Wreckers edge Eagles
Late pick-6 spoils Petroccio’s Westport homecoming
WESTPORT — It was destined to be an emotional night in Westport, but this went far beyond expectations.
On a night when Staples honored former head coach Marce Petroccio, now leading the Trumbull football team from the visitors’ sideline, senior Charlie Howard’s 73-yard pick six with 17 seconds remaining gave the Wreckers a dramatic 27-20 victory late
Friday night.
It was a thrilling return to CIAC tackle football after an absence of more than 600 days.
“Everyone stepped up and to be in this atmosphere, see all those fans, and see everyone here, I’m just so happy,” Staples captain and quarterback Ryan Thompson said. “I want to give all the credit in the world to Trumbull. Those are some of the biggest and fastest kids I’ve ever seen.
“It was just a fun game and it’s great to be back here.”
The Wreckers were dominant in the first half and scored twice, first on a 10-yard pass from Thompson to Nick Armentano in the opening quarter, and then on a 4-yard run by Tanner Connors.
In the third quarter, Trumbull got on the scoreboard when Nick Tuccinardi capped a drive with a 2-yard touchdown run.
Thompson and Staples answered as the QB hit James Hillhouse for a 21yard touchdown and a 20-6 lead with 2:50 remaining in the third.
Trumbull responded when Corbin Smith caught a 29-yard TD pass from quarterback Hunter Agosti, closing the gap to 20-12.
In the fourth quarter, Agosti connected with Owen Solano for a 10-yard score, and then ran the ball in for two points to tie the game 20-20 with 8:27 remaining.
“Trumbull’s a good football team and Marce is a Hall of Fame coach,” Staples coach Adam Behrends said. “To be able to not fold and keep swinging and see the kids keep going — I was really proud to see that out of them.”
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Ryan Thompson, Staples. The senior quarterback delivered a fantastic performance in football’s return to action, passing for nearly 300 yards and striking for a pair of touchdowns.
QUOTABLE
“It’s really not about me. It was nice and everything but quite honestly, just to be back playing football again is awesome. What a helluva game. The first night, the first game in 654 days. We battled, we just couldn’t get over the hump.” — Trumbull coach Marce Petroccio after Staples honored the former Wreckers coach with a pregame video.