Football Wears Down Smithfield, 28-21

NARRAGANSETT – After struggling for about a quarter, the Narragansett Mariners gained control with a power running attack against Division IV Smithfield and finished with a 28-21 victory Saturday afternoon.

Quarterback Mark Griffith led the way with his feet, rushing for two long touchdowns on consecutive carries. He finished with 144 yards on 12 carries, with 93 of those yards coming on a game-sealing QB keeper along the sideline for a touchdown with 4:14 left in the third quarter.

Griffith ended the previous Mariner drive with a touchdown, following a 26-yard keeper up the middle.

Narragansett’s other first string running backs, seniors Willie Perkins and Francis Castrovillari, also had strong days. Perkins finished with 76 yards on seven carries, and Castrovillari had 75 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries.

Narragansett (3-3, 2-2 Division III) head coach Dick Fossa said he initially wanted to use the game as an opportunity to work in some new players and to test his depth chart, thanks to some bumps and bruises. However, after a sloppy first quarter, he was forced to play his regulars.

“Our intensity wasn’t there, and we were giving up a few big plays,” he said. “We were trying to rest some guys, but our first string defense had to play.”

Senior Connor Timpson sat the first quarter, before playing the rest of the game. Senior Brian Chausse also sat out the game, as he recovers from a concussion.

Fossa said he saw “two or three” players earn some more time with play against Smithfield.

“We’re trying to find guys who are comfortable with their role,” Fossa said, referring to players coming off the bench for a series or a few snaps to rest starters.

Griffith said that initially, he wasn’t going to play defense on Saturday – he normally starts as a safety for the Mariners.

“Once I saw them score, the first touchdown, I was like, ‘All right, I want to play,’” he said.

On that play, Smithfield (1-3, 1-2 Division IV) scored on a 60-yard screen pass. However, the Mariners immediately answered with a 65-yard touchdown return by freshman Deontae Stanley on the kickoff.

Fossa praised the work of Griffin, especially since he was unable to practice most of the week because of flu-like symptoms.

“Griffin has been working out all this year,” Fossa said. “That’s what we want him to do, to be a run support guy.”

Smithfield scored twice more in the first half, but they were shut down in the second. Senior Pat Degnan picked off a pass, and senior Jack Durkin recovered a fumble.

With Smithfield out of the way, the Mariners have two crucial games if they consider themselves a playoff team.

Narragansett travels to Lincoln on Friday for a matchup against the Lions. Lincoln is 1-4 in Division III play, and the Mariners can’t have an off-night.

Similarly, Narragansett should be heavily favored when they host Burrillville on Oct. 29 at 12:15 p.m. The Broncos are 0-4 in Division III games.

NARRAGANSETT STATS