STRATFORD – Winning hasn’t been too much of a special occurrence for Newtown High School’s football team in recent years. The two-time South-West Conference champions, accustomed to being victorious each week, however, got a special win of sorts on September 19.

Newtown’s special teams athletes played a key role in a 47-0 win at Bunnell High. In fact, six of the team’s seven touchdowns were either scored by special teams players, or set up by Newtown’s kicking team.

The Nighthawks improved to 2-0 and scored 47 points for the second time in a row, coming off a 47-18 win at New Milford in week one. The Hawks took a commanding 40-0 halftime lead and cruised to victory. Newtown recovered an onside kick to start the game, setting up quarterback Jacob Burden’s 54-yard scoring strike to Ethan Carpenter for an early 7-0 lead. That set the tone for this wild game.

Nick Samuelson blocked a punt and recovered the ball in the end zone for a 13-0 lead, then blocked another punt to set up a Jaret DeVellis two-yard TD run. It was 20-0 NHS after one quarter of play.

There was more of the same in the second quarter. After a botched Bunnell snap on a punt attempt, Nick Rubino tackled the punter deep in the backfield, giving Newtown possession at the Bunnell 24 yard line. Michael Doyle made a 22-yard diving catch to set up his own two-yard TD rush for a 27-0 Newtown cushion.

Doyle made a diving tackle on the ensuing kick return, pinning the host Bulldogs deep in their own territory. Soon thereafter, Ryan Shaw pounced on a fumbled ball, setting the stage for an 11-yard DeVellis TD scamper to make it 33-0. That was the only score not initiated by a big special teams play.

Troy Frangione returned a punt 41 yards for the final score of the opening half.

Another failed Bunnell punt attempt (this time the kick was effectively blocked by a Bulldog lineman) gave NHS more great field position in the third quarter. Backup quarterback Justin Dunn rushed for a five-yard touchdown to cap the scoring.

Matt Bucci and Colin McCafferty both had strong carries in the win, and Matt Maturo took some late game snaps and rushed the ball well as Newtown  coasted in the second half.

The Nighthawks have their home opener on Friday, September 26, when Pomperaug of Southbury comes to Blue & Gold Stadium for a 7 pm kickoff.