SHELTON — It was billed as a heavyweight fight and that is exactly what fans at Finn Stadium got between No. 8 New Canaan and No. 1 Shelton in the Class LL quarterfinals on Tuesday night.
After feeling each other out for most of the first half, the two teams exploded for 62 combined points in the second half with New Canaan outlasting Shelton 42-34.
The Rams advance to the semifinals where they will face No. 4 Fairfield Prep Sunday in Fairfield.
2018 CIAC Football Playoff Scoreboard
New Canaan quarterback Drew Pyne threw for three touchdowns and ran for another, finishing with 217 yards passing and 93 on the ground.
Shelton quarterback Jake Roberts was the signal caller known for being able to run or pass but on this night, it was Pyne on a few designed runs picking up huge yards for the Rams.
Pyne to O’Connell 5 yard pass 28-21 Rams 10:38 left #cthsfb pic.twitter.com/KtyxO5R2rb
— Scott Ericson (@EricsonSports) November 28, 2018
His biggest run coming with 1:28 left when he faked the hand off to the running back, taking the ball 38 yards for the touchdown, putting the Rams up by 14.
Pyne said he gives all the credit to offensive coordinator Dante Correnty for dialing up the run for him.
“All credit to (Correnty) and the line and all the guys faking it. They set it up and made it easy for me. I’m not juking or trucking anybody but I had an open lane and we took it,” Pyne said. “Shelton is a great team. They were undefeated and the No. 1 team for a reason. They were down and kept coming back and didn’t give up one bit.”
New Canaan scored with 34 seconds remaining in the first half, tying the score at 7-7 but the methodical nature of the first half quickly gave way to a slugfest in the second half.
The Rams went up by 14 on a 78-yard pass from Pyne to Quintin O’Connell followed by a pick-6 returned 12 yards by Drew Guida two plays later.
Shelton not dead yet. Roberts to Yakowicwz for TD 35-28 NC 2:06 left #cthsfb pic.twitter.com/ABFDddfhKC
— Scott Ericson (@EricsonSports) November 28, 2018
Shelton would not go away.
The Gaels stormed back with Roberts hitting David Yakowicz for a 25-yard touchdown pass and then running one in himself from 3 yards out, leaving the game tied 28-28 after three.
That was just the appetizer for the fourth quarter.
Pyne hit O’Connell again, this time from 4 yards out, putting the Rams back on top.
With 3:32 left J.R. Moore of New Canaan busted through the line, scampering 42 yards for a touchdown.
Shelton would not go away.
The Gaels got back within seven with 2:06 left on a 12-yard pass from Roberts to Yakowicz.
It was then Pyne breaking free after the misdirection for his 42-yard score.
Shelton would not go away.
Shelton found the end zone again with 31 seconds remaining on a 9-yard pass from Roberts to Chris Thompson.
The ensuing onside kick was recovered by Shelton but the referee ruled illegal touching on the Gaels for not letting it travel 10 yards, ending the comeback attempt.
“I can’t say enough about my guys, they fought and scrapped after we got down and tied the game up,” Shelton coach Jeff Roy said. “We had a chance there at the end and they just kept fighting. That is a great group of kids and a great group of seniors who fought all year and their entire careers.”
RECORD BOOKS
Quintin O’Connell joined rarified air during the game. His final touchdown gave him 42 for his career, passing Chris Silvestri, who is currently the Rams defensive coordinator. That was the second-most important record he broke. The senior wideout also passed the legendary Pete Demmerle’s mark of 165 career receptions with a catch in the first half. That record had stood for 48 years. O’Connell finished with 14 catches for 172 yards and three touchdowns.
QUOTABLE
“This is my 38th year and those are records that stand in all-time and you don’t think will ever be broken. Quintin (O’Connell) has been our leading receiver his sophomore, junior and senior year. It’s tremendous. Shelton is a hell of a football team and very well coached. You can see why they were undefeated and we were fortunate to be able to make some plays today.” — LOU MARINELLI, New Canaan coach
NEW CANAAN 42, SHELTON 34
NEW CANAAN 0 7 14 21—42
SHELTON 0 7 14 13—34
- S—Jake Roberts 4 run (Nick Andrade kick)
- NC—Quintin O’Connell 18 pass Drew Pyne (Nicholas Radman kick)
- NC—O’Connell 78 pass Pyne (Radman kick)
- NC—Drew Guida 12 interception (Radman kick)
- S—David Yakowicz 25 pass Roberts (Andrade kick)
- S—Roberts 3 run (Andrade kick)
- NC—O’Connell 4 pass Pyne (Radman kick)
- NC—J.R. Moore 42 run (Radman kick)
- S—Yakowicz 12 pass Roberts (Andrade kick)
- NC—Pyne 38 run (Radman kick)
- S—Chris Thompson 9 pass Roberts (kick failed)
