CLASSICAL @ CHARIHO FOOTBALL DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF MADDIE POTTS ON YURVIEW LIVE THIS SUNDAY APRIL 11 AT 1:00PM ON COX CHANNEL 4 AND STREAMING ON YURVIEW.COM.
Upon the completion of a groundbreaking ceremony for the Maddie Potts Memorial Fieldhouse at Chariho High School, all eyes will shift to a high school football game that kicks off Sunday at 1 p.m. at the Chargers’ field.
“The [Potts] family asked if we could move our game from Friday to Sunday,” said Chariho head coach Nick Russo, referring to the unusual practice of staging an interscholastic football contest on a day that’s traditionally not known for staging said sport.
“It’s a great opportunity for the community to come together,” added Russo.
Chariho will host Classical, a fellow Division III school that’s 1-1 on the season. The Chargers are off to an 0-2 start.
Who should fans (and Yurview viewers) keep an eye on? Ask and you shall receive. Below is a checklist to help you get game ready. Let’s begin with the away team.
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WHEN CLASSICAL PASSES:
It’s all about choices and junior quarterback Jalen Dennis certainly has them when he drops backs to pass. Junior Marquis Buchanan and senior Stanley Urey represent a potent 1-2 punch who can turn short throws into long gains. Both of Classical’s primary wide receivers are standout basketball players. Both have drawn interest from college recruiters with Classical head coach Kris McCall noting that a “big school on the West Coast” is close to offering a scholarship to Buchanan, who stands 6-foot-3.
“Jalen can throw, but opposing teams have to decide if they want to stuff the run. If you do that, you’re going to have Marquis and Stanley open for a lot of big plays,” said McCall. “If Jalen throws the ball on time and doesn’t try to overdo things, it’s a problem for people.”
Through two games, Buchanan has caught 12 passes for 412 yards – an eye-popping 34.3 yards per catch. Urey has seven receptions for 156 yards. Combined, they have five of the six touchdowns that Dennis has registered to date.
Junior Elijah Nyahkoon is another prominent member of Classical’s deep wide receiver corps. Junior Xavier Williams is a first-year starter at tight end.
WHEN CLASSICAL RUNS:
A senior who’s authored back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons, Samuel Badoo is taking his electrifying running talents to Brown University.
“If you drop a lot of people, you’re going to see Sam run for 200 yards in the first half,” said McCall.
Case in point, Badoo racked up 202 yards on the ground during the opening half against Tiverton on April 3. Occasionally, Nyakoon will shift to the backfield to spell Badoo.
WHEN CLASSICAL IS ON DEFENSE:
The athleticism at the wide receiver/running back spots can also be found in the Purple’s secondary. Most of the time, Classical will feature a combination of five players either lining up at cornerback or safety. Urey and Buchanan are the corners with Badoo performing the function of a read-and-react safety.
“That’s our best group on defense and it’s also our best group on offense,” said McCall.
Closer to the line of scrimmage, 6-foot-3 junior Tosin Awosika is the Classical defensive lineman who’s responsible for wreaking havoc. Senior Jayden Russell is small but quick.
“Similar to Tosin, Jayden gets a lot of pressure,” said McCall.
As for the linebackers, McCall hopes to have more definitive answers by the time Sunday’s kickoff rolls around.
WHEN CLASSICAL IS ON SPECIAL TEAMS:
A freshman, Tyler Lee will get the extra point/field goal tries this week. Badoo is the punter.
On kickoffs, the Purple turn to Buchanan and Badoo. Buchanan has the floor for punt returns.
“The last two years, it’s been Sam [returning punts]. He’s signed. Now it’s Marquis’ time,” said McCall.
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WHEN CHARIHO PASSES:
Junior quarterback Zachary Boschwitz is a two-year starter at the sport’s most scrutinized position. Per Russo, it’s been a challenge to provide Boschwitz with adequate reps during practice.
“The chemistry that has to be there in the passing game, it just isn’t there because either someone is missing [practice time] or is out,” said Russo.
In an ideal world, sophomores Caleb Maggs and Collin Fitts are hauling in passes from Boschwitz at a high clip.
“Fitts has good speed, but he can also carry the ball between the tackles,” said Russo. “This is his first year playing varsity football. He’s stringing some positive things together.”
WHEN CHARIHO RUNS:
Senior Rogan Wotherspoon and junior Mitchell Silva are the top options on the ground. Getting the running attack up to speed has been a point of emphasis after back-to-back losses where Chariho’s defense was out there far too often to Russo’s liking. The Chargers hung tough in a 15-7 season-opening loss to Johnston and dropped a 31-0 final to Coventry.
“We’re looking to play more complimentary football,” said Russo.
WHEN CHARIHO IS ON DEFENSE:
The ends are bookended by seniors Sean Goulet and Josh Pater. Playing inside are junior Mitchell Silva, junior Edmund Comire, and sophomore Norman Stanley.
“Sean and Josh do a great job every single game. They’ve started a ton of games and know what they’re doing,” said Russo. “Mitchell, Ed, and Norman are young and undersized, but they’re getting important game reps.”
Seniors Chris Bliven, Ethan Sargent and Fred Stanley are part of the linebacking rotation that also includes Wotherspoon. At cornerback, the Chargers count on juniors Nolan Murphy and Aidan Haxton. At safety, you have senior Nick Corrente and sophomore Ian Clark. Freshman Lucas Corah is an option to see time in the secondary.
WHEN CHARIHO IS ON SPECIAL TEAMS:
Similar to Classical, Chariho’s kicking unit is counting on a ninth grader. Dan O’Horo has been tasked with converting extra points and field goals. He’s also the punter.
“He’s done a nice job for us,” said Russo, noting that O’Horo was a soccer player in middle school. “He has a strong leg for his size.”
Fitts and Maggs are the choices on kickoff and punt returns.
CLASSICAL @ CHARIHO FOOTBALL DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF MADDIE POTTS ON YURVIEW LIVE THIS SUNDAY APRIL 11 AT 1:00PM ON COX CHANNEL 4 AND STREAMING ON YURVIEW.COM
