Both of the team’s in-game platoon quarterbacks, Brandon Lombardo and Jack Street, threw touchdown passes, Jeffrey Garrity stepped up in the absence of injured running back Miles Ricks, Jared Dunn scored twice, and the defense was solid once again.

It all added up to a 35-13 triumph for Newtown High School’s football team over visiting Danbury at Blue & Gold Stadium on October 25.

The Nighthawks finish the season a perfect 4-0 against nonconference teams, having beaten a trio of Southern Connecticut Conference squads and now FCIAC representative and neighbor Danbury. And Newtown remained unbeaten at 6-0 and the Hatters fell to 4-2.

Street rushed for a 16-yard TD on a quarterback keeper with 2:11 left in the first quarter.

James Knox blocked a punt that was recovered by Will Swierbut who ran it back for an apparent score, but a block in the back waved off the score. Newtown, nonetheless, capitalized on a short field when Dunn carried for a three-yard score with 7:40 to go before the half. It was 14-0 NHS at the intermission.

In the third quarter, Newtown turned the ball over at Hatter two-yard line for the second time, but Jack Mulligan got the pigskin back with an interception on the ensuing drive. It was first and ten Nighthawks at the Danbury 31. Garrity scored on a three-yard rush for a 21-0 Nighthawk lead with 4:24 to play in the third. The Nighthawks carried their three-score lead into the fourth.

Dunn caught a 17-yard TD pass from Lombardo with 8:21 left. Danbury got on the scoreboard with 5:36 to play. Street connected with Riley Ward on a 53-yard touchdown pass on the next play from scrimmage, making it 35-7 with 5:24 left. The Hatters added a late TD.

“Danbury’s a very quick, athletic, physical team. They’re up and coming,” Newtown Coach Bobby Pattison said.

“I’m very happy with the way the defense played. For the most part we contained them,” Pattison added.

Ricks, Newtown’s primary ball carrier, was having an outstanding season before being injured this month. He was on the sideline with a cast on his hand.

Luke Hannan has stepped into a bigger role, and Garrity, used primarily as a receiver in past weeks, did a lot of the work rushing the ball in this contest.

“He’s outstanding,” said Pattison, adding that Garrity made some impressive moves for key first downs and a score.

The Nighthawks will host Stratford on Friday, November 1, at 7 pm.