Newtown Football Team Bounces Back In Second Half To Top Weston

By Andy Hutchison

Down 17-0 at halftime at Weston High School on October 24, the Newtown High football team appeared headed for its second consecutive loss. But the Nighthawks regrouped, turned the tables on the host Trojans by holding them scoreless in the second half, and came from behind for a 21-17 rain-soaked victory.

Newtown improved to 5-1 and Weston fell to 1-5 in a battle of South-West Conference foes on Weston’s Homecoming Day.

Newtown Coach Steve George said his Nighthawks struggled to move the ball in the rainy conditions and that the Trojans seemed to feed off the excitement of their Homecoming occasion from the onset.

“They came out more fired up than we were,” the coach said.

At halftime, the Nighthawks regrouped and they came back with two third-quarter scores and a fourth-quarter touchdown.

Sean Delaney caught a touchdown pass and quarterback John Fracker rushed for a score to pull New-town to within 17-14 heading into the fourth quarter.

The defense, led by Jamie Bowers’ strong effort, continued to hold Weston’s offense in check, setting up Fracker’s TD toss to Ryan Korth.

“It was really exciting for the kids,” said George, adding that the comeback effort was a credit to the efforts of the seniors. “They’re fighters.”

Tory Deakin had a big day for Newtown, pulling in four receptions for approximately 70 yards.

The Nighthawks will try to win again in their first home game in three weeks when Oxford visits for a 7 pm kickoff at Blue & Gold Stadium on October 30.

Oxford is only a second year varsity program but, at 3-3, is not a team to be taken lightly, George points out. The players all have plenty of game-play experience from their days at Seymour High before the Oxford football program’s varsity team began play.

“They run the ball really well. They have a good power run game,” said George, adding that the passing game is also a threat.

Newtown, following the Oxford game, will go back on the road for a November 6 date with New Fairfield.