Hut, Hut ... Highlights From The Gridiron

Newtown’s fifth and sixth grade youth football highlights from week one are as follows:

Newtown’s fifth grade youth football team defeated Norwalk Green 19-6 in the season opener on Tuesday night. The Nighthawks got the season opener in a few days late and had to switch the game to Norwalk, but came away a successful start to the season.

The Nighthawks dominated the line on both sides of the ball and the respective backfields played disciplined, heads-up football. Daniel Mason rushed for a score in the first quarter, followed by a nifty scamper by Matt Dubois in the second, and a power scramble by Griffin Cross in the third. Dubois scored an extra point on Cross’ TD. Luke Melillo was lights out at quarterback, completing a 15-yarder to Gavin Connors on fourth and long to set up Cross’ TD.

The defense, led by John Albanese, Robbie Morrill, and Reed Hammond looked impenetrable. Tucker Garrity, Jack Hannan, Kyle Cascone, and Gren Paynter had big stops. Safety/defensive back Garrity recovered the ball on own kickoff for great field position.

The fifth graders are scheduled to host Norwalk Gold this Sunday at 10 am at Newtown High School.

Sixth Grade Success

Newtown’s sixth grade youth football team kicked off the season with a 30-6 triumph over Norwalk at Blue & Gold stadium this past weekend.

Ryan Kost finished the opening drive with a touchdown pass to Simon Preston on his way to a day in which he completed 10 of 15 passes for 103 yards and threw for two touchdowns. Preston also had a big day for Newtown, on both sides of the ball, rushing for 70 yards and another touchdown and accounting for six tackles and a fumble recovery on defense.

Liam Deakin and Kyle Roche made key downfield blocks for Simon on his touchdown run. The defense gave up a touchdown and 138 yards in the first half, but locked Norwalk down in the second half for only eight yards of total offense.

Mark Hall, five tackles and a forced fumble, and Josh Dunn, seven tackles and a forced fumble, both played big on defense. On special teams, David Daria had a 37-yard kickoff return.

Dunn ran for 28 hard-fought yards inside behind the blocking of Joe Badiola and Alex Street.