Fittingly, the defense stymied the opposition in Bobby Pattison's debut as head coach of the Newtown High School football team. Pattison, who previously worked as defensive coordinator, guided the Nighthawks to a 27-0 whitewashing of host Pomperaug of Southbury, on September 8.

"It was a hard-fought game. I'm happy with how the kids played," said Pattison, whose team scored a touchdown in each quarter.

Matt Pellicone, an assistant with the team until Pattison was promoted following longtime Head Coach Steve George stepping down, is the new defensive coordinator and had plenty to be happy about.

Shea Talbot registered ten tackles, Matt Dubois had an interception, and Joe Zeller and Ryan Williams combined on two and a half sacks for minus 13 yards. Dubois, Zeller, and Williams each recorded four tackles. Alex Street and Williams were solid on the defensive line, Pattison noted. Josh Dunn recorded six tackles, and Griffin Cross, Connor Marlin, and Dan Mason had five each.

Quarterback Ryan Kost connected with Riley Ward twice, and Dan Mason rushed for a pair of TDs to help the Hawk gridders to victory. Kost completed 12 of 23 pass attempts for 162 yards. Ward had six catches for 90 yards.

Mason carried five times for 55 yards, Jack Miller had 15 carries for 48 yards, and Dubois rushed nine times for 39 yards.

The offensive line of Kyle Good, Connor Hughes, Jacob Riley, Zack Loomis, and Carson Ivey was solid, helping Kost in his first game as a varsity starter. Pattison said he was impressed with the play of his quarterback.

"He did a nice job," said Pattison, noting that Kost not only did it with his arm but also his feet as scrambled for a key first down, leading to one of the Hawk TDs.

The Nighthawks will have a potentially challenging game in week two, a Friday, September 15, visit to Xavier of Middletown, beginning at 7 pm. This is one of two nonconference battles with Southern Connecticut Conference squads - the other being against Shelton.

"Xavier is a top-notch program that is always in the mix for playoffs and championships," Pattison said.

Pomperaug relies more heavily on the ground game, whereas Xavier will go to the air more with Penn State-bound QB Will Levis, and uses multiple formations that will keep the Nighthawks guessing, Pattison expects.

"It's going to be a good test for us," Newtown's coach said.

The Hawks, who have been mostly dominant in the South-West Conference throughout the years, welcome these tough matchups as they work toward their end goal of competing for a state title.

Newtown will have its first home game on Friday, September 22, when Brookfield visits Blue & Gold Stadium, starting at 7 pm.