Beginning with Jayden Taylor's opening kickoff return for a touchdown,it was the Newtown High School football team's night in the Friday, September 20, home opener. The Nighthawks crushed New Fairfield 50-14 to improve to 2-0.

"We came out firing out of the gate — Jayden Taylor doing what Jayden Taylor does," Newtown Coach Dan Farina said.

Newtown was dominant in all facets of its home opener from the get to and put this one on ice in the first quarter by racking up a whopping 35 points.

After Taylor's 90-yard kick return to paydirt the defense came up with a stop and quarterback Ryan Schoffstall connected with Will McManus on a 53-yard touchdown pass, and the Hawks were well on their way.

Even when things appeared to not be going Newtown's way the Hawks came up with a big play. Ayden Paulos scored Newtown's third touchdown when he recovered a fumble in the end zone. On the team's last conversion after touchdown attempt a high snap left backup kicker Nate Pickard to scoop the fumble, scramble to his right, and and connect with Graham Spencer for a two-point conversion.

The botched extra point-turned two-point conversion was reminiscent of what happened in the dramatic and bizarre 2023 state playoff win over Shelton. Farina pointed out that the Hawks practice what he called the fire drill play to give itself a chance when things go wrong.

"It's a credit to our kids. We don't stop until the final whistle. We coach them that way; we expect them to play that way," Farina said.

Grady Marks had an interception which gave the Nighthawks possession inside the New Fairfield 40, leading to the Paulos TD. Taylor was on his way to the end zone, recovered his own fumble, then lost the ball trying to get across the goal line.

Farina said Taylor's attempt to get points on the board was, in part, in an effort to help the starters build on its lead so the backup players could get into the game.

"That's the job of the starters. Those guys make them better all week," Farina said of the reserve players who work hard in practice.

Later in the opening quarter the Hawks added to their lead on a Paulos TD run, following a Kieran Garrity fumble recovery at the New Fairfield 15, and a Schoffstall-to-Will McManus 40-yard TD play.

In the second quarter Paulos scored on a two-yard TD run and Caden Cuomo had an open field tackle and interception to help the Nighthawks carry a 42-0 lead into the break.

It was time for the backups to shine once play resumed in the second half. Freshman Cam Kullgren had an impressive kick return. Marcus Gerace, the holder for kicks and backup QB, came in to man the pocket. The Rebels got on the board and trailed 42-7 heading to the fourth.

After New Fairfield's second score Anthony West used a burst of speed to score from 25 yards out and the Hawks added that two-point conversion.

The Nighthawks return to action Friday, September 27, with a visit to Southington at 7 pm.