Newtown High School’s football team overcame big plays by visiting Glastonbury – and a 13-point deficit – for its biggest win of the campaign, in the Class LL state playoff quarterfinals, on December 1. The fourth-seeded Nighthawks came from behind with a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns for a 21-20 victory over the No. 5 Tomahawks under a light by steady rainfall, at Blue & Gold Stadium. With the win, the Hawks earn a visit to top-seeded Shelton in the semifinals on Monday December 7; kickoff is set for 6:30 pm.

Ben Mason scored on a two-yard run, capping Newtown’s opening drive, which included a Mason first-down run on fourth and two.

Glastonbury had just one drive, which resulted in a punt, and ran only three plays in the first quarter as the Nighthawks dominated possession in the early going.

Unable to move the chains, the Tomahawks tied the score with a punt return as Keyion Dixon brought a kick back 85 yards for a touchdown, breaking several tackles to spring free, on the first play of the second quarter. Dixon, the team’s quarterback, completed an 82-yard TD pass to Jake Madnick on third down, just 2:57 into the second quarter. Despite Newtown having the better of the ball control, the Tomahawks led 14-7 at halftime.

Glastonbury added to its lead midway through the third quarter when Madnick recovered his own fumble, in the end zone, following a carry from the Newtown nine yard line. The extra point attempt was no good, and that proved costly for the visitors.

Ethan Carpenter returned a punt 37 yards to the Glastonbury five yard line, setting up Mason’s one-yard score with 10:26 to play in the fourth quarter.

Jared Pearson finished a 71-yard drive with a 13-yard scoring run, with 2:34 remaining, and Ryan Kost’s third extra point kick of the night broke the tie.

The Tomahawks moved the ball just over mid field, but Sam Czel’s interception, with just 40 seconds left, sealed the win.