PROVIDENCE — Nicholas Varrichione’s interception return for a touchdown proved to be the difference as unbeaten and top-seeded LaSalle Academy defeated fourth-seeded Cranston East, 14-7, in a Division I football playoff semifinal contest played Friday night, Nov. 21.
The game was a thriller that came down to the last minutes. At a cold and blustery Cimini Stadium both offenses struggled for much of the first half. Then, Cranston East’s special teams came through with a punt return 54 yards to touch to give the Thunderbolts a 7-0 lead heading into the break.
In the second half, two of LaSalle’s many East Providence players, quarterback Jace Pena and wide out Elijiah McLean, connected for a 37-yard touchdown pass that tied the game at seven. Just seconds later Varrichione, the Rams’ senior co-captain, returned his pick for a touchdown to put the Rams up 14-7.
LaSalle’s defense made a goal-line stand that gave their team the win and advanced the Rams to the Division I Super Bowl where they’ll face four-time reigning state champ Bishop Hendricken on Saturday, Dec. 5. The Hawks defeated Portsmouth, 32-21, in Friday’s other semi.
“We came out in the second half and we said ‘we have to score somehow,’ LaSalle coach Geoff Marcone said. “Nick came up huge. He is an all-state linebacker. He does a great job for us.”
From the opening Cranston East drive it was clear the game would be dominated by the defense. The Thunderbolts’ went three-and-out after LaSalle’s Cameron Morenzi came up with an interception. The Rams proceeded to go three-and-out and give the Thunderbolts the ball back.
Cranston East drove down to LaSalle’s 40-yard line when on third down Thunderbolt quarterback John Anderson threw a pass that went off his target’s fingers turning the ball over on downs.
LaSalle then struggled on offense which forced them to punt. Cranston East’s Michael Castillo then went untouched for 54-yards as he put the Thunderbolts on the board first. Senior kicker Logan Mcconaghy’s point after put them up 7-0 with just over a minute left to play in the first quarter.
The Rams’ offense continued to struggle as they fumbled the ball which was recovered by Darrio Carter. Cranston East then gave the ball right back as they fumbled. This gave the Rams great field position at midfield. However, their offense failed to capitalize as they went three-and-out.
The Thunderbolts then quickly gave the ball back due to a holding and false start penalty. The Rams’ offense proceeded to have its’ most promising drive of the night so far. They moved to the wild-cat formation and ran the ball with success which included a fourth and inches conversation.
LaSalle’s promising drive continued with a great 21-yard pass from Pena which put them at Cranston East’s 25-yard line. The running game then came to a halt as they failed on fourth and long, giving the ball back to the Thunderbolts.
Both quarterbacks struggled to close out the first half as Pena threw an interception right to the Thunderbolts’ Justin Silva. Cranston East’s quarterback, Anderson, then had a bad pass of his own which lead to an interception by the Rams’ Jermaine Moore.
To start the second half, LaSalle’s offense went three-and-out as their running game continued to struggle. Cranston East followed it up with a three-and-out of their own giving the Rams the ball at their own 40-yard line.
Pena started off the drive by spinning his way to a 20-yard run. A couple plays later, Pena threw a pass high and off target. Just one play later, Pena threw a perfect 37-yard touchdown pass to McLean as the Rams’ offense finally broke through. Andrew Salzillo’s PAT tied the game at seven with just under five minutes left in the third quarter.
Three plays later, Cranston East was intercepted as LaSalle’s Varrichione returned it 30-yards for the TD. Salzillo’s PAT upped the Rams’ lead to 14-7 just one minute after LaSalle was down 7-0.
The Thunderbolts’ offense followed up LaSalle’s back-to-back touchdowns with a three-and-out. This gave the Rams a long field with the ball at their own 16-yard line. Pena continued his hot streak with a 42-yard strike to Cornellious Waite along the sideline.
The play resulted with the ball at Cranston East’s 20 to start the fourth quarter. LaSalle’s offense couldn’t seal the game as they struggled running the ball and then missed a 30-yard field goal.
The Thunderbolts and Rams both couldn’t move the ball on offense including an interception on a flea-flicker which gave Cranston East hope.
Cranston East had the ball on their own 37-yard line with 5:30 remaining in the game as Anderson delivered a 35-yard dart to a wide open Castillo. This put East just 13-yards away from tying the game.
Then, a couple of short runs and a bobbled snap led to the Thunderbolts turning the ball over on downs as LaSalle celebrated with just two minutes left.
“They (our defense) did a great job and we hung our hat on our defense all year,” Coach Marcone said. “They came up big when they needed to and that was a huge, huge stop.”
The win means LaSalle will advance to play in the Division I Super Bowl as they play Bishop Hendricken. The Rams beat Hendricken earlier in the year, Oct. 31, by a final score of 15-9. The Super Bowl will be played at Cranston Stadium.
“They (Hendricken) are a fantastic football team,” Coach Marcone said after the game. “They are well coached and have great athletes. We got our work cut out for us.”
Before the Super Bowl, LaSalle will play East Providence on Thanksgiving morning at Pierce Memorial Stadium at 10 which is a non-league game.
— Story by Nick Friend
— Photos by Tim Marshall
