If Hollywood ever decides to make a high school football movie, they’ll have to start in New Canaan. On Saturday, the Rams capped off their third straight championship season with a 35- 21 win over Darien in the Class L state final at Arute Field. It wasn’t just another victory for Lou Marinelli’s squad—it was the kind of game that cements legacies and adds another layer to one of Connecticut’s fiercest rivalries.
For New Canaan, the win wasn’t just about talent—it was about resilience, precision, and finding ways to finish strong, even when the stakes were at their highest.
FOURTH-QUARTER HEROICS
Tied at 21 late in the third quarter, the Rams found themselves in unfamiliar territory: a real fight. Darien, fresh off a momentum-building semifinal win over Notre Dame- West Haven, had erased a 14-0 deficit and looked ready to flip the script on their Thanksgiving Day blowout loss to New Canaan.
Enter Luke Robinson. The senior quarterback, nicknamed “Cool Hand Luke” by Marinelli, once again lived up to his billing. With 10:15 left in the fourth, Robinson fired an 11-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jake Valente—his first touchdown of the season—giving the Rams a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.
But Robinson wasn’t done. Just three minutes later, he connected with Andrew Esposito for the knockout punch—a 69- yard highlight-reel play where Esposito spun past defenders and left the Blue Wave secondary
chasing shadows. Esposito’s second touchdown of the game put New Canaan up 35-21 and turned the final minutes into a victory lap.
ESPOSITO SHINES ON THE BIG STAGE
If this season was a coming- out party for Esposito, Saturday was his coronation. The junior receiver, named Connecticut High School Player of the Year by MaxPreps, finished the game with eight receptions for 119 yards and two touchdowns, adding 68 rushing yards and another score. He passed the 1,000-yard receiving mark for the season and tallied his 20th touchdown, cementing his place among the state’s elite playmakers.
Esposito’s ability to make game-changing plays, whether out of the Wildcat or on deep routes, epitomized New Canaan’s versatility all season. “He’s the kind of player who turns routine plays into jaw-dropping moments,” said Marinelli, as reported by The Ruden Report.
ROBINSON’S MASTERCLASS
Robinson, meanwhile, added to his already impressive resume. The senior completed 17 of 24 passes for 238 yards and three touchdowns, finishing the season with a remarkable 28- to-2 touchdown-to-interception ratio. In a program known for its great quarterbacks, Robinson has etched his name alongside legends like Drew Pyne and Matt Milano.
When the game was on the line,Robinsondelivered.Whether standing tall against Darien’s relentless pass rush or threading needles to his receivers, he was the steady hand New Canaan needed in the biggest moments.
DARIEN’S STRONG EFFORT FALLS SHORT
To their credit, the Blue Wave didn’t go quietly. Quarterback Ben Rolapp, who struggled in the Turkey Bowl, bounced back with a 288-yard, two-touchdown performance. His connection with Thomas Herget, including a 65-yard score to open the second half, kept Darien in the game.
Herget finished with 139 receiving yards, while Kevin Roche added 105 yards of his own.
But Darien’s defense couldn’t find an answer for Esposito or Robinson in the final quarter. Coach Andy Grant acknowledged as much postgame, citing missed tackles and New Canaan’s ability to make defenders miss in the open field.
LEGACY SECURED
The victory marked New Canaan’s 15th state championship and 12th since 2001, a testament to Marinelli’s enduring legacy. But this one felt special—not just because it came against their biggest rival in the 100th meeting, but because of the way this team came together.
“This group was a true team,” Marinelli told reporters, emphasizing the camaraderie and collective effort that defined the season. From unsung heroes like Valente to superstars like Esposito and Robinson, the Rams epitomized what it means to play foreachother.
WHAT’S NEXT?
With Esposito returning next season and Marinelli still at the helm, New Canaan’s future looks just as bright as its past. For now, though, the Rams can savor a championship season capped by one of the most thrilling title games in recent memory.
In a rivalry that has seen its share of unforgettable moments, Saturday’s game was another chapter in a story that keeps getting better. For New Canaan, the dynasty continues. For the rest of Connecticut football, the message is clear: the road to a championship still runs through Dunning Field.
