EIGHTH GRADE

Newtown 34, S. Dutchess 0

Rory Noonan ran in an extra point, kicked two extra points, kicked a field goal and returned a free kick 65 yards for a touchdown to lead the eighth-grade team to its fifth straight win and third straight shutout, a 34-0 decision over Southern Dutchess.

The defense got things going right away as Noonan, Sean Devaney and Rob Franzino tackled the Southern Dutchess punter in the end zone for A safety. On the ensuing free kick, Noonan caught the ball on the run and sprinted 65 yards for the score and, with his extra point kick, Newtown had a 10-0 lead before the offense even stepped on the field.

On the first offensive possession, Noonan booted a 20-yard field goal to put the locals ahead, 13-0.

Things grew quickly worse for the visiting team when on the next possession, Kyle Vignone intercepted a pass and raced 20 yards into the end-zone for a touchdown. Noonan ran in the extra point to give Newtown a quick 20-0 lead.

Things could have been worse when Vignone fielded a punt and raced 70 yards for an apparent touchdown, but a flag erased the score.

The following drive stalled and Southern Dutchess took the ball. Two plays later linebacker Max Nacewicz intercepted an errant pass at Newtowns 42. The locals struck quickly when QB Cody Fischer hit tight end Ryan Korth on the run for a 40 yard play. Korth was dragged down at the two. Nacewicz then bulled his way into the endzone for the score. Noonan made it look easy when he booted the extra point and Newtown a 28-0 lead.

Later, defensive tackle Bryan Kilmurray would recover a fumble on the 10 yard line. Although failed to score on fourth down, Southern Dutchess fumbled again and this time defensive tackle Matt Datin rose from the pile with the ball in his hand.

On the next play, Kilmurray plunged into the endzone for the final touchdown of the day and a 34-0 Newtown lead.

Devaney, Datin, Franzino, Fischer, Noonan, Kilmurray, Nick Dinelli, Dan Aurilia, Ryan Korth and Tyler Reed anchored a dominant defense (which has allowed only 14 points this season). Vignone and Nacewicz were awarded the defensive gameballs.

Eric Johnson, Derek Krewson, Omari Miles, Louis Raab, Ryan St George and Alex Neufeld had solid games on the offensive line. This week, Neufeld received the nod for Offensive Lineman of the Week with his consistent play.

The undefeated Nighthawks will welcome Bridgeport to Hawley Field this Sunday.

SEVENTH GRADE

Newtown 28, S. Dutchess 0

Andrew Cebry scored three touchdowns on runs of 6, 52 and 55 yards to lead the seventh-grade team to a 28-0 whitewashing of Southern Dutchess. Brendan McNamara added a 20-yard interception return for the fourth touchdown.

The locals jumped out to a 21-0 advantage after the first quarter and coasted home from there. Cebry scored from 55 yards out on the first offensive play from scrimmage and on the first defensive play from scrimmage McNamara picked off a pass and scampered 20 yards for another touchdown.

After holding Southern Dutchess defensively, Newtown took over possession and Michael Lord ran 60 yards down to the six where Cebry scored his second TD of the day.

The offensive line of James Horoszko, Sean Mangold, Matt Vavrek, Ian Kirner, Rob Bauer and Kyler Harmeling open some very big holes for the running backs all day long. The defense also played very well as Colin Morris picked off a pass in the end zone to stop a potential touchdown for Southern Dutchess. The defense put pressure on the opponents all day long thanks to outstanding efforts form the linebackers, including Michael Lord, Mario Pizzighelli, Cory Fisher and McNamara.

After holding their ground on another offensive series by Southern Dutchess, Newtown took over possession on its own 48 and Cebry promptly took the ball 52 yards for another Newtown score and a 28-0 lead.

Evan Noonan scored three extra-point conversions and tossed a pass to Morris for the fourth.

The seventh-graders will host Mahopac next week.

