Newtown High School’s football team racked up seven touchdowns for the second consecutive week, piling it on for a 49-7 triumph over host Stratford, at Penders Field, on September 21.

Dan Mason opened the scoring with a three-yard touchdown run after the Nighthawks recovered a fumble on Stratford’s opening kickoff return, and the Hawks carried a 7-0 lead into the second quarter.

Mason rushed into the endzone from 21 yards out early in the second quarter.

Joseph Pagett’s interception gave the Nighthawks great field position, at Stratford’s 35 yard line. On the next play, quarterback Luke Melillo connected with Shea Talbot with a TD pass over the middle. Devin O’Connell, who was perfect on his extra point tries during the game, tacked on his third PAT for a 21-0 lead with 6:46 left in the half.

After the Newtown defense made yet another stand, Jared Dunn scored from three yards out for a 28-0 cushion the Hawks carried into halftime. The score was set up by long runs to the outside by Mason, to the right, and Matt Dubois, to the left.

In the third quarter, a long completion from Melillo to Talbot, and strong run by Melillo up the middle on a quarterback keeper set up Tucker Garrity’s ten-yard TD rush. It was 35-0.

Jack Zingaro’s interception gave the Hawks possession at their own 42. The quarter ended with Newtown knocking on the door, the ball at the one-yard line. Mason punched it in a few plays later, from the one, extending the lead to 42-0.

Miles Ricks took a handoff and showed his speed with a 56-yard burst to pay dirt with 7:25 remaining.

Stratford scored a late touchdown.

“I’m happy with the outcome. I think we left some points out there in the first half, said Newtown Coach Bobby Pattison, referring to one drive in which the Hawks saw first and goal turn into a missed opportunity after being backed up by penalties. “When we’re in the red zone we need to finish.”

Pattison said Stratford’s defensive front was different than what his team is used to facing which contributed to a bit of a slow start on offense.

“We had to make some adjustments and when we did we played better in the second half,” Pattison said. “I’m happy with the outcome. Stratford played hard.”

Mason, as usual, did a bulk of the ball-carrying and used his size to chew up yardage behind strong blocking from the offensive line.

“He’s a big back. He’s hard to take down. He’s always making the second and third guys make the tackle,” Pattison said.

Up next is a home game with another South-West Conference foe, Bethel. The Wildcats visit Blue & Gold Stadium on Friday, September 28 for a 7 pm kickoff.

“They’re a power run football team. They do what they do. They line up and try to move us off the ball,” Pattison said.