The 12-game losing streak against Newtown is OVER! Pomperaug football just did the unthinkable on Friday night, beating their Nighthawk rivals 24-7 at Edward Arum Athletic Field. A huge crowd witnessed history. This is the first time Pomperaug has beaten Newtown since 2011!
A 12-Year Hex LIFTED by Coughlin’s Magic
Newtown had owned this rivalry, racking up 12 straight wins against Pomperaug since 2011. But not anymore. Senior quarterback Josh Coughlin led the charge, rushing 18 times for 129 yards and two huge touchdowns. On a crucial second-and-17, he even completed his *one* pass attempt for a big 18-yard gain. Senior fullback Gavin Lynch added 101 yards and a touchdown on 27 attempts. Together, they shredded Newtown’s defense for 230 yards and three scores on 45 carries. Pomperaug’s run game was dominant, racking up 311 total rushing yards on 57 carries. Early on, senior running back Jack Guinipero punched in a 10-yard toss for a 6-0 lead after a fumble recovery. Lynch’s 3-yard dive extended it to 12-0. Newtown briefly rallied to 12-7 by halftime with Luke Gagnon’s 14-yard score, set up by Andrew Roman’s 45-yard run. But Pomperaug had the final say, scoring touchdowns on drives of 13 and 10 plays in the fourth quarter to pull away for the 24-7 win. This monumental victory means Pomperaug is 3-0 for the first time since that same 2011 season. Senior Marco Russomanno called it “amazing,” adding, “We’ve been working for this since December.” Coughlin agreed, calling it “a huge win for the community, for the team. It’s amazing.”
Nighthawks Shut Down While Pomperaug’s Defense Shines
Pomperaug’s defense and special teams were absolutely stifling Newtown, limiting them to a paltry 172 total yards of offense. Senior Jaden D’Amico snagged a crucial fumble recovery, and sophomore Tristan Tiru picked off a pass, showing this defense is for real. Senior Cole Tracy boomed punts of 50 and 51 yards in the third quarter, pinning Newtown deep and flipping the field. Newtown coach Dan Farina was understandably frustrated. His team’s lone touchdown came from Luke Gagnon’s 14-yard run, part of his 56 yards on 17 carries. Farina admitted, “Defensively, they had a good scheme. We just didn’t perform, and that sucks for us.” He pointed out the irony: “I thought our defense had a solid plan going in, and when you hold a team to 24 points, 18 points at that point… you should win the game.” Clearly, Pomperaug’s all-around performance meant Newtown had no answer.
What’s next for Pomperaug? This 3-0 start and monumental win is going to spark something huge. They proved they can hang with anyone, ending a long-standing drought and showing real grit. This wasn’t just a win, it was a statement. You gotta love to see it!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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