Newtown High School soccer players James D’Amico and Ryan Payne were invited to play among some of the best talent in the state at the 33rd Annual Senior Bowl sponsored by Connecticut Soccer Coaches Association (CSCA) at Trinity Health Stadium in Hartford on November 22. The event was sponsored by Capelli Sport.

CSCA was established in 1973 as the professional organization of boys’ high school soccer coaches. Invitations arrived by email and four teams were created. Players were selected spanning towns and cities across the state.

D’Amico, a goalkeeper, and Payne, a midfielder, played for Team 4 Red, which outscored Team 2, 4-1. D’Amico and Payne have been friends since kindergarten at Hawley School and have grown up playing soccer together. The Senior Bowl was their final game as teammates.