Tri-City takes charge in season-opening win

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"I think we're going to do well," said Kane, a 2003 graduate ofKingswood. "Our defense is strong. Our offense can score points.We've got a lot of fast guys. We might not be the biggest defenseout there but we've got the heart, we've got the speed and we'vegot a lot of people out there that know how to play. I have afeeling we're going to be recognized this year."

"When we got a lead early it was a good chance to see what we had,"said Richardson. "Going forward, it was what it was. They're a newteam. They were like us last year. They were just trying tosurvive. In Single A you run into that. But we've got some reallytough opponents coming up, some really high-end teams that's reallygoing to be the test.

"It was a game we used to see who could play," Richardson added."Now going forward we've got to prepare for the thicker part of ourschedule."

The offense is led by Lampron, who hit David "C.C." Tidwell with a23-yard touchdown pass on Tri-City's first play from scrimmage. Along punt return by Jake Cheney set up that score. Kane and JustinBilodeau combined to block a punt on the Kings' next possession toset up the Charge's second touchdown.

"It feels good to be on the other side of the spectrum," saidLampron, who played collegiately at Plymouth State University andwas named the league's co-offensive MVP last season. "Our team wasthat team last year. It's good to have a win under your belt, tostart 1-0 and get the ball rolling."

Tri-City led 19-0 at halftime. The Kings' only points came on asafety on the second play of the third quarter when Lampron fumbledout of the end zone in the face of heavy pressure. The Chargescored a pair of TDs in the second half, including a weaving,24-yard run through traffic by Josh Foulds that made it 26-2 in thethird quarter.

Not everything went as planned, however. There was the safety andTri-City converted just two of five extra-point attempts. But theCharge have something to build upon as they prepare for a game atConcord — another first-year team — in two weeks.

"We've kind of put (last year) behind us," Kane said. "I wasn'there so I can't really speak too much for them but I think they'relooking forward to this season and turning some heads. Last seasonwas a learning experience. Now it's all about having some fun,putting some points on the board and keeping them off."

"It does feel pretty good," Richardson said. "It's our first win inthe NEFL. Last year we couldn't buy one. I know how they feel overthere. Moving forward is the big test. The guys can't wait."