Mt. Hope High School's run at reaching consecutive Division III football championship games ended last weekend when the Huskies fell to host Chariho, 21-12, in a 2026 quarterfinal round contest played Saturday night, Nov. 7.

The locals, who appeared and lost to Classical in the final last fall, finished their regular and postseason slates with a 4-5 overall record.

The Chargers improved to 7-2 overall with the win, advancing to the semifinals this weekend against top-seeded Davies Career and Tech.

The quarter between the fourth-seeded Chargers and the fifth-seeded locals was delayed a day due to Friday's heavy rains, which saturated Chariho's natural grass field. The 24-hour wait made for much firmer footing the following evening.

After receiving the game's opening kickoff Saturday things started well enough for the locals, Brody Cavalieri ran into Chariho territory on the first place from scrimmage, but the drive stalled when the Huskies couldn't convert a fourth down play inside the Chargers' 40.

The hosts, in turn, used nine plays to reach the endzone for the night's initial score; a one-yard run by Aiden Etchells. The kick for point by Wes Maggs put the Chargers on top 7-0.

Another Chariho defensive stand led to another Chargers' touchdown early in the second quarter.

The hosts forced Mt. Hope to punt near midfield, then needed 10 plays to add to their lead. The score came on a zig-zagging run by Sawyer Mason from 48 yards out. The ensuing Maggs' PAT made it 14-0 Chariho.

The Huskies had a response before intermission. Cavalieri broke loose up the middle for a 24-yard TD rush. However, the high was tempered a bit when first they were called for a motion penalty on the try attempt and next from five yards farther out when Jake Mancieri's kick careened off the right post to leave the score at 14-6.

Mt. Hope did get the ball back before the break, reaching midfield. Two deep tosses by Will Francis to the endzone were incomplete and the Chargers maintained their eight-point spread to intermission.

Roles reversed to start the third quarter. The Huskies' defense stiffened, forcing Chariho to punt to end the first series of the period.

And the Mt. Hope offense took advantage, needing just three plays to claw back in it as Francis followed the down-field block of Cavalieri on a 65-yard TD jaunt. Francis' pass attempt for two was incomplete, but the Huskies trailed just 14-12.

The MHHS D next held deep in its own end, enticing the hosts to attempt a 25-yard field goal, which missed. The wide angle boot from the right hash was pulled low and left by Maggs.

The Chargers' D, though, also held firm, leading the locals to punt on their ensuing series.

The hosts then went on what proved the game-sealing drive, crossing into the fourth quarter and scoring on a 21-yard trap run by Etchells. The PAT by Maggs padded Chariho's lead to 21-12.

To their credit, the Huskies didn't relent. The locals pressed until the final few seconds of the game. Mt. Hope managed to matriculate down to the Charger four, but couldn't convert for a score before time ran out in the game and on their title aspirations.

Francis finished with 127 yards rushing, including the TD. He also went 7-for-15 passing with 117 yards.

Tyler Rhynard caught three tosses for 72 yards. Nick Rogers grabbed the other four throws for 45 yards.

Cavalieri ended with 64 yards on the ground off eight carries and the TD. The senior had 10 tackles on defense.

Travis Furtado, Cavalieri's cohort at linebacker, led the MHHS D with 12 tackles. Matthew Thibaudeau and Adam Matloob each had eight, the latter adding a sack.

The Huskies have one game remaining on their 2026 schedule, the traditional Thanksgiving morning matchup with rival Barrington on Thursday, Nov. 26. Kickoff is set for 10 a.m. at Veterans Field in Warren.