Newtown Seventh Graders Win CVL Title

Newtown’s seventh grade football team beat the Norwalk Panthers 24-0 this past weekend to win the Candlewood Valley League championship for the fourth year in a row.

The Nighthawks have accumulated an undefeated record of 38-0 during the four-year period. Newtown will now play for the Connecticut State Championship in Norwalk this Saturday, November 14 at 5 pm against the 11-0 Hartford Wildcats from the Mid Connecticut Youth Football League. The Wildcats advanced by beating the Shoreline Youth Football League champions, the Tri-Town Warriors by a score of 44-30. 

In the CVL title game, Newtown gained a total of 277 yards on the ground while passing for another 60 yards. Colton Smith rushed for 151 yards on 11 carries with Julian Dunn adding 74 yards on 6 carries plus 3 receptions for 60 yards. Nick Lotrecchiano added another 33 yards on the ground. Overall, the Nighthawks dominated the clock by racking up 337 yards of total offense while the defense posted another shutout.

The outstanding line play of Kevin Conte, Griffin Davis, Markus Elken, Eric Cascone, Jake Lambert, Connor Roch, Aidan Petershack and Erik Street made the difference as they consistently won their individual battles with the Panthers’ defensive line and linebackers.

Rat Rubino and Shane Quimby combined for 12 tackles at the linebacker position while Pete Manfredonia led the line with 4 ½ tackles including a half sack with Quimby. Bug Santella also chipped in 4 tackles at the cornerback position and Julian Dunn added a 30-yard interception return to seal the deal in the final minutes. Dunn also added 3 point after attempt kicks (worth two points each at this level).