Rhodd set the tone early and senior running back Dylan Danko followed his lead, as did the Blue Knights defense. Danko had 14 carries for 195 yards and three touchdowns. He booted a field goal for good measure in the fourth quarter.
"This was an outstanding game," said Danko. "It feels like the first game of the year. The offensive line was great. I couldn't have asked for more. We had the best holes all year."
Rhodd staked Southington to a 6-0 lead in the first quarter. Quarterback Connor Butkiewicz (10-13 passing for 144 yards, a touchdown and an interception) fired a 94-yard scoring missile to Anthony Florian put the Knights up 12-0.
Devon Carrillo scored Middletown's only TD of the game with a 5-yard run with 6:05 until halftime. That's when Danko took over, converting touchdowns on runs of 8, 36 and 4 yards before kicking a 27-yard field goal in the fourth quarter.
"I enjoy kicking," he said. "It's my favorite part of the game."
Defensively, Southington got interceptions from Rob Krawczyk, Matt Cullins, Nick Gothberg and Dan Snyder. Krawczyk also recovered a fumble.
"There are 13 or 14 guys rotating (on defense) and they're all playing," Southington coach Bill Mella said. "You never know how they're going to jell together on Friday night. I'm proud of all my kids and my coaches."
Southington improved to 4-2 overall and 3-2 in CCC Division I with the victory. Middletown remained winless at 0-6 and 0-5.
Southington 35, Middletown 7
At Fontana Field
Middletown 00-07-00-00-07
Southington 06-14-12-03-35
First Quarter
S-Mike Rhodd 70 yard kick-off return (Pass failed) 11:48
Second Quarter
S-Anthony Florian 94 pass from Connor Butkiewicz (Pass failed) 10:12
M-Devon Carrillo 5 pass from Jason Woods (Trevor Perry kick) 6:05
S-Dylan Danko 8 run (Florian pass from Butkiewicz) 3:34
Third Quarter
S-Danko 36 run (Pass failed) 11:45
S-Danko 4 run (Pass failed) 4:43
Fourth Quarter
S-Danko 27 field goal 8:47
