‘Hounds put away Indians

0
110
Naugatuck’s Jalen Datil (11) runs down the sideline for a 30-yard touchdown Nov. 14 against the Indians in Watertown. The Greyhounds won the game, 37-14. –KEN MORSE
Naugatuck’s Jalen Datil (11) runs down the sideline for a 30-yard touchdown Nov. 14 against the Indians in Watertown. The Greyhounds won the game, 37-14. –KEN MORSE

WATERTOWN — The game plan may not have been how the Naugatuck coaching staff drew it up, but the Greyhounds shook off a bone-chilling cold to get past the Watertown Indians last Friday by a 37-14 margin.

Jason Bradley and Bryan Coney hooked up on a 45-yard pass play on the ‘Hounds first play from scrimmage and it looked like the typical performance for a Naugatuck team that has hung up an average of 48 points on the board.

Two plays later Bradley was intercepted in the end zone when Matt Martino stepped in front of the intended receiver to stop the scoring drive. Bradley went on to match his season total of three interceptions as Matt Terizzi picked off two more passes to slow down the run-and-gun Greyhounds.

The Naugatuck defense rose to the occasion though, holding Watertown to three-and-out on five consecutive possessions.

The Naugy offense eventually found its rhythm. Led by Bradley, (12-of-22, 229 yards, three touchdowns, three interceptions) and Coney (seven catches, 137 yards, two touchdowns) the ‘Hounds pulled away in the second half.

“Jason didn’t have his best game but did manage to find his receivers and we got out of here with a win,” Naugatuck head coach Craig Bruno said. “It was a tough game with the cold but we talked things over at the half and came out and put it away in the second half.”

Jalen Datil got things going for the Greyhounds. Datil converted a fourth-and-2 on a 30-yard scamper down the sidelines to put Naugatuck on the board 6-0 with 7:01 left in the first quarter.

After the score, the offense sputtered slightly. On Naugy’s third possession of the game Bradley was picked off again at midfield.

The uncharacteristic slow start by the offense lit a fire under the defense. Socrates Ilunga, Will Paul and Logan Bond put pressure on up front as P.J. Murphy, Kevin Robinson and Aaron Yourison pummeled the Watertown ball carries for losses of 4 and 6 yards forcing another three-and-out.

Bradley bounced back hitting Antoine Sistrunk (68 rushing, 40 receiving) out of the backfield and the junior running back took it 40 yards down field leaving a wake of Watertown tacklers. Coney pulled down a 5-yard touchdown grab to open up a 12-0 advantage with 2:55 left in the opening quarter.

Bradley and Coney hooked up again on a one-play drive covering 51 yards and Mike Plasky split the uprights on the extra point for a 19-0 lead heading into the second quarter.

Watertown finally found a hole in the Naugatuck defense going on an 11-play drive that picked up five first downs. Indians quarterback Kyle Skalanta took it in from 2 yards out and Dan Desaulniers booted the extra point to cut the deficit at 19-7.

The Indians looked like they were going to get back in the game as they went on another sustained drive of 16 plays, aided by two fourth-down penalties by the Greyhounds, but time ran out on the half.

“We made a few mistakes that helped them out,” Bruno said. “But every game takes on a life of its own and we were able to grind it out. We talked about being emotionally ready to finish the game and Antoine got us going with a quick score to start the second half.”

Sistrunk took the first hand off in the second half for a 45-yard run. Four plays later he punched it in from 2 yards out for a 25-7 lead. Sistrunk then went 44 yards on an interception return and Naugy was pounding on the door again.

Bradley threw a 4-yard scoring strike to Chris Quarles and with 8:58 left in the third quarter the ‘Hounds opened up a 31-7 advantage.

After giving up 115 yards and nine first downs in the second quarter alone the Naugatuck defense stepped it up holding Watertown to just 17 yards in the third quarter on three possessions.

The final scoring drive for Naugatuck came in the fourth quarter when Tyler Deitlebaum (seven carries, 38 yards) and Devon Biancarelli (four carries, 25 yards) began pounding through the line.

Deitlebaum scored his fourth touchdown of the season on a 5-yard blast with 6:19 to go. Watertown scored on the last drive of the game as Jaylen Arline got in on a 5-yard carry to make it a 37-14 final margin.

Naugatuck will host St. Paul Friday at 7 p.m. A win over St. Paul could push the Greyhounds into the state playoffs for the first time in four years.