Sports
New Canaan Seeking Eighth Straight Win Against Darien
Rams need a victory Thursday to secure a berth in the state playoffs
Can anyone slow down New Canaan's rampaging offense?
That will be one of the story lines on Thursday, when the Rams visit undefeated Darien in the annual Turkey Bowl clash.
New Canaan (8-1) needs a win to secure a spot in the CIAC Class L playoffs and have a shot for a fifth consecutive state championship. The Rams are currently ninth in the Class L rankings, and only the top eight get in.
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Since losing to St. Joseph, 28-27, on Oct. 23, New Canaan has been like a runaway train, scoring a combined 141 points in wins over Wilton, Greenwich and Bridgeport Central.
The Rams are by far the highest-scoring team in the FCIAC, averaging 41.6 points per game, the fourth-best mark in the state. New Canaan ranks sixth in the state in passing yards per game (243.7) and its 30 touchdown passes is second.
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Individually, New Canaan junior quarterback Matt Milano is fifth state-wide in passing yards (235.1) and second in touchdowns, having thrown all 30.
Milano's top target is senior receiver Kevin Macari, who only has 34 receptions for 665 yards in the Rams' balanced offense, but 11 have resulted in touchdowns.
However, New Canaan has not encountered a defense as physical as Darien's. The Blue Wave (10-0) surrender only 8.7 points per game, the best mark in the FCIAC, so Thursday's game could shape up as a classic contrast in styles.
New Canaan has dominated the longstanding rivalry in recent years, winning seven straight in the series and going 8-0-1 in the last nine.
In 2008, the Rams beat the Blue Wave twice - 28-20 in the FCIAC championship and 26-7 in the Class MM state finals. Darien's last win was a 24-21 victory in 2001.
However, this is the best Darien team the Rams faced since the current winning streak began.
Coming off a 17-7 victory over Trumbull in the FCIAC championship game, the Blue Wave are seeking their first undefeated season since they went 11-0-1 in 1992.
Darien also would relish the opportunity to knock New Canaan out of the state playoffs.
The strength of the Blue Wave is their defense, which is anchored by anchored by tackle Charlie Kunze and end Tucker Morehouse, who love to rush the quarterback.
Morehouse is tied for the state lead in sacks with 13 and Kunze is tied for 10th with eight.
Thursday marks the 82nd meeting in a series that dates to 1928. The teams have played continuously since 1967.
