The Barrington High School football team scored 19 second half points and rolled to a 29-8 victory over St. Raphael’s Academy in a Division II playoff semifinal game on Friday night, Nov. 10.

The win advances the Eagles to the Division II state championship game — Barrington will play against Cumberland on Saturday, Nov. 18 at Cranston Stadium. Kick-off is at noon. 

Barrington High School senior running back AJ DiOrio scored four touchdowns in the win over St. Raphael’s. DiOrio finished with 289 all-purpose yards, including an 85-yard kick-off return for a touchdown to open the second half. 

The Eagles led the Saints 10-0 coming out of the break, but Barrington’s kickoff return team quickly made the score 16-0. The kick sailed deep to DiOrio, who gathered the ball off the ground and waited for his blockers to open a crease in the Saints’ cover team — and that was exactly what they did. Late in the run-back, Chucky Potter provided two key blocks that allowed DiOrio to charge the final 30 yards to the end zone. 

When asked after the game which of the four touchdowns was his favorite, DiOrio said it was definitely the kickoff return. 

“That was awesome,” he said. “Coming out of the half, it gave us momentum.”

Barrington opened the game on defense. The Saints ran a couple of wide receiver screens and picked up a first down. But Barrington’s Nate Gravelle ripped through the line and slammed the Saints’ running back to the ground for a key stop, and Chucky Potter knocked the ball away from a Saints’ receiver to force a punt. 

Th Eagles took over at the Saints’ 47 yard line. Barrington quarterback Alex McClelland ran for a few yards and handed to DiOrio who ran for a first down. Two plays later, McClelland dropped back and spiraled a pass down the sideline into the outstretched hands of DiOrio, who landed at the two yard line. DiOrio barreled into the end zone on the next play. Ben Aree booted the extra point and the Eagles led 7-0 with five minutes to play in the quarter.

Barrington’s defense stopped the Saints’ second drive, led by tackles from Trevor Snow and Matt Zimmerman. 

The Eagles’ offense drove deep into St. Raphael’s territory on the next possession but a fumble ended the scoring chance. 

It appeared Barrington had its second touchdown of the game mid-way through the second quarter, but the score was called back as referees flagged an offensive lineman for pushing McClelland into the end zone on fourth and goal at the one yard line. The Eagles settled for an Aree field goal and pushed the lead to 10-0. 

That score remained until the start of the second half when DiOrio broke away for the 85-yard touchdown return. 

Barrington’s special teams also blocked a punt in the third quarter, but the offense was unable to capitalize. In the fourth quarter, the Eagles’ running game took over — Mitchell Ivatts ran for one first down and DiOrio capped the drive with a one-yard touchdown run. 

The Eagles’ defense forced another punt on the next drive, and on the ensuing play DiOrio took a handoff and blasted through the left side of the Saints’ defense for a 35-yard touchdown run. 

DiOrio finished the game with 22 carries for 156 yards. He also caught two passes for 48 yards. 

“This week, just like every other week, the line opened holes for me. They played great today,” DiOrio said. “St. Ray’s had a huge D-line, great guys, but my line gave me enough room to run.”

Meanwhile, Barrington’s starting defense shut down the Saints’ offense throughout the game, pleasing Coach Sandy Gorham.

“Just outstanding. Again, against some very athletic kids we were able to keep them in check,” Gorham said of his defense. “I give (assistant coaches) Adam (Toman) and Connor (Coughlin) all the credit in the world. They come up with a scheme and we review it as a staff and we go with it. They do a wonderful job setting that defense up.”

Gorham also praised his players.

“The kids played tough. We play tough defensively. We play hard. We’re undersized but we run hard to the ball. I’m so proud of them,” he said.