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WILTON, Conn. Despite a marked size disadvantage, the Wilton 4 White team outhit Ridgefield in a 21-8 victory that was not as close as the score might suggest.
Ridgefield knew it was in trouble from the first series when the Wilton defensive front of Griffin Morris, Trent Hollings, Jack Santomero, Oliver Shulman, Nick Sheehan and Patrick Coulter smothered the Tiger running backs and held the Ridgefield offense to no gain, forcing a punt.
The Warrior offense took over and promptly marched 41 yards for a score with Drew Phillips rushing for 21 yards on one play and Austin Andersen for 13 on another as the offensive line of Erik Lebek, Stephen Kendra, Eric Zhang, D.J. DiCostanzo, Dean Griffin, Cooper Heinemann and Griffin Morris manhandled the larger Ridgefield defensive front. Phillips scored the TD and added the two-point conversion to make it 8-0 Wilton midway through the first quarter.
After a second three-and-out, the Warriors again drove quickly downfield. Niko Kouvaris led the offense with a nifty 22-yard reverse from his wingback spot (video link). Running behind a block from Camilo Galeano, Kouvaris later scored from the 5. Matthew LaManna added the extra point, putting Wilton up 15-0 early in the second quarter.
Throughout the game the Warrior defense maintained the tone set early on. On play after play, the Ridgefield backs were pummeled by the Warrior linebacking corps of Cole Stephenson, Phillips, Ben Leung and Austin Andersen. The game was a highlight reel of big hits by Phillips, Andersen (video link), Tate Falta, Morris and Hollings. When Ridgefield took to the air, defensive backs Dominick Caratozzolo, LaManna and Kouvaris were there to foil every Tiger pass attempt. The defense forced three fumbles, with recoveries made by Sheehan, Phillips and Morris.
Back on offense in the second half, with Ryan Healey calling signals, the relentless Warrior attack struck again. The opening drive of the half went 60 yards on five plays. Drew Phillips had runs of 11 and 12 yards and Austin Andersen rumbled 25 on another play (video link). Phillips again scored the touchdown (video link) to put the young Warriors up 21-0.
To their credit, despite the ferocious play of the Warriors, Ridgefield managed a late score to make the final tally 21-8.
Wilton White puts its sterling 7-0 record on the line in the regular season finale vs. a tough New Canaan Red team Saturday, Oct. 22, at 5 p.m. at New Canaan High School.
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