A back-and-forth Class L State Playoff opener loaded with big plays went down to the wire, and visiting and seventh-seeded Shelton came away with a hard-fought 21-20 victory over second-seeded Newtown, under the Blue & Gold Stadium lights on November 29.

“Our kids played well. We just came up a little bit short. It stings — losing stings,” Newtown Coach Bobby Pattison said.

Ironically, a penalty against Shelton turned out to be the difference in the score, in favor of Shelton. Trailing 7-0, the Nighthawks scored a touchdown to pull to within a point. A penalty against Shelton moved the ball half the distance to the goal line, prompting the Hawks to bypass the usual kick after TD for a point try and go for a two-point conversion run. They were stopped, and the score remained 7-6.

This quarterfinal-round clash got off to a rocky start for Newtown when the Gaels made a stop, then scored on a 69-yard run on the second play from scrimmage with 8:55 left in the opening quarter.

After the Nighthawks were stopped again, they forced a punt and took over at Shelton’s 47 yard line. A big pass from Jayden Cordova to James Hartigan over the middle set up first and goal at the seven. The first quarter ended with Shelton ahead by a touchdown but the Nighthawks threatening. Newtown’s Dylan Magazu ran the ball in from six yards out to get the Hawks on the board in the opening minute of the second.

Both teams traded turnovers on downs after being denied on fourth down. A face mask penalty on the Hawks gifted the Gaels first and goal, and Shelton capitalized by scoring a TD and point after for a 14-6 lead with 3:10 left in the half.

In an attempt to keep the ball out of the hands of return man Andrew Swierbut, the Gaels opted for an onside kick. Newtown’s J.J. Haddick pounced on the pigskin at the Newtown 49 yard line and the Hawks made Shelton pay when Cordova connected with Mark Sokk over the middle for a 43-yard TD play with 2:29 to go. It was 14-13.

Cam Ward broke up a pass on third down, forcing a Shelton punt, and Newtown took over at its own 41 but was stymied and forced to kick it back with 36 seconds before the break. It remained 14-13 Gaels at halftime.

With Shelton driving into NHS territory to begin the third quarter, the Nighthawk defense tightened and made a stand on fourth and two at the 16. Cordova connected with Swierbut on a big pass play, then hit Jayden Taylor on a 34-yard scoring strike with 4:50 to go in the quarter. Newtown had its first lead at 20-14, which the Hawks carried into the fourth but with Shelton on the move and knocking on the door again.

The Gaels scored on a six-yard TD pass on third and goal just four seconds into the final quarter. The extra point made it 21-20. Still plenty of time for the Hawks, who took over at their own 45 on a short kick. The Nighthawks punted but Shelton could not add to the lead. A penalty brought back an apparent Shelton TD and the Hawks held.

Shelton came away with an interception at the NHS 37. On fourth and 14 at the 25, the Gaels turned the ball back over to the Hawks when Swierbut picked off a pass at the NHS 31 with 1:39 to play. A roughing the passer penalty brought the ball near mid field. Newtown drove to the 20 yard line, and Swierbut attempted a 37-yard field goal on fourth down. The kick was a tough one in cold conditions and the line drive attempt missed. Shelton took over with 37 seconds left and ran out the remaining time.

Pattison noted that every year the team sets goals and that this season’s aspirations included a run at a state championship. It was an overall strong season featuring nine wins and the South-West Conference championship.

“I think we had a lot of fun along the way but we came up short,” Pattison said.

“I’m proud of my seniors. Our seniors did a good job leading this year and they got us back to the playoffs,” Newtown’s coach added.

The Nighthawks will lose several key players to graduation but started two sophomores and a handful of juniors and should be poised for another competitive campaign again next fall,” Pattison believes.

Sports Editor Andy Hutchison can be reached at andyh@thebee.com.