Wilton Rolls Past Torrington 48–6 in State Playoff Opener

The Wilton High School Warriors wasted no time making a statement in Wednesday night’s (Dec. 3) Class MM State Playoff opener, dominating the Torrington Raiders 48–6 at Fujitani Field to advance to the semifinals.

Wilton exploded out of the gate, racing to a 20–0 lead by the end of the first quarter behind a relentless ground attack and a defense that refused to give up a first down.

The scoring started early, as Dennis Dustin broke free for a 27-yard touchdown to put Wilton up 6–0. With 5:50 left in the quarter, Dustin struck again, capping another Warriors’ drive with a touchdown before kicker Mason Behar added the extra point for a 13–0 advantage.

Just two minutes later, Dustin delivered his third score of the night, this time a 40-yard run dodging defenders from all directions. Behar’s kick pushed the lead to 20–0 as Torrington continued to struggle to move the ball against Wilton’s swarming defensive front.

Wilton’s offense stayed hot in the second quarter. On just the team’s 12th offensive snap, Dustin punched in his fourth touchdown, a 14-yard run that grew the lead to 27–0.

The Warriors’ defense, already dominant, then began forcing game-changing plays. Nico Mercado burst through to block a Torrington punt, and Marco Chila scooped up the loose ball, returning it for a touchdown. On the very next play, the Raiders muffed the kickoff, and Rob Puorro fell on it to give Wilton the ball right back. Moments later, Alan Osta powered into the end zone, and Behar’s extra point made it 41–0.

With 19 seconds left in the half, quarterback Charlie Calabrese connected with Theo Satrazemis on a 35-yard touchdown strike, pushing the lead to 48–0 at the break. Wilton’s defense was nearly flawless, holding Torrington to just 35 yards on 25 first-half plays.

A running clock was used throughout the third quarter under the CIAC mercy rule, and neither team scored in the frame. Torrington found the end zone once in the fourth, but the Warriors’ first-half avalanche had long since put the game out of reach.

Wilton’s 48–6 victory sends the Warriors into the state semifinals, where they will host Bunnell on Monday, Dec. 8 at 4:30 p.m. The Warriors now look to continue their postseason run with a trip to the championship game on the line.