Sixth Grade Football Playoffs: Wilton Blue 7 - Ridgefield Black 0

Unfazed by the one-sided history of the Wilton-Ridgefield football rivalry, the Wilton Blue sixth grade football team used a total team defensive effort to blank Ridgefield Black 7-0 in a FCFL semifinal game at Fujitani Field on Sunday to earn a spot in the finals to be played in Wilton next weekend.

Although the Tigers had a size advantage at most positions, it was one of Wilton’s smaller players who set the tone for his teammates from the first play.  Beating the block of Ridgefield’s massive tight end, Niko Kouvaris dropped the Tigers running back for no gain on the first play of the game and pummeled him out of bounds on the second.

On Ridgefield’s second possession Steven Tuin, Kyle Hyzy and Dominick Polito all made tackles for loss forcing a punt to the Wilton 35.

The offensive line of Jack Lenz, Noah Levi, Polito, Sean Purdy, Jack Savarese, Erik Lebek and Jack DiRocco paved the way for Jimmy O’Brien and Hyzy who pounded the ball up the field.  Then on third and one at the Warrior 44, Austin Andersen burst through a hole on the left side opened by Lebek, Savarese and Purdy, then cut to the outside and outraced the Ridgefield defenders to the goal line for the game’s only touchdown.  Jack DiRocco’s kick made it 7-0 Wilton.

 Midway through the second quarter, after the Warriors gave up the ball up on downs at the Ridgefield 46, the Tigers mounted a drive.  Jack DiRocco nearly picked off a Ridgefield pass, but the Tigers converted a first down on the next play.  On second and three at the Warrior 22, Hyzy dropped the ball carrier for a two yard loss and then on fourth and two, Hyzy and Andersen combined to stop the Ridgefield runner short of the first down.

Just two plays later Ridgefield intercepted an errant pass at the Wilton 21, but the Warrior defense rose to the occasion as Savarese and Levi made consecutive stops for no gain and Hyzy blew up a reverse for a nine yard loss.  On fourth and 18 the Warrior defense gang tackled the runner to put an end to the threat.

Early in the second half, the Warrior defense was tested again as Ridgefield recovered a fumble at the Warrior 30.  On fourth and six at the 16, the swarming Warrior defense stopped Ridgefield cold as nearly all of the defensive eleven on the field were in on the tackle.

Once again the Warriors had trouble moving the ball and were forced to punt, one of five times Ridgefield’s defense forced Wilton to kick on the day.  With good field position at midfield and no success running the ball against the tenacious Warrior defense, Ridgefield took to the air.  However, Wilton was up for the challenge as Austin Andersen picked off the throw at midfield and returned the interception 24 yards to the Ridgefield 26.

The Warriors gave the ball over again on downs and Ridgefield mounted another effort to tie the game moving all the way to midfield where Levi and Andersen made consecutive tackles for no gain.  On the next play Cooper Heinemann manhandled the blocker assigned to him, recognized a reverse and buried the ball carrier for an eleven yard loss, essentially ending Ridgefield’s hopes and ensuring the Warrior victory.

While many players made standout defensive plays, it was a total team effort by the defense against a very large, physical Ridgefield team that led the Warriors to victory.

Now 8-1 on the season, Wilton Blue will play long-time nemesis New Canaan Black for the championship this coming weekend at Fujitani Field in Wilton.