An undefeated Darien squad went into Thursday's Turkey Bowl having clinched a spot in the upcoming state championships. New Canaan, on the other hand, needed a win to secure a state playoff berth—and who better to play than Darien to achieve that goal.

In the end, the day belonged to the visiting Rams. New Canaan scored 42 points while holding the Wave—who had only given up 82 points in their previous 10 games—to a mere 14.

Two of Darien's front line players were suspended from the team Wednesday for disciplinary reasons, stemming from acts of vandalism at New Canaan High School in which buildings, walkways, and a sign marking Dunning field were spray-painted blue.

Before the kickoff today, a letter written by the Wave captains was read over the public address system to a packed house as the team apologized to fans for the behavior of a few. And then it was game time.

Darien took the opening kickoff and drove to the Rams' 32-yard line, where New Canaan took over on downs. After the teams traded punts, the Rams struck on what appeared to be an end-around on a pitch from quarterback Matt Milano to the speedy Kevin Macari. But Macari pulled up and found a wide-open Connor Kilbane for the touchdown. With Collin Shapiro's extra point, it was 7-0 after one quarter.

On the next possession, the Wave mounted a threat as Chris Allam connected with Scotty Waters to the Rams' 24-yard line. But Allam was intercepted on the 42 by David Russell as was hit while attempting to pass.

Soon after, Milano hit Kevin McDonough on a crossing pattern, followed by a Conor Goodwin run and a completion to Duke Repko and Kilbane for the touchdown. It was 14-0.

The then Rams scored again, starting at the Darien 35. Milano, on a rollout, found Macari, who took it to the 13. Three plays later, Milano took it in on a keeper, putting the Rams up 21-0.

Charlie Kunze left the game for good with a high ankle sprain and is doubtful for next Tuesday. Lineman James Shanley also left with a groin strain. 

Darien coach Rob Trifone kept his sense of humor after the game.

"I was starting to invent plays with all the front line guys out," Trifone said.

The Wave got something going when Allam—Darien's best weapon on the day—ran four consecutive times to the Rams' 2. There, Allam rolled left and found Maybell in the end zone with 8.7 seconds remaining, making it 21-7 at the break.

New Canaan hit a big play early in the third quarter. Milano, from his own 21, connected with Macari, who had gotten a step behind the defender. Macari juggled but held on and completed the 79 touchdown pass for a 28-7 lead.

Darien fought back, and an Allam-Maybell completion led a drive that put the Wave on the 19. But when Allam took it up the middle, he was gang-tackled and fumbled the ball. Cameron Armstrong recovered for the Rams.

After Darien punted on their next possession, Macari fielded it on the Rams' 25. He took it 75 yards for the Rams' fifth touchdown and a 35-7 lead.

Darien got its second and last touchdown after a Peter McDonough interception that took the Wave to the 34, where Jake Weil scored.

New Canaan added one more touchdown on a Milano-Patrick Newton pass for a 42-14 final.

The win makes it eight wins in a row over Darien—seven of them in the Turkey Bowl—and extends the season into the state championships, where New Canaan will contend for its fifth consecutive title. Play begins on Tuesday.

"The rivalry is enough incentive when we play Darien, but the guys who didn't respect the school with the vandalism added a little extra fuel to the fire," said Rams lineman Conor Hanratty.

Winning coach Lou Marinelli said he "felt" for Rob Trifone and how some "bad decisions by just a few impacted the game."

Absent from the Blue Wave's  lineup were Clay Barker, Darien's main deep threat, and two-way lineman Zack Sherwood.