DOMINATION
Prep defense clamps down on Shelton in top-10 showdown
FAIRFIELD — There are statements.
And then there’s the statement the Fairfield Prep football team made defeating Shelton 54-0 Friday night at Rafferty Stadium.
The highly-anticipated SCC showdown between teams ranked in the GametimeCT Top 10 poll proved to be a one-sided affair from the opening whistle.
The No. 5 ranked Jesuits used their relentless defense and the strong running of Dan Barnick to dominate in all facets.
“We bring the juice consistently,” Fairfield Prep linebacker Ryan O’Connell said. “We swarm to the play. We’re not the biggest, but we swarm to the ball and give our best effort.”
Fairfield Prep (7-1) has won its last three games by shutout, out-scoring its opponents 144-0 in the process. Sixth-ranked Shelton (7-2) came in averaging over 27 points a game, but barely managed a first down Friday.
The victory also moved Prep into the No. 2 spot in the Class LL playoff rankings following previously undefeated Hall’s loss to Maloney on Friday.
“It was a great week of practice,” Fairfield Prep coach Keith Hellstern said. “The kids were completely dialed in from our first weekly lift, to the film, to everything. It felt like it should feel to be in this position.”
Prep held Shelton to seven yards on its first possession before a punt. On the next Gaels possession, Prep’s Jonathan Morris recovered a fumble that set up Barnick’s 33yard touchdown run up the right sideline two plays later.
The Jesuits never looked back. “That was huge,” O’Connell said. “When our offense gets it going, our defense just knows to get our foot on the pedal.”
After another Gaels punt, Barnick scored his second touchdown of the first quarter — this time from five yards out — to make it 14-0. Three plays later Jesuits senior Tymaine Smith stripped a Gaels receiver and turned it into a 38-yard touchdown.
“That’s another senior leader making a play on something we
drill every week,” Hellstern said.
The Jesuits broke it open even further late in the first quarter on Jack Mullen’s safety, aided by strong kickoff coverage that gave the Gaels the ball at their own 6-yard line.
“They played well,” Shelton coach Mike DeFelice said. “There’s really no other way to put it. We weren’t surprised by anything offensively or defensively. They made the plays and unfortunately our guys didn’t make the plays.”
The Jesuits extended their lead before halftime on an Aidan Graham field goal and Tim Pearson touchdown catch from Connor Smith. Smith later connected with James Iaropoli on a 25-yard score that made it 40-0 early in the third.
Meanwhile the Prep defense didn’t let up, harassing Shelton quarterback Michael Kinik and leaving little room for running backs Tyler Rich and Ayden Sepkaski to operate.
Prep finishes its regular season with Cheshire and West Haven, knowing after Friday’s result it likely controls its own path into the crowded Class LL field. As of Friday night Prep was among five one-loss teams, behind only Darien — the lone undefeated team left in Class LL.
“Xavier and West Haven have good teams,” O’Connell said. “We’re excited.”
Despite the loss, Shelton remains in solid shape to land a Class LL playoff spot, as well. The Gaels finish their regular season next week at Cheshire. The Gaels picked up a win earlier this week when longtime Thanksgiving Day
rival Derby announced it would forfeit the rest of its season.
“We just have to get ready for Cheshire because it’s going to hurt a lot worse if we go 7-3 rather than 8-2,” DeFelice said. “8-2 definitely gets us into the playoffs and then we go from there.”
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Dan Barnick, Fairfield Prep: The senior ran for 83 yards — and two scores — in the first quarter, setting an early tone for the Jesuits lopsided victory.
QUOTABLE
“It’s something we’re proud of, but something we’re not satisfied with and that’s the truth because they work so hard to get to this point. They keep wanting to improve and that’s the greatest compliment I can give to my team is that they keep working to be better every week especially after losing the 2020 season.” — Fairfield Prep coach Keith Hellstern on his team’s third straight shutout victory.
FAIRFIELD PREP 54, SHELTON 0
SHELTON .................................................................................................. 0 0 0 0— 0 FAIRFIELD PREP ..................................................................................... 23 10 7 14—54 FP—Daniel Barnick 33 run (Aiden Graham kick)
FP—Barnick 5 run (Graham kick)
FP—Tymaine Smith 38 fumble recovery (Graham kick)
FP—Jack Mullen safety
FP—Aidan Graham 38 field goal
FP—Tim Pearson 14 pass Connor Smith (Graham kick)
FP—James Iaropoli 25 pass Smith (Graham kick)
FP—Wally Wuchiski 1 run (Graham kick)
FP—Joe Cardozo 5 run (Graham kick)
Records: Shelton 7-2; Fairfield Prep 7-1