79ers

Newtown 25, Southington 6: The Newtown Nighthawk 79ers extended their undefeated season with another dominating victory over Southington. The offense went to work quickly, scoring on their first possession of the game. Newtown’s vaunted air attack stuck early with a 40-yard completion from quarterback Jack Street to receiver CJ Demers. Shaine Luzietti then plowed his way into the end zone on a 12-yard touchdown run. Street went back to the air assault for a successful conversion finding Demers again in the end zone to give Newtown an early 7-0 lead. Newtown’s second score of the day was set up by a 40-yard bootleg run by Michael Haddick, who tore through the defense to get Newtown deep into Southington territory.

Demers then took the next handoff and behind the great blocking of Anthony Dorazio, Jordan Conrad, Nick Sabillon, Jose Contreras, Grant Baker, Julian Crone, and Zach Reilly and Jack Stenz powered his way into the end zone for a 15-yard TD run to give Newtown a 13-0 lead. Newtown’s third score of the day was set up by a 14-yard run by Mathew Carpenter. Luzietti took the next handoff and pounded his way through the defense for a 30-yard touchdown run to give the Nighthawks a 19-0 halftime lead.

Luzietti went back to work in the second half, racking up 30 yards before Jeffrey Garrity outran the defense for a 25-yard score to give Newtown a 25-0 lead. Running backs Eric Burbank and James Iarpoli continued to wear down the Southington defense in the second half with some great runs. Newtown’s suffocating defense, led by Aiden Foss, TJ O’Connell, Trevor Jacozzi, Tommy Geis, Jake Dandrea, William Wallace, Nick Fischer, and Nevin Bell-Hill, had their best defensive effort of the year, holding Southington to no first downs. Newtown’s next game will be a much anticipated matchup against undefeated Norwalk.

Grade 5

Nighthawks 26, Danbury 0: The Nighthawks rebounded from a two-game skid on Newtown Day with strong defense and an unstoppable ground attack. QB Luke Melillo dished the ball to RB Griffin Cross, RB Matthew DuBois, and FB Daniel Mason while the O line won the war in the trenches. The defense locked down the Vikings with great play from the entire roster; stand out plays recorded by NG John Albanesi, DE Reed Hammond, LB Robbie Morrill, SS Tucker Garrity, DT Brandon Giglio, DE Tom Usher, and TE Connor Hughes.

Nighthawks 28, Bristol 6: The team traveled to Bristol on Sunday to face the Bulldogs under sunny skies. CB Shea Talbot had three picks and two extra point kicks. QB Luke Melillo threw two touchdowns, one to WR Tucker Garrity and the other to RB Griffin Cross. FB Daniel Mason, RB Matthew DuBois, TE Gavin Connors, and TE Kyle Cascone opened holes for Cross on the other scores. The team was firing on all cylinders and everyone contributed to the victory. Great plays from FB Gren Paynter, DE Jack Swanson, DT Karl Kelly, G Shane Demers, RB Derrick Lewis, RB Kyle Burbank, G Garrett Norberg, OT Jack Hannan, DT Ryan Straiton, and DE Jack Clark.

Grade 6

Norwalk Gold 15, Newtown 6: The Newtown sixth grade boys lost a tough game on Newtown Day to Norwalk. This despite an impressive effort in which the Newtown offense out-gained Norwalk 240 yards to 192. Ryan Kost completed 11 passes on his way to passing for 121 yards. Kyle Roche and Simon Preston were Kost’s favorite targets for the day, catching a combined seven passes for 110 of those yards. The defense was lead by Josh Dunn with six tackles, followed by Connor Marlin and Mark Hall with five apiece. One of Marlin’s tackles came on a crucial fourth down when it appeared Norwalk might move the chains and maintain possession. Daniel Badiola, playing in his last Newtown game due to being relocated to Moscow, contributed with four tackles and a shared sack with Mark Garner.

Grade 7

Newtown 16, Waterbury 14: The Newtown Nighthawks traveled to Waterbury for an early morning game this past week to take on a strong Waterbury team. The game was going to be decided by which defense came up with the big plays and which offense could break the opposing defense. Both teams started the day turning the ball over, with Thomas Long recovering fumbles on Waterbury’s first two possessions. The Nighthawk defense of Alex Morganti, Adam Bell, Jack Riley, Ryan Marusi, and Bobby Haskins kept pressure on Waterbury’s quarterback throughout the game. Waterbury got on the board first with a screen pass leading to a 54-yard touch down run. They connected on the extra point, going up 8-0 midway through the second quarter.

Newtown quickly responded with short yardage runs by Ryan Brello and Patrick Conte, which led to the perfected Conte to Mitch Savoca to Steven Moccio touchdown reception. Moccio gave the opposing Waterbury defensive back a stiff arm to prevent a tackle and was able to break for a 62-yard touchdown. Savoca connected on the kick, tying the score 8-8 going into the half.

The second half was another defensive showdown. Morganti, Long, and Bell closed down the middle, not allowing much yardage, while the secondary of Moccio and Haskins took away the passing game. The Nighthawks attacked away in the fourth quarter with a 10-yard run by Ben Mason and a 15-yard reception by Haskins putting Newtown into the red-zone. Conte then connected with Savoca who was alone in the end zone. Savoca connected on the extra point, putting Newtown up 16-8. After Waterbury was hit with an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, it appeared Newtown had control of the game after two incomplete passes and a tackle by Bell in the backfield for a loss.

Being within four minutes, Waterbury went for it on fourth down and connected on a reception for a 50-yard touchdown run. The extra point to tie the game fell short, allowing Newtown a slight lead, 16-14, and the ball. Waterbury held Newtown to only three yards and on fourth down Conte faked the punt and connected with Haskins for an 11-yard gain and first down. The Nighthawks came away with the victory and will prepare to face a tough Norwalk team this weekend for their final home game of the regular season.