Newtown High football didn’t just win a game last night, they straight-up stunned the high school football world, knocking off previously unbeaten and No. 7 ranked Notre Dame Prep 20-9. This wasn’t some minor victory. This was a statement. Coach Dan Farina and his staff preached trust in the process during their bye week, and man, did the Nighthawks deliver, ending Notre Dame Prep’s perfect 4-0 run and shaking up that GameTimeCT Top 10 poll. For a team that was 1-3 coming into this game, this is a massive win at Blue and Gold Stadium.
The First Half Gut Punch and a Game-Changing Injury
The Lancers jumped out to an early lead, but not without some serious drama. Newtown’s senior Luke Gagnon actually drew first blood with a 4-yard touchdown run in the first quarter, but the kick went wide, leaving it 6-0. Notre Dame Prep responded quickly in the second quarter, with Lancer senior QB Jordan Razor finding JJ Studeny for a 15-yard touchdown pass to tie it up 6-6, but their kick missed too. Then came the moment that changed everything. Notre Dame Prep’s sophomore standout running back Ja’cari Harris, who was tearing it up with runs of 19 and 20 yards, took a helmet to his left knee and went down. He was out for the half, eventually sent for X-rays. With Harris sidelined, the Lancers still managed to punch through a 29-yard field goal from Santiago Mazo-Lopez, giving them a 9-6 lead at halftime. Newtown tried to answer, driving to the 21, but senior Spencer Maddox missed a 38-yard field goal. It felt like the air was coming out of the Nighthawks’ sails.
The Freshman’s Heroics and Colonel’s Command
But then, something clicked for Newtown. With just five seconds left in the third quarter and Notre Dame Prep still up 9-6, freshman Devin Santacroce decided to be the hero we all needed. He snagged a 43-yard interception and took it to the house! Maddox nailed the extra point, and just like that, Newtown was up 13-9 heading into the final frame. The momentum was wild, completely flipped on its head. The Nighthawks’ defense kept the pressure on, forcing a punt on Notre Dame Prep’s next possession. Then it was time for the offense to go to work. Junior quarterback Jack Colonel, who was later named Player of the Game, took over. He started eating up yardage on the ground, carrying the load and opening up the offense. Colonel put up 46 crucial yards on that drive, setting up senior Luke Gagnon, who added another 17 yards himself before punching in his second touchdown of the night with a 15-yard run. Maddox hit his second extra point of the half, and with 6:47 left in the game, Newtown had a comfortable 20-9 lead.
Defense Closes the Door
Notre Dame Prep, even with their star runner out, wasn’t going to roll over easily. They marched down the field, getting all the way to Newtown’s 8-yard line, threatening a comeback. But the Nighthawks’ defense, which head coach John Johnson admitted had to stand tallest in a game won by defense, held firm. Senior Caden Cuomo snatched another interception, squashing any hope of a Lancer rally. It was a massive defensive stand that put the game on ice. Newtown secured the 20-9 upset, moving their record to 2-3 while ending Notre Dame Prep’s perfect season at 4-1. What a way to bounce back after a bye week! Next up, Newtown will try to keep this momentum rolling when they face Joel Barlow next Friday. Notre Dame Prep, now trying to regroup, will take on New Milford.
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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