The rain could have neutralized top-seeded Newtown High School’s potent passing game or caused turnovers. It didn’t.

And although visiting and fourth-seeded Simsbury hung in there for most of the December 9 Class LL state football playoff semifinal matchup, the Trojans couldn’t stop the Nighthawks either. Newtown prevailed 17-0, earning a spot in the championship game.

Newtown will take on No. 3 Darien at neutral site Trumbull High on Saturday, December 14; kickoff is set for 3 pm.

The Nighthawks reached their first state title game since winning the Class MM championship in 1992.

“It’s been a long time,” Newtown Coach Bobby Pattison said. “It’s not enough to get there. We’ve got to take care of business.”

That will require a repeat effort. The clash with Darien is a rematch of last year’s quarterfinal-round matchup won by the Nighthawks.

“It’s an amazing feeling just to see everything you strive for come true,” said Jack Zingaro, who had a pair of interceptions.

Newtown scored first on Riley Ward’s three-yard touchdown run with 1:17 left in the first quarter.

Devin O’Connell booted a 21-yard field goal for a 10-0 lead with 6:44 to go in the second quarter. A clutch Jared Dunn reception and run helped set up the field goal.

As the rain continued to fall, it was 10-0 Nighthawks at the half.

After a scoreless third quarter, quarterback Brandon Lombardo connected with Riley Ward in the end zone, just inside the sideline, capping the scoring on an 18-yard TD with 7:53 remaining. The TD was set up by Zingaro’s second INT.

Newtown’s defense pitched its second playoff shutout in as many games, having blanked Norwich Free Academy in a 35-0 quarterfinal-round triumph.

James Knox, Ben Pinto, and Zach Loomis kept pressure on the Simsbury offense.

Pattison credited the game plan implemented by Defensive Coordinator Nick Tarantino and noted that a lot of time and effort goes into preparing for games. Simsbury runs 20 different offensive formations and the Nighthawks had to be ready for each and every one of them.

“The defense, it’s unbelievable. Two shutouts in a row. I’m expecting three to be honest,” Ward said.

It all begins with the play of the linemen, Pattison said. The coach pointed to the efforts of Kyle Good, Jacob Riley, Aidan Kennedy, Knox, and Loomis.

Special teams play also contributed significantly.

Jack Mulligan’s strong punts and helped keep the Trojans facing long fields, and keep Newtown’s season going.

“It’s huge,” said Dunn, adding that the Nighthawks will have to turn their focus on the next task at hand. “It’s going to be a hard week.”

Zingaro recalls the last year’s semifinal-round defeat to Greenwich and said it’s nice to have another chance at a championship.

“We’re just going to have to do out best to get it done,” Zingaro said.