Danbury football finally bagged that signature win they’ve been chasing for a decade, taking down No. 6 Staples 17-10 on Friday night. This wasn’t just any victory; it was their first beatdown of the Wreckers since 2014, and it kicked Staples right out of the unbeaten club. Quarterback Jake O’Keefe was absolutely electric, using both his arm and his legs to power the Hatters to a monumental upset.
O’Keefe’s Return Ignites The Hatters
Man, talk about a comeback! O’Keefe, who missed last week’s loss to Ridgefield because of a concussion, was back under center and immediately set the tone. He ripped off an 11-yard run for the game’s opening touchdown, capping an 85-yard drive before Staples even touched the ball. O’Keefe knew it, saying they hadn’t scored on their first drive all year and that this one “would set the tone for the rest of the game.” And he was right! Coach Augie Tieri, who’s been at the helm since 2018, couldn’t have been prouder, saying “It means everything” because “these boys have worked so hard for this.” He knows they’re playing a top-10 team almost every week in the FCIAC, and this win proves they belong.
Defense Closes It Out As Staples Stalls
Danbury kept the pressure on in the second quarter, pushing their lead to 14-3 when O’Keefe connected with John Callari for a 20-yard touchdown pass. Staples tried to claw their way back in the third quarter with an 80-yard pass from Grant Bozeman to Levi Belzer, cutting the lead to 14-10. But that was pretty much it for them. Belzer did snag two interceptions, but the Wreckers just couldn’t get anything else going consistently. Their only deep fourth-quarter drive into Danbury territory ended with JJ Reyes picking off a pass with 4:14 left. That huge interception set up Jorge Ceballos’ 17-yard field goal, which sealed the 17-10 victory. O’Keefe’s poise was key, especially getting the Hatters out of trouble deep in their own end zone twice. Even Staples coach Matty Jacowleff credited Danbury’s plan and fantastic players, taking the blame for not preparing his own guys better.
Danbury is now sitting at 2-2, and while being .500 is good, this win is way more than just a record boost. Staples fell to 4-1, their shot at being 5-0 for the first time since 2012 gone. This W feels like the start of something big for the Hatters. Let’s see if they can build on this momentum and keep shocking the league!
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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