By Tony Catalina
NEFJ Correspondent
EAST HARTFORD — The New Canaan Rams clashed with the Darien Blue Wave for the Class L state championship Saturday, and the Rams earned their second straight Class L title, 28-21.
In what looked improbable even half way through the fourth quarter, the Rams found a way to make timely plays on both offense and defense to come from behind to secure another trophy.
“That game could’ve went any way, and for a while I wasn’t sure,” said New Canaan coach Lou Marinelli. “I’m really proud of our guys, they kept fighting back . . . they’re a hell of a football team.”
Darien struck first and did so quickly on its first offensive possession. After a big pass play to Charles Thom got them down to the 3-yard line, Briggs McGurkin punched it in to make it 7-0 with 7:46 in the first quarter.
However, the Rams answered right back with a scoring drive of their own, capped off by a one-yard plunge from Luke Reed to tie the game with 4:18 in the first quarter.
After a little bit of a defensive battle for half a quarter, the Rams took their first lead and were methodical in doing so on their next scoring drive. A well-orchestrated drive that was capped off from 24 yards out through the air to Alexander Benevento to extend their lead to 14-7 with 9:10 left in the first half.
There wasn’t another score in the first half until Darien grinded out a nice drive to score a game-tying touchdown in the final seconds of the half. Charles Thom punched it in to make it 14-14 with 39 seconds left in the quarter.
After a scoreless third quarter, Thom cashed in again from a yard out to open the final period and give Darien the lead again with 11:54 left in the game.
The Rams punched back and a 12-yard strike to William Langford tied the game up 21-21 with 5:03 left.
The ensuing drive the Rams defense came up with the play of the game as Ryan Barnard came screaming off the edge to get a strip sack to give the ball back on the Darien 16.
Benevento spoke about the team’s resilience and fight that helped the Rams find a way.
“We faced a lot of adversity today, and everybody stepped up,” he said. “We don’t panic and I am so proud of them.”
Following the turnover, New Canaan cashed in on the play that gave them their second straight state title when Benevento scored from five yards out to take the lead, 28-21, with 2:33 left in the game.
To win one title is impressive, but to have the discipline and talent to do it back-to-back seasons puts you in rarified air. Benevento understands that they made history this season.
“It’s such a great legacy here, such a great community . . . It’s such an honor, it’s going to be something that stays with me for the rest of my life.”
He’s certainly right, these are the moments him and his teammates will be talk about for the rest of their lives.