Eighth Grade Football: Wilton Blue 21 - New Canaan Black 0

Since the Wilton Blue 8th graders began competing in the FCFL five seasons ago, Wilton or New Canaan has won every title in this grade. On Sunday at Dunning Field in New Canaan the Warriors left no doubt who the better team is this year, racing out to a 21-0 halftime lead before coasting to victory.

The Wilton defense, led by defensive linemen Jimmy O’Brien, Jack Savarese, Noah Levi, Jack Lenz and Maden Herve, completely dominated the first half, holding the Rams to -12 yards total offense and no first downs, while the Warrior offense churned out 146 yards and three scores. For the game Wilton outgained New Canaan 237 yards to 36.

The Warriors first possession, after a quick three and out by New Canaan, was a ground and pound 13 play, 55 yard drive culminating in a 1 yard TD plunge by Kyle Hyzy. Warrior offensive linemen Herve, O’Brien, Lenz, Dominick Polito, Levi, Savarese, Steven Tuin, Cole Stephenson, Dean Griffin and Jake Fernandes were superb throughout establishing and maintaining total control of the line of scrimmage.

After another three and out, highlighted by Polito’s tackle for a seven yard loss, the Warriors took possession at the Rams 45. Once again the Warriors pounded the ball on the ground, with Ryan Healey converting a key fourth down play on a quarterback sneak to sustain the drive. The Warriors’ relentless ground attack set up a beautiful 16 yard pass play from Hyzy who hit a wide open Maden Herve in the end zone for a touchdown and a 14-0 lead.

New Canaan’s third series progressed the same way the first two did, but in reverse. On fourth and 16 the Rams punted away to Reilly Sullivan who returned the ball 19 yards to the New Canaan 46. Austin Andersen carried most of the running load on this drive which again ended in a Hyzy pass, this time to O’Brien who made a fingertip catch for the Warriors’ third score. Levy converted his third PAT of the day for a 21-0 lead.

With time ticking away in the half, New Canaan elected to pass, but Jack Lenz sacked the quarterback for an 8 yard loss on first down, and Andersen intercepted a pass on second down to send the Warriors to halftime with a comfortable lead.

The second half story was one of time of possession as the Warriors used multiple running backs to advance the pigskin including Tate Falta, Spencer Reyes, Dominick Caratazzolo, Jake Fernandes and Mathew Antonios. When a drive seemed destined to stall Andrew Smith inevitably completed a pass to keep the drive alive and the clock moving.

New Canaan never really threatened during the second half. To put an exclamation point on the day, with time winding down, Sullivan stripped the quarterback of the ball and Healey recovered at the New Canaan 17 where the Warriors took a knee to end the game.