The New Canaan (CT) varsity football team will play a home playoff game against Newtown (CT) today at 12:30 PM at New Canaan. This matchup is part of the “2024 Connecticut High School Football Playoff Brackets: CIAC – Class L” tournament.

Newtown vs New Canaan High School Football Game Info:

What: Connecticut High School Football
Who: Newtown vs New Canaan
When: Sunday, December 8, 2024
Time: 12:30 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 Connecticut High School Football Playoff Brackets: CIAC – Class L
Live stream: Watch here

Game Preview: Newtown vs New Canaan

As the 2024 Connecticut High School Football Playoff tournament heats up, the undefeated Newtown Nighthawks will square off against the New Canaan Rams in a highly anticipated Class L playoff game today at 12:30 PM in New Canaan. Both teams come into this game with impressive records, making this matchup one to watch for football fans in the state.

Newtown’s Perfect Season

The Newtown Nighthawks have been dominating all season, finishing the regular season with an immaculate 11-0 record. They enter this playoff game as the No. 1 seed in Class L, boasting a perfect 7-0 league record. Their offensive and defensive units have been formidable, outscoring opponents by an average of 38.4 points per game, while allowing only 13.7 points per game.

Quarterback Ryan Schoffstall has been at the helm of Newtown’s powerful offense, averaging 225.4 passing yards per game, with a total of 251.4 yards per game. Running back Ayden Paulos has been an essential piece of the Nighthawks’ attack, rushing for an average of 77.3 yards per game and contributing to 7.6 points per game. On defense, linebacker Graham Spencer leads the team with 6.8 tackles per game, while the offensive line has been dominant, with Marco Damico earning 25 pancake blocks on the season.

New Canaan’s Strong Season

New Canaan, with a 10-1 record, enters the playoff as the No. 3 seed in Class L, having finished a perfect 8-0 in league play. Their only loss this season came in a non-league game to Masuk, but they quickly bounced back to earn a strong playoff position. With an average of 34.4 points per game, New Canaan’s offense, led by quarterback Luke Robinson (149.5 passing yards per game), is one of the most explosive in the league. Robinson’s favorite target, Andrew Esposito, has been a key contributor, racking up 80.7 receiving yards per game.

The Rams’ defense has been solid, averaging 60.9 tackles per game, with linebacker Jack Crowell leading the charge at 7.4 tackles per game. Both teams come into this matchup with exceptional special teams play and outstanding offensive line performances, including New Canaan’s Simon Tchakarov, who has registered 0.7 sacks per game.

Team Comparison: Offense & Defense

While Newtown has averaged 422 total yards per game, led by their balanced offensive attack, New Canaan has also been highly productive with 303.5 total yards per game. Newtown excels in passing, averaging 224.8 yards per game, compared to New Canaan’s 154.0. However, New Canaan has the edge in rushing, with 149.5 rushing yards per game, compared to Newtown’s 119.9.

On defense, both teams have been stellar, with New Canaan allowing only 97 points over the season, compared to Newtown’s 151. The Nighthawks have averaged 53.3 tackles per game, while New Canaan’s defense has been slightly more aggressive with 60.9 tackles per game.

Head-to-Head: Common Opponents

Both teams faced Masuk this season, with Newtown winning 35-18 on the road, while New Canaan lost 14-0 at home to the same opponent. This provides an interesting comparison, as both teams face off with different experiences against the same opponent. However, New Canaan’s league dominance and Newtown’s undefeated streak suggest that this will be a thrilling and competitive game.

Key Players to Watch:

• Newtown: Quarterback Ryan Schoffstall and running back Ayden Paulos have been key to Newtown’s success, both on offense and in scoring. Schoffstall’s passing ability and Paul’s rushing power will be crucial for the Nighthawks.
• New Canaan: Quarterback Luke Robinson and wide receiver Andrew Esposito are the primary offensive weapons for the Rams, while linebacker Jack Crowell anchors the defense.

Conclusion:

With both teams playing at a high level, this Class L playoff matchup promises to be a hard-fought game. Newtown’s perfect season and high-powered offense will be tested against New Canaan’s strong defense and explosive playmakers. The Rams will look to upset the undefeated Nighthawks and advance in the tournament, while Newtown aims to continue its dominant run to the state title. Football fans in Connecticut won’t want to miss this exciting postseason showdown.