Pawtucket opened its season with a dramatic victory Thursday night, defeating South Kingstown, 35–34, in overtime at Max Read Field.

The game was decided when Pawtucket successfully converted a two-point attempt following its overtime touchdown. Angel Lopes took a misdirection handoff and walked untouched into the left side of the end zone, securing the one point victory.

Pawtucket controlled the opening quarter behind its rushing attack. Demear Semedo scored on a four-yard run with 6:22 remaining, and Lopes added an 11-yard touchdown late in the quarter to give Pawtucket a 12–0 lead.

South Kingstown responded in the second quarter when Ethan Jones scored from one yard out, cutting Pawtucket’s lead to 12–7 at halftime. Quarterback Cole Rosen added a one-yard touchdown run in the third quarter, putting the Rebels ahead, 13–12.

The fourth quarter featured four touchdowns and several lead changes.

Pawtucket quarterback Patrick Soares connected with Jerdine Pichardo for a 15-yard touchdown before Semedo ran in the two-point conversion, giving Pawtucket a 20–13 advantage.

South Kingstown answered less than two minutes later when Rosen found Jones for a 69-yard touchdown. The Rebels failed on the conversion, leaving Pawtucket ahead, 20–19.

Lopes then broke free for a 20-yard touchdown with 3:06 remaining. Jonathan Sanchez Ochoa added the extra point to extend Pawtucket’s lead to 27–19.

With South Kingstown facing defeat, Rosen delivered another big play. He connected with Dustin Peno for a 19-yard touchdown with just 54 seconds remaining. Jones ran in the two-point conversion, tying the game at 27 and forcing overtime.

South Kingstown received the ball first in the extra period and scored on a three-yard run by Jones. Tiernan Smith’s extra point gave the Rebels a 34–27 lead.

Pawtucket responded immediately. Soares found Pichardo for a nine-yard touchdown, their second scoring connection of the game. Instead of attempting an extra point to extend the game, Pawtucket went for the victory.

The decision paid off when Lopes scored on the misdirection run, sealing the thrilling 35–34 win.

Soares completed 19 of 28 passes for 218 yards and two touchdowns. Pichardo led Pawtucket with seven receptions for 65 yards and two touchdowns, while Daison Daveiga recorded six catches for a game-high 106 receiving yards.

Pawtucket also received a strong performance from its running game. Lopes rushed six times for 76 yards and two touchdowns, while Semedo carried the ball 10 times for 67 yards and a score.

Rosen finished 9-of-23 passing for 253 yards and two touchdowns for South Kingstown. Jones accounted for 129 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns—two rushing and one receiving.

The victory gives Pawtucket a 1–0 start and an impressive win over a Division I opponent. South Kingstown falls to 0–1 with four of its next five games scheduled against top-division competition.