79ers

Bethel 12, Newtown 6: Saturday’s 79er’s game was the second meeting of the season between rivals Newtown and Bethel; this game would prove to be a hard fought battle between the two in the mud at Hawley.

The Nighthawk offense was led by quarterback James Iaropoli and running backs Dylan Magazu, Khalil Vessup, Michael Ihlefeld and Andrew Swierbut. Behind solid “O” line blocking by Phillip Cappelli, Sean Gordon, Brady Fodor and Ben Carley, Magazu and Swierbut were able to combine for more than 100 yards rushing against the stingy Bethel defense.

As in previous games, the aggressive Nighthawk defense provided much excitement, forcing two Bethel punts and causing three turnovers. Richard Guman, Miles Capener, Julian Crone, Ben Carley, Anthony D’Amico and Tim Whitlock all registered crushing hits on the Bobcats resulting in loss of yardage. Whitlock also came up big when he broke up two Bethel pass attempts in Newtown’s end zone. Luca Manfredi and Sam Steare played tough on the corners, while James Iaropoli added two touchdown-saving tackles.

Newtown’s lone score came in the second half when Walker Previdi stripped the ball from a Bethel running back and took it 30 yards for a touchdown. On Bethel’s ensuing drive, Previdi would again make his presence felt by recovering a fumble deep in Newtown territory.

Grade 4

Bridgeport Chargers 20, Nighthawks 0: The hawks closed out a 7-2 season on Sunday with a loss to Bridgeport. Newtown took the opening kick, but a turnover on the second play lead to good field position and a Bridgeport touchdown.

The Newtown defense was stingy for most of the day, led by Shaine Luzietti, Jake Dandrea, Luke Hannan, Michael Haddick, Jack Stenz, CJ Demers and William Wallace.

Down 13-0 and with Bridgeport knocking on the door late in the second quarter, the Nighthawk “D” made a stand to keep the score close going into the half. Dandrea stripped the ball just before a Bridgeport player crossed the goal line. Defensive end Wallace hustling downfield on the play recovered the ball in the end zone to keep Bridgeport from extending the lead.

To open the second half, Nighthawk kicker Mathew Carpenter kicked an onside kick that was recovered by CJ Demers, but the Nighthawk’s offense was unable to capitalize on the turnover. The Nighthawk “D” played tough in the second half limiting the Chargers to seven points with great plays.

In the fourth quarter, after CJ Demers recovered a punt that touched a Bridgeport player, the offense would try to capitalize on the momentum. Quarterback Michael Haddick hit Luzietti for a 40-yard gain down to the Charger 4-yard line but could not finish off the drive because of great plays by the Charger defense.

Grade 5

Shelton 10, Newtown 0: The Nighthawks carried their 6-2 record into the playoffs and were the No. 3 seed. They traveled to Shelton High School to play their arch nemesis, the Shelton Seahawks. Shelton had gotten the best of Newtown in last year’s playoffs and Newtown was looking for revenge.

The Nighthawks’ defense was stellar on the first Shelton possession, forcing a punt on a three and out. As would be the case for most of the day, the Newtown offense had trouble getting on track and turned the ball over on downs. Shelton put together a long scoring drive to take the early lead, 8-0. On the ensuing possession, Newtown was forced to punt and Jack Mulligan boomed a kick 47 yards that pinned the Seahawks at their own 7-yard line. The Newtown defense was looking to hold the Seahawks and get the ball back in good field position. Shelton went to the air to try to get a big play, but Miles Ricks got a great jump on the out route and stepped in front of the receiver to grab an interception and set up Newtown on the Seahawk 15-yard line. After successive passes from JP Iaropoli to Luke Wellman and Connor Moran, the Nighthawks looked poised to score with a first and goal on the 3-yard line. The Seahawk defense had other plans. Big plays by the Seahawk defensive line resulted in a goal line stand that would change the complexion of the game, and sent the Nighthawks into halftime trailing.

The second half started on a promising note, when Matt Bradbury took the kickoff back into Seahawk territory, but after a first down, the drive stalled. Mulligan again pinned the Seahawks with a nice punt. The second half became a battle of field position, with the Seahawks getting the wind in the fourth quarter and pinning Newtown deep in its own end. Having to go to the air to play catch up, Newtown was sacked for a safety.

The defense was a bright spot on the day, allowing less than 100 yards total offense on seven first downs, registering five tackles for loss and forcing a turnover. Matt Bradbury led all tacklers with eight, and Jared Dunn and Miles Ricks had six each.