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WILTON, Conn -- The Wilton 6 White Warriors built a 21-6 halftime lead and held off a New Canaan comeback in the second half for a 21-19 victoryand a berth in the Fairfield County Football League semifinals.
Wiltons defense in the first half was spectacular. The defensive line of Dominic Romeo, Chris Sweeney, Mike Wehrli, Johnny Amato, Nick Rende, Kyle Shifrin, and Brennan Troy stuffed anything that came at them and actually moved New Canann backwards. The linebackers, Robbie Hermann, Ryan McDermott, and Will Litton, stopped any attempts outside, while the safeties, Ethan Reichgut and Quinn Schneider blanketed the Rams receivers. New Canaan managed only 10 total plays of offense on their first three drives.
Meanwhile, the Warriors offense was clicking on all cylinders. The offensive led by Brendan Quinlan, Ryan Soltis, Ryan Ettie, Evan Helman, Johnnie Maggio, Wehrli, Shifrin and Jack McErlain opened huge holes for McDermott, Hermann, Litton, and Troy to run through. Litton sprinted around left end deep into Rams territory early in the game and then Hermann took a pitch and followed lead blocks into the end zone.
In the second quarter, Wilton continued to shut down NC and added two more scores. Matt Morello, Alex Kobsa, Amato, Romeo, Ben Pellicano, Trey Snyder, McErlain, and Finn McGovern continued to open holes. Sweeney, Romeo, Troy, McDermott, and Litton pounded the ball downfield. Hermann busted off-tackle for a 28 yard touchdown. With his second extra point, the Warriors had a dominating 14-0 lead. NC then caught Wilton in the wrong defensive alignment and exploited it for a 65 yard touchdown pass for their only positive yards of the half. Wilton came storming back and Hermann once again slipped through the hole opened by his offensive line and jaunted 32 yards in for a third score and a commanding 21-6 halftime lead.
The second half was a sloppy half for Wilton, which was plagued by fumbles on offense and missed tackles on defense. When New Canaan stripped the ball with 1:47 remaining and ran it back to the Wilton 15 yard line, only a touchdown-saving tackle by Quinlan at least momentarily stopped the Rams. Facing a crucial 4th and goal at the Wilton 11 and trailing 21-13, New Canaan slipped a pass in between two Warriors for a TD and a 21-19 score. Going for two points and the tie, the Rams were stopped cold with a bruising tackle. Schneider kneeled down twice and the Warriors escaped with the win.
Wilton 6 White now move on to the semifinals. You can see the entire Fairfield County Football League playoff grid by clicking on this weblink.
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