In a defensive battle of the two of the top teams in the league, the Wilton 6 Blue football team fought New Canaan White to a 7-7 tie on Saturday night at Dunning Field in New Canaan.
On the game’s second play, Warrior safety Sean Sullivan intercepted a New Canaan pass at the Wilton 46 and raced 54 yards for a touchdown and the lead just 1:15 into the game. Ryan van Heyst drilled the extra point to extend the lead to 7-0.
The Wilton defensive line of Jimmy McKiernan, Matt Murphy, Connor Healey, Christian Theoharides, Matt Gulbin and Everett Andersen controlled the line of scrimmage and shut down New Canaan on their next possession with help from linebackers Trevor Martinez, Luke O’Neil and Blake Pagano-Walley, forcing a punt.
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New Canaan’s defense was also up to the task, shutting down the Warrior running game during the first half.
Late in the second quarter, New Canaan started with great field position at the Warrior 45 following a punt and despite a touchdown saving tackle by Pagano-Walley on a quarterback scramble, New Canaan later scored and with the extra point tied the game at 7-7 shortly before halftime.
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Late in the third quarter the Warriors had their best opportunity to score. Trevor Martinez recovered a fumble at the New Canaan 31 where the offensive line of Theoharides, Brian Cipri, Murphy, Charlie Hastings, Evan Kauh, Gulbin and McKiernan began to open holes for Sullivan and Martinez who moved the ball to the 19. Andersen then rolled out and hit McKiernan with a pass to the 10. On fourth and goal at the 7, Sullivan’s off-tackle run was stopped at the 2 and New Canaan took over on downs.
Neither team threatened the rest of the way and the game ended 7-7.
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