Norwalk Football Defeats Conard 21-15 In Class LL quarterfinals

Editor's Note: Send any write-ups on youth or recreational games in your town to michaeld+sports@patch.com

After waiting 13 years to return to the CIAC state playoffs, the Norwalk football team is going to stick around for awhile.

The Bears won their first state playoff game in school history Tuesday, defeating No. 4 seed Conard 21-15 on the road in West Hartford in the Class LL quarterfinals.

Making its first postseason appearace since 1998, Norwalk (9-1) will take on top seed Xavier (11-0) in the semifinals on Saturday at a site and time be determined. The defending state champions routed No. 8 Glastonbury 34-6 to extend their winning streak to 24 games.

Norwalk used a big play to take control as Delshawn Wilson's 88-yard touchdown pass to Derek Edwards gave the Bears a 14-7 lead with 1:49 remaining in the first half.

Norwalk extended its lead to a 21-7 on Johnny Anzalone's 5-yard TD run in the third quarter before the Chieftains (9-2) got a late score on Ricky Cotton's 15-yard TD run.

Wilson completed 9 of 18 passes for 142 yards and also rushed for 21. Anzalone, who intercepted two passes, added 44 yards on the ground.

Anzalone returned his first interception 59 yards to Conard's 1-yard line, setting up Tomar Joseph's TD plunge on the next play that gave Norwalk a 7-0 lead.

All season, the Bears have relied on their defense, and that was again the case on Tuesday as they forced four turnovers.

"Turnovers were huge,” said Norwalk coach Sean Ireland, who has his team in the state semifinals in his first season. “They could have scored one or two times down in the red zone but they coughed it up. That’s the name of the game, especially in (rainy) weather like this.”

Cotton rushed for 146 yards on 22 carries, finishing the season with more than 1,300 yards.

Tuesday was a good night for the FCIAC as New Canaan advanced to the Class L semifinals with a 27-26 win over New London.

In a head-to-head battle of FCIAC rivals, Staples routed Ridgefield in the Class LL quarterfinals as Jon Heil rushed for a school record 366 yards.

FCIAC honors Norwalk girls swimmers

Five members of Norwalk's girls swimming team have earned spots on the all-FCIAC teams.

Earning first-team league honors was Lauren Czulewicz in the 100 freestyle while Olivia Haskell (50 freestyle, 200 freestyle relay) Katie Wargo (200 freestyle relay, 400 freestyle relay),  Lynette Lopez (200 freestyle relay) and Paige Delago (100 backstroke, 400 freestyle relay) were all named to the second team.

Here is a scrimmage schedule for the Norwalk boys basketball team:

Thursday -- at Notre Dame-Fairfield, 6 p.m.

Friday -- vs. Weston, 5 p.m.

Dec. 9 -- vs. New Milford, 5 p.m.

TUESDAY'S RESULTS

Football

Norwalk 21, Conard 15, Class LL quarterfinals

WEDNESDAY'S SCHEDULE

No games schedule

STANDINGS

• Football

283-347

• Boys soccer

• Girls soccer

Field hockey

Girls volleyball