Freshman Squad Edges Bethel

The battle between two 5-1 teams lived up to expectations as Newtown High School’s freshman football team prevailed in a nail-biter over Bethel, 27-26 on October 25.

Matt Elias had an acrobatic interception on the first series of the game to give the Nighthawks the ball at midfield. On fourth and 17, Ethan Carpenter (67 total yards) caught a 25-yard pass along the sideline from Matt Maturo (11-for-19, 113 yards passing, 3 touchdowns) for a 7-0 lead.

Bethel used a combination of quick pitches and strong inside running to go up 12-7. Newtown reclaimed the lead when Maturo connected with Elias in the end zone for a 20-yard touchdown. After a Ryan Shaw sack, Newtown increased its lead when Sam Czel (63 total yards, 2 TDs) swept right for a 15-yard TD run behind key blocks by Shaw and Mark Urso.

Bethel was driving at the end of the half when Devin Luzietti made a diving interception at the 10 yard line.

In the second half, Newtown went up 27-14 as Maturo connected with Czel on a fourth down go route for a 25-yard TD. However, Bethel started to again dominate with its ground attack, and closed to within a score entering the fourth quarter. Bethel had a fourth down and two from the Newtown 4 yard line, but the middle of the defensive line, led by Christian Morlock and Carlo Fenneroli, stuffed the dive. Bethel forced a three-and-out, and used the short field to get a first and goal at the Newtown 5.  On fourth down, Bethel scored. Going for the win, Bethel ran an option, but Nick Samuelson and John DelRossi combined for the game-saving stop. After he recovered the on-side kick,  Andrew Svanda (71 total yards) recorded three first downs on five straight carries to allow the Hawks to run out the clock for the victory.