Last week it was the Tigers, this week it was the Lions. Too bad the Norwalk Bears aren’t on New Canaan’s schedule.
Sterling O’Hara (#43) with a tackle. (Terry Dinan photo)
New Canaan’s stifling defense coupled with a quick-strike offense was simply too much for Bassick High School as they overwhelmed the Lions 43-6 in front of a packed house at Dunning Field.
And while the win may have lacked the drama of last week’s nail biting win over Hand, it was a satisfying one for Rams head coach Lou Marinelli.
“Our kids came out early and took care of business early,” Marinelli told NewCanaanite.com. “We got to see a lot of different people, so it was good.”
One of those people that Bassick probably wishes it didn’t see was New Canaan’s Sterling O’Hara.
The Rams senior had a stellar night on the defensive side of the ball, intercepting two Bassick passes which set up two New Canaan scoring drives.
“I just played what we do best,” O’Hara said. “I saw them coming at me, kept everything in front and saw the ball in the air and got it. That’s what we’re taught to do.”
Parker Lynch (#77) and Zach Allen (#44) combine on a hit. (Terry Dinan photo)
After stopping Bassick on the game’s opening drive, the Rams – for the second straight week – scored a touchdown on their first offensive series. On second down, New Canaan quarterback Mike Collins threw a screen pass to running back Matt Cognetta, who outraced the Lions 46 yards down the sideline to the end zone for a 7-0 Rams lead with 7:24 left in the first quarter.
After New Canaan’s defense held Bassick to a three-and-out forcing a punt, the Rams’ offense wasted little time adding to the lead. A Collins-to-O’Hara completion was good for 35 yards, putting the ball at the Lions 24-yard line. Two plays later, senior co-captain Alex LaPolice took the ball around the left side of the line and ran untouched to the end zone for a 13-0 New Canaan lead with just over 5 minutes left in the first quarter.
Then it was Sterling’s time to shine.
New Canaan’s Sterling O’Hara. (Terry Dinan photo)
On the fourth play of the ensuing Bassick drive, O’Hara picked off Lions quarterback Eric Jones and returned the ball to the Bassick 26-yard line. New Canaan was unable to convert a first down, but sophomore kicker Jack Hoelzer booted a 39-yard field goal to extend the Rams lead to 16-0 with 2:22 left in the opening quarter.
On the very next series, an ill-advised Jones pass ended up in O’Hara’s hands again, setting New Canaan up at the Lions’ 21. Three plays later, on the first snap of the second quarter, Collins floated a 9-yard TD pass to senior co-captain Zach Allen for a 23-0 New Canaan lead.
Sterling O’Hara breaks up a pass. (Terry Dinan photo)
The Lions were unable to answer offensively, as the New Canaan defense continued to drive Bassick backwards. A penalty, a bad snap and junior linebacker David Strupp’s second sack of Jones on the night forced Bassick to punt from its own 6-yard line. The ensuing punt traveled only one yard, and New Canaan was set up again with great field position at the Lions 7-yard line. Matt Cognetta ran it in on the first play from scrimmage for another Rams touchdown, as New Canaan led 30-0 with 7:44 left in the half.
Mike Collins had 3 TD passes on the night. (Terry Dinan photo)
After yet another Bassick three-and-out, New Canaan mounted its sixth consecutive scoring drive of the first half. Four straight runs moved the ball to the Lions 26-yard line. From there, Collins found junior receiver Kyle Smith across the middle for a 26-yard TD and a 36-0 New Canaan lead with 3:49 to go in the half.
For Collins it was his third touchdown pass of the game out of only four completions – efficacy that had his coach smiling.
“That’s not so bad,” Marinelli said with a laugh after the game. “He’s getting better and better. He’s young, but I think we have it going in the right direction.”
Lou Marinelli give the Rams a postgame speech. (Terry Dinan photo)
After pulling most of their starters in the second half, New Canaan added a touchdown in the fourth quarter on backup quarterback James Crovatto’s 17-yard run, giving New Canaan a 43-0 lead. Bassick was finally able to get on the board, closing out the game’s scoring on a Tim Jenkins 6-yard TD run to make it 43-6 Rams.
“I think they (Bassick) were just a little bit out-manned,” Marinelli said. “After a while it just kind of wears on you, but I think they did a hell of a job.”
 Sterling O'Hara (#43) witha tackle. (Terry Dinan photo) | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bassick | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 6 |
| New Canaan | 16 | 20 | 0 | 7 | 43 |
*NC – Matt Cognetta 46-yd. pass from Collins (Hoelzer kick)
*NC – LaPolice 24-yd. run (kick no good)
*NC – Hoelzer 39-yd. FG
*NC – Allen 9-yd. pass from Collins (Hoelzer kick)
*NC – Matt Cognetta 7-yd. run (Hoelzer kick)
*NC – Smith 26-yd. pass from Collins (kick no good)
*NC – Crovatto 17-yd. run (Hoelzer kick)
*B – Jenkins 6-yd. run (run failed)
Key NC stats:
* Mike Collins: 4-7, 116 passing, 3 TD’s - all in 1st half
* Matt Cognetta: 2 TD's (1 rush, 1 receiving), 57 total yards
* Sterling O'Hara 2 INT's, 1-35 receiving
* David Strupp 2 sacks
* New Canaan scored on all 6 offensive possessions of the first half (5 TD's, 1 FG)
* Bassick was 1-for-14 on 3rd down conversions and 0-for-4 on 4th down conversions.
* New Canaan was playing without senior co-captain OL Jim Keneally, who injured his foot against Hand.
The Rams (2-0) take on Greenwich (0-2) next Saturday, 9/27 at Dunning Field. This is New Canaan’s homecoming game, and kickoff will be at 1:30pm.
Co-captains Zach Allen and Alex LaPolice had a lot to smile about Friday night vs. Bassick. (Terry Dinan photo)
It was Youth Football Night at Dunning for some future Rams. (Terry Dinan photo)
Zach Allen (#44), Parker Lynch (#77) and Sterling O’Hara (#43) with a stop. (Terry Dinan photo)
Huge crowd at Dunning for the Rams home opener. (Terry Dinan photo)
Zach Allen catches a TD pass as Alex LaPolice looks on. (Terry Dinan photo)
Jarrett Torromeo with tight coverage. (Terry Dinan photo)