In a rematch of the 2019 Class LL football state championship game, host Darien broke a second-half tie to pull away 27-14 on September 24, handing the Nighthawks their first defeat in three games to begin the season.

The Nighthawks, who won the title game on the last play two years ago, picked up where they left off by scoring a touchdown on their first play from scrimmage when quarterback Dylan Magazu connected with Andrew Swierbut for a 67-yard score six seconds into the game. Following Rich Guman’s extra point kick it was 7-0 Nighthawks going to the second quarter.

Darien got the next two scores and seized a 14-7 lead with just 2:55 left in the half. Magazu scored on a four-yard run to even the game at 14-14 with 52 seconds remaining.

The score stayed the same through the third quarter. Darien’s Tighe Cummiskey’s 14-yard TD run, his second rushing score of the night, gave the Blue Wave the lead for good with 9:22 remaining. Darien added a late touchdown when quarterback Miles Drake passed to Matt Minicus for a 62-yard scoring play. Drake ran for a second-quarter touchdown.

Caleb Smith and Swierbut both had two receptions for 68 yards and Andrew Jacobs had a 40-yard reception for the Hawks.

Jacobs had nine-and-a-half tackles and Mark Sokk had nine tackles. Eric Gray and Carter Mixon both picked off passes. Swierbut recovered a fumble following a Jacobs tackle.

Newtown returns to Blue & Gold Stadium to host Ridgefield on Friday, October 1; kickoff is set for 7 pm.

NEWTOWN — 7 7 0 0 — 14

DARIEN — 0 14 0 13 — 27

N — Swierbut 67yd pass from Magazu (Guman kick)

D — Cummiskey 1yd run (McMullin kick)

D — Drake 31yd run (McMullin kick)

N — Magazu 4yd run (Guman kick)

D — Cummiskey 14yd run (McMullin kick)

D — Minicus 62yd pass from Drake (kick failed)

N D

Yards Rushing 78 170

Yards Passing 176 212

Total Yards 254 382

Passing 5-22-1 13–23-2

Penalties 8-40 9-64

T.O.P 24:35 23:25

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