Newtown High School’s football team members are hopeful the start to this season mirrors the finish: Playing in a game against a tough nonconference foe.

If that is the case, these Nighthawks — who open against tough FCIAC team Greenwich — will at the very least have one state playoff clash with an unfamiliar lineup. Coach Bobby Pattison has his sights set on much more than just state playoff qualification, including leading the way in the South-West Conference.

“Our goal is to win the SWC, return to the playoffs, and win another championship. We will go as far as our seniors take us. Seniors lead the way,” Pattison said.

The Nighthawks are a Class L school this fall and are joined only by New Milford from the SWC. Their season begins against the Class LL Greenwich Cardinals at Blue & Gold Stadium on Friday, September 9; kickoff at 7 pm. This stands to make for a playoff-like atmosphere right out of the gate.

“Our out of conference schedule is very difficult with Greenwich in week one and Hand in Week three. Both of these teams make the playoffs year in and year out. We are excited and looking forward to the challenge,” Pattison said.

After hosting Greenwich, the Hawks visit SWC foe Bethel on September 16, then travel to Class M Hand of Madison to clash with one of the state’s traditionally tough squads, which reached the title game in Class L in 2019, the year Newtown won the Class LL title.

Newtown will also face SWC rivals Pomperaug of Southbury, New Milford, Bunnell of Stratford, Joel Barlow of Redding, Stratford, New Fairfield, and Masuk of Monroe. The annual Thanksgiving Eve contest will take place at Masuk Wednesday, November 23 at 6 pm. All other games are slated to kick off at 7 o’clock.

“I think the SWC is wide open this year. Masuk is always in the conversation,” Pattison said.

Newtown’s captains are seniors Caleb Smith (running back/strong safety), Dylan Magazu (quarterback), Mark Sokk (tight end/linebacker), and Andrew Swierbut (wide receiver/linebacker/kicker), along with junior J.J. Haddick (running back/linebacker).

Other key players who Pattison will look to as the Hawks try to play into December are seniors Brady Fodor (offensive and defensive lineman), Matt Lasorsa (also offensive and defensive lineman), Cam Ward (wide receiver/defensive back), and Brock Dukate (wide receiver/linebacker/punter), as well as junior Jack Chappa (offensive and defensive lineman).

“A strength this season will be experience. We return over half our starters on each side of the ball,” Pattison said. “These kids grew up in the offseason. They worked extremely hard at getting bigger, faster, and stronger. We will need to bring along some younger kids for depth in certain positions.”

Newtown’s coach is looking forward to seeing how far the seniors take this group of Hawks.

“There is nothing like a crisp fall morning. You can start to feel it in the air — football is back. We have a great bunch of young men. They are ready to leave their mark,” Pattison said.

Sports Editor Andy Hutchison can be reached at andyh@thebee.com.