Beginning with Aydyn Gonzalez's opening kickoff return for a touchdown, the Newtown High School football team set the tone from the get-go. The Nighthawks rolled over visiting Weston 42-7 at Blue & Gold Stadium on a October 20.

Newtown remained undefeated at 6-0 and is ranked No. 1 in the Class L standings. Weston, a Class SS school, fell to 2-4.

Almost as if the Trojans anticipated Gonzalez's spark they first attempted an onside kick but the ball did not travel the necessary ten yards. Following a penalty and re-kick, this time deep, Gonzalez fielded the ball at the Newtown 20 yard line, took advantage of some blocking and went untouched 80 yards to paydirt. Ryan Zaniewski booted the first of his six extra points and just 12 seconds into the contest it was 7-0.

Following a Newtown defensive stand and solid punt return by Gonzalez to the Weston 30, the Hawks quickly struck again. J.J. Haddick had a big first-down run. On third down and seven, quarterback Jayden Cordova scrambled to buy time and completed a 14-yard TD toss to Haddick with 8:25 to go in the opening quarter.

Newtown was far from done in the opening 15 minutes.

Jack Chappa recovered a fumble at the Weston 27. Cole Stockwell followed with a 25-yard rush to the two yard line. Haddick spun and twisted his way through the defense for another score with 7:48 to go.

A fake punt by Weston went for a gain but the Trojans were stopped short thanks to a Grady Marks tackle. The Hawks took over at their own 48 and, on the next play, Haddick rumbled 52 yards to the end zone as the Nighthawks built a 28-0 cushion with 3:24 to go.

Cordova connected with Jayden Taylor on a 38-yard pass play for another touchdown with 15 seconds to go in the opening frame.

Luke Stewart had a 15-yard TD reception early in the second, capping the scoring outburst.

In the third quarter, the Trojans capitalized on an interception off a deflected pass and subsequent Newtown penalty on the play, deep in Nighthawk territory, and scored their lone TD.

Marks had a late-game interception for the Nighthawks.

By the end of the game, the Nighthawks used four quarterbacks among the many substitutes who saw rare varsity game action this fall.

Ryan Schoffstall, Matt Pontore, and Marcus Gerace all took some snaps under center.

"They practice hard. They practice as hard as our starters so it's good to get them on the varsity field," Newtown Coach Dan Farina said.

"It was a good game. We played well. We wanted to get out to a good start and I think we did that," the coach added.

"We're not where we want to be yet. We've got our work cut out for us next week," said Farina, alluding to West Haven's scheduled visit on Friday, October 27 at 7 pm.

West Haven, despite coming off its first loss, stands at 5-1 and is ranked second in Class LL.

"It's going to be an exciting one. They're a great football team," Farina said.

Newtown's Senior Night was originally to have taken place prior to the matchup with Weston but a soggy day bumped the festivities to the next game. Senior celebrations will take place at Blue & Gold, beginning at 5:15 prior to the clash with West Haven.

Read more about the win over Weston in the October 27 print edition of The Bee.