A slow second half punctuated with penalties and turnovers spelled trouble for the Barrington High School football team on Friday night, Sept. 13. 

The Eagles trailed Cumberland 10-7 at halftime and struggled to mount a comeback in the second half, eventually losing to the Clippers, 23-7. The loss dropped Barrington’s record to 0-1.

Cumberland took a 7-0 lead in the first quarter. After forcing the Eagles to punt on the first possession, the Clippers marched straight down the field. Will DiGiacomo and Henry McClelland made some key tackles on the drive, but eventually the Clippers punched it in on a seven-yard scoring pass. 

Midway through the second quarter Barrington orchestrated its scoring drive. Senior running back Charly Potter hauled in a 24-yard pass from quarterback Blake Dolan to push the ball to the Clippers’ 20 yard line. A pass interference penalty against Cumberland moved the ball closer to the end zone, and with 2:15 left to play in the half, Dolan handed the ball to Potter who barreled in for a touchdown. Ben Aree kicked the extra point and the score was tied, 7-7.

The Clippers answered the score with a two-minute drive that started at their own 32 yard line and finished with a 37-yard field goal as time expired. 

Cumberland opened the second half with the ball and put together another long drive. Barrington’s defense eventually stiffened and forced a fourth down and six from the Eagles’ 12. Cumberland set up to kick a field goal, but the Eagles jumped off-sides, and a play later the Clippers quarterback pushed through the Barrington defense for a key first down. Two plays later Cumberland punched it into the end zone and widened the lead to 17-7. 

Barrington was flagged for another penalty on offense that killed a drive and turned the ball over to end another promising drive. Cumberland, meanwhile, scored once more to make the final 23-7. 

The Eagles will try to rebound when they host Burrillville on Friday night, Sept. 20 at 6:30 p.m.