Newtown stunned for SWC crown by Masuk

NEWTOWN — After 11 weeks, nine full games and 47 minutes of football, the SWC title and Masuk football’s chance to play in the Class L state tournament came down to one play and one leg.

With six seconds left and the Panthers tied with Newtown, senior kicker Michael Epifano set up from 37 yards out while drowning out the noise. The ball was snapped and Epifano connected right down the middle for a 24-21 lead, sending the Panthers into hysteria and unofficially the Class L playoffs. The CIAC releases official pairings Friday.

“It felt great, I couldn’t have done it without my teammates,” Epifano said. “It is a great night, and it is great to be champions. It is all I could ask for.”

An interception by Jake Dellapiano at midfield with 31 seconds left set up the field goal attempt that would crown Masuk as SWC champion.

“We actually have games during practice where we find out how far he can go,” Masuk coach Steve Christy said. “He was one yard from his limit. That kid, he was cramping and hurting. He played great defense too.”

With Quinebaug Valley defeating Thames River on Wednesday night, Masuk has earned an unofficial bid to play in the Class L state tournament while a loss would have ended the season.

“This is for Masuk nation, for all the people from Masuk,” Christy said. “It has been ten years of struggles man, and this is a good team we just beat. We just never quit, we believe, and belief is a strong sense. I am so proud of these kids. They deserve this.”

Masuk has had plenty of experience in games coming down to the wire. Epifano’s kick won the game against Barlow two weeks ago and a two-point conversion put Masuk past New Fairfield the week before.

“To come off back-toback tight games against New Fairfield and Barlow, I think that prepared us for this,” Nick Saccu said. “We had been here before and there was no doubt in our minds we were going to drive down and score.”

Saccu had 134 yards rushing on 16 carries, including two touchdowns, the first on Masuk’s opening drive and the second with six minutes left to tie the game at 21-21. Saccu also had two receptions for 58 yards.

After Saccu’s first touchdown, Newtown quarterback Dylan Magazu took it in himself at the end of the

first quarter to tie the game 7-7. Newtown went up 14-7 with 15 seconds left in the half as Magazu connected with Andrew Swierbut for a 25-yard touchdown pass. With 50 seconds left in the third quarter, Masuk evened the game at 14-14 as Dylan Jackson (21 for 28, 231 yards) found Justin Briganti for a 17-yard touchdown pass.

“Justin Briganti, I think he’s a sleeper,” Saccu said. “He has had some big touchdowns in the past few games, and I love that guy to death.”

Magazu ran it in for his second touchdown of the game with 7:08 left in the game before Saccu responded a minute later.

“We don’t know who we will have next, but whoever it is I am sure it’ll be a challenging game,” Saccu said. “After this Thanksgiving break is over, time to get back to work.”

Newtown (6-4) needed a win to keep its playoff hopes alive. The season comes to an end for the defending SWC and 2019 Class LL champion.

“This is always tough, you want to end on a win and that is not always possible,” Newtown coach Bobby Pattison said. “I am proud of our senior group; they fought all year. It was a difficult schedule, and we had some challenges. We were right in it, we just came up short a few too many times this year.

PLAYER OF THE GAME

For the second game in a row Mike Epifano sends Masuk home as winners with a field goal, this time to claim the SWC title and earning a bid to the Class L state tournament. Feeling no pressure, Epifano has ice in his veins.

MASUK 24, NEWTOWN 21

MASUK ...................................... 7 0 7 10- 24 NEWTOWN .................................. 7 7 0 7 -21 M—Nick Saccu 2 run (Kick good)

N— Dylan Magazu 2 run (Kick good) N—Andrew Swierbut 25 pass from Magazu (Kick good)

M— Justin Briganti 17 pass from Dylan Jackson (Kick good)

N— Dylan Magazu 2 run (Kick good) M—Nick Saccu 3 run (Kick good) M—Michael Epifano 37 Field Goal