It was anything but the way you draw it up, but it worked. And boy was it clutch.

Newtown High School's football team averted disaster and turned a near miscue into the game's deciding points. A clutch two-point conversion on a botched snap was the difference The No. 4 seed Nighthawks edged No. 5 Shelton 29-28 in the Class L State quarterfinals, at Blue & Gold Stadium, on a cold November 28 night.

With the win, the Hawks will host No. 8 Darien in the semis on Sunday, December 3. Kickoff is at 12:30 pm.

Trailing 28-21, the Hawks pulled to within a point on a Jayden Cordova to Jayden Taylor 34-yard short pass and run touchdown with 58 seconds to go in the third quarter.

On ensuing point after attempt, the snap went high. Kicker Ryan Zaniewski saved the day when he had the presence of mind to run with the ball to keep the play alive. Zaniewski found Grady Marks between a pair of Shelton defenders near the goal line and hit Marks with a pass for the game-deciding two points.

Newtown's defense was stellar in this game and preserved the lead throughout the fourth quarter.

Shelton scored all four of its touchdowns off key special teams plays, including a trio of Newtown miscues in the punting game.

A pair of fumbles on punt returns, one on a fair catch, set up the Gaels with possession in the Nighthawk red zone — once at the 15 yard line and another times at the 16. Shelton cashed in both times.

Shelton also capitalized on a short field when the Gaels took over in Newtown territory following a short punt. The other score came following a punt return into Nighthawk territory.

Ironically, it was a special teams near blunder that turned out to go Newtown's way. Things turned in Newtown's special teams favor when the Gaels punted and a short kick gave the Hawks possession in Shelton territory, leading to the game-deciding drive.

Brady Macey's 40-plus yard interception return for a TD opened the scoring. After Shelton answered, Cordova hit Taylor from 31 yards out for a 14-7 lead with seven seconds left in the first.

The Gaels again tied the score before Taylor made a diving reception for a 15-yard score and a 21-14 Nighthawk advantage.

Shelton capitalized on a short punt and scored on a 23 yard TD as time expired heading into halftime. It was 21-21 at the break.

Newtown fell behind for the first time midway through the third quarter before Cordova and company came back.

J.J Haddick had several big runs to keep the chains moving.

Read more about this game in the December 1 print edition of The Bee.