Penalty flags rained

down on the field like dry

leaves in autumn. The

Newington sidelines exploded,

and a swarm of players

from both sides converged

on the football. Coach Bill

Mella whirled on his bench,

red-faced and screaming.

“When have I ever

taught you to lose your composure,”

he stormed as referees

separated the melee on

the field.

One week after suffering

their third loss of the season,

the Nov. 6 match-up against

Newington was a new chapter

in recent history. For the

first time in Mella’s coaching

career, a varsity game had no

postseason implications for

either team.

This game was more

about poise than wins and

losses. It was more about

competition and pride. Of

course, the 32-21 victory

wasn’t hard to swallow as the

Knights prepare for their

next two contests and their

role as a spoiler.

“Our kids love the

chance to compete, and

that’s what we do,” said the

Southington coach. “Any

chance that we get, we’re

going to try to give it our best

shot. Hopefully, we’ll get

some good bounces, capitalize,

and execute what we’re

doing. That’s all good stuff.”

The Knights responded

to each early test. Newington

scored first, but Connor

Butkiewicz responded with

two touchdown passes to

Kyle Lentini (4 yards) and

Anthony Florian (46 yards) to

give Southington the lead

after one quarter.

Newington tied the

game with a 74-yard breakaway

score, but Butkiewicz

responded with a 12-yard

pass to K.J. Gemmell to take

a 20-14 lead at the half.

Butkiewicz completed 18 of

40 passes in the game,

throwing for five touchdowns.

Tyler Dube led all

receivers with 11 catches for

117 yards and two scores.

Florian had two catches for

77 yards as six Blue Knight

receivers combined for 259

yards in the air. Dylan Danko

led the ground assault with

20 carries for 123 yards.

“Pride and respect.

That’s what we want,” said

Butkiewicz. “We just want to

keep on doing what we’re

doing, saying that we’re one

of the best teams in the

state.”

Joe Pesce led the

defense with four sacks as

the Knights tried to regroup

after losing co-captain Jake

Rodriques to a season-ending

injury.

“We missed him, especially

being our captain and

our heart and soul,” said

Pesce. “A lot of younger kids

stepped up, and we just tried

to get in there and do our

best. We did tonight.”

Southington held

Newington receivers to just

58 yards. Jeremy Rodriguz

led the Indians with 135

yards rushing, but

Newington managed just 243

yards of offense despite three

touchdowns over 40 yards.

Matt O’Connor recovered a

Newington fumble, and Nick

Gothberg nearly scored on a

second half interception.

Mella hopes to carry the

momentum into

Southington’s last two contests

as the Knights (5-3) try

to upset Conard’s bid for a

perfect season and limit

Cheshire’s play-off hopes on

Thanksgiving Day.

“We had an interesting

week of practice,” said the

coach. “We finished really,

really strong. We started

competing. We started loving

competing again, and you

saw it out here. Even through

some adversity, bad passes,

and other things, we just

kept fighting. That’s just the

best thing ever. I’m proud of

them.”

The Knights will return

to Fontana Field on Friday,

Nov. 13 for their final home

game of the season. Conard

(8-0) hopes to continue their

bid for a perfect season.

Kick-off is scheduled for 7

p.m.

“Cheshire ended our

season last year, and we want

to do the same to them,” said

Butkiewicz. “Conard’s undefeated,

so we want to take a

win from them. If we can do

that, that will be great.

Seven-and-three is a good

season.”

Friday, November 13, 2009

Easy

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VINNY ROSSITTO

SPORTS WRITER

Our kids love the chance to

compete, and that’s what we do.

Any chance that we get, we’re

going to try to give it our best shot.