Football Rams "Run Away" from Ludlowe in Home Opener

In their first home game of the season – after two road wins –  the New Canaan High School Rams scored three touchdowns in the first six minutes against the Fairfield Ludlowe High School Falcons on their way to a 35-0 win Friday night. 

"I don't remember ever scoring three touchdowns in such a short period at any level," Rams standout wide receiver and defensive back Kevin Macari said after the game at Dunning Field. He scored the touchdowns on defense, special teams and offense. 

On Ludlowe's first possession deep in their own territory, John Colavito passed on third down into the right flat where Macari picked it and ran it in for a 6-0 lead just over two-minutes in. Collin Shapiro's extra point made it 7-0.

On Ludlowe's second possession they went three-and-out. Macari fielded the punt near midfield and sprinted  into the end zone untouched. It was 14-0 before the Rams offense had stepped on the field.

Whey they finally did, they wasted no time in scoring the Rams' third touchdown. Quarterback Matt Milano, from the Ludlowe 48 yard line dropped back and lofted a pass that traveled about 55 yards in the air and right down the chimney to Macari for the Rams and Macari's third touchdown. Shapiro converted his third extra point and it was 21-0 with 5:40 left in the opening quarter.

New Canaan wasn't finished scoring. Conor Goodwin carried to the Falcons 33; Goodwin again to the 15 and Goodwin for a third consecutive carry to the one-yard line. On a first and goal, Joe Costigan ran it in for a 28-0 lead when the quarter mercifully ended for Ludlowe.

One of the many highlights for the Rams was the special team play of Dylan Leeming who made four consecutive tackles on kickoffs.The 6'3" speedster pinned the Falcons deep in their own territory on each kickoff. "He's a good player with a lot of talent," said Coach Lou Marinelli. "He can really move and he's got good football sense."

Ludlowe was unable to cross midfield in the half. In fact, the closest they got was to their own 31-yard line. "I was really pleased with our team tonight, both starters and reserves," said Marinelli.

In the second quarter, the Falcons turned it over on a high snap from center which sailed over the punter and was recovered by the Rams on the Falcons 16-yard line. After an incomplete pass from the 14, Milano and Goodwin hooked up on a well-executed middle screen for their fifth touchdown and a 35-0 lead.

Andrew Read replaced Milano at quarterback as Marinelli started to clear his bench. 

The half ended with the Rams leading 35-0. That was it for all the scoring although New Canaan threatened again late in the third. After Jack Barfuss took it to the 10-yard line,  Stephan Walker scored an apparent touchdown on the next play but it was negated by a penalty.

Two-way tackle Conor Hanratty said, "Even though the game wasn't very competitive, it was a good test of not playing down and remaining focused."

New Canaan gained 316 total yards (177 rushing /139 passing) to Ludlowe's  two total yards  ( – 7 rushing / 9 passing ).

 The Rams (3-0) next game is  at Fairfield Warde on Friday.