79ers

Newtown 24, Norwalk Packers 14: In the featured game of the day in front the largest recorded crowd in Taylor Field history, the undefeated Newtown Nighthawk 79ers took on the visiting undefeated Norwalk Packers in a highly anticipated matchup of powerhouse teams with Newtown coming away with an impressive 24-14 victory. Newtown’s defense quickly forced a turnover on Norwalk’s first possession handing the ball over to the offense. Behind the impenetrable offensive line of Grant Baker, Nick Sabillon , Anthony Dorazio, Jordan Conrad, Tommy Gies, Jack Stenz and William Wallace, Jeffrey Garrity took the second handoff around the end 38 yards for the game’s first score to give Newtown a 6-0 lead. Norwalk’s offense would not be denied, and on their second possession of the game the Packers scored on a long run and tacking on the extra point field goal to give the visitors a 8-6 lead. For the first time this season the 79ers trailed in a game, but it didn’t last.

Quarterback Michael Haddick took it 38 yards to the house on a QB keeper to give Newtown the lead 12-8. Norwalk’s offense struck back on a long run to recapture the lead 14-12 with three minutes left in the half. With the clock winding down, one of the key plays of the game came with the Nighthawks facing a fourth and five on their own 40 yard line. The Norwalk defense forced a Newtown fumble; after scrambling for the loose ball, Garrity recovered the fumble and, behind a host of blockers, raced 49 yards down to the Norwalk 11 yard line. On the next play QB Jack Street found CJ Demers in the back of the end zone for Newtown’s third score of the day, recapturing the lead 18-14 just before the end of the half.

Newtown’s defense led by Haddick, Shaine Luzietti, CJ Demers, Aiden Foss, Garrity, Jack Street, Luke Hannan, Nick Fischer, Jake Dandrea, Grant Baker, Sabillon, Stenz and Jordan Conrad shut down the Norwalk offense for the entire second half. Newtown’s ground and pound running game led by Demers, Eric Burbank and Dandrea controlled the clock for most of the third quarter before the thunder started to rumble. Halfway through the fourth quarter Luzietti scored on a 40-yard run up the middle, breaking tackles along the way and sealing the 24-14 victory.

Grade 4

Newtown 13, Shelton 0: The Newtown fourth grade Nighthawks sought to avenge a heartbreaking week 2 defeat at the hands of the Shelton Seahawks. Just as in week 2, the game was a defensive struggle, with yards and first downs tough to come by. The first half was a game of field position and special teams, with neither team mounting any serious threats. The stellar punting of Jared Dunn continually put the Shelton Seahawks deep in their own territory. The defense did not allow the Seahawks any breathing room either, allowing a measly 40 yards for the entire game. The defense was led by Dunn with eight tackles, Jack Mulligan with six tackles (including a sack) and William Swierbut and Luke Wellman with four tackles each. While the defense was swarming, the offense had trouble moving the ball against the tough Seahawk run defense, and the half ended in a scoreless tie.

The second half started much like the first, with the Newtown offense finding it tough to get their ground game going and the defense holding tough. On the second series of the half, Newtown struck with a big play. Jack Kuligowski found some daylight and used his explosive speed to race for a 55-yard touchdown run, and Wellman’s extra point run put the Nighthawks up 7-0. The defense continued to hold firm, and after a turnover on downs in Seahawk territory, the offense capitalized again, following a nice JP Iarapoli to Mulligan pass play, Dunn ran in from 1 yard to pad the lead to the final score of 13-0. The Seahawks still had some time to mount a comeback, but an amazing diving interception by Luke Wellman gave Newtown the ball back.

Grade 5

Nighthawks 20, Norwalk Dolphins 0: Hosting Norwalk at Taylor Field last Sunday, the fifth grade Nighthawk squad dominated both sides of the ball. For the defense, this was their second straight in-conference shutout. Under sunny skies and crisp fall weather, the Nighthawks went right to work at the first whistle, ending Norwalk’s first possession with a forced fumble. QB Luke Melillo led his offense onto the field, and several plays later, Tucker Garrity put 6 on the board with a beautiful run. Garrity would also have a 50-yard TD run called back due to a mystery hold later in the game. Norwalk couldn’t get anything going on offense, and soon the ball was back in the Nighthawks’ hands, with Griffin Cross slicing through the line for Newtown’s second score.

The Nighthawks’ last TD came from Daniel Mason. Busting through a pod of Dolphins on the line, Mason brought the ball down to the 4 yard line after a 60-yard scramble. OC Connors called his number again, and Mason hit pay dirt with on a bruising dive. Newtown’s latest weapon, Shea Talbot, hit the extra point for the final 2 points of the game. Notable plays and extra effort from Matthew Dubios, Tom Usher, Gren Paynter, Brandon Giglio, Kyle Burbank, Tanner Stergue, Robbie Morrill, Reed Hammond, Jack Clark, Gavin Connors, Chris Maturo, Jack Hannan, and Karl Kelly. The Nighthawks travel to Norwalk this Saturday to finish the regular season.

