Fifth Grade Football Playoffs: New Canaan Red 6 - Wilton Blue 0

The Fifth grade Wilton Blue football team played their hearts out Tuesday night at Dunning Stadium, but lost to a talented New Canaan squad, 6-0, in a hard fought battle where one well-executed offensive play made the difference in a game dominated by smothering defenses on both sides. 

All season these boys practiced hour upon hour, drill upon drill, working toward a fleeting moment of weekend glory on the gridiron.  They and their brethren have been immortalized in song – they are the Boys of Fall.  They dedicated themselves to a uniquely American tradition that builds character, teamwork and self-sacrifice, where success is earned by the most talented, and the hardest working, which is almost an anachronism in today's entitlement society.

When the final whistle blew Tuesday night at the end of the last game in a glorious 7-2 season, when victory slipped from their grasp, the young Warriors didn't ask if it was fair.  They shook hands at midfield, congratulated the victor, and vowed to be back next year with renewed resolve.

Led by an incredibly dedicated group of coaches – Head coach Matt Zeyher and assistant coaches Artie DiRocco, John DiRocco, Carl Lenz, Chris Hyzy, Joe Savarese and Joe Polito, this talented group of fifth grade boys learned a lot about life and themselves.

The fifth grade blue football team: Austin Andersen, Anthony Andre, Zachary Bargon, Connor Burke, Patrick Burke, R2 DiRocco, Jack DiRocco, Camilo Galeano, Dean Griffin, Kyle Hyzy, Brady Kuczo, Erik Lebek, Jack Lenz, Ben Leung, Noah Levi, Sean Millar, Dominick Polito, Jack Savarese, Oliver Shulman, Ciaran Smith, Cole Snyder, Sean Soltis, Dante Stella, Steven Tuin and Jake Zeyher.