Nighthawks Fall In National Championship Title Game

The Newtown Youth Football program’s seventh grade team reached the American Youth Football National Championship game and settled for a runner-up finish in a 39-14 loss to Central Florida in Orlando on December 11.

The Nighthawks defeated the Wyandotte Country Panthers from Kansas City, Kansas, 39-0 in a first round game on December 7 and earned a bye in the second round.

In the title game, Newtown took an early lead when Tim Krapf scored on a six-yard run on fourth and one to cap the opening drive. Central Florida responded and built a 26-6 lead before Colton Smith hit Julian Dunn with a 15-yard touchdown pass. Dunn added a two-point kick to make it 25-14, but the Hawks got no closer.

Despite the loss, it was a great campaign for the Hawks who advanced to the National Championships by winning the state and New England championships.

In the National Championship opener on December 7, the Nighthawks were clicking on all cylinders on offense, defense and special teams as they gave the Panthers their first loss in three years. Smith, Nick Lotrecchiano, Dunn, Krapf, and Connor Roche all scored touchdowns. Dunn scored on an interception, Roche on a 20-yard reception and the other scores all came on the ground.

The Defense gave up just two first downs and a total of 30 yards in the win.

The line dominated from start to finish on both offense and defense with Krapf, Markus Elken, Griffin Davis, Eric Cascone, Jake Lambert, and Kevin Conte all playing well.

This Newtown team won the national title four years ago as fourth graders.