STRATFORD — Six turnovers haunted the host Bunnell Bulldogs as Newtown High School's football team shook off early-game cobwebs and came away with a hard-fought 39-28 win on Halloween Eve.

The Nighthawks treated visiting fans to their third straight win and improved to 4-3; Bunnell slipped to 3-4 on a windy-at-times, cool evening.

After falling behind 7-0 after one quarter and 14-0 in the second, the Nighthawks evened things at 14-apiece heading into the half. They went ahead 20-14 through three quarters, then answered the Bulldogs' go-ahead score with the next two touchdowns for a 33-21 advantage. The Bulldogs hung around and pulled to within five at 33-28 before the Nighthawks finished off a 19-point fourth quarter with the game's final TD.

"We came out a little lackadaisical off the bus," said Newtown Coach Dan Farina, noting that the slow start was a combination of his team's efforts and those of the Bulldogs.

"They do so much offensively," Farina said. "They do a good job of keeping you on your toes."

Newtown's defense, however, was scary-good when Farina's team needed it; the Hawks found themselves "goblin" up fumble recoveries and interceptions throughout the night.

Graham Spencer had a pair of fumble recoveries and Devin Santacroce, Caden Cuomo, Nick Stockwell, and Andrew Moran all picked off passes.

After falling behind, the Hawks carved into Bunnell's advantage behind Luke Gagnon's one-yard rush 2:12 into the second quarter. Following a defensive stand, penalties backed the Hawks into a first and 25 yards to go situation and quarterback Jack Colonel connected with Spencer Maddox on a 47-yard TD pass with 3:43 left in the opening half.

The turnover barrage began in the third quarter when Spencer pounced on a loose ball for a recovery and change of possession at the Bunnell 37 yard line.

The Bulldogs halted the Nighthawks but a Stockwell punt was downed by Spencer at the Bunnell one yard line, backing the Bulldogs in the shadows of their end zone. Santacroce intercepted a pass and gave the Hawks about the shortest field possible, with possession at the Bunnell five yard line. On the next play, Gagnon took the direct snap and ran it on for six points. The point after attempt was blocked but Newtown went ahead 20-14 with 8:20 to go in the third. The teams traded punts before Cuomo picked a pass at the Bulldog 49.

In the fourth, Bunnell came through on third and nine at the 23 with a 77-yard catch and run touchdown; the point after made it 21-20 Bulldogs with 10:43 to play.

Newtown answered moments later. Cam Kullgren showed great concentration with a tricky reception of a deflected ball that was nearly picked. He turned the play into a 36-yard TD reception as the Hawks reclaimed the advantage, 26-21 with 9:10 left, the two-point pass attempt was broken up.

Spencer recovered a fumble on the ensuing kickoff return, giving NHS possession at the Bunnell 18. Facing fourth down and four to go at the 12, the Hawk moved the chains as Colonel dropped back to pass and, ultimately, scrambled to the three yard line. On the next play, a holding call brought back a touchdown run by Gagnon, but Colonel threw to Kullgren for a 13-yard TD play and a 33-21 Hawk advantage with 6:18 remaining.

Stockwell intercepted a pass at the Bunnell 49, only to see the Hawks turn the ball over at the Bulldog 41. Bunnell capitalized with a TD to again make it a one-possession game, scoring with 3:51 to play.

Moran grabbed possession of the ball on Bunnell's onside kick attempt. Clinging to a 33-28 lead and facing third and one at the 41, Colonel's hard count spooked the Bunnell defensive line into jumping offside, moving the chains on a five-yard penalty. Colonel broke free for a 36-yard TD dash with 2:39 left.

Moran's interception at the Nighthawk four yard line turned out the lights on Bunnell's late-game approach to the NHS doorstep and sealed the win with 47 seconds showing on the scoreboard clock.

"It was a great football game. I thought both teams played super hard," Farina said.

The Bulldogs have some solid play-makers, led by the speedy Rody Ricketts Jr., and are a well-coached lineup, Farina noted.

"Our offense was able to answer the bell," said Farina, who credited Offensive Coordinator Dave Chervansky for setting up the players to make the plays.

Defensive Coordinator Steve Neuabauer, Farina pointed out, came up with some key adjustments to help the Hawks overcome Bunnell's scoring weapons.

Spencer noted that every time the offense tuned the ball over or was stopped the defense game up with turnover; and when the defense gave up points the offense responded.

"It was a lot of leaning on each other which we've been trying to find all season," Spencer said.

Spencer will serve as ambassador for the team's 15 For Life Foundation game on Friday, November 6, when New Milford visits Blue & Gold Stadium at 6:30 pm. Fans can support the 15 For Life mission to bring awareness to depression and mental health.