Newtown High School's football team went on the road and defeated the Bunnell Bulldogs 28-13 on crisp November 10 night. With the win, the Nighthawks improved to 8-1.

Ryan Schoffstall, filling in for the injured Jayden Cordova, had the starting quarterback role and rushed for a pair of scores to help the Hawks to victory.

The Nighthawks used a little trickery to spark the offense. The Hawks jumped out to a 7-0 first-quarter lead when Schoffstall threw a lateral pass to James Hartigan and Hartigan tossed a 65-yard touchdown strike to Jayden Taylor.

Newtown's defense stopped the Bulldogs following a Bunnell first and goal to go at the three yard line.

Bunnell tied the score and threatened to take a lead late in the first half. Bryan Reyes picked off a pass in the red zone with just over a minute left in the second quarter and it was a 7-7 game going into the break.

The Hawks scored twice in a span of 1:36 midway through the third quarter to break the tie and add to the lead.

Schoffstall scored on a QB keeper from three yards out for a 14-7 Nighthawk lead with 7:42 to play in the third. Key first-down runs by J.J. Haddick, on third and fourth down, kept the drive going.

Kieran Garrity had a fumble recovery just 15 seconds after the go-ahead score, giving NHS possession at the Bulldog 35. Newtown cashed in when Haddick scored on an eight-yard rush for a 21-7 lead with 6:06 left in the third.

The Haddick TD was made possible, in part, but another clutch play to keep the chains moving. Schoffstall completed a third and five pass to Ayden Paulos to help set up the score.

A Bunnell interception led to its second TD, with 29 seconds remaining in the third quarter. After a pair of five-yard penalties backed the Bulldogs on the extra point attempt the kick failed, leaving the score 21-13.

Bunnell attempted an onside kick and the ball did not go the necessary ten yards. Newtown took over at the Bulldog 49 and maintained the eight-point lead heading to the fourth.

Schoffstall scored on a long run up the middle, from 45-plus yards out, making it 28-13 just seven seconds into the fourth.

Newtown's defense came away with two more interceptions. Ryan Zaniewski had an interception at the four yard line and Andrew Grenier had an INT at the seven yard line to seal things with just under a minute left.

Read more about the game in the November 17 print edition of The Bee.