SIXTH GRADE

Monroe 26, Newtown 6

Despite playing with a lot of energy and a good attitude, the sixth-grade team fell to first-place Monroe at Treadwell Park.

Danny Hebert scored the lone Newtown touchdown on a 35-yard run off the left end on a broken play. Other offensive highlights included Graham Derrickson’s 45-yard catch and run and the inside rushing of Josh Villa and Max Lopez. James Marusi and Lopez offered up some key blocks on the afternoon.

On defense, the Nighthawks were led by the outstanding play of Phillip Reynolds, Chris Stanton and Christian Barrett.

The sixth-graders will host Mahopac at Hawley School on Sunday at 10 am.

79er GOLD

Newtown 19, S. Dutchess 6

Mike Doyle racked up 127 total yards and two touchdowns and Matt Elias racked up 120 total yards and two touchdowns to lead Newtown to its fifth win of the season, a 19-6 decision over Southern Dutchess.

Doyle rushed 65 yards for a touchdown and then tossed a 40-yard scoring pass to Elias, who also rushed in 60 yards for another score.

Gold scored quickly to get the jump on Southern Dutchess. Elias scored on a 60-yard reverse on the initial Newtown possession and then, after a four-and-out by Southern Dutchess, Doyle hooked up with Elias on the very next play to put the locals on top, 13-0.

The defense took over from there. Ryan Shaw recorded two sacks and Nick Samuelson had one, limiting the Southern Dutchess offensive opportunities and handing the ball to Gold’s offense. A few costly Gold penalties kept the score at 13-0 until just before the half, when a Southern Dutchess running back broke three tackles and took the ball in to move the score to 13-6.

After halftime, the Gold defense – James Leuci, Tim Mammen, Dave Anderson, Ryan Sullivan and Peyton Manning – said, “no more.” The only defensive hiccup in the second half was a missed tackle that enabled them to get the ball on the five-yard line for a first and goal, but an incredible goal line stand led by Justin Dunn, Colin Thies, Matt Maturo and Doyle stopped Southern Dutchess.

Doyle finished the scored with a 65-yard scamper off tackle. Trevor Lopez, meanwhile, continued his strong offensive play, getting key first downs and keeping the ball away from Southern Dutchess.

79er BLUE

Newtown 19, S. Dutchess 0

Forest Speed scored two touchdowns and Jared Pearson added another to lead the 79er Gold team to a 19-0 win over Southern Dutchess.

Following the strong blocking up front from Jeremy Salaris, Andrew Svanda and Nick Rohrbacher, Newtown runners were able to gain good yardage during the day. In fact, on its first possession Newtown took over on its own 35 and, led by quarterback Ethan Carpenter, moved down the field with the hard running of Pearson, Geoffrey Santore, Adam Robertson and Carpenter.

Pearson then took a hand off and scampered 30 yards to pay dirt for the first score. Carpenter faked a hand off and ran in for the extra point to put the locals ahead, 7-0.

After Forest Speed kicked off, the Big Blue defense went to work. During South Duchess’ first possession, Gordon Walsh, Austin LeBlanc, Shawn McCarthy and Mitchell Savoca anchored a strong defensive stand to prevent a first down. Later, Brian Raab, Devon Luzietti, Charlie Fletcher and Cooper Buonocore all had a chance to display some crushing tackles to halt Southern Dutchess.

Coming out of halftime with the score still 7-0, the Newtown offense got untracked. Led by the blocking of Thomas Adessi, Anthony Falbo and Scott Gregson, backs Luzietti, Robertson, Carpenter and Speed were able to move the ball downfield. Finally, Speed took the ball and on an off tackle play and once through the line he cut outside and out-raced the secondary for a 40-yard TD to put the locals ahead, 13-0.

