Newtown High School’s football team blanked visiting Pomperaug of Southbury 49-0, at Blue & Gold Stadium, on September 30. Andrew Swierbut scored three touchdowns — one on a 44-yard punt return, another on a 58-yard interception run back, and yet another on a 39-yard reception.

A touchdown hat-trick variety pack.

“He’s really just a phenomenal kid and phenomenal athlete. He can do it all — he’s a jack of all trades,” Newtown Coach Bobby Pattison said. “Every time he touches the ball he’s a threat to take it to the house.”

Pomperaug figured that in all facets of the game: Offense, defense, and special teams. Oh, and Swierbut tacked on six extra point kicks to boot. Griffin Clemen knocked the seventh and final kick through the uprights.

The visiting Panthers kept the Nighthawks off the scoreboard until the final play of the first quarter when quarterback Dylan Magazu scored on a one-yard run. The opening score was set up by Brock Dukate’s fumble recovery at the Pomperaug 40. Jack Chappa’s strip sack set up the recovery.

Newtown scored three TDs in a span of less than three minutes to seize control. Swierbut’s punt return to paydirt made it 14-0 with 10:19 to play in the second quarter, and Andrew Grenier’s pick six from 26 yards out had NHS up 21-0 with 9:23 to go.

A strong punt return by Swierbut led to Magazu’s two-yard TD run with just two seconds left in the half, moments after Magazu rushed for a first down on fourth and inches. It was 28-0 at the break.

Swierbut got the third-quarter scoring started with his long interception return for a score with 4:26 showing on the scoreboard clock. Magazu connected with Swierbut near the left sideline for an uncontested reception and run in for six more points on the final play of the third.

Just when it looked like the Panthers might finally break Newtown’s defensive seal, knocking on the door with possession at the Newtown five yard line, Jackson Chacon returned a fumble 96 yards for the final TD, with 2:21 remaining.

Newtown’s defense and special teams accounted for four of the touchdowns.

“Defense has been playing great — a lot of hard hitters,” said Pattison, adding that the physical play has been productive not only in keeping points off the board but in putting points up for Newtown.

“They’re creating turnovers — not just creating turnovers but turning those into points,” Pattison said.

“I’m happy with the performance but I’m not happy with what we did offensively,” said Pattison, adding that mistakes caused the Nighthawks to be deadlocked in a scoreless battle for most of the opening quarter.

“Kudos to Pomperaug. They gave us a defensive front we haven’t seen before,” said Pattison, whose lineup made the necessary adjustments and began to click after a slow start.

The coach would like to see his team’s offense get going earlier following the opening kickoff.

“We can’t have slow starts. We can’t just rely on defense and special teams all the time,” Pattison said.

Newtown’s defense has shut out consecutive opponents and held three straight out of the end zone. Bethel managed only a field goal two weeks earlier, and Hand of Madison was blanked by the Hawks last week.

The defensive line, comprising Chappa, Brady Fodor, and Matt Lasorsa, has helped set the tone. Mark Sokk, the South-West Conference’s Defensive Player of the Week in week three, continued his solid play against the Panthers in week four.

NHS has a bye, then hosts New Milford on Friday, October 14, at 7 pm for The Boot Game. Each time these teams have met throughout the years The Boot trophy has been up for grabs, although the Nighthawks have held ownership of the trophy since 1994.

New Milford appears to be significantly improved, posting a 2-2 record through the first month, including a hard-fought 36-28 loss to Masuk of Monroe on September 30.

“I know New Milford is very excited over there. They have a lot of juice coming into this week — there’s a lot at stake. The Boot needs to stay in Newtown,” Pattison said.

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