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NEW CANAAN, Conn. New Canaan Highs football team had another slow start in Fridays showdown against Norwalk High in a battle of previously unbeaten teams in the Fairfield County Interscholastic Athletic Conference.
But once quarterback Matt Milano kicked over the engine on the Rams offense, there was no stopping him.
Milano completed 19-of-35 passes for 255 yards and three touchdowns to lead New Canaan (5-0) to a convincing 28-14 victory over the Bears (4-1). He also ran for a score. Behind an offensive line that gave the senior all kinds of time, he easily picked apart Norwalks secondary. Two long-distance touchdown strikes to Connor Kilbane, one for 29 and the other for 34 yards, helped New Canaan take control in the second quarter.
Hes unbelievable, Norwalk coach Sean Ireland said. Milano is as good as Ive seen. Hes the best player in our league. Hes got it all.
Norwalk marched 63 yards on its opening drive for an early 7-0 lead. It was not the kind of start New Canaan wanted, especially after needing a last-minute touchdown last week to defeat Brien McMahon. I thought, here we go again, coach Lou Marinelli said. Its like we have to spot everyone a touchdown before we say, OK, now well play.
New Canaan fumbled on its first offensive series, but the setback was only temporary. Milanos 48-yard completion to Patrick Newton highlighted a nine-play, 79-yard drive that ended with Milanos 1-yard touchdown run.
Milano and Kilbane capped a 77-yard drive with the 29-yard touchdown pass with 8:49 left in the second quarter. Two plays after an interception by John Brainard, Milano fired a 32-yard touchdown pass to Kilbane to take a 21-7 halftime lead. Milano threw a 13-yard scoring pass to Grady Lynch for New Canaans final score with 7:51 left in the third quarter.
Kilbane had a big game, too, with nine catches for 113 yards and two touchdowns. The defense tightened up after Norwalks opening drive. The Bears didnt reach the end zone again until just 5:17 remained in the game.
Id say this was our most complete effort of the season, Marinelli said. At least we werent running for our lives at the end.
New Canaan meets St. Joseph in its homecoming game next Saturday. Road games at Wilton and Stamford remain, and Trumbull and Darien are still ahead, too. The Rams havent won anything yet. But they have cleared some major early hurdles and are improving, especially on defense.
This was a tough game, Marinelli said. Norwalks a good team. They were 4-0 for a reason. You can tell theyre well coached. Weve lost games like this in the past, so its good to go home with a win.
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