By Kim J. Harmon

MONROE – On any given Thursday, miracles can happen.

At least that is what Newtown High School head football coach Ken Roberts was thinking as the Nighthawks were preparing to finish up the 1999 season with their now traditional Thanksgiving Day meeting with Masuk.

And it isn’t a tough thing to conceive of, either. Last year, the ‘Hawks pulled out a terrific upset under a heavy blanket of rain at Bruce Jenner Stadium, edging the Panthers, 14-6, in what could only be seen as Newtown’s finest hour in 1998.

Of course, Newtown and Masuk were a little bit closer in talent last year than they seem to be this year.

Last year, the ‘Hawks were 5-3-1 entering the final contest but had been beset during the season by almost bewildering problems . . . such as a loss to Stratford, an inexplicable tie with Brookfield, a bitter loss to New Fairfield, and a even more bitter loss to Notre Dame after the ‘Hawks had held a 14-point lead.

Sure, those ‘Hawks may have gone into that final game at 5-3-1, but each of the players (of them, about a dozen seniors) felt – in their hearts – that they easily could have gone into that final game at 8-1 or, at worst, 7-2.

It makes a difference.

The Nighthawks were searching for some vindication, some way to forget the low points, in their annual battle with Masuk - the 1998 South-West Conference champion – and they got it in the form of a 14-6 victory.

Maybe the ‘Hawks had three losses and a tie and maybe their 6-3-1 record only ranked them fifth in the CIAC Class L playoff race, but none of that mattered this week because they beat Masuk.

That’s what mattered.

- Friday, December 4

In 1999, however, the ‘Hawks have struggled to a 3-6 record while battling some fairly basic problems. While the ‘Hawks have been very good at times on offense and on defense, they have also had long stretches where nothing seemed to go right – where offensive drives went nowhere, defensive stands were overcome, and where the penalty flags seemed to rain down out of the sky.

Like in 1998, a win over Masuk would be ample vindication.

But, clearly, that is asking an awful lot.

The Panthers claimed their second consecutive South-West Conference championship – and deservedly so - last weekend with a 21-10 win over the Immaculate Mustangs. The win gave Masuk an 11-0 record and solidified their position in the CIAC Class L playoffs.

The Panthers have a strong and balanced rushing attack and a passing game that – when utilized – can be deadly.

A win over Masuk?

On any given Thursday . . .

Thanksgiving Success

One thing the Nighthawks seem to have going to them – other than the talent that does exist on the team – is their uncanny success on Thanksgiving Day. Dating back to 1991, when Thanksgiving was held open for the Western Connecticut Conference championship game, the ‘Hawks have a 5-1 record on that special day.

That’s including last year.

The only loss was to Brookfield in 1994, a 32-0 decision to the ferocious Bobcats who were an utter juggernaut in the WCC.

Back in 1991, Newtown made its initial appearance on Thanksgiving Day and handed coach Bob Zito his first conference championship with a 32-2 win over Immaculate. Josh Lubin came up with 161 rushing and receiving and David Brookes was 9-of-16 for 203 yards and a pair of touchdowns to lead the way.

In 1992, Newtown returned to the field on Thanksgiving Day and edged New Fairfield, 13-8, thanks to 68 yards rushing and one touchdown from Joe Lato (now an assistant coach). Adam Rowe also scored a touchdown when he fell on a fumble in the end zone.

After the loss to Brookfield in 1994 and after missing out in 1995, the ‘Hawks returned to the Thanksgiving Day field ion 1996. But this time, it was the first traditional, non-championship meeting with the Masuk Panthers.

But it was also the second meeting between the two teams that year. With Thanksgiving now a day for traditional matchups, the preceding weekend was held over for the conference championship. Then, Newtown blanked Masuk, 28-0, and came back on Thanksgiving Day with a 32-6 win to clinch a spot in the CIAC Class L playoffs. In the last game, Pat Reilly rushed for 105 yards.

In 1997, after routing Stratford, 53-13, in the SWC championship game, Newtown came back with a 19-0 win over Masuk on Thanksgiving.

So, not only do the Nighthawks have a 5-1 record on Thanksgiving, but they have also outscored the opposition 96-48.

But does that mean anything? Well, it always pays to have the numbers pointing in the right direction.