4 touches, 4 TDs: Superstar performance decides nation's oldest public Thanksgiving game

It’s been one step forward and two steps back for the Norwich Free Academy football team in 2023. Unfortunately, that trend reared its ugly head again during the biggest game of the season.

Looking to win their fourth straight game in the nation's oldest public school football rivalry, the Wildcats committed too many penalties, committed too many turnovers, and had no answers for New London sensation Tyree Barnes.

Barnes, a junior wide receiver and defensive back, scored four touchdowns as the host Whalers rolled to a 35-13 victory over NFA on Thanksgiving Day at Pat Cannamela Field.

“It was a microcosm of our season,” NFA coach Erik Larka said. “When we lose the turnover battle, we lose the game. And their speed overall was probably the most speed we’ve faced all season.”

The NFA-New London rivalry began in 1875 and Barnes might get his own chapter when an addition to the history book is written.

Barnes touched the ball four times and scored on all four plays. He opened the Whalers scoring parade in the first quarter with a scintillating 53-yard touchdown run. After NFA answered to tie it at 7, Barnes returned the kickoff 77 yards for a touchdown

“He’s a special player and person,” New London coach Bobby Sanchez said. “Tyree is a tremendous two-way football player. I always preach to these guys that everybody should be a two-way player. He’s the epitome of it.”

Barnes made a spectacular one-handed catch in the corner of the end zone off a nice throw from junior quarterback Jack Philistin to extend the Whalers lead to 28-7 midway through the third quarter.

Barnes then capped his memorable day by catching a Philistin pass over the middle and racing into the end zone from 39 yards out with 4:37 remaining.

“Today, out of all days, we were able to get him the ball in spots,” Sanchez said.

More: Why is Norwich Free Academy vs. New London, nation's oldest football rivalry, so special?

What It Means

This was New London’s first win in the series since a 26-22 victory in 2017 at Norwich. It was also the Whalers first win at Cannamela Field since 2008.

NFA leads the series 81-69-11.

“I heard they haven’t won it here in a long time,” said Sanchez, a former assistant coach at Valley Regional and Hamden who is in his first season at New London. “The seniors are one of the most special groups that I’ve ever coached. I’m really proud that they're forever going to be my first group.”

Key play

Trailing 28-7 midway through the third quarter, NFA senior Conor Gaughan electrified the crowd with an 80-yard kick-off return for a touchdown.

The Wildcats recovered the ensuing onside kick and with the momentum having swung to NFA’s side drove to the Whalers 27-yard line where senior quarterback Gage Hinkley, who scored the Wildcats first touchdown, sprinted into the end zone for a touchdown.

The Wildcats, however, were whistled for a holding penalty.

“I thought we were going to flip the script and they flipped the script on us with the yellow flag,” Hinkley said.

Two plays later, New London senior John Mancuso thwarted the Wildcats comeback bid with an interception.

“There was definitely a lot of laundry on the field today,” Larka said. “That interception kind of sealed our fate. It went from a seven-point game to a 21-point game in a matter of minutes.”

By the numbers

Hinkley led all rushers with 73 yards on 17 carries.

New London junior Demitiras Fletcher gained 60 yards on 19 carries and also caught three passes for 67 yards.

Philistin completed 9 of 14 passes for 164 yards and tossed two touchdowns.

NFA sophomore quarterback Aaron Driscoll completed 4-for-7 passes for 27 yards.

Derek Burress added a 10-yard TD run late in the second quarter to give the Whalers a 21-7 halftime advantage.

They said it

“I was very proud of how we battled back in the second half,” Larka said. “New London’s a good team and well coached. Unfortunately, we came out on the wrong end.”

More: Soren Rief (6 TDs) runs wild to power Killingly football past Norwich Free Academy

What’s Next

NFA finished 3-7, while New London improved to 6-4.

“We never got blown out of any game this season,” Larka said. “If the kids get in the weight room and they keep buying in, then the future is very bright at NFA.”

This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: Norwich Free Academy football falls to New London on Thanksgiving