Grade 6

Newtown 12, Shelton 0: The Newtown sixth grade team played in Shelton on a day in which the wind and defense both had a big impact on the outcome. With a strong breeze blowing from one end of the field to the other, Newtown decided to go with the wind in the fourth quarter after winning the coin toss. Due to the wind, Newtown relied on its running game to move the ball. Simon Preston, Josh Dunn, and Ryan Kost accounted for 132 combined yards. The first half featured little passing; however, Liam Deakin had a key 32-yard reception on a fourth down and five play that kept the ball in Newtown’s hands.

The game was dominated by defensive play. Connor Marlin led the team with six tackles, including two for losses and running down a Shelton player for a touchdown saving tackle at the 10-yard line. Josh Dunn and Tyler Rising had five tackles apiece followed by Simon Preston and CJ Shambelan with four each. Owen Walsh had three tackles of his own and a fumble recovery. In the fourth quarter the Nighthawks got the wind under their wings and let the passing game take over. Ryan Kost was able to connect with Kyle Roche for two touchdowns and the Newtown win.

Grade 7

Newtown 34, Norwalk Green 20: Ben Mason had 95 yards on 13 carries. Runs by Hunter Cobb and Joe Acousti set up a touchdown run by Matt Bucci. Mitch Savoca connected on the extra point attempt for an 8-0 lead. Newtown’s defense forced a Norwalk fumble on fourth down and took over near midfield. Quarterback Patrick Conte connected with Steven Moccio for a 25-yard gain on the next drive and then scored on a quarterback keeper from 3 yards out. Conte connected with Scotty Bauer for the extra point, putting Newtown up 15-0. Norwalk responded in the second quarter with a 40-yard touchdown run. Bobby Haskins blocked the extra-point attempt. Conte continued working Norwalk’s defense with runs by Mason and connecting twice times with Haskins. Justin Dunn finished off the drive with a 9-yard touchdown pass to Haskins. Moccio took the long snap from Colin McCafferty and ran it in for the extra point. On the ensuing kickoff, Bauer hit the Norwalk ball handler, forcing a fumble recovered by Newtown. The Hawks closed out their scoring in the first half with Dunn running it in on a quarterback keeper putting Newtown up, 28-6.

The second half started with a 70-yard Norwalk kick-off return for a touchdown being called back for a myriad of penalties, including holding and unsportsmanlike conduct, putting them deep in their own territory. After strong defensive efforts by Adam Bell and Thomas Long, Norwalk was able to produce a 65-yard touchdown run. The extra point attempt was fumbled and recovered by Mitchell Long. When Norwalk was able to put together another drive moving the ball into Newtown’s territory, Moccio provided the defensive coverage in the secondary and returned an interception for a 73-yard pick-six. Newtown’s defense went back on the field and had key stops by Jack Wellman, Ellis Hubbard, and McCafferty forcing Norwalk to turn the ball over on downs. Newtown was unable to capitalize on its next drive however.

Grade 8

Newtown 26, Shelton 6: On a windy day in Shelton, the Hawks defeated the Seahawks for the second time this season. Newtown outgained Shelton by 200 yards, did not commit a turnover, and held the Seahawks to one net yard passing (after yielding 150 passing yards in the first meeting). After the Seahawks went up 6-0, Ethan Carpenter caught a screen pass from Jared Pearson and broke several tackles on his way to a 25-yard touchdown. Shelton was held to one first down on three possessions the rest of the half, as John DelRossi recovered a fumble, Charlie Fletcher (3.5 sacks on the day) and Ryan Shaw (two sacks) recorded back-to-back sacks, and Michael Doyle intercepted a pass. Matt Elias caught a 32-yard pass from Pearson to put the Hawks up 12-6 at the half.

The start of the third quarter saw Pearson scamper 44 yards around left end behind the blocking of Brandon Hensel and Jeremy Salaris to give the Hawks a 18-6 cushion. Newtown’s final score of the game came on a 15-play drive that covered 77 yards. Sam Duffy, Steve Faxlanger (two), and Doyle all recorded first downs before Matt Maturo hooked up with Carpenter in the end zone for a 27-yard touchdown pass on fourth down. Shelton’s last two drives ended on four consecutive sacks by Carlo Fenaroli, Shaw, and Fletcher, the last one resulting in a fumble that was recovered by Bryan Kiley. Newtown improved to 5-1-1 and plays its final regular season game in Aspetuck next Sunday.