Nighthawks Improve To 3-0 With Rain-Soaked Win At Immaculate; Team Prepares For Boot Game

By Andy Hutchison

DANBURY — Even on a gloomy — at times rainy — day, the defense continues to shine for the Nighthawks. Newtown High School’s football team held host Immaculate of Danbury to one touchdown in a 21-6 triumph on October 3.

Newtown improved to 3-0 and has held its opponents to a cumulative 19 points to become one of three remaining unbeaten teams in the South-West Conference (including Pomperaug and Masuk). Immaculate fell to 0-3.

The Hawks controlled the ball on the ground, and did so especially well during a second half in which a cloudy, misty day turned into a rainy mess. The work of the offensive line and ball-carrying efforts of Louis Fenaroli, Tory Deakin, Max Nacewicz, Rory Noonan and quarterback John Fracker helped Newtown chew up the clock. Primary back Kyle O’Connor was out nursing a shoulder injury, but a cast of ball-carriers stepped up in his absence.

“I have to give it all to the line. I owe it all to them,” Fenaroli said of his ball-carrying success.

Fenaroli made his biggest presence on the defensive side when he scooped up a fumbled ball and returned it 34 yards for a first-quarter score and an early Newtown lead.

In the second quarter, the Nighthawks’ special teams got into the act when Dana Hansen blocked a punt, which was recovered by Andrew Buonocore at the three yard line. Deakin ran the ball into the end zone on the next play and Rory Noonan’s second point-after kick made gave the Hawks a 14-0 lead with 5:10 remaining in the half.

“Coach [Brian] Craigin drew up the perfect blocked punt and I just got through. No one touched me — I just dove for it,” Hansen said.

Jamie Bowers forced a fumble, which was recovered by Hansen at Newtown’s 41 yard line to thwart the driving Mustangs and preserve the 14-point lead heading into the halftime break.

After Immaculate got to within 14-6, Newtown made it a two-possession game again when Fracker slipped through the hands of a few would-be tacklers for an 11-yard score with 9:45 remaining in the fourth.

“When our defense needed to step up and when our special teams needed to step up, we did,” Hansen said.

Newtown played a solid game despite the wet conditions.

“We planned for the rain early in the week,” Head Coach Steve George said. “We played with a soaking wet ball all week just so the kids were ready.”

George said the ability to hang onto the football and the work of the offensive line were crucial in this win.

“The offensive line really won the second half and that was the difference in the game,” the coach said.

The Nighthawks will host New Milford in the annual Boot Game at Blue & Gold Stadium on October 9. Kickoff is at 7 pm.