Patrick Diamond
Sports Blogs Editor
@diamond_courant
After winning the Class L Connecticut State Championship the past two years, the Rams were looking for the three-peat. The 10-1, and 6th seeded Rams were set to face off with the 12-0, and 1st seeded North Haven Indians.
The game got off to a quick start with a 53 yard rushing touchdown by Matt Cognetta with 9 minutes left in the first quarter. After a North Haven touchdown that tied it up, Ryan O’Connell had the Rams 2nd rushing touchdown of the game, putting them up 14-7 at the end of the first quarter.
Both New Canaan and North Haven had big 2nd quarters as they scored 14 points each. New Canaan’s points came from a 9 yard touchdown from quarterback Mike Collins to receiver Kyle Smith, and a 1 yard punch in from running back Cognetta. North Haven ended the 1st half with a bang as the Indians quarterback Nick Ponzio threw a 36 yard bomb to his receiver Jack Stein, making it 28-21 at halftime.
North Haven tied it up halfway through the third quarter with a 29 yard burst from running back Mike Montano, but by the end of the quarter, the Rams had taken the lead once again with a 3 yard rushing touchdown from Mike Cognetta. The score after three quarters was 35-28 in favor of the Rams.
Setting up an exciting finish to the game, Mike Montano tied up the game with a 6 yard rush that made the score 35-35. But it was the Rams who eventually outlasted North Haven as Ryan O’Connell scored his 2nd touchdown of the game, which would also be the last score of the day as the Rams defense made a 4th down stop, making the final score 42-35 Rams.
The Rams quest for the 3-peat was complete as they hoisted their third straight state championship plaque. “It was great to win a third straight championship. It was an awesome team effort the whole season and the other two seasons. There is no better way to end our senior year than like that, especially in such a great game,” Senior Captain Mike Collins said.
Not only was it the New Canaan’s third straight State Championship title, but Coach Lou Marinelli’s 300th win. “I know I, and the rest of the team, couldn’t be happier about Coach Marinelli getting 300 wins,” Mike said. “No coach deserves it more for everything he does on and off the field for everyone involved.”
