In its first traditional game in two seasons, Newtown High School’s football team picked up where it left off — with a win.

The Nighthawks defeated visiting Pomperaug of Southbury 42-17 at Blue & Gold Stadium on September 10. This was the first game on the new turf and Newtown’s first 11 on 11 contest since capturing the 2019 Class LL state championship. Last season was significantly altered due to the coronavirus, and teams played 7 on 7 touch football.

Newtown found itself in a battle for two-plus quarters. Newtown led 21-17 at the half and pulled away behind a stingy defense and, perhaps more notably, a tightened offense and special teams that had turnover and penalty trouble in the opening half.

After Andrew Jacobs opened the scoring with a two-yard touchdown run, the Panthers answered on a blocked field goal try that was returned for a TD. The Hawks regained the lead when quarterback Dylan Magazu rumbled 32 yards to paydirt, breaking several tackles along the way. It was 14-7 NHS after one quarter.

In the second quarter, a Pomperaug interception thwarted a Newtown drive and roughing the passer penalty on third down kept the Panthers’ possession going and led to a game-tying score.

Colin Breslin’s long rush set up Caleb Smith’s go-ahead score, a three-yard TD rush, with just 1:42 left in the second quarter.

Newtown coughed up the ball on a punt return with less than a minute to go in the half. That led to a Pomperaug 32-yard field goal as time expired.

It was all Nighthawks in the second half. After some initial penalty trouble out of the halftime gate, Newtown buckled down.

Mark Sokk made an interception of a pass juggled by a Pomperaug receiver and ran it back 50-plus yards for a TD and a 28-17 NHS lead less than six minutes into the third.

Following a defensive stand, the Hawks added to their lead. Magazu’s long carry set up his nine-yard touchdown pass to Cam Ward on third and goal. It was 35-17 after three.

In the fourth, J.J. Haddick capped the scoring with a six-yard touchdown run.

Newtown will visit New Milford on Friday, September 17 at 7 pm.

Check out the September 17 print edition of The Bee for more extensive coverage of this game.

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