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Rejuvenated New Canaan Reaches Football Semis

NEW CANAAN, Conn. – For the first time since 2001, the New Canaan High School football team ended its regular season with a loss when it fell to Darien High School in their annual Thanksgiving Day contest.

New Canaan's Zach Allen brings down an Avon runner in Wednesday's game.

New Canaan's Zach Allen brings down an Avon runner in Wednesday's game.

Photo Credit: Contributed by New Canaan Football

With less than a week to put that setback behind them, the Rams had to re-group for Wednesday’s Class M playoff game. The resilient Rams did just that, scoring 16 fourth-quarter points to get past Avon High School, 16-7, in a first-round contest on Wednesday.

The Rams look to take the next step on Sunday against  Windsor High School in the semifinals. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. at Bunnell High School in Stratford.

The win over Avon was a particularly strong effort by the Rams’ defense, which surrendered its season high in points in the 36-23 loss to Darien.

But after Avon scored on a 49-yard run by Collin Moore in the first quarter, the Rams’ defense pitched a shutout. Michael Root and Cole Harris led the defensive effort, combining for 27 tackles. Sophomore defensive end Zach Allen, who also played well against Darien, had 1.5 sacks.

Teddy Bossidy threw a 15-yard pass to Andrew Read (five receptions) and Nick Cascione hit Cole Turpin with a 9-yard toss for New Canaan’s touchdowns.

Sixth-seeded New Canaan (9-2) has another tough defensive task against No. 2 Windsor (10-0) in Sunday’s game. The Warriors are averaging 41.9 points per game, and can run (240.2 yards per game) and throw (236.1 per game).

Senior quarterback Robert Fleeting has thrown for 2,125 yards and 25 touchdowns and has completed 75 percent of his passes. Running backs Devonte Dillion and Jaylen Berry have joined Fleeting in accumulating nearly 1,600 yard rushing.

New Canaan did beat Windsor in last year’s semifinals, 27-24. The Rams have reached the state semifinals eight straight years, and have been to six consecutive state title games.

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