Providence Day football builds large first half lead, beats East Rutherford

To contact us Click HERE

By Corey Inscoe 
cinscoe@charlotteobserver.com

Friday night was just Providence’s Day’s second game at its new stadium and field, but the Chargers looked right at home, jumping out to a big lead and beating the East Rutherford Cavaliers 42-13.

Providence Day (5-2) took advantage of East Rutherford (4-3) mistakes in the first half to build a 28-0 lead over the Cavaliers before halftime.

“We just talked about being a tough physical football team this week,” said Providence Day head coach Bruce Hardin. “I was just so pleased (with) how the players responded.”

After an opening drive punt by Providence Day, the Chargers’ Robby Rucho intercepted East Rutherford quarterback TJ Watkins’ first pass 3 yards from the end zone. Running back Gunner Guelli scored on a 3-yard run the next play to give Providence Day a 7-0 lead.

On the Chargers’ next possession, Bryon Fields returned a punt 75 yards to the end zone, but it was called back because of a block in the back. The Chargers still drove 57 yards and scored on a 10-yard pass from quarterback Chase Ferguson to Fields near the end of the first quarter.

At the beginning of the second quarter, the East Rutherford punter kicked the ball into one of his own players and the Chargers took over at the Cavaliers’ 21 yard line. Guelli (36 yards, two touchdowns) scored two plays later on another 3-yard touchdown run.

The last Charger touchdown of the half came on a 19-yard pass from Ferguson to Daniel Stack with less than a minute left in the half.

“We just didn’t come out and play good football the first half,” said East Rutherford head coach Clint Bland.

After taking the second half kickoff, the Cavaliers drove 75 yards and scored in less than three minutes on a 12-yard pass from Watkins (7-for-16 passing, 102 yards, a touchdown and interception) to Donald Wilkins.

A fumble by Guelli on Providence Day’s own 7-yard line at the beginning of the fourth quarter gave East Rutherford the ball and the Cavaliers scored three plays later on a 4-yard run by Watkins to make the score 28-13 Providence Day with 9 minutes left in the game.

Ferguson (13-for-16, 235 yards and four touchdowns) put the game away less than a minute later, hitting Fields for a 44-yard touchdown pass. Ferguson also had a 37-yard touchdown pass to Mark Brame with 4 minutes, 38 seconds left.

“They just kept putting eight or nine people there in the box and it’s just time to see what you can do deep,” said Hardin. Ferguson “made some great throws. Really proud of him.”

Providence Day opens conference play next week when the Chargers travel to Charlotte Latin.

Inscoe: 704-358-5923; Twitter: @CoreyInscoe