SOCCER: Wilton U11 Boys Show Strong in Connecticut Cup
by Nick Zizzadoro
The Wilton U11 Boys advanced to the semi-finals of the 74-team Statewide Connecticut Cup. The Wilton boys will face West Hartford in the semi-finals at home on Saturday, Oct 25. The winner will advance to the Connecticut Cup Championship game, which will be held in Farmington, CT on Nov. 1. The last Wilton team to win the Connecticut Cup was back in 2006.
Pictured (L-R) in main image: Top Row: Tyler Moody, Parker Woodring, Christian Furst, Jack Lynch, Tyler Casey, Andrew Zizzadoro, Conor Lillis, Jack Dodman, Owen English, Malcolm McCormick, Coach Micky Canning Bottom Row: Dillon Mannix, Max Andrews Missing: Zarius Eusebe
FOOTBALL: Wilton 7Blue gets First Defeat, in 14-7 Loss to Darien
by James Andersen
The seventh grade Wilton Blue football team had its first bitter taste of defeat on Sunday in a hard-fought 14-7 loss to Darien White. Both teams are now 6-1 on the season.
Wilton went to the ground on its first possession relying on its backfield to move the ball through holes opened by the offensive line of Maden Herve, Dominick Polito, Jack Savarese, Jack Lenz, Jack DiRocco and Sean Purdy. Kyle Hyzy, Jimmy O’Brien, Matt Dooley and Austin Andersen took turns carrying the ball to the Darien 37 where the drive stalled and the Warriors gave up the ball on downs.
Early in the second quarter Darien broke off a 31 yard touchdown run to take a 7-0 lead, but the Warriors struck right back as Hyzy threw a long pass to Herve for a 70-yard touchdown. DiRocco’s point after was perfect to tie the game at seven apiece.
Darien threatened in the waning seconds of the half, but Herve picked off a pass at the 7-yard line with four seconds remaining to end the threat.
Darien took the ball at the beginning of the second half and drove 70 yards for the go-ahead score leaving the Warriors chasing in a 14-7 game late in the third quarter.
The Warriors again took to the air, but a Wilton pass was intercepted and returned to the Warrior 10 yard line. Facing an imminent two touchdown deficit, the Warrior defense came up big with great hits by Andersen and DiRocco and terrific pass defense by Ryan Healey and Hyzy, forcing a turnover on downs.
With their backs to their own end zone and the clock running, the Warriors ground out a 16 play 62 yard drive all the way to the Darien 28, but a fumble there dashed the Warriors hopes with less than two minutes to play.
FOOTBALL: Wilton 6White ties New Canaan White, 7-7
by James Andersen
In a defensive battle of the two of the top teams in the league, the Wilton 6 White 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 Martines, Luke O’Neil and Blake Pagano-Walley, forcing a punt.
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.
Late in the third quarter the Warriors had their best opportunity to score. Martines 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 Martines, who moved the ball to the 19 yard line. Andersen then rolled out and hit McKiernan with a pass to the ten. On fourth and goal at the seven, Sullivan’s off-tackle run was stopped at the two and New Canaan took over on downs.
Neither team threatened the rest of the way and the game ended 7-7.
POWDERPUFF FOOTBALL: WHS Seniors Create New Tradition
by Madison Peraino
As a way to kick off homecoming week, the senior class came together on Friday, Oct. 17 to create the first ever Powderpuff Tournament, which was held at Middlebrook Field under the lights at 8 p.m.. With a turn out of over 75 people, the tournament pitted four teams each with 10 girls and WHS football players as coaches.
Tournament play started with two, 10-minute games, and each winner went on to the championship round for a 25-minute game!
We hope that subsequent grades will continue the tradition as a way to culminate spirit week!