New Canaan Football Routs Bassick 41-0

Beginning its journey toward a possible fifth consecutive state football championship, the New Canaan Rams (1-0), ran and passed the ball all over Bassick High School (0-1) 41-0.

After the start of the game was delayed for sixty minutes due to lightning, the Rams came out and dominated the first quarter by scoring two touchdowns within a minute of each other. The Rams forced the Lions to punt during their first possession and Rams' senior running back Conor Goodwin scored on the team's eighth play of the drive with a four yard touchdown run to give his team a 6-0 lead.

"Running is going to be one of our strengths this season," said Rams head coach Lou Marinelli. "The offensive line did a terrific job protecting our players tonight and gave our guys room on the field to make plays."

On the Lions' next possession, senior quarterback Jacqui Tuck made an errant lateral that landed five yards in front of his team's end zone before Rams' junior linebacker John Brainard ran it in to give his club a 12-0 lead. The Rams then completed the two point conversion to go up 14-0 just over six minutes into the game.

The Rams kicked their offense into high gear in the second quarter as junior quarterback Matthew Milano threw three touchdown passes to put his team up 35-0 going into the second half. Rams' senior Kevin Macari scored the first of the three touchdowns with a 15-yard reception close to two minutes into the quarter. Four minutes later, Milano hit junior Kevin McDonough with a nine yard touchdown pass.

With just over four minutes to go in the half, Macari picked up his second touchdown reception as Milano hit him with a 30-yard pass to give his team a 35-0 lead.

Overall, it was an impressive night for Milano as he threw for 104 yards and had three touchdown passes before being replaced in the second half by junior quarterback Tom Campbell.

"He's brand new so I am happy with the way he played tonight," Marinelli said. "He still needs to get his reps in, but this was certainly a good start for him."

What's even more impressive for Marinelli is that the team finished with 178 rushing yards.

"It was all about taking advantage of opportunities that we were given," Marinelli said. "Our offensive line is experienced and knows when to make the right plays."

The team's defense was strong all night and held the Lions to under 100 offensive yards.

"It was good to just get this one over with," Marinelli said. "Our guys are ready to take advantage of the opportunities they have coming to them."

The Rams' will be back on the field on Sept. 25 when they go on the road to take on Trinity Catholic at 1:00 p.m.