The Newtown High School football team saw its season begin the same way last year's ended — with a defeat to New Canaan. Last fall it was in the state playoff semifinals and this time around it was a 30-10 setback in the September 12 season opener, at Blue & Gold Stadium.

The Nighthawks surrendered points in special teams just 1:30 into the contest as an errant snap to the punter sailed high and into the end zone leading to a safety. New Canaan scored a touchdown on its ensuing possession and grabbed an early 9-0 lead.

After the Hawks were held to a field goal, making it 9-3 Rams going into the second quarter, both defenses were solid for the next several minutes. New Canaan grabbed control of the game with a pair of touchdowns about two minutes apart late in the half, the second of which came after another special teams miscue. A blocked punt gave the Rams tremendous field position, at the NHS five yard line, and the visitors punched it in to extend the lead to 23-3 at the break.

But Nighthawks saw some positive signs and will look to build off those things as they work toward a return to the postseason.

Quarterback Marcus Gerace scrambled to keep plays alive, including a fourth and 11 completion to Grady Marks that set up Jacob Roszman's field goal, and a third-quarter, six-yard touchdown strike to Cole Stockwell that got the Nighthawks to within 23-10 going into the fourth.

Newtown forced a punt to start the fourth quarter but could not get closer and the Rams added their final TD with 9:17 to go.

Nighthawk receivers Emmet Regan, Marks, Travis Rekos, Luke Stewart, and Justyn Gonzalez had receptions to help Newtown move the chains, but New Canaan's bend but don't break defense was up to the task.

NHS will head to New Milford to take on South-West Conference rival New Milford Friday, September 19 at 7 pm.