EIGHTH GRADE

Newtown 29, Bethel 0

 

Kyle Vignone scored a pair of touchdowns – one on a 45-yard punt return – as the eighth-grade team blanked Bethel, 29-0, to improve to 7-0 and lock up the No. 1 seed in the upcoming Candlewood Valley League playoffs.

It was the fourth shutout in the last five games for the Nighthawks, who have allowed just 20 points all season.

Rory Noonan (on a 55-yard run) and Eric McCabe (one a two-yard run) also scored touchdowns while Rob Frangione added a two-point conversion on a fake extra-point kick.

The defense got things started when they pinned Bethel deep in its own territory to open the game. On third and long, Kyle Vignone batted down a pass and forced a Bethel punt and was then rewarded for his hustle when he fielded the ensuing punt and raced back for a 45-yard touchdown.

Once again, Newtown pinned Bethel deep and on a pass attempt later in the drive defensive ends Matt Datin and Sean Devaney came in hard, forcing a quick pass that was snatched out of the air by Newtown cornerback Ryan Korth at the 12.

Although the Newtown drive stalled, the defense came up big again when Devaney forced a fumble at the Bethel two. Noonan recovered the loose ball and McCabe followed with a touchdown that put the locals up, 14-0.

Later in the first half, Vignone had an exciting 65-yard touchdown run called back for a holding penalty. Noonan had a nice touchdown-saving tackle and linebacker Cody Fischer and Vignone both batted down passes to stall Bethel drives.

In the second half, Newtown scored on its first two possessions to take a 29-0 lead.

First, quarterback Will Arndt piloted a strong drive down the field before Vignone, again, burst free and scored from 36 yards out. Key blocks on this drive by Doug Brodbeck, Andrew Bouton, Eric Johnson and Korth kept things rolling.

The defense forced a turnover on downs (Fischer and McCabe had the big hits) and two plays after the ‘Hawks took over, Noonan raced off on a 55-yard touchdown run behind the blocks of Derek Krewson and Matt Genovese.

Following the touchdown, Newtown caught their opponent off guard with a fake extra point kick. Rob Frangione sprung from his holder’s stance and out ran a surprised Bethel defense into the end zone.

Alex Neufeld was recognized as the Offensive Lineman of the Week while Devaney and Vignone were named Defensive Players of the Week.

The eighth grade boys will attempt to finish the regular season undefeated when they visit Monroe this Sunday.

SIXTH GRADE

Newtown 22, Stamford 8

Dan Hebert scored three touchdowns – one on a 65-yard kickoff return – as the sixth-grade team swamped the Stamford Panthers, 22-8, to secure its first win since opening day and improve to 2-4-1 on the season.

The Hawks got off to a fast start as they received the opening kickoff and marched right down the field behind the running of Josh Villa and Phil Reynolds and the blocking of Zach Clyne, Robbie Hughes, Tom Bauer and Kyle Morrissey.

Hebert took it in the final six yards for his first touchdown.

On Stamford’s first play from scrimmage, Jack Kearney came up with a fumble recovery and the offense went back to work. With Max Lopez running and Graham Derrickson catching a 20-yard pass, the Hawks again moved right down the field with Hebert scoring on a 12-yard run.

The Panther came out throwing on their next possession and scored on a 12-yard reception when their receiver dove and caught a tipped pass. However, on the ensuing kickoff Hebert took it 65 yards for a score behind the blocks of Chris Stanton, JP Kitzmiller and Patrick Capozziello and took a 22-8 lead.

 The second half turned into a defensive struggle with Stamford opening up their passing game. The defensive pressure of the ends and corners led to sacks by Kyle Degenhardt, Jack Kearney (2), Christian Barrett (2) and Dean Baye which effectively shut down the Panther offense.

Lopez had two extra-point kicks on the day.

FOURTH GRADE

Newtown 34, Southern Dutchess 13

Four different players scored touchdowns as the fourth-grade team pounded Southern Dutchess, 34-13, to remain undefeated at 6-0.

Nick Lotrecchiano (on a 20-yard run and on a 30-yard interception return) scored a pair of touchdowns while Bubba Condon, Colton Smith (40-yard run) and Nolan Fisher (55-yard run) scored one each as the Nighthawks continued to dominate in the Candlewood Valley League, having now out-scored their opponents 176-37.

Incredible line play highlighted the Hawk offense with Griffin Davis, Erik Street, Stephen Grasso, Markus Elken, Jake Lambert, Aidan Petershack, Matt Perun, Harry Duffy, Ryan Szalay and Eric Cascone blasting huge holes into the Packer defense.

Lotrecchiano used this to his advantage early sprinting 20 yards right up the middle for the opening score of the game. Lotrecchiano punished the Packers on both sides of the ball as he intercepted a Southern Dutchess pass – his third pick of the year – and danced his way in for a 30-yard touchdown.

During their second offensive series, the young Hawks displayed their power running game with Condon running multiple dives up the middle with the final one getting into the end zone. Later, Smith powered up the middle for a 40 yard blast for the third score of the game.

Fisher, Jaret DeVellis and Shane Quimby all had a chance to run the football with Fisher taking one carry up the pipe and into the endzone for a 55-yard score.

DeVellis and Quimby added power runs in order to keep the chains moving. Shane Quimby capped off four of the five TDs with the extra point as the “I” back in the short yardage power formation. Meanwhile, quarterback Troy Frangione was 2-of-3 for 40 yards on the day. The Nighthawk defense was once again stifling thanks to the efforts of Nick Rubino, Richie Sadlon and Joe Santella. Jake Lambert and Stephen Grasso each blocked a punt.

The Hawks will close out the regular season against a strong Norwalk team – which is averaging 30 points a game – on Saturday at Hawley School. Kick off is set for 12 noon.

79er BLUE

Newtown 18, Hudson Valley 6

Ethan Carpenter scored a pair of touchdowns and Geoffrey Santore added another as the 79ers Blue defeated Hudson Valley Maroon, 18-6, to improve to 3-4 on the season.

Carpenter got Blue moving right away, directing a 50-yard scoring drive. Gordon Walsh, Andrew Svanda, Bryan Kiley and Scott Gregson led the way with lead blocking up front and that blocking enabled Devin Luzietti, Jared Pearson and Adam Robertson to rip off chunks of yards during the drive.

Carpenter ended the drive with the TD.

The Big Blue defense went right to work, as well, as Jeremy Salaris, Mitchell Savoca and Forest Speed forced Hudson Valley to punt. Following the blocking of Charlie Fletcher, Gregory Harrison and Nicholas Rohrbacher, Santore, Pearson, Luzietti and Robertson were able to march the ball back downfield and on a perfect quarterback bootleg play, Carpenter shed some tacklers and kept his balance to reach the end zone and put Newtown on top, 12-0.

In the second half, it didn’t take long for the Big Blue defense to send a message. Crushing tackles by Austin LeBlanc, Shawn McCarthy and corner Brian Raab set the tone. After trying to get the first down on fourth and five, Hudson Valley was stopped cold by Salaris, Colin McCafferty and Raab.

Getting the ball back late in the third quarter Carpenter, Luzietti, Robertson and Pearson followed the lead blocking of Steven Senf, Nicholas Lametto and Thomas Adessi. Then Santore ran a perfect reverse from his wing back position and he was able to cut out and out run the entire defensive backfield to score another touchdown for Newtown.

Hudson Valley did score on their last possession, but Charlie Fletcher did come up with a quarterback sack and strong penetration up front by Anthony Falbo and Cooper Buonocore to slow the drive down.

The Hawks will be in Monroe this weekend.