The Newtown defense bent, but didn’t break in the fourth quarter. South Duchess broke off a big gain and but Luzietti came from nowhere and chased down a speedy running back at the nine-yard line to prevent a TD. Salaris, Bryan Kiley, Santore and Raab shut the door and stopped Duchess from scoring at the four.

From there, the offense went back to work. Nicholas Lametto and Steven Senf had some key blocks on the left side and were able to seal off defenders, enabling Pearson, Luzietti, Robertson and Carpenter to get outside for big gains. Again on an off tackle play, Speed took the hand off and raced through the line and out raced the secondary again for a long touchdown run.

Big Blue will be back in action this weekend when it takes on the 79er Gold squad.

The win for Big Blue came off a 12-0 loss to Hudson Valley two weeks ago. Big Blue had its chances to get on the score board, but three drives sputtered and stopped deep in Hudson Valley territory. A number of fumbles proved too big an obstacle to overcome.

Pearson ran hard and strong on the day as he ripped off big chunks of yardage. On one run he was able to follow the blocking of Walsh and Salaris to gain 50 yards. He had one defender to beat, but was caught from behind. The other bright spots on offense were the running of Speed and Luzietti as they ran through holes opened by the drive blocking of Gregson and Gregory Harrison.

The Big Blue defense played smart and tough in the first half. The D was led by the penetration of LeBlanc, Rohrbacher and Svanda. Also the aggressive tackling of Charlie Fletcher, Carpenter, Savoca and Luzietti continued to keep the Hudson Valley offense in check all half.

The following are the updated Candlewood Valley League standings:

 

EIGHTH GRADE – Newtown 5-0-0, Norwalk Packers 4-1-0, Ridgefield 4-1-0, Aspetuck 4-1-0, Norwalk Titans 3-2-0, Bethel 2-3-0, Hudson Valley 1-4-0, Southern Dutchess 1-4-0, Bridgeport 0-5-0.

SEVENTH GRADE – Norwalk Panthers 5-0-0, Ridgefield 5-0-0, Norwalk Bucs 3-2-0, Monroe 3-2-0, Aspetuck 3-2-0, Mahopac 2-3-0, Newtown 2-3-0, Hudson Valley 1-4-0, Bethel 1-4-0, Southern Dutchess 0-5-0.

SIXTH GRADE – Monroe 4-0-0, Hudson Valley White 4-1-0, Norwalk Devils 3-1-0, Bethel 4-1-0, Southern Dutchess 3-1-0, Ridgefield Black 3-1-0, Norwalk Raiders 3-2-0, Ridgefield Orange 2-3-0, Aspetuck Gold 1-3-0, Newtown 1-4-0, Aspetuck Black 1-4-0, Hudson Valley Maroon 1-4-0, Mahopac 0-5-0.

FIFTH GRADE – Ridgefield Orange 5-0-0, Hudson Valley 4-0-1, Newtown 4-1-0, Ridgefield Black 3-1-0, Norwalk Jaguars 3-2-0, Norwalk Dolphins 2-1-1, Aspetuck 2-3-0, Southern Dutchess White 2-3-0, Bethel 2-3-0, Monroe 1-3-0, Mahopac 1-4-0, Bridgeport 0-4-0, Southern Dutchess Green 0-4-0.     

FOURTH GRADE – Newtown 4-0-0, Norwalk Ravens 4-0-0, Aspetuck 3-2-0, Southern Dutchess 2-2-0, Hudson Valley 1-4-0, Ridgefield 1-3-0, Bethel 1-3-0.

79ERS* – Newtown Gold 5-0-0, Ridgefield Black 5-0-0, Norwalk 4-1-0, Hudson Valley White 4-1-0, Aspetuck 3-2-0, Monroe 3-2-0, Ridgefield Orange 3-2-0, Newtown Blue 2-3-0, Hudson Valley Maroon 1-4-0, Bethel 0-4-0, Southern Dutchess Green 0-5-0, Southern Dutchess White 0-5-0.

 

*No official standings are kept for 79er division.