Piling ’Em Up — Hawk Gridders Put 69 On Board In Homecoming Game Triumph

By Andy Hutchison

Offensive fireworks came from a variety of sources, including on defense, in the Newtown High School football team’s Homecoming Game win at Blue & Gold Stadium on October 21. The Nighthawks, behind a trio of interception returns for touchdowns by Jack Kearney, piled up ten touchdowns en route to a 69-26 rout of Stratford.

The Nighthawks improved to 5-1 in front of an estimated 1,000 fans who packed and overflowed the bleachers — most staying until the final whistle. Stratford fell to 1-5 this fall.

“It’s the most I’ve ever seen since I’ve been here, and that’s going back 12 years now,” Newtown Coach Steve George said of the point total. “It’s good and it’s bad because we gave up too many points at the same time, too.”

Stratford scored all of its points in the first two quarters, and NHS had 56 by halftime in a wild opening 24 minutes of game play. The Nighthawks built a 28-0 first-quarter lead and never looked back, although Stratford made things a little interesting when Donald Graham returned the ball to the end zone on back-to-back Newtown kickoffs — one from 99 yards, the other from 94.

Newtown had plenty of offense — and opportunistic defense for that matter — to maintain a large lead throughout the game. Kearney, a defensive back, had a pair of first-quarter pick six plays, and added his hat-trick INT-turned-TD late in the game when he picked off a pass at the Stratford 12 yard line and ran it in untouched. His first two interceptions for TDs came from 25 and eight yards out. “I never thought that would happen. I kind of got lucky with the picks,” Kearney said.

Lou Fenaroli rushed for five touchdowns, including one from 40 yards out — breaking free for some of his scores, pushing the pile for pay dirt on others, and stiff-arming his way into the end zone on one TD run. Mike Allwein also ran for a score, and Julian Dunn caught a 12-yard TD pass from quarterback Drew Tarantino.

With a commanding lead in the later stages of the game, Newtown Coach Steve George was able to rest starters and give his alternates playing time. Among those to get second-half carries was sophomore Jack Lago, who broke a couple of runs. “It was exciting to get in and run the ball,” Lago said. Ivan Hutchison also came on and contributed from the defensive back position and helped the NHS defense pitch the second-half shutout.

All told, Newtown’s defense created six turnovers. In addition to Kearney’s three pickoffs, Dan Hebert had an interception. Cory Fisher stripped the ball and pounced on it for one of his team’s two fumble recoveries. Lago also recovered a fumble, which was caused by Patrick Zingaro. Mike Lord blocked two extra point attempts.

The Nighthawks got a scare when Hebert came out of the game following a collision in the end zone, but George said his speedy playmaking receiver was removed from the game simply to play it safe, rest him for future games, and that Hebert was fine.

The Nighthawks had the luxury of resting Hebert, along with several other players, thanks to the mind-boggling point total.

“We played pretty well on offense and defense, but on special teams we’re going to tighten it up,” Kearney said.

The Nighthawks will get back on the field to face Brookfield, on the road, on October 28. They host Bethel on November 4.