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NEW CANAAN Conn. The New Canaan eighth grade Red football team improved to 4-0 Saturday with a hard-fought 21-7 victory over Westport. New Canaan Red and NC Black share top honors in the Fairfield County Football League with 4-0 marks.
Westport went nowhere on its first drive with stops from Kieran Schaney, Gardner Read and Miles Turpin. New Canaan would put a drive together with key running and passing from Justin Clark, Andrew DeFranco, Chuckie Erdman and Kyle Smith, but a holding call would stall its opening drive and yield no points.
The swift first quarterback Clark would find a streaking Matt Cognetta for a 6-0 lead (the PAT failed). After defensive stops from Turpin, Mike Cognetta and Ryan Rigione, Westport was forced to punt and Kyle Smith returned it 74 yards for a touchdown. Clark rolled around left end and dove for the pylon for a a two-point PAT.
Smith was also very active on the defensive side making several tackles along with Read, Clark, Nick Femia, Andrew DeFranco and Anthony Marciano. NC Red would take the lead into the half, but Westport came out in the third quarter and made things a bit uncomfortable for the home squad and its fans.
The Wreckers had a punt return for a 55 yard return and following the PAT it was 14-7. Westport picked off a Clark pass on the next play from scrimmage and it was clear momentum was on the visitor sideline.
Westport drove deep into Rams territory testing the mettle of the defensive line. After a time out, and pep talk from Coach Brian Hetherington, NC Red stood strong with Erdmann, Smith and Read making big stops. On a fourth and two Andrew DeFranco picked off a pass with an over the shoulder catch and returned it 28 yards.
Clark then hit Adam Ruth with a 15 yarder, Smith and Femia continued to pick up positive yardage on the ground and finally Smith would punch it in from two yards out and NC had breathing room at 21-7.
The great play by the offensive line was the difference. Key blocking by Austin DuPont, Andrew DeFranco and Adam Ruth was key. Mike Collins handled some of the QB duties as well and up front blocking was solid by David Noonan, Jake ONeil, Andrew Chalon, Robbie Smith, Sam Larson and Sean Jensen.
NC Red meets undefeated Darien White (3-0) Saturday at 9:30 at Darien High School.
Send game recaps and pictures to dscott@mainstreetconnect.us.
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