Throughout recent years, Newtown High School's football team has been on the winning end of its share of lopsided games.

In a November 10 clash with visiting South-West Conference foe and fellow state playoff-hopeful Bunnell, the Nighthawks were on the losing end of a blowout. The Bulldogs prevailed 40-0, at Blue & Gold Stadium, on a night in which temperatures were in the low 20s and felt as if they were in the teens with the wind chill factor.

Both teams came into the game with 6-2 records, and looking to bolster their playoff hopes. Newtown entered ranked tenth in Class LL and Bunnell was ninth in Class L.

The Nighthawks, who were without two of their top receivers, couldn't muster much on offense throughout the game and fell behind 19-0 at halftime.

Bunnell did not attempt a pass, and ran the ball effectively.

"This weather, these conditions, are kind of what our team is built for: run the ball, pound the ball. We kind of embraced it all week at practice," Bunnell coach Sean Mignone said.

The Bulldogs did catch some passes, three of them on interceptions. The Bulldogs also blocked a punt deep in Nighthawk territory which led to a touchdown.

"They're a good team. They've got some really good running backs, and we made too many mistakes and had three interceptions. We gave them some pretty good field position, which didn't help," Newtown Coach Bobby Pattison said.

"They came ready to play; they took it to us. They've got some really good players, they've got some athletes who can run the ball," Pattison added.