By Christopher DeMuth
In a display of all-around football excellence, the New Canaan Rams secured a decisive victory over the Staples Wreckers in their 2024 homecoming game. The win, featuring standout performances across offense and defense, shows why the Rams remain one of Connecticut’s premier high school football programs.
Offensive Precision
The Rams’ offensive success began with the incredible performance of senior quarterback Luke Robinson, who put together one of his most complete games of the season. Robinson’s command of the offense was shown in the statistics: 17 completions on 23 attempts for 135 yards, posting a remarkable 73.9% completion percentage and a quarterback rating of 88.1. Perhaps most importantly, Robinson protected the football throughout the game, throwing zero interceptions while orchestrating the offense with precision and poise.
Robinson’s ability to spread the ball across the field proved crucial in the Rams’ offensive strategy. Nine different receivers recorded catches during the game, creating a diverse and unpredictable passing attack that kept the Staples defense off balance. Senior Chris Cuesta emerged as a primary target, securing three receptions for 32 yards and averaging 10.7 yards per catch. Junior Andrew Esposito matched Cuesta’s reception total with three catches for 26 yards, while junior Jake Valente made the most of his opportunities with two receptions for 27 yards, averaging an impressive 13.5 yards per catch.
The Rams’ ground game demonstrated equal effectiveness through a committee approach that maintained fresh legs throughout the contest. The rushing attack featured five different ball carriers who combined for 114 yards and three touchdowns. Senior Hudson Kenny established himself as the workhorse back, accumulating 58 yards on 12 carries for a robust 4.8 yards per attempt. Junior Henry Stein provided valuable support with 31 yards on 10 carries, while James McInerney, Luke Robinson, and sophomore Jack Crowell each contributed rushing touchdowns to the scoring effort.
Defensive Dominance
The defensive performance proved equally impressive, with 15 different players recording tackles in a true team effort. The Rams’ defense excelled in creating turnovers and negative plays, consistently disrupting Staples’ offensive rhythm and creating advantageous field positions for their offense.
Junior Andrew Esposito’s performance in the secondary deserves particular attention, as his two interceptions and subsequent returns for 42 combined yards represented game-changing plays that shifted momentum in New Canaan’s favor. These turnovers proved crucial in maintaining control of the game’s tempo and field position battle.
The front seven’s effectiveness was spearheaded by junior Ryan Brooks and senior Connor Mazza, each recording six total tackles. Mazza’s five solo tackles led the defensive unit, while Brooks demonstrated his ability to find the ball with four assisted tackles. Senior Simon Tchakarov made his presence felt in the opposing backfield, recording three tackles, including two tackles for loss and a momentum-shifting sack that resulted in a 3-yard loss.
The emergence of sophomore Jack Crowell as a two-way player added another dimension to the Rams’ success. Crowell’s five total tackles (three solo, two assisted) highlighted his defensive contributions, while his rushing touchdown on offense demonstrated his versatility and value to the team.
Special Teams Excellence
The often-overlooked third phase of the game proved to be a significant factor in the Rams’ victory. Senior Tucker Stevens displayed remarkable consistency in the kicking game, converting both PAT attempts and successfully executing a 38-yard field goal. His kickoff performance was particularly noteworthy, averaging 54.8 yards on five kickoffs with one touchback, consistently forcing Staples to start drives deep in their own territory.
Junior Bennett Pertusiello’s punting performance deserves special recognition, as he averaged an outstanding 45.3 yards on three punts, including one pinned inside the 20-yard line. These punting statistics played a crucial role in the field position battle, repeatedly forcing Staples to navigate long fields in their scoring attempts.
Complete Team Effort
The return game provided additional firepower, with senior Michael Smith averaging 26 yards on two kickoff returns, including an explosive 41-yard return. James McInerney complemented this effort with a 40-yard return of his own, consistently providing the offense with a favorable starting field position. Smith’s all-around contributions exemplified the team’s versatility, as he added 16 rushing yards and a reception to his return duties, accumulating 63 all-purpose yards.
The defensive stats paint a picture of aggressive yet disciplined play. The team’s four tackles for loss demonstrated their ability to penetrate and disrupt Staples’ offensive rhythm. While Staples quarterback Nick Weil managed to gain 125 rushing yards on 11 carries, including a 66-yard run, the Rams’ defense prevented these occasional big plays from translating into sustained scoring drives.
Statistical Dominance
A deeper dive into the statistics reveals the nature of New Canaan’s victory. The Rams won the first down battle 15-11, demonstrating their ability to sustain drives and control the tempo of the game. The team’s discipline was evident in their penalty statistics, though they did commit six penalties for 40 yards, an area that will likely receive attention in upcoming practices.
The total offensive production showed remarkable balance, with the Rams accumulating 249 total yards (135 passing, 114 rushing). This near-equal distribution between passing and rushing yards speaks to the offensive coordination and game planning that kept Staples’ defense guessing throughout the contest.
In the defensive backfield, James McInerney’s performance stood out beyond his offensive contributions, as he recorded a crucial pass deflection and a fumble recovery. Will Sullivan added to the turnover total by causing a fumble, demonstrating the defense’s emphasis on creating extra possessions for their offense.
Individual Standouts
Several players demonstrated their versatility through contributions across multiple phases of the game. James McInerney’s all-purpose yardage totaled 79 yards, combining rushing, receiving, and return yards. Michael Smith accumulated 63 all-purpose yards through various roles, while Andrew Esposito added 68 all-purpose yards, primarily through his interception returns.
The receiving corps’ depth was particularly impressive, with eight different players recording multiple receptions. This distribution prevented Staples from focusing their coverage on any single target and demonstrated the team’s depth at the skill positions.
Looking Ahead
As the 2024 season progresses, this homecoming victory serves as a benchmark for New Canaan’s potential. The team’s ability to execute effectively in all three phases while receiving contributions from players across all four grade levels suggests a bright future both for this season and beyond. The balance of senior leadership and underclassman contributions provides a sustainable model for continued success.
The victory improves New Canaan’s record as they continue their 2024 campaign, while Staples (4-1) will look to regroup in their next game. For the Rams, this performance sets a high standard for execution and team-wide contribution that they’ll aim to maintain as they progress through their schedule.
With the depth displayed on offense, the opportunistic defense, and the reliable special teams play, New Canaan demonstrated why they remain one of the most formidable programs in the state. As the season continues, this homecoming victory may well be remembered as a defining moment when all aspects of the team came together impressively.
