Johnston High School’s football team delivered a commanding performance Friday night at Toppa Field, shutting out Rogers 35-0 in a one-sided affair that saw the Panthers control the game from start to finish.
Despite the lopsided score, Rogers managed to create some momentum in the first half when Jaidyn Spencer recovered a fumble to energize the Vikings’ sideline and give his team a brief spark.
Rogers’ passing attack showed flashes throughout the contest, with wide receiver Yarel Fuentes leading the way with four catches for 70 yards. Teammate Ishrael Morgan added three receptions for 20 yards as the Vikings tried to keep pace with Johnston’s offensive output.
However, Johnston’s balanced attack proved too much for Rogers to handle, as the Panthers methodically built their lead throughout the evening.
The victory improves Johnston’s record to 3-1 and strengthens their position in the Division 3 tournament rankings, where they entered the week ranked fourth with a 2-1 record. Rogers falls to 1-3. The Vikings still have winnable games ahead against North Providence (0-2) and Moses Brown (0-2) to bolster their playoff positioning.
Rogers will look to rebound when it hosts North Providence on Oct. 3, while Johnston travels to face Chariho on Oct. 4 as both teams continue their quest for a favorable tournament seeding.
Photo gallery by Justin Walker/What’sUpNewp
