NEW_CANAAN - The Newtown Junior Pee Wees walked on to the artificial turf field at New Canaan High School last Saturday with high hopes of defeating Monroe in the championship game of the Candlewood Valley Pop Warner League.

After all, the Nighthawks had already beaten one 8-0 team (Danbury) to get to the finals and this time - much like against_Danbury - the locals were looking to avenge a 24-9 defeat to Monroe earlier in the season.

It didn’t happen this time, though. Monroe built up a huge first half lead and held on for a 26-14 win.

Newtown started on defense and despite the play of Thomas Hutchison, Brian Poeltl, Cody Shpunt, Brian Stickles and Tucker Kass, Monroe was able to move the ball down field and picked up four first downs before crossing to goalline for a 7-0 lead.

Newtown found itself in a deeper hole when Monroe recovered its own onside kick. But fine defense by Joe Bowen helped set up Jake Benson’s interception, which he returned 40 yards to give Newtown fine field position. Kass and Hutchison both ran effectively during Newtown’s first drive, moving the ball to the one-yard line. However, an interception halted the drive.

Monroe was quick to capitalize on the turnover and in four plays, scored its second touchdown of the game. It was 14-0 with plenty of game to be played.

Monroe again attempted an onsides kick, and once again recovered the ball. Newtown’s defense had some bright spots when Stickles and Nick Mauer combined on a quarterback sack, and Poeltl made a great touchdown-saving tackle. However Monroe scored again. A good play by Mauer and Steve Orrico stopped the extra point, but Monroe had a comfortable lead.

Monroe scored again moments later to make it 26-0.

With less than four minutes to go in the first half, the never-give-up Jr PeeWees finally got things rolling. Kass ran the ball well and the passing of Drew Adamek helped turn things around. Adamek capped a prolonged drive with a touchdown pass to Mauer, followed by another pass to Mauer for the extra point.

Newtown picked up where it left off in the second half when Joey DeVellis returned the opening kickoff to the 36-yard line. Mixing the running of Travis Speer and Kass with the throwing of Adamek, Kass was able to score the second touchdown. An option pass from DeVellis to Kass was good for the extra point, and Newtown was back in the game.

Both teams fought hard for the remainder of the game, but Newtown was unable to get any closer. Scott Perry and Tyler Tarantino also played well for the locals on defense.

Newtown finished its season with a 6-2 record.

NOTE: William Crick, the grandson of Newtown’s Joan Crick, is a mamber of the Water-Oak Pop Warner Pee Wee football team, which won its divisional championship this past weekend on its way to the state tournament (against, oddly enough, Monroe).