 4:15 left in the half.

As it did all night, the Patriots’ defense disrupted the Vikings’ backfield, at one point sending Rogers backwards during its next drive. After Rogers punted, Coyne ran 30-plus yards on a keeper.

Portsmouth then threw one of its changeups to Rogers when sophomore Kyle Bicho took over on quarterback and threw to junior wide receiver Peyton Robinson for a 40-yard catch-and-run into the end zone. That made it 24-0 at halftime.

When asked the reasons behind switching out the quarterback position on occasion, Mr. Moniz said it certainly wasn’t to rest Coyne, who plays both offense and defense and rarely comes off the field.

“Sean doesn’t get breaks,” said Mr. Moniz. “He’s a playmaker, he’s a football player. He can do a lot of different things. He can run the ball, he can throw the ball, he can catch the ball, he can kick. What gets lost in all of this is he is an outstanding defensive back as well. Sean has gotten better in every part of his game.”

And that includes his kicking. During an injury fund game last week, Coyne completed a 50-yard field goal, and made one from 39 yards Friday night. He also completed all his point-after attempts, and nearly every one of his kickoffs was sent into the end zone for a touchback.

“He has added a lot of height, which is key in distance to his kicking game,” said Mr. Moniz, adding that Coyne has also improved his punting skills but thankfully didn’t have to demonstrate that against Rogers.

Good field position throughout

The Patriots took their foot off the gas only slightly in the second half, with the defense keeping the pressure up and giving the home team good field position throughout. 

A short rush into the end zone by senior John Roche made it 31-0 with 6:36 left in the third period. Then Bicho, at quarterback again, hooked up with junior Daniel Correia for a 26-yard pass play for a touchdown, making it 38-0 with about 10 minutes left.

While he praised his team’s defense, Mr. Moniz said there’s still room for improvement. “It was a collective effort,” he said. “I we had an eight-man linebacker rotation and they all played really well. I thought our D-line did some positive things, and tackling’s getting better. I thought we had some opportunities for some more turnovers. I think they need to clean up that area.”

The Patriots next game is against Cranston West on the road at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 16.

Busy Friday night

Portsmouth’s first home football game of the season was preceded by the Portsmouth Gridiron Club’s fund-raising golf ball drop by helicopter. 

Participants paid $15 for one ball, or $10 each for two or more, and each ball was numbered. Those people whose golf balls came closest to the “P” in the middle of the field won $1,000 for first place (Heather Rhodes was the grand prize winner), $500 for second place and $250 for third. (Seven others got $100 apiece.) 

Afterward, players and cheerleaders from the local Pop Warner league got cleanup duties. 

The Portsmouth High School Marching Band also debuted its halftime show, a tribute to the British rock band Queen.

Also, several members of the Class of 1966 — the school’s first graduating class — attended Friday’s game and were recognized at halftime.

PHS football, Portsmouth High School, Portsmouth Patriots

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