Greyhounds keep playoff hopes alive

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Naugatuck’s Devon Biancarelli (29) breaks loose for a touchdown versus Waterbury Career Nov. 11 in Naugatuck. Naugatuck won the game, 55-18. –ELIO GUGLIOTTI
Naugatuck’s Devon Biancarelli (29) breaks loose for a touchdown versus Waterbury Career Nov. 11 in Naugatuck. Naugatuck won the game, 55-18. –ELIO GUGLIOTTI

 

NAUGATUCK — The Greyhounds would not be denied victory in their final home game of the season.

After suffering a devastating loss to Wolcott on Nov. 4, Naugatuck came out with plenty of fire on senior night last Friday, scoring 30 points in the first quarter against Waterbury Career Academy to run away with a 55-18 win.

Naugatuck quarterback Mike Plasky, who accounted for 291 passing yards and four out of eight touchdowns on the night, said the goal of the night was for the Greyhounds to return to their old form as they chase a postseason berth.

“We came out hungry after the [Wolcott] game,” Plasky said. “It left a bad taste in our mouths, and we wanted to get one back and keep our state playoff hopes alive.”

The Greyhounds (7-2) wasted no time getting to work as sophomore Jacob Fazekas made his way to the end zone off a 10-yard run, opening the floodgates to a Garnett-and-Grey touchdown barrage.

Plasky connected with senior Dan Oladapo on an 11-yard touchdown before Fazekas ran in his second touchdown of the night from 14 yards out. Senior Devon Biancarelli broke loose on a 23-yard touchdown run, his first of two on the night, to give Naugatuck a 30-6 lead after the first quarter.

While the Spartans (4-5) were able to tally some points through quarterback Kyren Petteway, running back Matt Torres, and D-lineman Gabriel Humphrey (fumble recovery) it was not enough to topple the ‘Hounds as they continued to score.

“It was great,” Naugatuck head coach Craig Bruno said. “It was a good senior night. The kids deserved tonight they all played well and we’re proud of them.”

Naugatuck’s Jalen Datil (11) stiff arms Waterbury Career’s Jaden Battle (6) Nov. 11 in Naugatuck. Naugatuck won the game, 55-18. –ELIO GUGLIOTTI
Naugatuck’s Jalen Datil (11) stiff arms Waterbury Career’s Jaden Battle (6) Nov. 11 in Naugatuck. Naugatuck won the game, 55-18. –ELIO GUGLIOTTI

The second half belonged to the veteran Greyhounds on the field. Seniors Tyler Deitelbaum, Jalen Datil, and Biancarelli continued the scoring for Naugatuck and clinched the win on their final home game.

Datil, who recorded 214 yards and two receiving touchdowns on the night, wanted to end his career on Veterans Field on a high note.

“Most important was to get the ‘W’ today,” Datil said. “You know (it’s our) last day on this field and (there are) a lot of memories. I wanted to go out as a senior with a win and my teammates, I couldn’t have done it without them. … I’m just thankful for my career here.”

Deitelbaum, who also tallied a receiving touchdown, expressed his feelings on his final home game.

“It’s a special feeling, the last time coming out with your brothers on this field,” Deitelbaum said. “The seniors are going to be moving forward, and we knew we had to come out and win tonight. Being undefeated at home is really a special thing to do and we’ve been playing here since this field was just grass. Coming up now it’s just great to see the transformation and the guys coming up after us.”

Naugatuck has one game left in the regular season against undefeated Ansonia (9-0) on Thanksgiving. The Greyhounds are ninth in the Class L playoff rankings and need a win over Ansonia to clinch a playoff berth.