Neighbor News
Eighth Grade Football: Wilton Blue 21 - Darien Blue 8
Warriors wear down Darien to move to 2-0 on the young season
Compensating for a slow start on offense, a tenacious Wilton Blue defense forced three first half turnovers on the way to a 21-8 victory over Darien Blue on Sunday at Darien High School.
While the Warrior offense sputtered on its first two possessions, the defense was brilliant. Each of Darien’s first three drives ended with a defensive takeaway as Austin Andersen recovered a fumble and Reilly Sullivan and Kyle Hyzy each intercepted Darien passes.
Darien kept the Wilton running game in check until the Warriors’ third offensive series. Capitalizing on perfect offensive line execution by Dominick Polito, Noah Levi, Jack Lenz, Jack Savarese and Jimmy O’Brien, Andersen burst through the middle on a draw play and raced 55 yards to the Blue Wave 10. Three plays later Andrew Smith rolled right and hit Maden Herve with a perfect spiral at the edge of the end zone for a 6-0 lead. Levi’s kick was good to put the Warriors up 7-0.
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Darien had one more chance before halftime, but a big hit by Levi and consecutive sacks by Tate Falta and Smith sent Wilton to halftime with the lead.
The Warrior ball control offense clicked in the second half as Wilton embarked on a 14 play 8 minute 33 second scoring drive. With the offensive line controlling the line of scrimmage, Kyle Hyzy and Andersen took turns pounding the ball on the ground all the way inside the Darien 20. On fourth and nine at the 13, Ryan Healey’s pass to Jimmy O’Brien was complete for Wilton’s second touchdown. Levi again converted to make the score 14-0.
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Darien went on a drive of their own early in the fourth quarter and narrowed the score to 14-8, but the Warriors struck right back, taking just three plays to go 70 yards for a score to put the game away. Reilly Sullivan’s 38 yard touchdown run along with Levi’s extra point made the final score 21-8.
Wilton Blue is now 2-0 on the young season and tied with Darien White atop the AFC Division. The Warriors will next take on Ridgefield at Tiger Hollow on Saturday night at 8.
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