Eighth Grade Gridders Advance To Regional Final

Newtown’s eighth grade football team advanced to New England Regional championship game with 19-8 victory over the Rhode Island state champion West Warwick Steelers in the semifinals this past weekend.

Both teams moved the ball early in the game. The Nighthawks had four completions, including receptions by Sam Duffy and Declan Sullivan, but did not threaten. Early in the second quarter, the Hawks broke through on a fourth and 11 when Jared Pearson (7-for-10 passing, 75 yards) rolled out to his right, dodged two defenders, and connected with a wide open Michael Doyle for a 29-yard touchdown pass.

Warwick was stymied several times by Newtown’s intimidating defense, led by the outstanding play of cornerback Devin Luzietti, in the opening quarter. On Warwick’s first series, Luzietti had a tackle behind the line of scrimmage and knocked down a fourth down pass. The next series had the play of the game. Warwick broke a screen pass down the left side line for 60 yards and was about to go in for the score when Luzietti (coming from the right side) not only caught the receiver, but also managed to strip him of the ball near the goal line. Equally impressive was the hustle of defensive tackle Jeremy Salaris, who never stopped his pursuit and was able to pick up the bouncing ball for the recovery. The Hawks, however, fumbled on the next play, setting up the Steelers at the Newtown 11 yard line. Again, the defense would not yield, as Carlo Fenaroli and Andrew Svanda made tackles to limit the opposition to short gains, and Luzietti knocked down another two passes, including one in the end zone on fourth down.

Newtown received the kick at the start of the third quarter and was clinging to a precarious 6-0 lead.  Newtown coaching staff members caught the Steelers off guard when they switched into a power running formation that needed only three plays to produce a touchdown – a 35-yard run by Pearson (18 carries for 146 yards).

Warwick was against stopped cold when a three-yard loss on a tackle by Greg Harrison was followed by a Doyle interception. Newtown was able to work its way down field on a ten-play drive, started off by two six-yard runs by Steve Faxlanger. The drive was capped off by a four-yard run by Pearson behind  blocks by Christian Morlock and Chance McMahon.

With a 19-0 lead, the Hawks played conservatively in the fourth quarter, secure in the knowledge that the defense would not surrender the lead. Except for a 45-yard touchdown off a trick play, Warwick did not threaten as Nick Samuelson (one sack) and Pearson both had interceptions, and Charlie Fletcher added a sack. Newtown will face undefeated Worcester in Massachusetts on Saturday, November 26, for the regional championship.