QB Jack Shaban and Barlow defeated Notre Dame-Fairfield 56-8 on Saturday to set up a winner-take-all game vs. Brookfield for a spot in the SWC title game.
Brookfield’s 47-7 win over New Milford and Barlow’s 56-8 victory over Notre Dame-Fairfield set up a winner-take-all showdown for the last spot in the SWC championship.
Barlow plays host to Brookfield at Western Connecticut State Friday night at 7 p.m.
Barlow is playing for its first SWC championship berth and its first league title. The only other time it reach a league championship was in 1987 when it lost to Bethel 35-13 in the old Western Connecticut Conference title game.
“I’ve never been a part of it in my 22 years,” Barlow coach Rob Tynan said. “I’ve had some good teams but we’ve never got to this point.
“So it’s a huge game Friday night. It’s a playoff game, that’s how we look at it. We have to get back to practice, get some people healthy and be ready to play.”
Quarterback Jack Shaban ran 12 times for 171 yards and three touchdowns and Barlow amassed 551 yards on the ground in the victory over Notre Dame-Fairfield. Zach Raposo (114 yards rushing) and Harry Wilson (144) both scored two times. Barlow recovered two fumbles and had an interception in the first half.
“It’s pretty exciting,” senior quarterback Jack Shaban said. “Since this class came to school we always said we want to be remembered for years to come throughout Barlow. If we do what we think we’re capable of in the next few games and into states, hopefully that can happen.”
Brookfield is playing for its first appearance in the SWC title game since 2009 when it defeated Newtown 28-7. Its only other SWC title was in 2005. The Bobcats did win three straight WCC titles from 1993-1995. The Bobcats have won six straight games since a 35-7 loss to Newtown in Week 3.
Barlow defeated Brookfield 29-22 last season.
Defending league champion Newtown (9-0, with next week’s Immaculate forfeit), clinched the top spot in the SWC playoff standings a week prior. It defeated Barlow 49-36 in Week 4.
Newtown also clinched the first Class LL playoff berth with Barlow’s win over Notre Dame-Fairfield.
