New Haven Register (New Haven, CT)
Ansonia holds off Oxford with pair of goal-line stands
ANSONIA — Could the Oxford defense hold Ansonia running back Darell McKnight in check was thought to be the determining factor when the NVL rivals met at Jarvis Stadium Friday.
Defense was the key. Only it was Ansonia, now 2-0, that passed the litmus test in its 28-13 victory.
Oxford twice drove inside the Ansonia 10 in the second quarter. Both times it was repelled.
“We couldn’t punch in the couple of times we had a chance,” Oxford coach Joe Stochmal said. “Anytime you come down to Jarvis it is a challenge. Both teams are young, but I thought we both played well.”
Carlos Pinto, Preston Dzubina, Shawn Richards, Charles Bestman and Machi Ingram (interception) led the Ansonia defense.
Ansonia coach Tom Brockett’s squad won for the 96th time versus an NVL opponent. That includes playoffs. Not many were tougher to win then this one.
McKnight ran for 242 yards on on a clock-churning 30 carries. Cassetti finished rushed the ball 10 times for 141 yards, 89 yards came on six totes in the second half. He caught a TD pass from Chris Kaminski.
Quarterback Matt McGuire was the catalyst for Oxford, now 0-2. A sophomore, he threw for 95 yards and ran for 38. After Ansonia took a 21-6 lead on its first possession of the secon d half, McGuire threaded his way 64 yards down the sideline with the ensuing kickoff.
Ayden Ferrante rushed for 104 yards.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Darell McKnight, Ansonia: Finished with 242 rushing yards and three touchdowns. He twisted his leg in the second quarter and had to come off. He ran for 146 yards and a 31-yard touchdown after he returned.
QUOTABLE
“Oxford played phenomenal. They were quicker than we were on both sides of the ball. Our defense did the job in the second quarter. Darell (McKnight) was great. Dave Cassetti did a lot of things well.” —Ansonia coach Tom Brockett
ANSONIA 28, OXFORD 13
OXFORD ............................. 0 6 7 0 — 13 ANSONIA ......................... 7 8 13 0 — 28 A — Darell McKnight 5-yard run (Paul Palmer kick)
O — Matt McGuire 7-yard run (kick failed) A — McKnight 2-yard run (McKnight run) A — Dave Cassetti 11-yard pass from Chris Kaminski (run failed)
O — McGuire 64-yard kickoff return (Tracey Ray kick)
A— McKnight 31-yard run (Palmer kick)