'Classic' Game Helps Send Terriers To Playoffs

An extra point would end up being the difference in the Thanksgiving Day football game between Rocky Hill High School and as the Terriers beat the Indians 13-12 and earned a playoff berth.

Both teams will continue their seasons in the playoffs. With the win, Rocky Hill clinched the CCC Division III West crown and the sixth seed in the Class S Conference. Northwest Catholic finishes the season in fifth place in Class S.

“It was a hard-won game,” said Rocky Hill Assistant Coach Richard Dance, who confirmed the Terriers would face the combined team of Valley Regional and Old Lyme high schools on Tuesday at Valley Regional High School.

“The field was not the best I’ve played on,” said Rocky Hill running back Chris Young regarding the difficulties of keeping his balance on what he described as a “muddy field.” Young rushed for 58 yards on 20 carries. Full back Greg Marzilli gained 53 yards on 13 carries while running back Alex DeNardo rushed for 32 yards on nine carries.

Besides their rushing attack, Rocky Hill relied primarily on its defense, which held Northwest Catholic scoreless in the second half.

“The defense is like a big brother to us,” said Young, who scored on a 15-yard run in the second quarter that tied the game at 6-6. “They pick us up.”

Northwest Catholic scored first with quarterback Tyler Calitri throwing a 15-yard pass to wide receiver David Blackwell in the first quarter. The touchdown was scored after Northwest Catholic defensive back Christian Farrell recovered a fumble. In the second quarter, Northwest Catholic recovered another fumble and Henry Hayes scored a touchdown on a nine-yard pass from Calitri to make it 12-6.

Young scored a touchdown on a eight-yard run in the third quarter and tied the game 12-12 before Marzilli’s game-winning extra point.

Rocky Hill head coach David Coyne later called the event a "classic."

“It’s what people want in a Thanksgiving game."