Exeter-West Greenwich/Prout Football Dominates In 39-6 Win

WEST GREENWICH, RI — Football season may have been delayed for Exeter-West Greenwich/Prout thanks to a week one bye, but that didn't stop the team from hitting the ground running Saturday in a decisive 39-6 win at home against the Scituate Spartans.

Head Coach Cliff Fortin said there was some rust to begin the game. The team fumbled twice early, causing turnovers on potential scoring drives.

"We were a little too excited and this being the first game of the season, my guys lost their focus," Fortin said.

Still, the team led 7-0 at the end of the first quarter thanks to a five-yard touchdown run by Hunter Mumford, the first of four for the senior. Mumford finished the game with 14 carries for 151 yards and three touchdowns, along with two receptions for 90 yards and a touchdown.

Exeter-West Greenwich/Prout never trailed and dominated the rest of the game, especially on defense. Fortin said a goal line stand in the first quarter set the tone for the rest of the game.

And that defensive momentum swung to the Exeter-West Greenwich/Prout offense, when it exploded in the second quarter. Team captain and quarterback Chris Cardolino threw two touchdown passes, one to Conner Hawes for 22 yards and another to Mumford for 25 yards. Running back Tyler Stanton also got in on the scoring action with a 25-yard touchdown run.

The team forced four turnovers and sacked the opposing quarterback four times. Turnovers included interceptions by Logan Hawes and Christian Dimery and fumble recoveries by Tyler Coates and Dimery.

"We played well, we made some mistakes, but we were able to overcome the mistakes and the turnovers to come up with the win," Fortin said. "I am proud of how my team played in all three phases of the game offensively, defensively and special teams. We created turnovers defensively, we got two interception, we got two fumble recoveries, we got a few sacks, we deflected passes, we had a great goal one stance, and we made tackles. You can’t ask much more from your defense.

"Offensively we threw the ball well, we ran the ball well, and our offensive line did an amazing job blocking, Fortin added. "Being about to put up 39 points means you're executing our plays well. Can’t forget our special teams, a big punt block and no kick off returns for a touchdown."

Here are some of the other key stats from Saturday's game:

• Cardolino threw for 112 yards and two touchdowns, and connected on all three of his pass attempts.
• Jared Zalcberg ran for 112 yards on 10 carries.
• Dimery, Lucas Yackley, Todd Schofield and Coates each recorded a sack.

Exeter-West Greenwich/Prout's next game is on Friday on the road against Davies Career and Technical School. Kickoff is at 6 p.m.