The QB, receivers, running backs (those most directly responsible for scoring touchdowns) — even defensive players when they make an interception or come up with a crucial QB sack — get a bulk of the recognition for their efforts during a football season.

In the case of Newtown High School’s football team, which had a memorable run to the Class LL state championship capped by a 13-7 win over Darien on December 14, the QB situation was quite unique. The offensive and defensive lines did their part behind the anchors of twins Mike and Zach Loomis, and special teams played a big role in the team winning.

Who’s Under Center?

Most teams use one QB, and those that do typically have two QBs alternate to take advantage of the throwing skills of one and running prowess of the other.

Not at Newtown High, where both Brandon Lombardo and Jack Street played in every game, both getting significant time in the pocket pretty much each Friday night, and both were utilized for running or passing plays on any given snap.

“They’re both competitors, and they’re both football players. You want those guys on the field,” said Newtown Coach Bobby Pattison, who said since preseason that both QBs would be used regularly throughout the year.

There were times in which coaches went with the hot hand, but it was a lot of gut instinct and never really intended as a means to keep defenses guessing — although it certainly seems like a good way to throw off the opposing defense.

“I don’t think it was our goal to attack them in that way, but it worked out,” Street said.

Lombardo said that after the win over Darien, a coach of Newtown’s championship game opponent mentioned to him that it was hard to defend, not knowing what QB would be in the pocket or what play was coming.

“We both ran and threw. It made it that much harder to defend. The defense didn’t know what we were going to do,” Lombardo said.

The platoon took some getting used to for the Nighthawks QBs, and being the competitors they are, there is no question it must have been tough standing on the sidelines for some plays.

“At certain moments it was tough maybe getting into a little rhythm,” said Lombardo, adding that both he and Jack are capable QBs and it all worked out. “We were able to get the job done.”

“It was difficult at times, but it worked out well. You can’t argue with a state championship,” Street echoed.

Street completed 63 pass attempts for 923 yards during the course of the year. Lombardo completed 82 for 1,079. Jack rushed 28 times for 163, and Lombardo carried 52 for 256.

Special Teams Especially Strong

Newtown’s special teams play was crucial in its success. The punting of Jack Mulligan and punt coverage by the Nighthawks helped the team win the field position game all season long. Place kicker Devin O’Connell was 50 of 52 on extra point attempts and six of eight on field goal tries. He finished his career with the school record for made field goals, Pattison said.

Special teams comes into play less often than other aspects of the game, making it more valuable, Pattison said. For that reason, his top players did not get time off to rest during punts and point after kicks or field goals.

Pattison asked Jack Mulligan to play because of his height (6-foot-3) and athleticism. Also a basketball player, he looked like a good candidate to be able to handle high or low snaps, Pattison said.

“Jack did a great job. He’s one of the best punters in the state,” Pattison said.

“The team puts in the work making sure the blocking and snaps are crisp,” Jack said. “We feel confident whenever we’re out there in executing the game plan on special teams.”

Jack Mulligan punted 41 times, averaging 38.3 yards per boot, with a long of 64. He pinned the opposition inside their 20 a total of 13 times.

O’Connell averaged 43.5 yards per kickoff, including five touchbacks.

“O’Connell was clutch. He was consistent. I never blinked — if we were inside the 20 and it was fourth down, we were kicking,” said Pattison.

“I enjoy it a lot. It’s just my way of contributing to the team,” O’Connell said. “I take a lot of pride in doing this.”

Pattison added that O’Connell works on his kicking year-round and has potential to walk on at Sacred Heart University next fall.

Twins On The Lines

Newtown’s offensive and defensive lines allowed the play-makers time to make the plays on offense and led the way to applying pressure on opposing QBs all season long.

The offensive line was anchored by Zach and Mike Loomis, twins who have been playing football together for a half dozen years. Zach is a right guard and defensive end, and Mike is a center and defensive end. They joined Kyle Good, Matt Heinlein, and Aidan Kennedy on the offensive line.

“We have a lot of trust in each other,” Mike said. “I know he’s going to get his job done.”

“I trust he’ll get the snap back there,” Zach added.

Zach also played on the defensive line along with James Knox, Jacob Riley, and Evan Prestera. The plays that unfold all start with the snap of the ball and blocking of the linemen. The efforts of the linemen all begin with the hard work they put in, lifting weights to be strong enough to hold off the most powerful opponents game in and game out. The Loomis twins certainly worked hard to prepare for their roles.

“They love the weight room. They’re always working out,” Pattison said. “If you go to any gym, you’ll see them.”

Thanks to the efforts of everybody in the lineup, from the QBs to the kickers to the linemen, the Nighthawks were seen playing football on the last day of the season, winning their first state title in 27 years on the last play of the game.