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Narragansett too strong for Whittier

Sunday, September, 21 By Chuck Frye
Staff writer

HAVERHILL — When Narragansett Regional decided to muscle up, there was little Whittier could do.

Despite never really getting its offense in gear, the Wildcats managed to convert a turnover into 2-yard Bryan Trickett touchdown run and an 8-0 first quarter lead in their home opener. And the Warriors played into Whittier's strength during the opening half, trying to attack the edges only to find quick defensive ends and backs shutting them down to the tune of a mere seven yards on 16 attempts. Only one well-timed second-quarter fly pattern executed by tight end Alex Travisano and turned into a 76-yard, game-tying touchdown pass spoiled the fun for the 'Cats, and even that was answered a minute after the break on Don Leighton's impressive midfield interception.

But from that point, 'Gansett first-year head coach John Beary pretty much put the brakes on the flashy stuff and called on a beefy offensive line and fullbacks Casey Goguen and Jake Parker to carry the load. The pair delivered 150 ground yards in the final two quarters and the physical play carried over defensively, allowing the Central Mass. powerhouse to run away with a 27-8 victory.

Now at 2-0, the Warriors have an impressive 106-30 record since 1996 including a pair of perfect seasons. Whittier (now 1-1) suffered a 48-16 thrashing against Narragansett in game two last season.

"We ran things differently in the second half," Beary explained. "Whittier players on the perimeter were coming up fast in the first half and you can't keep running into a brick wall like we were. There was no rhyme or reason to it, we took what was given us."

Goguen (16 carries, 114 yards) essentially wrapped up the victory after a third-and 11 connection from quarterback Stephen Ciaramitaro (4 of 9, 154 yards) to wingback Marlon Webb netted 41 yards and a first down. Working the middle of the line from the Whittier 46, Goguen shook off an early arm tackle and sprinted the distance for the touchdown.

With Whittier's offense silenced (zero yards, no first downs in the second half), 'Gansett ground out 46 yards on six Goguen carries to set up an easy 10-yard Ciaramitaro-to-Travisano TD connection late in the third quarter.

Then the Warriors wrapped up their scoring early in the final stanza behind backup Parker (8 attempts, 54 yards), who took a dive play and turned it into a 27-yard scamper for six points behind a massive downfield block from Webb.

"We knew we had to stop their fullbacks and we had them under control in the first half," Whittier head coach Kevin Bradley said. "We did a great job in the first half. Then we come out in the second half and make that stop and that was it. We were sitting instead of going after it on both sides of the ball.

"We were our own worst enemy," Bradley concluded. "We've got to have that hungriness like in our first game (a win over Charlestown). It was a heavyweight fight in the first half and we had one of Central Mass.'s best teams on its heels. We've just got to close it out. We'll be alright."

Trickett (34 yards rushing) and quarterback Dillon Ryan (35 yards passing on two completions to Damian Colman) led the Wildcat offense.