West Hartford Mayor's Cup Goes to Hall in Exciting Overtime Contest

It was an exciting victory for Hall over Conard in the annual Mayor's Cup game between West Hartford's crosstown rivals, one that included multiple lead changes and a nail-biting overtime period.

The annual Conard-Hall football game, much more than a sporting contest, is a much-anticipated community event, written in pen on many calendars as soon as the schedules are announced.

The day included the Macca's annual tailgate – now in its second year as a fundraiser for Foodshare. "Last year we raised over $1,000, and we hope for the same," said Bob Macca as he grilled burgers for the 100-plus guests. Macca reported later that the event had raised $2,300.

Radio personality Brad Davis was there, including the tailgate as part of his "Turkey Tuesday" which kicked off earlier in the week. Frank Macca Sr., said Davis, had single-handedly donated more than 300 turkeys to Foodshare. Davis said the overall effort yielded 1,348 turkeys plus $30,000.

Hall's Human Right's Coalition collected toiletries and other items for Hurricane Sandy victims in Staten Island.

And this year, the game also lived up to everyone's expectations.

West Hartford Athletic Director Betty Remigino-Knapp estimated a crowd of about 2,000 in attendance – an "overflow gathering" with the bright blue of Hall and the bright red of Conard intermingling for the friendly yet intense rivalry between West Hartford's two high schools.

Neither team came into this year's game with any post-season plans on the line, unlike last year when Conard was undefeated and Hall had only lost one game when the teams met. But Hall's 4-5 record and Conard's 2-7 record coming into Saturday's game didn't matter a bit when the teams took the field at Hall's Chalmers Stadium.

Conard running back Stacy Thomas scored the first of his four touchdowns on Conard's first possession, and with Luke Rosow's extra point kick, Conard took the lead 7-0 at the 7:05 mark in the first quarter.

Hall answered with 7:17 to go in the second quarter with a touchdown by Joe Farrah. Tom Honyotski's extra point tied the game 7-7, and that was the score heading into the half.

Conard came out strong in the second half, with Thomas scoring on a 65-yard run. Rosow's kick made it 14-7 Conard with 11:42 left in the third quarter.

Hall took over and drove to Conard's 6-yard line before quarterback Zach Dobbins' throw was intercepted by Conard.

With 5:21 left in the third quarter, it was Hall running back Jordan Bell with a 47-yard touchdown run. Honyotski's kick was good, tieing the score 14-14.

Hall took the lead with 2:30 left in the quarter, with Dobbins' pass to wide receiver Neil Kelly resulting in an 89-yard completion. Honyotski got the extra point, and the third quarter ended with Hall on top 21-14.

Conard's Thomas answered quickly, with a 32-yard touchdown run at the 10:47 mark of the fourth quarter, but Hall's Chris Davis blocked Rosow's kick leaving Conard down a point, 21-20.

With 3:03 to go in the game, Thomas got his fourth touchdown of the day, giving Conard its third lead of the game. Quarterback Ryan Bell completed a pass to Lucas Fisher for the two-point conversion, putting Conard on top 28-21.

It was a one-touchdown game, and Hall made it happen, with LT Nembard's touchdown and Honyotski's extra point tieing the game at 28 with 1:08 left in regulation.

Conard was on offense to begin the overtime on the 10-yard line, but this time Hall stopped Thomas from scoring. Hall took over, and on their third play Honyotski's kick was good for a field goal, ending the game with a 31-28 victory for the Warriors.

"That was awesome," said West Hartford Mayor Scott Slifka as he presented the Mayor's Cup to Hall. Slifka whispered to the players that he is, in fact, a Hall graduate.

"Our kids played valiantly. I could not be more proud of them," said Conard head coach Rob Cersosimo.

Hall head coach Frank Robinson III said he decided to go for the field goal on the third play of overtime because if it failed they would still have another chance. However, he was confident in Honyotski. "We have faith in all of our guys," Robinson said.

"[Conard] definitely played extremely well and gave us everything they could," said Robinson. "Stacy Thomas – he's tough to take down. Thankfully we held him when it counted."

"It's one of those things, the kids [from both schools] all know each other; it's a great rivalry," Robinson said. "We knew Conard was going to bring it today. We're just happy how our kids played."

With Saturday's game complete, the 56th Mayor's Cup game is in the record book. Hall also won last year, but Conard leads the series 32-21-3.

Hall 31, Conard 28 (OT)

Conard (2-8)                  7  0    7  14  0 – 28

Hall (5-5)                        0  7  14    7  3 – 31

SCORING SUMMARY

First Quarter

C – Stacy Thomas 1 run (Luke Rosow kick), 7:05

Second Quarter

H – Joey Farrah 1 run (Tom Honyotski kick), 7:17

Third Quarter

C – Thomas 65 run (Rosow kick), 11:42

H – Jordan Bell 42 run (Honyotski kick), 5:21

H – Neil Kelley 89 pass from Zach Dobbins (Honyotski kick), 2:30

Fourth Quarter

C – Thomas 33 run (kick failed), 10:47

C – Thomas 3 run (Lukas Fisher pass from Ryan Bell), 3:03

H – L.T. Nembhard 6 run (Honyotski kick), 1:08

Overtime

H – Honyotski 20 FG

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING – Conard: Thomas 34-212, B.J. Edwards 9-20, Sean Nagel 6-17, Sean Carneiro 5-17, Ryan Bell 4-14. Hall: J. Bell 13-74, Farrah 6-9, Dobbins 5-17, Javone Bellamy 4-2, Nembhard 1-6.

PASSING – Conard: Owen Snyder 0-1-0, 0 yds., R. Bell 1-4-0, 30 yds. Hall: Dobbins 11-23-1, 236 yds.

RECEIVING – Conard: Edwards 1-30. Hall: Tovi Thomas 5-28, Kelley 3-135, Nembhard 2-73, J. Bell 1-0.