Defensively, the Blue Knights rallied behind injured captain Jake Rodrigues, who had ankle surgery this week and was on the sidelines in a wheelchair. Joe Pesce had four sacks and K.J. Gemmell had two.
"Our kids love a chance to compete," Mella said. "Any chance we get, we give it our best shot. It was fun watching Pesce tonight. He's an athletic go-getting kid."
"I have to give credit to the DBs," Pesce said. "They allowed me to get the four sacks. We missed Jake not being on the field since he is our captain. He's the heart and soul of the defense."
The game was a see-saw affair until Southington, trailing 21-20 late in the third quarter, scored the last two touchdowns - both on passes from Butkiewicz to fellow junior Tyler Dube.
Newington (3-5, 2-5 Div. I) opened the scoring on a 42-yard rushing touchdown by Jeremy Rodriguez. Butkiewicz answered before the first quarter was out with TD strikes to Kyle Lentini (3 yards) and Anthony Florian (46).
Rodriguez knotted the game at 14-14 on a 74-yard scamper earlyin the second quarter. Gemmell sent the Blue Knights into the locker room up 20-14 by hauling in an 11-yard TD pass from Butkiewicz.
The Indians took their second and final lead of the game with 9:25 to go in the third quarter on a 45 touchdown run by Freddie Ortiz. The extra point by Josh Barnett put the Tribe on top 21-20.
From there it was Butkiewicz to Dube, first from six yards late in the third quarter and then, following an interception by Matt O'Connor, from seven late in the fourth as Southington sealed its fifth win.
Dube was Butkiewicz's favorite target on the night. The receiver pulled in 10 catches for 108 yards.
Southington 32, Newington 21
At Alumni Field
Southington 14-06-06-06-32
Newington 06-08-07-00-21
First Quarter
N-Jeremy Rodriguez 42 run, (kick failed), 8:08
S- Tyler Lentini 3 pass from Connor Butkiewicz (kick failed), 6:08
S-Anthony Florian 46 pass from Butkiewicz, (Butkiewicz pass to Florian), 3:10.
Second Quarter
N-Rodriguez 74 run, (Jonathan Snyder run), 11:03.
S-K.J. Gemmell 11 pass from Butkiewicz, (run failed), 6:47.
Third Quarter
N-Freddie Ortiz 45 run (Josh Barnett kick), 9:25.
S-Tyler Dube 6 pass from Butkiewicz (pass failed), 3:57.
Fourth Quarter
S-Dube 7 pass from Butkiewicz (pass failed), 3:23.
