Defense Powers North Haven To Class MM Football Title Over Wilton

NEW BRITAIN, CT — Last year's Class MM football championship game was a display of offensive firepower, with North Haven prevailing 51-34 over Killingly. The Nighthawks returned to the title matchup Saturday, this time against Wilton, which turned out to be an entirely different type of contest.

Defense was the name of the game for the defending champions, breaking open a 7-0 game with a late third-quarter interception, setting up a short scoring drive, then following up with a fumble return for a touchdown just 68 seconds later to ice their second straight title.

After the Nighthawks grabbed the lead in the second quarter on a 23-yard run by Adam Pandolfi, the teams exchanged punts over the next several possessions. Special teams also played a key role for North Haven, with a pair of punts downed inside the Wilton 2-yard line.

Camren Thompson intercepted a Frank Hagerty pass at the Wilton 38 late in the third quarter; three plays later, Ryan Bernardo caught a 28-yard scoring pass from Joey Mastroianni. for a 14-0 lead. Five plays into Wilton's next possession, Hagerty fumbled after being sacked, and Brian Moran scooped up the ball and ran 28 yards for another touchdown.

The Nighthawks kept their offense on the ground save for the touchdown pass, rushing teh ball 46 times for 170 yards. Pandolfi led the way with 70 yards, Thompson had 45 and Trysten Dos contributed 30.

For Wilton, Hagerty gained 98 yards through the air on 12 completions, and added 71 rushing yards.