Seventh Grade Football: Wilton Blue 26 - New Canaan White 7

Playing by far their most complete game of the season, and controlling all facets of the game, Wilton Blue dominated previously undefeated New Canaan White, rolling to a 26-7 victory under the lights on Saturday night at Fujitani Field.

The Warrior offense controlled the clock and the game from the opening series, an 11 play, 70 yard touchdown drive that ate up seven minutes and 22 seconds of the first quarter. Unperturbed by New Canaan’s reputation and record, the Wilton offensive line of Ryan MacDougall, Jermaine Vincent, Robert Rios, Trey Dexter, Kyle Jordan, Brian Cipri and Jimmy McKiernan took control from the outset. Operating out of the wishbone, Ryan Sorbo, Wooder Thoby, Kiel Polito and Max Mannino ground out yards, always gaining extra yards after the initial hit. When the drive appeared to stall, the Warriors took to the air, with Everett Andersen passing to MacDougall for 12 yards on third and 9. Finally, Thoby broke off a nifty 33 yard TD run. Andersen hit MacDougall again for the two point conversion and an 8-0 lead, which the Warriors would never surrender.

The Warrior defense made a statement immediately as well, burying the runner for a loss on the Rams’ first play and eventually forcing a three and out.

After a punt gave the Warriors good field position at the New Canaan 42, the offense took to the air with Andersen hitting Thoby on a fade pass for a 25 yard gain to the Ram 15. Two brilliant runs by Thoby took the ball to the 4 where Sorbo, with the help of blocks from Will Jarvie and Mattias Onnerud, burst into the end zone for a 14-0 lead early in the second quarter.

Wilton’s defensive line of MacDougall, Cipri, whose nickname “Bear” was especially appropriate on the evening, Quinn O’Connor, Jordan and Dexter took advantage of the two touchdown lead and attacked aggressively. Two plays later Polito forced a fumble that was recovered by Vincent at the New Canaan 32. Sorbo kept the pressure on immediately ripping off a 12 yard gain. Two plays later Thoby scored again from the 8 for a 20-0 lead midway through the second quarter.

New Canaan managed their initial first down on their next possession but were again forced to punt. With the ball in their hands again, Sorbo and Thoby were unstoppable, except by the clock, which expired for halftime with the Warriors again knocking on the door.

Apparently fired up by a halftime speech, New Canaan struck quickly in the second half, driving 70 yards in 7 plays to narrow the score to 20-7. Their defense was also tough forcing a Wilton punt, but on the ensuing Ram possession, Ryan Sorbo again made a big play. Needing to move the ball New Canaan threw the ball deep downfield, where Sorbo made an acrobatic, leaping interception at the Warrior 37.

Just as they had done in the first half, the Warriors controlled the tempo of the second half, mixing the run and the pass while moving the ball 55 yards on 14 plays to the New Canaan 8 where the drive stalled, but with less than 6 minutes left to play.

Needing yards quickly, New Canaan looked to the pass on their first play of the series, but Sorbo was there again to foil their plans, intercepting the ball and returning it all the way to the 7. Two plays later Thoby was in the end zone for the third time, ballooning the lead to 26-7 and putting the game away.

Wilton Blue’s victory was achieved without the services of Jack Carroll and E.J. Fasano. With the victory Wilton Blue ended the regular season 4-3, earning a bye in the first round of the playoffs.