Friday night lights at New Canaan High School illuminated the field as the New Canaan Rams faced off against the Wilton Warriors in a thrilling Homecoming game on October 21st. The game was a nail-biter from start to finish, with New Canaan narrowly edging out the Warriors with a final score of 20-13. Let’s break down the key stats and highlights from this exciting contest.
Passing Attack:
New Canaan’s quarterback, Andrew Esposito, was the central figure in the Rams’ passing game, completing 14 out of 24 attempts for 86 yards. While Esposito didn’t find the end zone through the air, he showcased accuracy and poise in the pocket with a completion rate of 58.3%.
Rushing Effort:
The Rams found success on the ground, amassing a total of 113 rushing yards. Thomas Garcia led the charge with 19 yards on four carries, including one touchdown. Cooper Smith was a workhorse, churning out 31 yards on 15 attempts. Michael Smith contributed a crucial touchdown with a one-yard run.
With this victory, New Canaan has achieved a 5-win streak as they are approaching the end of the normal season. This was a fantastic game and an impressive win for the Rams, keeping up the Rams performance in this season.
Receiving Corps:
New Canaan’s receiving unit proved to be effective, with Cooper Smith leading the way with three receptions for 40 yards. Luke Reed and Andrew Esposito also played crucial roles, each hauling in four passes. While there were no receiving touchdowns, the Rams’ passing game contributed to their overall offensive effort.
All-Purpose Yards:
When considering all-purpose yards, Cooper Smith emerged as the standout player, accumulating 110 yards. Dylan Prior was another standout with 43 all-purpose yards, including 27 on the ground. Luke Reed and Alex Benevento also made significant contributions in this category.
Total Yards and Defensive Standouts:
New Canaan racked up a total of 199 yards on offense. Defensively, the Rams intercepted two passes, with Michael Smith and Luke Bopp each grabbing one. These key takeaways helped New Canaan maintain its momentum.
Special Teams:
Special teams played a vital role in the game. Luke Reed handled punting duties, averaging 30.7 yards on his nine punts. Cooper Smith was an all-around contributor, returning kickoffs and punts, tallying 22 yards on kickoff returns and 17 yards on punt returns.
Points and Scoring:
The Rams scored a total of three touchdowns, all coming from different players. Thomas Garcia, Michael Smith, and Luke Robinson each found the end zone, contributing to the final score. Tucker Stevens added two crucial field goals.
PATs and Field Goals:
Tucker Stevens was accurate on two of his three PAT attempts, accounting for a total of two points. His leg was also responsible for two field goals, making a significant impact on the scoreboard.
The game would come down to a nail-biting finish. After a hard-fought game, New Canaan would eventually win during overtime after struggling against the Wilton Warrior for the majority of the game. Going into the second half New Canaan was behind in a 0-7 score, making the comeback in overtime all the more exciting. This homecoming game was extremely exciting and by far topped last year’s Homecoming game in terms of competition. With this victory, New Canaan has achieved a 5-win streak as they are approaching the end of the normal season. This was a fantastic game and an impressive win for the Rams, keeping up the Rams performance in this season.
