Despite losing two in a row and three of the last four meetings with Masuk, Newtown High School’s history on Thanksgiving – dating back to 1991, when the old Western Connecticut Conference used the day for its championship game – has been pretty good.

The ‘Hawks are 6-4 in the span, scoring 161 points and allowing 178. The ‘Hawks have recorded two shutouts (32-0 in 1996 and 19-0 in 1997 – both over Masuk) and have been shut out twice (32-0 to Brookfield in 1994 and 13-0 to Masuk in 2001).

The ‘Hawks have come up with some stirring performances on Thanksgiving and maybe the same will be true for 2003.

2002

Masuk 56, Newtown 21 – A heavy snowstorm on Tuesday, November 26, forced the postponement of the Thanksgiving Eve game between Newtown and Masuk. The game was shifted to the icy field of Danbury High School, where the Panthers scored 28 first-quarter points enroute to the 56-21 win. The ‘Hawks rushed for just 20 yards while Tom Ryan was 19-of-37 for 229 yards and three touchdowns. Tim Byrne grabbed seven balls for 151 yards (including a 72-yard TD).

 

2001

Masuk 13, Newtown 0 – Kyle Nowak rushed for 60 yards and Tom Ryan was 8-of-19 for 78 yards as the Nighthawks were blanked in Monroe. Joe Gantert, Casey Kirch, Simon Censabella and Rob Konkos all grabbed two passes.

 

2000

Newtown 38, Masuk 20 – Kyle Tobin rushed for 215 yards on 26 carries and Rich Petretti was 7-of-12 for 197 yards and three touchdowns as the ‘Hawks earned a trip to the CIAC Class L state semi-finals. Adam Hayden rushed for 37 yards, but also threw for a touchdown. The Panthers – the SWC champions – had been undefeated.

 

1999

Masuk 41, Newtown 13 – Masuk secured an undefeated season and a No. 1 ranking in the CIAC Class LL playoffs with a 41-13 win on Thanksgiving Day in Monroe. Sean Raby scored on a 25-yard run in the first quarter to give the ‘Hawks a brief, 7-0, lead. Les Russell also scored on a 10-yard run.

1998

Newtown 14, Masuk 6 – It was not a great season, but it had a great finish as Newtown took advantage of the elements (rain) to pin a 14-6 loss on Masuk – which had, the week before, captured SWC championship. Sean Raby and Grant Werbeck scored the Newtown touchdowns in the second quarter.

1997

Newtown 19, Masuk 0 – After routing Stratford, 53-13, in the SWC championship game the Nighthawks prepared for the CIAC Class L semi-finals with a 19-0 win over Masuk.

 

1996

Newtown 32, Masuk 0 – Patrick Reilly rushed eight times for 105 yards and two touchdowns as the ‘Hawks routed the Panthers and qualified for the CIAC Class L semi-finals. Ryan Bunt rushed for 67 yards and Joey Saputo rushed for 47 yards.

1994

Brookfield 32, Newtown 0 – A ferocious Brookfield team pounded Newtown in the WCC championship game.

1992

Newtown 13, New Fairfield 8 – Joe Lato rushed for 68 yards and a touchdown to lead Newtown. Adam Rowe also scored a touchdown when he fell on a fumble in the end zone.

1991

Newtown 32, Immaculate 2 – Josh Lubin came up with 161 rushing and receiving and David Brookes was 9-of-16 for 203 yards and a pair of touchdowns to lead the way in the Western Connecticut Conference championship game.