New Canaan Gets Defensive in 20-0 Turkey Bowl Win Over Darien

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[Note: This article originally was published on Darienite.com.]

With a strong wind blowing out of Darien High School’s north end zone, it looked like the elements would be a factor in Thursday morning’s Turkey Bowl between the Blue Wave and the New Canaan Rams.

In the end, Mother Nature had nothing on New Canaan’s defense. On the strength of four turnovers, three of which led to scores, the Rams pulled off a shocking 20-0 win over No. 3 Darien. “They outplayed us start to finish,” Darien head coach Rob Trifone said. “We certainly had our opportunities, we were in the red zone quite a bit but we couldn’t cash in.

Around Town

A History of Christmas Caroling at God’s Acre

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Caroling at God’s Acre for Christmas is one of New Canaan’s most cherished events of the year, a nostalgic, Rockwellian gathering that brings the community together unlike any other celebration. A sacred and treasured tradition, the Christmas Eve gathering distinguishes New Canaan from surrounding towns. Held on the plot of land above which the Congregational Church was built—the institution upon which the town was founded—the caroling sees scores of New Canaanites descend each year on what literally is hallowed ground, as it is believed many of New Canaan’s settlers are still buried at God’s Acre. But how did it start, and when? The first documented instance of caroling at God’s Acre occurred on Christmas Eve in 1916, according to historian Mary Louise King’s book Portrait of New Canaan, published by the New Canaan Historical Society.

Sports

Sweeney Scores 1,000th Point; New Canaan Falls to St. Joe’s

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Tyler Sweeney would be the first person to tell you he’d trade every point he’s ever scored for a win. The New Canaan senior basketball star has seen more than his share of personal success over his four-year career—success that unfortunately hasn’t translated into wins for the Rams.

Even so, Sweeney—as he has been every game since cracking the New Canaan lineup as a freshman—was a huge bright spot in the Rams 58-42 Senior Night loss to St. Joe’s, netting the 1,000th point of his career. Sweeney became the first century scorer at New Canaan since the great Monroe Trout hit the mark in the 1979-80 season. He is only the fourth 1,000-point scorer in NCHS boys basketball history joining Wilky Gimore, Bill Saunders and Trout in that exclusive club (former girls basketball star Sara Mannelly also scored 1,000 points for the Rams).

Sports

Knight and Conley Strike Gold at FCIAC Indoor Track Championships

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Two New Canaan track and field athletes took first place in their respective events at Thursday’s FCIAC boys indoor championship held at New Haven’s Floyd Little Athletic Center. Sean Knight blew away the field in the 55-meter hurdles, as the junior established a personal-best time of 7.86 seconds. Sophomore Jack Conley took home the gold in the shot put. Conley’s throw of 48’3″ narrowly edged his older brother Will Conley by a mere half-inch. The Rams finished in fifth place as a team, as Danbury won its fourth consecutive conference indoor title.

News

Three New Canaan High School Athletes Sign National Letters of Intent To Play Sports in College

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Three New Canaan High School student athletes signed their National Letters of Intent to play at the collegiate level during National Signing Day on Wednesday. Madison Starr signed to play soccer at Wagner College. Starr was one of New Canaan’s four captains as a senior, leading the offense as the Rams’ striker and making the All-FCIAC First Team in 2016. Starr was an integral part of New Canaan’s magical run to the 2015 Class LL State semifinals. Will Conley will take his considerable football talents to Fordham University.