Despite trailing for the first time this season the Newtown High School football team kept its unbeaten season going with a 35-21 win at nonconference opponent Southington on September 27. The Nighthawks were behind 21-14 at halftime but scored three times in the third quarter on the way to improving to 3-0. Newtown is at the top of the Class L State rankings, points ahead of fellow unbeatens Naugatuck, Amity of Woodbridge, and Fairfield Ludlowe. Southington fell to 1-2 and is tenth in the Class LL rankings.

Newtown used some opportunistic play to score two of its touchdowns. Caden Cuomo scored two touchdowns, and Ayden Paulos, Cole Stockwell, and quarterback Ryan Schoffstall also scored TDs to lead the Hawks. Jake Roszman tacked on five extra point kicks. Cuomo recovered a fumble for a score and returned an interception for another TD; the recovery TD came on an errant Southington punt snap in the end zone and the INT return for a score was a 92-yarder. Newtown’s other touchdowns came on rushing plays.

Schoffstall was 15-for-24 passing for 208 yards. Will McManus had six receptions for 110 yards, Jayden Taylor had four catches for 40 yards, and Justyn Gonzalez caught four passes for 40 yards; Paulos also had a ten-yard reception. Paulos racked up 91 yards on 20 carries and Schoffstall picked up 46 yards on eight rushes.

Nick Pavia had 11 tackles and a quarterback sack, Joey Terry and Kieran Garrity each had eight tackles, Stockwell and Cuomo each had six, Aidan Molina five, and Gonzalez four. Garrity also caused a fumble.

Newtown has scored 35 or more points in each of its first three games, having also beaten Stamford 35-14 and New Fairfield 50-14. The Nighthawks head to New Milford for the Boot Trophy Game on Friday, October 4 at 6 pm. Newtown is back home Thursday, October 10, when Pomperaug of Southbury visits Blue & Gold Stadium at 7 pm.

Sports Editor Andy Hutchison can be reached at andyh@thebee.com.