Exeter/West Greenwich quarterback Zach Hornoff looks for a receiver as a Classical defender prepares to pounce during first-half action in yesterday’s Super Bowl at Cranston Stadium. Click here to see a gallery of game photos.

The Providence Journal / Bob Thayer

CRANSTON — When Emanuel Tutu entered Classical High School as a freshman on the football team he was a lineman and never dreamed he would one day run the ball for the Purple.

Last night, as a senior running back, his true talent was on display as he recorded 348 rushing yards on 29 carries, including four touchdowns to lead Classical to a 34-22 victory over Exeter/West Greenwich in the Division IV Super Bowl at Cranston Stadium.

Tutu was awarded the game’s Most Valuable Player Award, but as humble as anyone could be, he gave all the credit to his team and coaching staff.

“I’ve been playing with these people since I was a freshman and this is the best feeling in the world,” he said. “It feels good, but I’m not worried about this MVP because my team came out and executed. The offensive line did its job and we got the ‘W’ so that’s all I’m happy for.”

Classical finished the season undefeated, while Tutu surpassed the 2,000-yard mark and both have been unstoppable in the playoffs. Basically, Purple coach Kris McCall told his players he didn’t want a repeat performance of a year ago when the school lost to Middletown in the Super Bowl by one point.

“Our goal wasn’t to go undefeated,” said McCall. “The goal was to get back here and win it. We wanted to be dominant up front and we were. We have some special kids. We obviously have a line that is special and a running back who is real special.”

When he got the job three years ago, he got the players in a huddle and he challenged Tutu because he thought the youngster wasn’t playing to his ability. Coming into his senior year, Tutu helped his teammates reach a new level this season and it showed in an all-out team effort last night.

“He’s a special kid,” McCall said.

“To come out here a second time and get the win — we deserve this,” said Tutu. “I ran hard, but I give all the credit to the offensive line. The blocks were there and my quarterback [Rocco Santopietro] was there. It was a team effort.”

The Scarlet Knights, who beat North Providence in the semis to reach their first Super Bowl, battled the Purple in their last meeting but fell just short as Classical won the regular-season meeting in October, 22-16.

“We came out with more heart,” said Tutu. “We’ve been to the Super Bowl before and we know how it feels to lose. We weren’t going to have that feeling ever again.”

After the Scarlet Knights failed to score on their first possession, the Purple wasted little time and scored on their first play when Tutu ran it back 70 yards to give Classical a 6-0 lead with 7:09 remaining in the first quarter. The Purple couldn’t convert the two points.

The remainder of the first quarter was a seesaw battle with both schools jockeying for field position. The Scarlet Knights finally answered and tied that game at 6-6 when Kevin Luczak ran it in on first-and-goal from the 6-yard line with 9:42 remaining in the second quarter.

It seemed as though the first half would end in a stalemate, but Classical took control of the game in the waning minutes of the second quarter and scored with 10 seconds remaining when Tutu completed Purple’s drive with a 4-yard TD run. Santopietro ran in the 2-point conversion for a 14-6 lead.

Classical kept its momentum going and scored on the first possession of the third quarter with Tutu running over and through the opposition until Santopietro scored on a quarterback sneak on first-and-goal. Tutu added the 2-point conversion for a 22-6 advantage.

The Scarlet Knights wouldn’t go quietly.

They produced a 13-play drive at the end of the third quarter and finished it off at the start of the fourth when Luczak scored on a 3-yard run and added the 2-point conversion to cut their deficit, 22-14.

The Purple’s offensive line and Tutu answered once again on the ensuing possession. Classical’s star running back scored his third TD of the night with an 8-yard run for a 28-14 lead. The Scarlet Knights kept the pressure on and marched down field and was on the verge of scoring but Tutu, who led Classical in interceptions during the regular season, picked Exeter/West Greenwich quarterback Zach Hornoff off in the end zone.

Tutu wasn’t done.

On the very next play he ran 80 yards to score his fourth touchdown of the game to reach 348 yards rushing for the game on 29 carries to give Classical a 34-14 lead. Again, as they have done all season, the Scarlet Knights fought back and scored with just seven seconds remaining in the game when Hornoff provided a 6-yard run and Fines added the 2-point conversion for a 34-22 final.

“I’m very proud of my kids,” said Coach Mike Messier. “For the first time in the history of Exeter/West Greenwich school they kids made it to a Super Bowl and I’m very proud of them. We did a lot of good things this year and we didn’t lose our composure. In my opinion we truly were the best team in Division IV. I’m not going to take anything away from Classical, but there has to be something done about their [division] positioning. My kids worked hard all season and they have nothing to be ashamed of.

“Regardless of the score this was the type of game we expected,” added Messier. “We made a few mistakes, but aside from that we did exactly what we were supposed to do. We’ll go back to the drawing board and start all over again on Monday. It’s been a great season for us.”

It was a great season for both schools.

EWG

6  0  0  16 — 22

Classical

6  8  8  12 — 34

 EWG scoring: Touchdowns — Luczak 2 ( 4 run, 3 run), Hornoff (6 run); conversions — Luczak (run), Fines (run).

 Classical scoring: Touchdowns — Tutu 4 (70 run, 4 run, 8 run, 80 run), Santopietro (3 run); conversions — Cole (run), Tutu (run)

jmcdonal@projo.com