There had been a light buzz about Fairfield Warde in the preseason. A senior team, armed with strong and veteran offensive line anchored by Mike Mooney, an emerging quarterback Chris Foley, exceptional linebacker David Wolff and a speedy tailback Devon Lofton.
We took the video microscopes to Tetreau-Davis Field to check the Mustangs out against defending, but depleted FCIAC champion Darien, on a rainy Friday night. These are the types of games games up-and-coming programs win.
And Warde was well on its way with an all-guns-blazing 19-point blitz in the first half.
As you know now, the wheels fell off the gravy train in the second half, in every which way you could possibly imagine: top receiver Kevin Krug going down with a knee injury; Lofton pulling up with cramps; shanked punts, overthrown balls, penalties, penalties and more penalties.
The result was a crushing, 29-19 loss for Warde, an uplifting 29-19 victory for Darien. Thrilling for all who watched.
Peter Gesualdi, one of the lone starters from last season, caught two touchdown passes, Christian Bognar ran for two touchdowns. The Blue Wave scored 26 unanswered points and improved to 2-0, leading Darien coach Rob Trifone to exclaim: “No more young! OK?! We’re done. We’re experienced. And that’s how we’re going forward,”"
Strap yourselves in. This was a good one.
Roll film.
You know the Rams will be keying on Lofton this Friday. No Krug to worry about probably means an extra guy in the box. They’ll put a hat on Wolff every play and shut him down on defense. Warde is going to be blown out early. With Ridgefield, Staples and Wilton to come, their season is over when they lose to NC.