A year after record-setting seniors led them to big success, the Cranston East and Portsmouth football teams both stepped into new eras on Friday night, when they opened their Division I slates in Portsmouth.

For one night, at least, the new era looked a little like the old one, with the teams getting into a shootout for the third straight year and showing flashes of potential again. But there were also key miscues, and a few big ones cost East.

The Patriots and ’Bolts each scored four touchdowns, but conversions made the difference, with East missing two kicks and failing on a two-point try in the 29-25 loss. East also gave up an interception return for a touchdown, as well as scoring plays of 95 and 70 yards.

There were a lot of positives for the ’Bolts, but they still left Portsmouth with an 0-1 start.

“It was a good football game – we moved the ball, we ran it well,” said East head coach Tom Centore. “A lot of good things came out of it, but we have to be better. We’ve got to do the little things.”

East was coming off a strong performance against Woonsocket in a non-league game. Portsmouth was riding a similar wave, thanks to a 39-19 victory over a Division II Rogers team that went on to win its league opener 34-0.

The Patriots are trying to replace the bulk of their offensive production from last year’s D-I semifinalists, having lost All-Staters Matt Sewall and Travis O’Brien to graduation.

On Friday, Portsmouth didn’t even need its offense to jump in front. On the third play of the game, a Darrio Carter screen pass sailed high and into the hands of Portsmouth defensive back Evan Criner. He returned the interception 10 yards for a score.

“It was a little slip screen, the ball went high and you wouldn’t expect the defensive back to be behind the receiver,” Centore said. “He just happened to be there and he made the play.”

The good news for the ’Bolts was that the bad start – and several big plays later in the game – never buried them.

“It was back-and-forth the whole way,” Centore said. “The kids kept playing.”

Marquem Monroe scored all four East touchdowns, two on runs and two on passes from Carter.

But Portsmouth always managed to keep East at arm’s length. In a 7-7 game, Ryan MacDonald broke a 95-yard touchdown run to put his team back in front.

“We had them pinned and they just broke one,” Centore said. “It takes the wind out of your sails.”

East also delivered another score before halftime, but missed an extra point and went to the break trailing 15-13. Portsmouth had made an extra point and converted a two-point try.

In the second half, the Patriots got another big play, this one a 70-yard run by quarterback Colin Tullson. He also capped Portsmouth’s only sustained drive of the game with a 2-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.

“They only had the one long drive,” Centore said. “I think we’re better than what we played like on defense. You just can’t give up the big plays.”

East tried a two-point conversion on its third touchdown, but Monroe was stopped short after he bobbled a direct snap. An extra point failed on the fourth score.

“We’ve got to be better on special teams,” Centore said. “It’s unusual for us. Logan McConaghy is a three-year kicker and he’s done a great job, but we’ve got a new holder, and we’re still working it out.”

Despite the miscues, East had the ball with a chance to win the game in the fourth quarter. With about three minutes left, the ’Bolts drove to the Portsmouth 17-yard line. But on a first down play, Carter dropped the snap on what was supposed to be a toss to Monroe, who would have had a lot of running room. Instead the play went for an 8-yard loss and East never got back on schedule. Portsmouth stopped the drive and salted away the win when it took over.

“We had a chance,” Centore said. “We drop the ball and all of a sudden it’s second-and-18. That’s the stuff we have to clean up.”

Carter and Monroe both rushed for over 100 yards to lead the ’Bolts.

“Offensively, we had a lot more production, so that was nice to see,” Centore said.

East will try to build on that while cleaning things up this week. The ’Bolts have a bye before returning to action Oct. 3 against Cranston West, in the new, non-Thanksgiving league game between the teams. They’ll still meet on Thanksgiving, as well, in a non-league game.

“We’ll try to recuperate,” Centore said. “We’re not too banged up yet, but it’ll be a good week to gather together. We’ll take advantage of it.”