They say timing is everything, and Newtown High School’s football team certainly captured the moment — just in time — winning the Class LL state championship on the last play of regulation on December 14.

Other Newtown teams have won state championships, but never before in this sort of dramatic fashion and under the circumstances that surrounded the pinnacle game. The Nighthawks not only won the program’s first Class LL title (fourth state championship overall, and first since 1992), but also handled the sometimes-overwhelming attention — with so much emphasis on the Sandy Hook tragedy due to media coverage from outside of town — as well as anybody could have expected.

For the efforts and accomplishments of the Nighthawks, they are The Newtown Bee’s Sports Team of the Year for 2019. Throughout the years, The Bee’s annual Sportsman Award has recognized individuals; this year, The Bee celebrates a team instead.

“I still, to this day, can’t really believe it,” captain Jared Dunn said when the team was honored by The Bee on January 30. Dunn added that the support of the town was special and helped the Nighthawks along the way.

The Nighthawks were undefeated and playing for more than a perfect season on that foggy afternoon when fans of both teams wore green and white in honor of the Sandy Hook Elementary School colors.

“It was a day with a lot of emotion for us. We really had to focus on the game,” captain James Knox said.

“I think we were all mentally prepared for it,” captain Kyle Good added.

Newtown defeated Darien 13-7 when quarterback Jack Street connected with Riley Ward for score that stunned the Blue Wave and sparked a weeklong deluge of attention both locally and out of state.

“We were really focused on that game. It was amazing to win on that day; it was an honor to be able to represent our town well,” said Jack Zingaro, another captain on the Nighthawks.

The Nighthawks were celebrated at halftime during NBC’s broadcast of Sunday Night Football following their big win. The players, including Ben Pinto, whose brother was one of the victims of 12/14, were interviewed by media about much more than touchdowns and wins.

Newtown Head Coach Bobby Pattison said he did not have to worry about how the players would handle sensitive questions. “I have such great kids I didn’t really have to give them much direction,” Pattison said. “That shows a lot about their character, how mature they are, how they’re able to represent our team, our school, and our community. They knew it was going to be a difficult day, an emotional day for a lot of people.”

Newtown’s coach is proud of how this group of teenagers conducted themselves from offseason workouts through the season and for the week of major media attention and celebration that followed the championship.

“I can’t speak highly enough for what they’ve done for me. They did everything I asked of them,” Pattison said.

The Nighthawk coach said he owes a lot to Steve George, his predecessor and head coach when Pattison suited for Newtown High in the 1990s. “He helped me grow as a coach and as a person,” Pattison said.

Of course, the entire coaching staff deserves recognition along with Pattison and the players. Defensive coordinator Nick Tarantino brought a high level of energy to the team, Pattison said. Tyler Tarantino (running backs), Drew Tarantino (quarterbacks), Tom Pellicone (wide receivers), John Leary (offensive line), John Marcucilli (defensive line), Joe Gangert (special teams coordinator/ linebackers), Kyle Tobin (defensive backs), and Carl Paternoster (defensive backs) round out the coaching staff.

Gangert brought an analytical approach in which he referred to previous season stats that led to the team improving its field position by returning more punts rather than letting the ball drop and roll. Paternoster, who coached for more than two decades, is going out on top. He retired following the season.

This team, like others at the high school, gives back to the community. Several of the Nighthawk players volunteer coach with the Newtown Youth Football program, some with siblings and others whose connection is simply that they played in the program and wanted to help out, Pattison said.

“That’s just great because most of us went through the Newtown Youth Football program,” said captain Jack Mulligan, adding that the team’s participation in the youth program helps show the up-and-coming players what the sport is all about and hopefully encourages them to keep with it.

“The young kids really look up to them,” Pattison said.

Newtown’s football team also participated in a local 5K road race to benefit the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation. Proceeds from the event support the foundation’s programs, including those benefiting first responders and catastrophically injured service members.

The team held its annual Intercept Cancer fundraiser game to raise money for the American Cancer Society, assisting a cause that has hit home with some of them, Pattison said.

Newtown High Athletic Director Matt Memoli credits Principal Dr. Kimberly Longobucco and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Lorrie Rodrigue for working together with him to handle a high volume of both media requests and invitations for the team to be recognized during the week following the win, which Memoli described as “a whirlwind.”

The team and its dramatic triumph certainly had a lasting impact on many. To get to the championship and all that followed was a season that really wasn’t much different than any other for this program: A group of teenage high school athletes worked together and piled up wins while having fun.

“I had a great time with a lot of really good guys on the team,” Zingaro said.