Sports

Football Team Begins Tough Stretch With Defeat

By Andy Hutchison

Published: Sep 25, 2026 6:45 am

After a dominating win over New Fairfield in week one, Newtown High School's football team has entered into a stretch of very tough games, beginning with a 42-26 loss to visiting Southington, the defending Class LL runner-up, on September 18.

Newtown fell behind 21-0 on big Southington plays in the opening quarter and could not get back into the game. Whatever momentum the Nighthawks tried to get was quickly taken back by Southington. Graham Spencer dove to block a punt which was recovered by Julian Moore late in the opening quarter, giving the Nighthawks possession at the Southington 16 yard line. That led to Luke Gagnon's one-yard touchdown run with 11:19 to go in the second quarter, and the Hawks appeared to be in good position to make things interesting. Southington took only 50 seconds to respond, however, with a 67-yard scoring play for a 28-6 lead. A Southington fumble recovery led to another TD, this time a 15-yard rushing score in fourth down.

The Hawks found the end zone one more time before the half when Jack Colonel connected with Max Malitsky on a 16-yard TD pass which was followed by a Cam Kullgren two-point conversion reception. That NHS scoring drive featured a third down and five completion to Malitsky to move the chains, a big run by Gagnon for another first down, and a Colonel to Spencer Maddox completion into the Southington red zone. But Southington again answered with a score of its own and took a commanding 42-14 lead into the half. Newtown got the final two TDs of the night, with Colonel connecting with Kullgren twice in the fourth quarter.

Next comes a visit to South-West Conference foe Pomperaug of Southbury Friday, September 25 at 6:30 pm; the Panthers are 2-0, having beaten Brookfield 47-0 and Wethersfield 50-21. Then comes a visit to Class LL champ Greenwich on Saturday, October 3 at 1 pm. After a bye week comes a Friday, October 16 home clash with Notre Dame Prep of Fairfield, a team that is currently 2-0, having beaten Bunnell of Stratford 57-21 and East Lyme 46-3.

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

Max Malitsky heads toward the end zone in Newtown’s 42-26 loss to visiting Southington on September 18. —Bee Photos, Hutchison

Liam McGovern (No 9) makes his way past a defender to pressure the Southington quarterback.

Luke Gagnon looks to follow blocks and get to the end zone.

Quarterback Jack Colonel moves to the outside to make a throw on the run.

Nick Stockwell punts the ball away.

NHS Recognizes 2027 National Merit Commended Students

Theater Review: Think Deeply With Sherman's 'Inherit The Wind'

Theater Review: Brookfield Theatre's 'Dracula' Is So Good You'll Want To See It Twice

Overtime Thriller! Field Hockey Team Gets Much-Needed Victory

Girls' Soccer Team Comes From Behind To Edge Enfield, Then Wins Big

Another police search in a Newtown neighborhood. Did I miss the notification from the First Selectman’s office, or are we still using the “read about it afterward” emergency communication system? I raised this same concern after the April police search. How many times do residents have to ask for timely information? At this point, perhaps it’s the First Selectman’s office that needs a welfare check. Anybody home, Bruce? Thank you to Newtown Police for doing their job. Wake up, Bruce. Keeping residents informed is part of yours.

Driver Arrested After Fleeing Crash Scene

This strikes me as a pretty one-sided assessment. Let me add some context. You highlight that his opponent has lived in Newtown for only two and a half years, yet leave out that Rob Blanchard moved here in July—roughly two and a half months ago. If residency matters, apply the same standard to both candidates. Isn't there a name for someone who moves to a town to run for election? Something like a rug or carpet, something? I also question the mortgage-struggle framing in advertisements he approved and appears in. The public payroll figures put his household gross earnings at roughly $300,000—nearly twice Newtown’s median household income of $155,110. That doesn’t mean they have no financial pressures, but it is fair to question how closely that portrayal reflects the circumstances of a typical Newtown household. Both candidates deserve scrutiny. Highlighting one candidate’s short residency while overlooking the other’s much more recent arrival is a double standard.

Vote For Rob Blanchard For State Senate

An incredible event... again. Thanks so much to Leslie and the entire gang who make this gathering of friends, family and classmates happen every year! And thanks to Devery Stickles for his generous support. This event is truly the Heart & Spirit of Newtown!

Dozens Enjoy Annual Panacea Labor Day Weekend Concert

Michelle Embree Ku raises valid concerns about local property taxes, but ignores a basic political reality: Representative Mitch Bolinsky serves in the minority in a legislature dominated by a single-party supermajority where minority-party proposals are routinely sidelined. Suggesting that a single minority representative could rewrite the state's ECS formula is politically unrealistic and disingenuous to Newtown voters. Despite those odds, Mitch’s CGA track record speaks for itself. He led the charge to protect special education funding, preserve Drug-Free School Zones, safeguard school safety drills, advance science-based structured literacy, and defend homeschooling choices for families. If Ms. Ku knows how to fix the ECS formula, what has she done to convince her own party—the same party that controls the House, Senate, and Governor’s office? If the supermajority has the votes to fix ECS today, why hasn’t it happened during the 13 years she cites? Adding another seat to a supermajority that made Connecticut one of the highest-taxed states won't help Newtown taxpayers. If the current majority hasn't delivered relief with absolute power, expanding that majority won't change the outcome. Newtown’s interests are best served by keeping Mitch in the House and increasing Republican margins to provide real checks and balances. When one party holds every lever of power, accountability disappears. Strengthening the minority ensures our town’s voice is heard, not drowned out.

ECS Funding Debate Should Focus On Results

The idea that a freshman Democrat would be able to stand up to the special interests and prioritization of urban districts that are the base of that caucus to deliver results for Newtown is laughable - especially someone who could not even build the "relationships, coalitions, and the support necessary" to garner the endorsements of her fellow Democrat Council members ahead of Newtown's local caucus this spring. More likely Newtown would see something akin to Leeper in Fairfield, performative actions after vote counting, while privately advancing their party's interests over their community's.

Log In

Football Team Begins Tough Stretch With Defeat

Leave a Reply Cancel reply