High School Football Team Suffers First Loss

Newtown High School’s football team, after a 3-0 start to the season, had its unbeaten ways picked off by the host Pomperaug Panthers in Southbury in a 16-9 loss on October 6.

Newtown’s defense was strong throughout the contest, but the Panthers scored on 96- and 62-yard interception returns and cashed in on a blocked punt with a 47-yard field goal to improve to 4-0.

Mike Lord and Cory Fisher each had four tackles, Collin Gage had three, and Mac Morlock added two for the NHS defense. Mike Lengel came up with an interception in the end zone to halt a potential Pomperaug scoring drive.

Newtown’s lone touchdown came on an 11-yard pass from quarterback Drew Tarantino to Kyler Harmeling, and Jake Tolson hit a 37-yard field goal.

Harmeling had five receptions for 86 yards. Tarantino completed seven of eight passes for 69 yards. Louis Fenaroli had 36 carries for 169 yards and caught three passes for 28 yards; Dan Hebert had seven carries for 17 yards and three catches for 36 yards; Michael Allwein had four receptions for 29 yards; and Justin Devellis had a 30-yard kick return.

Newtown will try to bounce back on Friday, October 14, when the Nighthawks host New Milford at 7 pm at Blue & Gold Stadium.