Staples Hangs On To Edge West Haven In Class LL Football Thriller

NEW BRITAIN, CT —The old saying "football is a game of inches" was never more evident than in the waning moments of the Class LL championship contest Saturday night at Arute Field at Central Connecticut State University.

Top-seeded Staples held a 21-14 lead over No. 3 West Haven as the clock ticked down, but with 1:15 remaining in regulation time, Armani Reid caught a short touchdown pass from Nick Conlan to pull the Blue Devils with a point, and leave head coach Rich Boshea with a difficult decision: kick an extra point to tie the score and likely send the game into overtime, or go for the victory with a 2-point conversion attempt.

He opted for the latter, and Conlan again connected with Reed on a short completion. However, the All-State receiver was dragged to the turf just before crossing the goal line, giving the Wreckers the jubilation of winning their first state crown since 2005.

Quarterback Caleb Smith paced the victory, gaining 95 yards on 18 rushing attempts with three touchdowns, and completing four of five passes for 81 yards. Anthony Armentano added 43 yards on the ground.

West Haven, filled with emotion after the unexpected death of teammate Christopher Fidalgo earlier in the week, received a 1-yard scoring plunge by Conlan and a 4-yard touchdown pass from Conlan to Reid prior to the late-game drama. The Blue Devils were led by Camren Kemp, who picked up 135 yards on 29 rushes. Conlan completed 19 of 25 passes for 193 yards.