Photo credit: Dan Heary
By Rob Gullo
NEFJ Correspondent
NEWINGTON — On Thanksgiving Eve, the Wethersfield Eagles defeated the previously undefeated Newington Nor’Easters football team 22-14 in overtime in the last game of the 2024 regular season. The loss for Newington put them at 9-1 while the win bumped up Wethersfield’s record to 9-1.
With there being a three-way tie for the CCC (Central Connecticut Conference) Tier 3 title between Newington, Wethersfield, and Bristol Central, the Nor’Easters entered the Class MM playoffs as the No. 4 seed, hosting Wethersfield, who held the fifth seed.
In Tuesday night’s rematch with a chance to face No. 1 Windsor in the semifinals, it was Newington who winded up on top with a 20-15 home victory.
In the win, Newington scored all three of their touchdowns on the ground as senior quarterback Enzo Corvino and running backs Evan Pigott and Josiah Sims each scored a touchdown. Wethersfield senior quarterback Cam Righi scored both of Wethersfield’s touchdowns on the ground in the loss.
Newington coach John Acquavita said that scoring 20 points or more would be the formula heading into their game against Wethersfield. While they failed to score 20 points in their game last week against the Eagles, they did so on Tuesday and came out on top.
“We thought three touchdowns was the formula,” said Acquavita. “We thought our defense was good enough to hold them up. Kids stepped up, our guys went out there and played good football.”
Newington got the ball first and marched down the field to score on their first drive. Corvino capped off the drive with a seven-yard draw. Newington’s two-point try failed, and they would hold on to their 6-0 lead for the entirety of the first quarter.
Wethersfield tied the game up in the second quarter in a critical situation. Facing 4th-and-1 from Newington’s seven-yard line, Righi helped tie the game as he went seven yards for a touchdown. Wethersfield’s extra point was blocked as the eagles tied it 6-6 with 8:09 left in the first half.
On Newington’s next offensive possession, Pigott scored their second touchdown of the half on a five-yard touchdown run, giving Newington a 13-6 lead with 5:08 left in the first half.
The Nor’Easters would hold their lead, and headed into the break with a touchdown lead with Wethersfield receiving the ball to begin the second half.
After the Eagles opened the second half with a few big runs, the Newington defense coughed up a fumble, taking over at their own 31-yard line.
Newington capitalized off of Wetersfield’s turnover. A 40-yard run by Pigott set the Nor’Easters up at the two-yard line, and facing 4th-and-goal, Sims got over the goal line to give Newington a two-touchdown lead up 20-6 early on in the third quarter.
The Eagles would respond the following drive with a touchdown of their own to make it a one-score game as Righi rushed in for a three-yard score on a keeper. Newington led Wethersfield 20-13 heading into the final quarter.
Newington would hold on to their lead, and while running out the clock, they awarded Wethersfield a safety as time expired to win 20-15. Before the Nor’Easters ran out the clock, senior linebacker Heath Weeden caught the game-sealing interception with less than a minute left in the game.
Following the win, Newington will face No. 1 seed and the No.1 team in the state, Windsor this Sunday at 12:30 p.m. Acquavita said that he’s embracing the challenge and that he’s excited to have at least five more days of a football season.
“I’m very excited, we get to play football for another five days, can’t get more excited than that,” said Acquavita.