Newtown High School’s football team defeated host New Milford 34-14 on October 4 and, in the process, retained “The Boot” trophy, earned by the winner of this mostly-annual matchup throughout the decades. With the win the Nighthawks improve to 4-0 heading into the Thursday, October 10, home game with Pomperaug of Southbury. Kickoff has been moved to an early start, 6:30 pm.

In the New Milford game Newtown fell behind early before building a 20-7 lead and carrying a 20-14 advantage into halftime before pulling away.

Ayden Paulos got the scoring started on an 11-yard run; the extra point failed and the Nighthawks trailed 7-6. Quarterback Ryan Schoffstall connected with Justyn Gonzalez on a 51-yard play for the go-ahead score. Paulos added a three-yard TD rush pushing things to a two-possession advantage.

Jayden Taylor returned the second-half kickoff 70 yards for a score and a 27-14 lead. Schoffstall threw a TD pass to Will McManus to cap the scoring.

Schoffstall completed 13 of 22 pass attempts for 176 yards; he threw a pair of touchdown passes and was intercepted twice. Schoffstall also rushed the ball seven times for 73 yards.

Paulos carried ten times for 57 yards. Gonzalez had four catches for 80 yards, McManus had four receptions for 56, Taylor three for 20, Paulos two for 15, and James Hartigan one reception for five yards.

Gonzalez and Graham Spencer both had interceptions. Graham had ten solo tackles and assisted on two more; Henri Quirk and Joey Terry both had seven tackles and Terry assisted on another; Grady Marks had five tackles; Kieran Garrity four solo tackles and assists on two others; C.J. St. Louis had three solo tackles and three assists; and Cole Stockwell had two solo tackles and two assists. Nick Pavia got to the quarterback for a trio of sacks.

The Nighthawks, following the Pomperaug game, will host Shelton Friday, October 18 at 7 pm.

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