Pomperaug blanked by ND
SOUTHBURY — For the first time in almost two decades, Notre Dame-Fairfield is going to the state football playoffs.
The Lancers (7-2) secured their spot in Class S by defeating Pomperaug, 46-0, Wednesday night in the teams’ annual Thanksgiving series. While the Panthers (0-10) finish this season winless (the first time since 2015), NotreDame Fairfield makes its first trip to the postseason since 2002.
With history on the line, Notre Dame-Fairfield came out and immediately controlled the pace in the first half. After Denny put the Lancers on the board with a 2-yard carry, sophomore Jonathan Williamson added a 14-yard touchdown run for a 14-0 lead after the opening quarter.
The Panthers had no answer for the Lancers’ defense and were forced to punt on their first two offensive drives.
It didn’t help that Lancer junior Bailey Coleman quickly found Pomerpaug’s weak spot and closed the first half with a pick-six and, two minutes afterward, an additional interception.
Out of halftime, the Lancers (who now lead the
Thanksgiving series 4-3) continued their attack by picking up a Pomperaug fumble and running it to their 45-yard line. The Panthers retaliated by blocking a Notre Dame-Fairfield punt at 8:15 in the third after the Lancers’ first offensive drive without a score.
While it seemed like the Panthers finally had control of the momentum after the block, they continued to struggle offensively by dropping passes and being called for multiple penalties.
At 9:21 in the fourth quarter, Coleman scooped up a fumble from Panthers quarterback Zach Hartman and ran it to the 35 yard-line to start the Notre Dame’s final touchdown drive (a 1-yard carry by RaiJon Pettway).
“Just coming here and to go so far and to make history, it literally like means the world and makes me not want to stop and just go all the way with these guys,” said Lancers senior Tayshawn Dixon.
Notre Dame-Fairfield alumni lined the team’s sideline Wednesday night at Pomperaug to witness the program, which only dressed 19 players for the game, make history. For head coach John Johnson, being able to share this win with past players meant just as much as the team’s new history.
“We had a lot of alumni reach out to us, coaches as well as former players. It’s great to see the support,” Johnson said. “We have tons of support here. Our former players are home from college and came to support us as well as older alumni too. It’s something we haven’t seen at Notre Dame in a very very long time.”
PLAYER OF GAME
Bailey Coleman, Notre Dame-Fairfield, Jr., WR/ DB: Coleman finished Wednesday’s shutout with two interceptions (including his second-quarter pick-six) and a fumble return on 111 total yards.