Hawk Gridders Kick Off Campaign With High Hopes

By Andy Hutchison

Newtown High School’s football team may not have a home field as the season gets underway, but the Nighthawks have plenty of reason to be excited for the potential for another strong season. While the process of replacing grass with turf unfolds, the Hawks are looking to carry over their winning ways from a year ago.

The Nighthawks are coming off an 8-2 season, highlighted by an upset win at rival Masuk of Monroe the day before Thanksgiving. This year, NHS is striving for an extension of the season in the form of berths in the South-West Conference and state playoff title games.

“We expect to be in the mix for the championship,” Coach Steve George said.

Newtown, following its first “home” game at Pomperaug in Southbury against Brookfield on September 16, will play four straight road tilts before its first official home contest — October 22 at 7 pm when Bunnell of Stratford visits Blue and Gold Stadium.

 The Hawks lost 11 players to graduation, including defensive linemen Connor McNamara and Jamie Bowers, linebackers Tory Deakin and Brian Kuruc, quarterback John Fracker, and running back Kyle O’Connor. Although those grads will leave some pretty important cleats to fill, there are many strong returnees whom George is counting on in 2010.

“We have an experienced group of kids coming back and they challenged themselves in the offseason,” said George, alluding, in part, to the summer fitness program he and Cody Foss, owner of The Fitness Loft, run for the players.

This year’s senior captains are quarterback Will Arndt, defensive tackle Matt Datin, receiver/safety/kicker Rory Noonan, and running back/linebacker Max Nacewicz. Arndt may have his work cut out as a first-year starter, but Fracker found himself in the same shoes a year ago and helped guide the Hawks to a successful campaign.

Other key gridders are senior wide receiver Sean Devaney, senior safety/receiver Colby Summerlin, senior offensive tackle Doug Brede, and junior running back/linebacker Lou Fenaroli.

State finalist Bethel, an experienced Brookfield team, along with Masuk and Pomperaug are all teams that should be tough, George anticipates.

George is in his fourth year as head coach and notes that he as watched the senior class team members work their way up from the freshman ranks, through the program. “They’ve worked hard,” he said.

The coach thinks bulk and experience on the offensive line and size among his ball carriers will make for a strong running game this fall.

Newtown will play four of its last five games at home, highlighted by the Thanksgiving Eve clash with Masuk at Blue and Gold, November 24 at 7 pm.