NFA football team has its moments, but falls to Hamden 41-14
Sep. 14—NORWICH — If there is a curse attached to high enrollment numbers, Exhibit A would be Norwich Free Academy football. NFA, among the largest schools in Connecticut, normally plays a football schedule commensurate with its size.
After a lengthy opening week trip to Class LL Stamford, the Wildcats opened at home Thursday night to Class LL Hamden, seeking its third straight playoff berth under coach Tom Dyer, who once won two state titles at Hillhouse.
The Green Dragons appear to be a contender again, following their 41-14 win over NFA, during which the Wildcats certainly had their moments. Just not enough of them.
"Second year in a row," NFA coach Erik Larka said of the daunting schedule. "Six of the 10 teams we played last year made the playoffs. We play who we have to play, but two years in a row now, the gauntlet is there."
NFA (0-2) fell behind 21-0 in the second quarter, looking unlikely to create much drama. Except that's when quarterback Gage Hinkley hit Ryan Cleary with a six-yard touchdown pass. NFA's defense held, leading to Hinkley's second scoring pass in the final five minutes of the half, a short toss to Evan Gigliotti, set up by a 54-yard completion to Cleary.
But Hamden (2-0) responded with three unanswered scores in the second half. Ralph Sarno, Charles Hebron and Josh Miller all scored their second touchdowns of the game in the second half as the Green Dragons pulled away.
"We made a couple of mistakes," Larka said. "But they have more depth than we do and they wore us down. We had three linemen going both ways and were playing three freshmen on defense."
Hamden entered this game after winning perhaps the state's most entertaining game last week, a 47-46 victory in overtime against Trumbull. The Green Dragons rushed for more than 350 yards, despite losing two key running backs to transfer in the offseason.
Hebron capitalized on his varsity opportunity last week and ran for 162 yards and two touchdowns, while Miller, standing 5-foot-4, ran for 120 yards and one touchdown.
Hamden also entered the game knowing starting quarterback J.J. Gibson, injured last week, was a "gametime decision," according to Dyer, who ultimately went with backup Justin Chapman.
"I think this game showed we have heart," Larka said. "But we have to play all four quarters. If we do that, we will win some games this year."
