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NEW CANAAN, Conn. The New Canaan Black seventh-grade football team shared the title with its Red team brothers last year in the Fairfield County Football League. On Saturday, the Black squad showed it might be ready to make another run at the title.
Graham Braden scored two touchdowns, including a 65-yard scoring run in the third quarter, to lead New Canaan. Jonathan Young and James Crovatto also scored touchdowns.
"We're running the high school offense for the first time,'' coach Thomas O'Dea said. "Overall, the kids played great. Graham Braden has been our featured runner since these kids have been together, and he did a great job."
Braden delivered the game's turning point midway through the third quarter. Westport scored early in the third to slice a 14-0 halftime deficit to 14-8. On the next drive and just a few plays after the Westport score, Braden scampered around the left side and raced 65 yards down the sideline. The touchdown helped New Canaan to re-establish control.
Young's score and Daniel Villeneuve's conversion in the first quarter gave New Canaan a 7-0 lead. Braden's first touchdown came on a 16-yard run early in the second quarter on a running play similar to the 62-yard jaunt. James Crovatto ran 32 yards for New Canaan's final drive late in the fourth. Villeneuve kicked three conversions.
"Teams are going to gunning for us,'' O'Dea said. "We have to be ready for that. It's a nice position to be in."
New Canaan hosts Darien White on Saturday at 5 p.m. at Dunning Field. The victory was part of a strong opening weekend for New Canaan teams, which went 7-2-1 in the opening weekend of the league. New Canaan won three titles in three of the six age divisions last year.
A highlights video of the Fairfield County Football League 7th grade New Canaan Black vs. Westport North game can be found at http://bcove.me/r8xjwm89.
Send us pictures and game recaps of your child's sports team! Send them to trenner@mainstreetconnect.us.
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