Staring another close finish in the face, Newtown High School's football team reverted to its earlier-season form and pulled away for a 28-8 triumph over visiting Pomperaug of Southbury, at Blue & Gold Stadium, on October 28.

The Nighthawks, coming off one-point win over Bunnell of Stratford the week before, improved to 7-0 and the Panthers fell to 2-5.

Despite the Hawks pulling away in the second half, this still ended up being Newtown's second-closest outcome of the fall, and the game was actually tighter than the final score indicates.

Newtown led just 7-0 at halftime and, after carrying a two-touchdown lead into the fourth quarter, surrendered a touchdown and two-point conversion to hold a slim 14-8 advantage with 10-plus minutes remaining.

It took Newtown a little more than a minute to answer Pomperaug's TD as quarterback Justin Dunn connected with Matt Bucci on a 62-yard touchdown with 9:25 remaining. Ben Mason scored on a 37-yard run only 2:33 later to put the game away.

Hunter Cobb scored Newtown's second touchdown of the night, on an 80-plus yard run.

The Nighthawks, after a scoreless opening quarter, got on the scoreboard when Dunn completed a four-yard pass to Dan Mason on a third and goal option play from four yards out, with 4:45 remaining in the opening half.

Newtown's first scoring drive included Dunn's 16-yard scamper on fourth and 12, getting the ball to the Pomperaug 17 yard line.

The Panthers nearly got into the end zone after falling behind, but the Nighthawks dug in their heels and came up with a turnover on downs at their own 12 yard line with 1:11 to play in the second quarter.

A screen pass from Dunn to Cobb and long completion to Bucci helped the Hawks move the ball most of the way down the field but, on second and goal from the seven, Cobb was stopped on a run at the three yard line.

Newtown will visit Notre Dame-Fairfield on Saturday, November 5, for 2:30 pm contest.