New Canaan vs Maloney CIAC Semifinals Recap

By John Frieders
@frieders_j34210

In a rematch of last years Class L CIAC Championship, where New Canaan defeated Maloney 16-13, the Rams looked to defend their title against the Spartans. New Canaan won the toss and elected to kickoff to Maloney, who promptly marched down the field and scored on their first possession. The team scored on a 67 yard drive which was capped off by Donte Kelley’s five yard touchdown rush. The Spartans then elected to go for two on a fake PAT where Donte Kelley completed a short pass to Armani Ortiz, putting Maloney up 8-0. It would stay the same score until early in the fourth quarter in a game characterized by dominant defenses.

Alex Benevento provided the breakthrough for the Rams, with a 65 yard touchdown run in the fourth. Luke Robinson then found Alex Russey in the back of the end zones for the two point conversion and to tie the game. Luke Bopp and Michael Smith contributed two key interceptions in the fourth quarter as New Canaan’s defense continued to stifle Maloney.

With time winding down in the final quarter of action and overtime looking likely, Junior Quarterback Luke Robinson found Sophomore Andrew Esposito for a 30 yard reception with 10 seconds left in the game. This set up New Canaan for a game winning 47 yard field goal. Fortunately, Maloney’s following two false starts made it a 37 yard Field Goal for Junior Tucker Stevens. Those ten yards ended up being critical, as Tucker barely snuck in the Field Goal and punched the Rams’ ticket to the championship game.