Nighthawk Gridders Battle In Annual Blue & Gold Intrasquad Game

By Andy Hutchison

Sure, it’s June — the time of year in which they would be more likely to break out the sunblock than watch their sons block, but the latter, along with seeing them pass, run, tackle, and score touchdowns, is exactly what parents of Newtown High School’s football players did on June 17. Although we may be far removed from both last year’s and still a couple of months away from this coming season, football was front and center for the annual Blue & Gold spring intrasquad football scrimmage at Blue & Gold Stadium.

The all-Newtown High game capped off ten days of spring practice as the coaches got looks at their future players.

“It gives everybody a chance to really get their feet on the field and try to do something to make their name for next season — that’s what it’s all about,” Newtown Coach Steve George said.

Newtown High’s Gold team, behind Lou Fenaroli’s three touchdowns, defeated the Blue squad 21-7 as the teammates-turned-foes for four quarters gave it their all under the lights (and an early sunshower).

Fenaroli took a swing pass from quarterback Drew Tarantino and weaved in and out of trouble 63 yards for a game-opening score. The extra point attempt failed.

The Gold team got the ball back and was knocking on the door for another score when Blue came up with a fumble recovery in the end zone to keep it a 6-0 game as they headed into the second quarter. Blue took the lead 7-6 when quarterback Mike Davis hit Mike Allwein with a pass from 15 yards out on third and goal. Jake Tolson kicked the extra point to break the tie. Blue’s go-ahead score, midway through the second quarter, was set up by Wyatt Dupuy’s 33-yard rush.

The Gold team again seemed poised to score another touchdown when Blue’s defense came up big. Brendan McNamara gave Gold a golden opportunity with a 47-yard rumble to the Blue 27 yard line. Two plays later, Blue defender Chris Devaney intercepted a pass. The Blue team couldn’t capitalize and Gold reclaimed the lead with less than two minutes to play before the half. Fenaroli caught a pass and maneuvered most of the 68 yards on the play to pay dirt. It was 12-7 Gold. A two-point conversion failed, but the Gold squad added to its lead when Tolson, kicking for both sides, booted a 32-yard field goal as time ran out.

In the third, Fenaroli’s 64-yard punt return put the Gold in prime scoring position yet again, but the Blue defense proved to be too tough in the backs-against-a-wall situation once more, coming up with a goal line stand.

Justin Devillis had a 27-yard interception return to give the Gold guys the ball on Blue’s 15 yard line. That set up Fenaroli’s three-yard TD run midway through the third, and capped the scoring as the Blue team made another two-point conversion stop and neither team could get into the paint in the fourth.

Gold player Conor Noonan had a 36-yard TD run wiped out on an illegal block in the back penalty. On a trick play, Gold set up to punt and Fenaroli took a direct snap and scampered 28 yards to move the chains on a fourth down and 24 yards to go play. Devaney came up with another INT for Blue but, on the very next play, Gold player Hunter Bassett pounced on a fumbled ball.

“We’re going to learn from these mistakes we made tonight and they’re all going to get better,” George said after the final whistle.

The coach had plenty to be impressed with, especially the play of Fenaroli. “Obviously, Fenaroli had a great game. He just made plays. No matter where you gave him the ball — a little swing pass, up the middle, punt return. No matter where you gave him the ball he’s showing that he’s a force to be reckoned with. He’s going to be a great player for us this year and he’s hard to tackle,” George said.

He was also impressed with the play of both sophomore quarterbacks, Tarantino and Davis, saying both showed poise in an unfamiliar environment. Davis, penciled in to play for the Gold team and split time with Tarantino, had to switch allegiances partway through the contest when soon-to-be senior QB Greg Frattaroli got injured. “It was their first time against a very fast, aggressive defense,” the coach said of his younger quarterbacks. He also noted that Jamie Horosko, who suited up for the Blue squad, had a strong showing.

The Hawks collected money to dontate to the Wounded Warrior Project during the game.

The NHS gridders will get back together when the fall season approaches, and they’re scheduled to have their first preseason scrimmage August 30 when New Fairfield visits. The regular campaign will kick off September 16 at Joel Barlow in Redding, and the home opener is slated for September 23 against Immaculate of Danbury.