Falcons edge Knights in league finale

The Cranston West football team continued its strong play on Friday night, powering past Central, 21-12, for its second win in the last three weeks.

The Falcons controlled the game on both sides of the ball, moving the ball fluently on the ground and through the air, and their defense remained stellar, holding their opponent to under 14 points for the third consecutive week.

“Defensively, we’ve gotten much better,” West head coach Steve Stoehr said of his team’s progression. “We’re getting to the football, which has been preached all year. We’re a young team with 13 seniors, two or three that play, but we’re getting better.”

West jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the first quarter on a 14-yard touchdown rush from senior Michael O’Neill.

The Falcons and Knights would trade scores in the second quarter.

Central’s Jones Mallay got his team on the board when he got loose for a 10-yard scamper, and West’s offense kept rolling as Cam Harris fired a 10-yard strike to sophomore wideout Shad Pinthiere to give the visiting Falcons a 14-6 lead at the break.

Harris has stepped up nicely after taking over for injured starter Nick Dionizio early in the season. The junior’s progression has been on display with each passing game.

“I couldn’t be more proud of that kid,” Stoehr said of Harris. “He’s stepped up for us and has done the job.”

The two teams would trade touchdowns once more in the third quarter.

Senior Josh Pereira found pay dirt on a 10-yard run, and Central looked to keep pace when Dametrius O’Connor reeled in a 50-yard touchdown heave from Malik Monteiro.

West held a 21-12 advantage heading into the final quarter, and its defense wouldn’t give an inch over the last 12 minutes to secure the triumph.

The win pushed the Falcons to 2-5, while the loss dropped Central, the No. 3 seed out of Division I-B, to 4-3.

Although the Falcons won’t be playing in the postseason, they will host a non-league game against Rogers at Cranston Stadium at 7 p.m. on Saturday.

West will then conclude its season with the annual Thanksgiving Day game against rival East. Kickoff for that matchup will be at 10 a.m. at Cranston Stadium on Nov. 24.

West’s goal now is to end the fall with three consecutive victories.

“That would be great,” Stoehr said of the potential to end the year on a high note. “To take that into next year, that would be great for a young team, and it would be a great way for the seniors to leave the team.”