Newington Tops Wethersfield in Football Finale

Newington defeated Wethersfield 28-20 in the 45th Thanksgiving Classic at Alumni Field on Nov. 26.

The Nor’easters jumped out to a quick 14-0 lead on a pair of touchdowns from Austyn Howe. Howe’s first was a nine-yard touchdown run and the second a 36-yard touchdown reception from Paddy Brown off a flea-flicker.

Wethersfield’s T.J. Smith scored on an 11-yard run with 6:06 left in the second quarter before Newington countered with a pair of rushing touchdowns from Shakir Smith. Smith scored from 3 yards out late in the first half and from 15 yards away with 7:55 remaining in regulation. 

Eagles freshman quarterback Cam Righi threw a pair of touchdowns in the closing minute. Righi found Ethan Lemos from 10 yards out with .58 seconds remaining and then, following an onside kick, connected with Lemos on a 41-yard Hail Mary. Wethersfield recovered a second onside kick as time expired on the game and the season.

Wethersfield, who battled key injuries all season, finished 6-4.

Newington now holds a 24-20-1 advantage in the annual holiday game against their rivals. It ended one of the most successful offensive seasons in the program’s history as the Nor’easters averaged 38.3 points per game, second only to the 1979 team (41.3) which won the state championship. 

Brown, a junior, set a new program benchmark with 30 touchdown passes and Josiah Ross set a new mark with 61 receptions, also scoring 12 total touchdowns. Howe should get serious consideration for Gatorade Player of the Year after scoring 21 touchdowns (14 receiving, 6 rushing, and a kickoff return) and throwing three more. Howe also converted a team-high 13 two-point conversions and intercepted six passes on defense. 

​Newington finished the season 7-3.