Right at kickoff, the rain started. Of course it did.
Another Sunday, another shower arriving just as Cumberland’s varsity Jr Clippers took the field. The rain mostly moved along. The energy stayed.
Cumberland’s 42–6 victory over rival Lincoln showcased contributions throughout the lineup. Donovan Martell and Logan Pistorio delivered on offense and defense, while teammates made their opportunities count.
The touchdowns supplied the highlights. The Hogs up front supplied the foundation. Cumberland’s offensive and defensive line—the heart and soul of this team—did the work that gave its playmakers room to operate and kept Lincoln fighting for every yard.
Before kickoff, captain Shawn Veloso reminded his teammates what followed the win over North Kingstown: the disappointment against Johnston, and the importance of arriving ready and playing for each other. His message landed. The kids responded.
Cumberland won the toss and deferred. Joey Scorpio made an early stop outside, Manny Withee helped bring down a runner behind the line, and Julian Sanchez closed on a sweep. Lincoln’s fourth-down pass fell incomplete, giving Cumberland possession at its own 35.
Rome Cruz finished the opening drive with an athletic four-yard touchdown. Rolling right, he sold a hard cut inside to an approaching edge defender. When the defender bit, Rome jump-cut back outside, worked around him and reached the ball over at the right pylon. Cumberland led 6–0.
Then Manny the Missile launched.
On the ensuing onside kick, Cumberland popped the ball roughly 10–15 feet into the air, sending it about 10 yards downfield to a receiver on Lincoln’s front line. Withee arrived just as the ball reached the receiver’s hands and delivered a jarring hit, knocking him to the ground and forcing the ball loose. Manny went down in the collision, too, but recovered immediately. In one fluid motion, he regained his footing, scooped up the football and accelerated toward the left sideline. Roughly 40 yards later, Manny the Missile was in the Big Blue end zone. The successful two-point kick made it 14–0.
Lincoln answered with a touchdown pass down the left sideline. Cumberland’s defender stayed close, but the quarterback dropped the ball over the receiver’s shoulder where it needed to be. Sometimes good coverage meets a better throw. Lincoln earned that one. The unsuccessful conversion left it 14–6.
Martell helped Cumberland answer, bringing down a contested catch and fighting through contact for extra yards. It was one of several big catches he made throughout the afternoon. When the Clippers needed someone to secure the ball and keep a possession moving, Donovan delivered.
Pistorio finished that possession with his first touchdown. A successful two-point kick pushed Cumberland ahead 22–6 before halftime.
Logan kept coming after the break. On second-and-nine, he took a handoff off right tackle, broke through contact and found the sideline. Another defender challenged him downfield. Logan powered through again, completing a 39-yard touchdown run. The kick was blocked, leaving Cumberland ahead 28–6.
Pistorio contributed on the ground all day. At outside linebacker, he was just as valuable: reading plays, recognizing run and pass, and getting where his team needed him. He delivered a sack that forced a fumble, and Martell recovered. A big play from Logan. Another timely contribution from Donovan.
Withee also added an interception. Alongside Sanchez’s pursuit and the work up front, those plays helped Cumberland maintain control.
Rome’s second touchdown extended the lead to 34–6. On that scoring play, Owen O’Grady delivered a pancake block from his receiver position. His effort deserved recognition alongside the touchdown—a player getting his opportunity and bringing the physicality his team needed.
That commitment reached across the roster. Tai Lessa, Ethan Barglowski, Liam Lemire, Jordan Mowry, Owen O’Grady, Mark Vendetti, Julian Sanchez, Andrew Soucar, Lucas “Dozer” Taylor, Jackson Stumpf, Ryan Polak, Charles Bessette, Noah Durand, Carter Trinh, Teo Tabares and Sivel Bolano brought the hustle and steady effort that helped the team grow.
Kasen Chenevert supplied solid defensive play and stayed ready when called upon at running back. Lemire offered dependability wherever needed, from either line to linebacker, while Mowry remained an anchor at linebacker. Jacob Burns and Joey Scorpio brought the dedication and attention to detail their coach calls “technicians.” Scorpio was hurt late in the game, and the team’s thoughts and prayers are with him.
O’Grady and Vendetti are examples of that growth, continuing to do what their coaches ask and making the most of their opportunities. Jackson’s commitment showed when a broken arm kept him from playing earlier in the season: he kept coming to practice and supporting his teammates. Anthony Guerrera, currently sidelined by injury, remains a big part of this team. Other players sidelined by injuries throughout the season have stayed connected to the team, offering encouragement and remaining part of its spirit. Ibrahim Qaisar, injured on Sunday, was still there supporting his teammates. Contributing to this group goes beyond the snaps you play.
The final touchdown brought that team effort together.
Landon DiBello stepped in at quarterback against a Lincoln team that included several close friends. After a well-thrown ball went through a receiver’s hands, he connected on fourth down.
From inside the 10, DiBello found Donovan Martell in the right flat. Donovan made a quick move, battled through some early contact, then raced to the edge of the end zone for the touchdown to cap the victory. The successful two-point kick brought the score to 42–6, putting the cherry on top of a complete team win.
It was a fitting finish for Martell. Big catches, tough extra yards, defensive work, a fumble recovery—and the closing touchdown. Alongside Pistorio’s two scores, sustained rushing contributions and defensive presence, Donovan’s performance helped define the afternoon.
The postgame message was to carry that energy into practice and sustain it through the season. From the Hogs up front to the players finishing drives and the teammates bringing water and encouragement, Cumberland had plenty to build on.
A 42–6 win gives Cumberland plenty to celebrate, but the Clippers know better than to get comfortable. Next week brings a trip to North Providence, fresh off a win over the Johnston team that handed Cumberland its previous loss. The lesson is clear: enjoy a complete team victory, stay humble and get back to work. Sunday’s effort set a standard. A focused week of practice is how Cumberland carries it into the next challenge.