By Matt Kuruc

Newtown’s mini-men can be proud – it was clearly a battle in the trenches as the 89ers pulled out another win, defeating the Danbury Vikings, 19-6, to push their record to 5-0-1.

Captains Brendan Blawie, Mitch Udidskey, and Kevin O’Connell called the right side as theyw on the toss, which would bring the 89ers to the receiving end of the ball. An onside kick to fullback Jimmy “The Bulldozer” Sharpe set up the offensive drive. Nicky “Bones” Tarantino started with a dive to the right, which shook up the Vikings’ defensive line. A sweep by Bones was not enough to give Newtown a first down, so in went the Big Blue D.

Everyone on defense came to this game to play. They were all over the running back. Tackles by Bones and Keith McGrath stopped the offense on the fourth play to end the drive. Then Kevin McCarthy put on the jets for a touchdown through a thunderous hole opened by Brian Kuruc and Nick Tierno.

Tackles by Tory “Monster Man” Deakin, Andrew Murphy, Dana “The Driver” Hansen, Tarantino and Keith “Truck” McGrath riled up the offense for the next series. Blawie blocked a pass that sealed the Vikings’ first-half hopes. Tackles by Hansen, Bones, Blawie, Seymour and Phillips pushed Danbury back, but the Vikings still were able to score.

The Newtown offense came out to do their job. Especially QB Tucker Schmidt, the “Donovan McNabb” of the 89ers. Later, Bones would march 40 yards into the end zone to give Newtown a 12-6 lead.

The defense of Kuruc, Bones, Hansen and Murphy again halted the Vikings. On offense, Hansen scored a Newtown touchdown and McCarthy added the extra point to give the 89ers a 19-6 lead. Jim Sharpe cut loose in the final quarter, rushing for a total of 30 yards.

Final plays by Kuruc, a pass block by Blawie, and an interception by O’Connell ended the game.

Huge credit does to the linemen – Max Naciewcz, McGrath, Matt Yitts, Andrew Seymour and Phillips.

A week earlier, the 89ers also defeated the Danbury Trojans by a 19-6 score. Great blocking, running, and spectacular tackling were the highlights. McCarthy scored the first touchdown to put the 89ers ahead, 6-0. Schmidt added the extra point on a super goal line sweep to the left.

On defense, a strong tackle by Bones set the tone for a series of group tackles. Danbury fumbled and Hansen jumped on the pigskin, giving the ball back to Newtown. Even though the 89ers had to give the ball up, the defensive work of Hansen, Reszoly, McCarthy, Deakin and Phillips caused bedlam and got the ball back for Newtown. Schmidt ran for nine yards on the last play of the half.

At the start of the second half, tackles by John Fracker and Phillips and a fumble recovery by Reszoly set Newtown up. Bones soon displayed a little Barry Sanders-like speed and swept outside for a 40-yard touchdown.

The defense held tight, but Danbury still managed to score. Back on offense, Bones took the ball 50 yards for another Newtown touchdown. In the final moments of the game, Andrew Murphy made an excellent tackle to hold the Trojans back.

Great blocking by Kuruc, Ncewicz, Blawie, Yitts, Nick Tierno, Chris Caulfield and McGrath made a big difference.