Masuk bounces back, routs New Milford
SWC
MASUK 44
NEW MILFORD 7
MONROE — Whenever Masuk football has taken the field this season, the game usually turns into the Saccu show.
It was still a Saccu who stole the show in Masuk’s 44-7 Friday night win over New Milford, but it came with a twist.
Sure, Nick Saccu scored two touchdowns for his 12th and 13th of the season, but it was his twin brother Ryan who set the tone for the blowout victory.
“Ryan is good, I have to give him an opportunity though,” Masuk coach Steve Christy said. “I wasn’t giving him enough opportunities the first four games and that’s my fault. He is good.”
Ryan made the most of his first chance, intercepting the first passing play of the game and taking it to the house for a 50-yard score and a 15-0 Masuk lead in the first quarter.
“In Week 1 I almost had a pick six, but I kind of fell short and got tackled on the 5-yard line,” Ryan Saccu said. “This one, when I caught it I knew I had to score no matter what. I wasn’t going down and it was a good tone setter early in the game.”
In the second quarter, Masuk quarterback Dylan Jackson connected with Ryan Saccu for a 59yard touchdown, extending the Panthers lead to 29-7.
“Tonight was a little bit different, everybody ate,” Christy said. “It wasn’t the Nick Saccu show, it was everybody. That is when we are the best, when everybody eats.”
The win was a big one for Masuk (5-1), which entered the game fresh off its first loss of the season to Daniel Hand.
“After that Hand loss, we weren’t going to let that define who we were,” Ryan Saccu said. “And we just came out and balled out tonight. Everybody ate. We did what we were supposed to do.”
Masuk wasted no time getting on the board, as Nick Saccu crossed the goal line for a 18-yard touchdown, which was followed up by his brother’s pick six on the following drive.
Nick Saccu scored his second touchdown of the game on an 88yard rush with just over two min
utes left in the first half.
Lukas Shamas and Jason Champagne got in on the scoring action for the Panthers as well, with a touchdown each.
“That was a statement,” Christy said. “We needed to do that. I am so proud of the way these kids played with the big home crowd. They put on a show.”
New Milford’s lone score came in the second quarter when quarterback Reese Vanek connected with Zach Lisee for a touchdown. Besides that, the Masuk defense was impenetrable.
Masuk will to Notre Dame-West Haven next Friday in a non-conference showdown, with New Fairfield looming a week later.
New Milford falls to 3-2 with the loss, and the upcoming challenges will be steep with Amity next week and Xavier to follow.
“I couldn’t be happier with a 44-7 win,” Christy said. “I really like this team, they just play man.”
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Ryan Saccu, Masuk: The senior scored two touchdowns, one on each side of the ball. He had a 50-yard pick six to set the tone early in the game and had well over 100 receiving yards with a touchdown as well.