Nighthawk Gridders Win Behind Hebert’s TDs, Stingy Defense

By Andy Hutchison

Dan Hebert scored three touchdowns, including one on a 90-yard punt return, the defense forced four turnovers, and the Newtown High School football team rolled at Immaculate of Danbury 31-0 on October 2. The Nighthawks improved to 2-1 and the host Mustangs fell to 0-3.

It was a nice bounce-back win following a nail-biting six-point defeat to Bethel the week before for NHS.

The Nighthawks found themselves locked in a defensive battle in the early going. Rory Noonan showed off his kicking leg by putting a 41-yard field goal attempt through the uprights for a 3-0 Newtown lead with 5:10 remaining in the opening quarter. That score stood until the second quarter when the special teams got into the act with Hebert’s punt return to pay dirt just 1:34 into the quarter. Noonan’s point after gave the Nighthawks a 10-0 advantage.

On the ensuing drive, Newtown’s Brendan McNamara intercepted a pass and ran it back 35 yards for a score. Noonan’s onside kick was recovered by McNamara, giving the Hawks a three-possession lead and the ball at the Mustangs’ 36 with 7:56 left in the half. Newtown was unable to build on the lead before halftime, but the defense continued to come up big, with McNamara forcing a fumble that was recovered by Eric McCabe on the Mustangs’ 23 yard line. After Immaculate came up with a stop and attempted to score on a late-quarter drive, Newtown defensive back Michael Lengel came up with an interception, preserving the 17-0 lead heading into the break.

Early in the third quarter, Newtown’s running game proved to be too much for the Mustangs. Newtown padded its lead when Hebert capped a 72-yard, seven-and-a-half minute drive with a one-yard TD run.

Noonan, a team captain, tore his Anterior cruciate ligament during the game and will be out of the lineup for the remainder of the season following surgery. The injury was a painful one for the Hawks in more ways than one given that Noonan provides skills on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball — as a receiver and defensive back — and on special teams both with his field goal and place kicking prowess.

Justin Brophy got a chance to contribute with his kicking skills and added the extra point, following Hebert’s one-yard score, for a 24-0 NHS lead. Hebert carried seven times for 39 yards on the drive and finished the day with 158 total yards. Max Nacewicz had three touches for 19 yards and Josh Villa carried the ball three times for 18 yards

Hebert, Nacewicz, and Villa again follow the offense line down the field for a ten-play rushing attack that culminated with Hebert’s 16-yard scamper into the end zone early in the fourth quarter. Brophy’s point after capped the scoring.

Immaculate’s late-game attempt to break up the shutout was stopped when Chris Devaney came up with yet another NHS interception.

Nacewicz ran for 83 yards, and Villa compiled 32 yards on the ground. Nacewicz led the defense with five tackles and a quarterback sack. Newtown out-gained the Mustangs 189-12 on the ground and had a 349-79 total yards advantage when all was said and done. A week after Newtown was hurt by penalties, the team committed only four flag-throwing miscues for 40 yards.

“Our offensive line stepped up during the second half of the game where we had long drives and chewed up the clock. Dan Hebert was explosive as a returner and a running back,” Coach Steve George said. “It was nice to get back on the winning track after a tough loss.”

The Nighthawks will try for their second straight win this Saturday, October 9, at Oxford (kickoff is set for 3 pm).