Kelly Saiz
Reporter
(View more pictures from the game!)
“Undefeated” was the word of the evening once again for the New Canaan Rams varsity football team after their outstanding victory of 35-34 against Greenwich on Friday.
With just one minute left on the clock, the Rams scored a touchdown and an impressive two-point conversion that shocked Greenwich and thrilled New Canaan fans. Quarterback Turner Baty passed the ball to senior co-captain Willie Ouellette who had lined up in the backfield. Willie then gave the ball back to Turner, who rolled right and threw to junior wide receiver and defensive back Kevin Macari, who was wide open in the end zone.
At the half, the Rams were losing 14-20, but the effort and spirit of the team wasn’t diminished. “I couldn’t be more proud of the way the team responded,” senior cornerback and runningback Ronnie Balzano said.
The New Canaan fans came out in droves for what many expected would be the season’s most exciting game. Once the game had been won, the enthusiasm for the New Canaan High School’s beloved football team couldn’t be contained, as players, cheerleaders, and fans rushed the field. “This was honestly the best game that I have seen in my entire life!” Emily Ely, senior tri-captain of the cheerleading squad said. “We’re going to go on to the state championships.”
Head coach Lou Marinelli stated hours before the game that Greenwich was the standard by which every team was judged, so there was a special sense of determination by the entire Rams squad. “It was a great game, both teams played hard, we came out on top, the kids kept fighting, I’m proud of them,” Mr. Marinelli said.
Next week, the Rams will go head to head against Bridgeport Central–the one team that beat Greenwich before Friday night’s game. The Rams are buzzing with anticipation over the rest of this year’s line up. “I’m looking forward to FCIACs and state championships and we’re going to win them both,” senior offensive and defensive lineman Mike Santella said.