".....Aaaannnnd - WE'RE BACK....."

The defense of the belt for the four-time state champions begins.

Last night at Hayden Stadium, our football Hawks picked up right where they left off from last December, when they were last seen walking off the Cranston Stadium field holding high a fourth consecutive piece of Super Bowl hardware. The Hawks got things started right in their opening game last night, a non-league matchup with the Johnston Panthers, as they won going away, 34-6.

Before we get into the game, however, just a couple of points about The Network, which is an even bigger operation than it was last year. In addtion to the "foundation" of The Network - play-by-play/analysis men Stone Freeman & Cam Brennan on hand to call all the live action - our production team consisted of Remy Morris, Max Zweiner, "DT" Barron, Chris Mota, Darren Squillace, Sam LaFrance, and Colton Capobianco. All members of the team contributed, either by means of social media, note-taking, camera work, sideline pictures, and even trying their hand at some play-by-play. It was high octane, all night long.

Throw in the new website, where last night's game can still be seen (or by clicking on our Ustream link at the top of the page), and it's quite a combustible mix.

And, if there's any doubt that The Network is now truly a #FORCEOFNATURE, the team jackets came in last night, and it might be safe to say that there's not another jacket like it in the school. The logos say it all:

So, now that it's safe to say that The Network has officially arrived, let's get to last night's opening-season win.

As difficult as it may to believe - judging by the final score - our guys did, in fact, come out of the gate a bit sluggish. The Panthers ran the ball against our defensive front on their first possession (somewhat of a problem throughout the game), and with 6:13 remaining in the first quarter, senior Lee Moses was beaten on a 31-yard touchdown that put Johnston up, 6-0.

From there, however, it was all Hawks.

Quarterback John Toppa punched it in on a two-yard keeper later in the quarter, and at the end of one period, it was 7-6, Hawks. The Hawks then shifted into another gear as the second quarter unfolded, as two plays effectively had them on their way to their first win of the season. First was QB John Toppa's run up the middle for an 80-yard touchdown with 6:15 remaining in the first half, which can be seen here:

Next came with 2:11 remaining in the half, a Toppa 44-yard TD pass to all-stater Lee Moses:

That made the score 20-6, Hawks, as the teams went to halftime, and two more Hawks scores in the third quarter, one by Gary Gibbs....

....and one by Jake Derderian.....

....put an end to the night's scoring, as the score was 34-6 by the end of the third quarter.

So, all in all, it was a great night all around, from both the football and Network operations side of things. The Hawks will be home again next week, when the Townies of East Providence come marching into Hayden Stadium for the first Division I matchup of the season....and The Network will be there LIVE, with all hands on deck.

One final note - the first installment of the weekly "Monday Night Hendricken Hawks' Football Show, presented by Papa Gino's", will be held this Monday night from 6pm to 7pm, LIVE at Papa Gino's at Hoxie 4 corners. Flyers will be available in the school with details and a coupon for a free slice of pizza. So come on down, watch the show in person, and support the unbelievable work that is being done by the Hendricken students who are part of The Network.

Hope to see you there.