Newtown High School's football team blanked visiting Pomperaug of Southbury 17-0 at Blue & Gold Stadium on October 10. The Nighthawks improved to 5-0 on this chilly night that saw temperatures drop into the 40s.

Both teams were cold on offense early on, although the Panthers moved the ball down field deep into the Newtown red zone before being stymied in the opening quarter. The Nighthawks and Panthers traded punts throughout much of the first half.

They were locked in a scoreless battle until the final half minute of the second quarter. Then, Newtown quarterback Ryan Schoffstall connected with Will McManus on a 34-yard touchdown pass with just 30 seconds left in the opening half.

After 23:30 worth of scoreless game time it took the Nighthawks just 2:12 of game action to score a pair of TDs and mostly seize control.

A long second-half kickoff return by Jayden Taylor gave the Hawks tremendous field position at the Pomperaug 32. That led to Schoffstall's 10-yard TD rush with 10:18 to play in the third quarter.

Jake Roszman booted a 22-yard field goal early in the fourth and the defense did the rest.

Key runs by Ayden Paulos and receptions by Justyn Gonzalez and James Hartigan helped Newtown keep possession and move the ball. Cole Stockwell had some strong late-game carries as the Hawks ran out the clock.

Nick Pavia repeatedly got into the backfield to pressure the Panthers and came away with some big tackles and a quarterback sack.

In a bizarre series of events late in regulation an apparent Nighthawk interception was called back, ironically but for good reason by the Hawks. On a play in which Stockwell picked off a pass his momentum carried him into the end zone so it was ruled a safety. But instead of two points going on the board for the Panthers, and Pomperaug getting the ball back, the Hawks accepted a Pomperaug holding penalty on the play.

The Panthers proceeded to move the ball deep into Nighthawk territory but then the Nighthawks got a pick that counted as Gonzalez elevated to intercept a pass at the six yard line to preserve the shutout.

The Hawks are back home Friday, October 18, when Shelton visits for a 7 pm kickoff.