MIGHTY MITE BLUE

Newtown 14, Ridgefield 0

Colton Smith and Julian Dunn scored touchdowns to lead the Mighty Mite Blue to a 14-0 win over Ridgefield last Saturday in a battle between the Candlewood Valley League’s two undefeated (and, in Ridgefield’s case, unscored upon) squads.

The Blues took control of the game right away, putting together a seven-minute drive on their opening possession. Smith and Dunn carried the load, with Smith capping it on a 25-yard touchdown ramble off the right side.

Later in the first half, it was a little razzle dazzle – a halfback pass from Smith to Dunn – that led to a 55-yard touchdown and a 12-0 Newtown lead.

For the remainder of the game, it was a battle of defensive wills. The Newtown defense did not relinquish a first down in the second half as the linebacker play of Max Rucinski, Dunn and Smith continuously stuffed any Ridgefield running attempts. Stephen Grasso and Matt Bouton proved to be the dominant forces on the inside and wreaked havoc on the Ridgefield backfield.

Grasso and Dunn closed the effort out by tackling a Ridgefield back in his own end zone for a safety.

The Mighty Mite Blues will battle the Mighty Mite Golds next Saturday in an inter-town rivalry at Hawley.

MIGHTY MITE GOLD

Newtown 26, Ridgefield 12

Nick Lotrecchiano scored four touchdowns (on 60-, 10-, 15- and 65-yard scampers) and the Mighty Mite Gold defeated Ridgefield, 26-12.

Lotrecchiano was in the end zone on the first play from scrimmage, a 60-yard sweep around the right side that put the locals on top, 7-0. After some stifling defense led by Bubba Condon and Mike Cirone gave Newtown the ball back, Chase Wurtz raced off on a 60-yard highlight film run to set up Lotrecchiano’s second touchdown and the locals were on top, 14-0.

Ridgefield broke through on and trimmed the Newtown lead to 14-6, but the Newtown offensive line of Jacob Burden, Colton Moroney, Cirone, Connor LeMay, Ryan Marron, Markus Elken and Matt Elias opened holes for Trever Lopez, who took off on runs of 40 and 20 yards that set up Lotrecchiano’s third touchdown of the day.

After a quick defensive series that included some fine plays by Eric Cascone and Elken, the offense scored final last touchdown of the game on Lotrecchiano’s 65-yard sweep left. Lotrecchiano was sprung by some nifty blocking from Bubba Condon.

Ridgefield added a late touchdown.

JPW BLUE

Bethel 24, Newtown 6

Riley Wurtz scored on a 50-yard reverse in the second quarter, but it was the only touchdown the Junior Pee Wee Blues could manage in a 24-6 loss to Bethel.

Bethel took advantage of two interceptions and some sloppy tackling to dominate the game. After falling behind, 18-6, early in the second half the Newtown offense continued to be shut down because of poor blocking and a confident Bethel defense.

With a 2-1-1 record, Big Blue will be back in action this Saturday as they host the Meriden Raiders at 12 noon.

JPW GOLD

Newtown 34, Ridgefield 12

Dan Hebert scored four touchdowns and Max Lopez added one as the Junior Pee Wee Golds smashed Ridgefield, 34-12.

It was a come-from-behind win for the locals, too, as the visitors took the opening drive downfield to score the game’s initial touchdown.

But Hebert, the Newtown quarterback, got the Golds going with some long, hard runs before scoring on a sweep.

Hebert scored again and then tossed the extra-point to KC Condon to put the locals on top 14-6.

Great running from Max Lopez and Patrick Capozziello, behind the blocking of Luca Weibel and Tommy Gleason ,kept Newtown on the move, Another Hebert TD gave Newtown a 20-6 lead at the break.

Ridgefield finally slowed the Newtown offense down at the start of the second half and then put together a scoring drive of its own to trim to Newtown lead to 20-12.

But it was then that the Newtown defense settled in. Robby Hughes, Matt White, Cameron Weibel and Ryan Seymour all held ground and the particularly stellar defensive end play by Patrick Riccardi kept Ridgefield’s offense from moving.

When Jack Kearny pressured the Ridgefield QB into an incomplete pass in the third quarter, it was clear that any comeback hopes for the Raiders would have to come in the final stanza.

In the final 10 minutes, Tom Bauer and Travis LeBlanc (who caught a 28-yard pass from Hebert) kept Newtown moving. When Hebert scored his fourth TD of the game, LeBlanc took over the QB duties for the remainder of the afternoon.

Thus, a final drive was highlighted by strong running from Josh Villa and Jack Kearney and was finished off by strong Lopez touchdown run. Cappoziello ran in the extra point.

MIDGETS

Bethel 14, Newtown 6

The Midgets got off to a slow start and never recovered, as Bethel took advantage and played hard football throughout – which was just enough to prevail, 14-6.

After receiving the opening kickoff, the Nighthawks were executing their offense well and driving up the field, but three penalties stalled their momentum and they were forced to punt. Bethel then took control right away and powered their way inside for big gains.

Newtown could not get any big stops as Bethel scored from eight yards out to make the score 6-0 at the end of the first quarter.

In the second quarter, the Nighthawks were getting some solid defensive play from Tim Willmott, Zack Dent and Ian Archer to stop Bethel’s forward progress. After Bethel turned the ball over the Newtown offense finally went to work with their bread and butter – Kyle O’Connor. With lead blocking from Tyler Davenport and Nick Tramontozi, O’Connor took a toss left and outran the defense 60 yards for a touchdown and the was knotted 6-6 heading into halftime.

In the third quarter it was all Bethel.

Bethel took the kickoff and executed its offense flawlessly, using a big line and big running backs to hammer away at the Newtown defense and drive the ball from its own 38 to the end zone in 10 plays. The extra point kick was good and Bethel had a 14-6 lead.

In the fourth quarter, the Nighthawks tried to stage a rally but could not get in the end zone. Quarterback Tucker Schmidt, showing good poise, hit Tory Deakin on a variety of passes but the Nighthawks could not sniff the goal line and stalled at the Bethel 28 just as time expired.