Eighth Grade Gridders Capture State Title

Newtown’s eighth grade football team won the American Youth Football (AYF) Connecticut state title in Shelton on November 13. The Nighthawks, representing the Colonial Youth Football League, defeated the Mid-Connecticut champs the Torrington Warriors 25-6.

The Nighthawks improved to 9-1-1, while Torrington (10-1) suffered its first loss. This is the first Newtown eighth grade team to capture the AYF State Title.

Newtown amassed more than 350 yards of offense and a season-high 12 first downs. The balanced Hawks’ attack scored in each quarter, while limiting a talented Warrior squad to only one first down per possession until midway through the fourth quarter.

Newtown’s initial score came late in the first quarter as Jared Pearson (229 yards on 16 carries) weaved his way down the right sideline for a 59-yard touchdown run. The Hawks’ next score came at the end of a 12-play drive on a one-yard blast by Pearson late in the second quarter for a 12-0 halftime lead.

Torrington tried to gain momentum with a ten-yard run on the first play of the third quarter, but on third down a heavy rush by Charlie Fletcher and Chance McMahon (one sack) resulted in an errant pass that was intercepted by Michael Doyle.

The teams traded possessions until the Hawks attacked from the air with passes from Pearson of 24 yards to Doyle and 21 yards for a touchdown to Matt Elias.

Down by 18, the Warriors also went to the air, but were deterred by the interior pass rush of Nick Samuelson (one sack) and Peter Fiorella, along with the blanket coverage of corners Doyle and Devin Luzietti, and safety Peyton Manning.

Torrington broke through in the fourth quarter with a well executed 95-yard drive, cumulating with a 25-yard touchdown pass on fourth down. Jeremy Salaris broke through to block the extra point.

Not wanting to let the game get any closer, Newtown scored once more, as Pearson bolted 48 yards to set up his six-yard touchdown run. Andrew Svanda scored the extra point.

Offensive highlights include the excellent play of the line (Christian Morlock, Samuelson, Ryan Shaw, Salaris, Greg Harrison, Brandon Hensel, and Carlo Fenaroli), which did not yield a sack on fifteen pass attempts and opened up enough holes to allow the Hawks to gain 260 yards on the ground.

Svanda provided strong blocking from the fullback position, while gaining 35 yards and two first downs. Luzietti had 15 yards rushing and two receptions, and Matt Maturo and Elias hooked up on a 26-yard pass play. A diving Shawn McCarthy beat two defenders to a loose ball to prevent a potentially costly turnover.

Torrington was held to 180 yards (half on one drive) as the physical play of the line (led by Shaw and Mark Urso) allowed for clean hits by the sure-tackling linebackers and secondary.

Newtown plays West Warwick in the New England semifinal on Sunday, November 20 at Conley Field in Providence, RI.

Members of the state champions are players Justin Appley, Hunter Booker, Matt Carino, Ethan Carpenter, John DelRossi, Michael Doyle, Sam Duffy, Matt Elias, Justin Faith, Steve Faxlanger, Carlo Fenaroli, Peter Fiorella, Charlie Fletcher, Greg Harrison, Brandon Hensel, Bryan Kiley, Devin Luzietti, Henry Lyon, Peyton Manning, Matt Maturo, Shawn McCarthy, Chance McMahon, Christian Morlock, RJ Oliviera, Stephen Pansa, Jared Pearson, Michael Roche, Nick Rohrbacher, Jeremy Salaris, Nick Samuelson, Ryan Shaw, Declan Sullivan, Andrew Svanda, Mark Urso, and Gordon Walsh. Coaches are Joe Duffy (head coach), Kevin Booker, Chuck DelRossi, Tim Doyle, Mike Kiley, and John Pearson.