Shane Parker’s Huskies started the season off on the right foot as the dominated Tiverton 21-0 during an abbreviated injury-fund game at Barrington High School on Thursday night. 

“Nice first win,” said Huskies’ head coach Shane Parker. “You never know how all of the work you’ve been doing is going to translate on the field. We’ve been working hard. We got a good head start on some of our install stuff, but we still got a lot of work to do. I told them, ‘Be happy. Don’t be content.’”

Bombs away

Mt. Hope Junior quarterback Ethan Martel heaved a 55-yard catch and run bomb to junior receiver Brennan Perry. 

“It was play action,” said Coach Parker. “Tiverton all came running up on power and Ethan hit Brennan behind them. Ethan has really improved during the scrimmages, because he is getting more realistic looks now that we are actually playing real football.”

Place kicker Mike Lombardi kicked the extra-point to give Mt. Hope a 7-0 lead early in the first quarter. Martel, who backed up Riley Howland last season, completed 4 passes for 95 yards. 

We changed the offense a little bit, and it fits more of Ethan’s skill set. Riley moved to running back which fits his skill set,” said Coach Parker. 

“Ethan is doing a really good job,” said Howland the Huskies captain. “He’s looking good.”

On the Huskies second possession, Howland ended a 40 yard drive by bursting into the end zone on a 5-yard touchdown. Lombardi kicked the extra-point to give Mt. Hope a 14-0 lead.  The senior captain rushed for 30 yards in two quarters of play. 

“Riley was playing quarterback this summer,” said Coach Parker. “But our starting running back got hurt in a scrimmage last week. Riley did what was best for the team and stepped into the role.”

“I’ll play where ever coach needs me to play,” said Howland. “I’m just trying to help us win games.” 

In the second quarter, Rocco Palazio snuck into the end zone on a 3-yard scamper. Lombardi’s third kick through the uprights gave the Huskies a 21-0 lead. Palazio rushed for 10 yards on 4 carries. 

Terrorizing defense 

The Mt. Hope defense terrorized Tigers’ junior quarterback Ben Troia, consistently pressuring the junior into throwing mistakes. Defensive backs Evan Rodrigues, Lucas Andreozzi and Palazio all intercepted Troia. Senior middle linebacker James Thibaudeau led the Huskies with five tackles. 

“The entire defensive line is playing great,” said Coach Parker. “We are cycling in nine or ten guys. We have a lot of good young defensive coaches. The players have been responding to the younger guys.”

Mt Hope alum James Olson is the defensive coordinator for the Huskies, while coach Parker will be handling the offense. 

“We are all learning and focusing on the game of football,” said Coach Parker. We still have a pretty young team with just seven seniors. The young coaches have been bringing the energy. I’ve been blessed with a good staff.”