There will be a playoff-like feel on the football field from the get-go, and throughout much of the upcoming campaign as Newtown High School’s football team takes on some tough South-West Conference and out-of-conference teams.

The Nighthawks pick up right where they left off, kicking off the regular season against New Canaan, the team that eliminated them from last year’s Class L State Playoffs in the semifinal round. The rematch will change locations with Blue & Gold Stadium as the venue this time around; the Hawks host the Rams Friday, September 12 at 7 pm.

New Canaan went on to win the championship. Newtown also has Class MM runner-up Windsor on the slate. Tough South-West Conference competition will be provided by Class MM title winner Masuk of Monroe, Class M runner-up Brookfield, and Class MM semifinalist Bunnell of Stratford. In other words, five of ten regular-season matchups are against teams that were not only in the state playoffs last year, but reached the pinnacle game in their respective bracket.

“We want to be in these competitive games — we want to test ourselves. At the end of the day the seniors want to play football,” Coach Dan Farina said.

The hope is for these contests to help get the Nighthawks ready for playoff football, but win or lose the team will strive to be in contention on any given Friday night.

“Our goal is compete and to fight every game and let the chips fall where they will at the end of the day. The guys have put in a ton of work and they’re really embracing the grind,” Farina said.

The Nighthawks are led by senior captains: running back Cole Stockwell, defensive end/running back Nick Pavia, tackle Mack Foss, defensive back/receiver Justyn Gonzalez, and nose tackle/guard Aidan Molina.

Other key returning seniors and juniors are quarterback Marcus Gerace; receivers Grady Marks, Luke Stewart, Emmett Regan, and Travis Rekos; tackle Jack Dunford; center/guard Ryan Hislop; defensive backs Nick Stockwell, Graham Spencer, and CJ Manfredonia; defensive lineman Drillon Lena; linebackers Caden Cuomo, Kieran Garrity, and Henri Quirk; and kicker Jake Roszman.

After the New Canaan game the Hawks visit New Milford Friday, September 19 at 7 pm. They head to Windsor the following week for a 6:30 pm opening kick. Newtown will be at Penders Field to take on Stratford for a 6 pm game on October 3. After a bye week the Hawks host Bunnell October 17, entertain Brookfield the following week and travel to Weston on Halloween, host Bethel November 7, and visit Notre Dame Prep at Sacred Heart University November 14 — all at 6:30. The regular slate culminates with the annual Thanksgiving Eve game with Masuk as the Panthers visit Wednesday, November 26 at 6 pm.

Then it is on to the state playoffs, at least the Nighthawks hope. One thing is for sure. If the Hawks do qualify they stand to be well-prepared for tough state competition in late November and, potentially, early December.

Sports Editor Andy Hutchison can be reached at andyh@thebee.com.