This year, the game was held at Ludlowe. The Mustangs came in with a 5-4 record, while the Falcons came in with a record of 4-5.
I once again, as I have all season, had scoreboard duties. For a game like this, there's so many people I know (I was told by Rob Adams the other day that I should run for First Selectman.) I was able to see a lot of people pre-game, halftime and postgame, but not as much as normal, or really as much as I might like.
But I was working so I had a job to do...the scoreboard.
I do more that that, because I'm too nice and I care too much.
In terms of the game, the first half did not see much offense.
Ludlowe got on the board with 8:46 to go in the first quarter. Jack Ransome punched it in from a yard out and Caleb McNeil's kick put the Falcons up 7-0. The Ransome run was set up by a few long run's from Aaron Field.
The game would say 7-0 through the first half, Ludlowe had chances to extend the lead and Warde had chances of their own, but turnovers hurt both teams ability to score.
With 8:25 left in the third, Michael Palladino took the direct snap and ran in around the left side from seven yards out to extend the Ludlowe lead to 14-0.
Warde came right back down the field and answered. Charlie Gulbin connected with Will Rottkamp on the five-yard score to cut the deficit to 14-7 with 5:34 left in the third.
We would head to the fourth quarter, with Ludlowe ahead 14-7.
Warde would not go away. The Mustangs cut the deficit to one, 14-13 when Gulbin found TJ Sinis for the 10-yard touchdown. The Mustangs would go for two and convert as the Gulbin to Sinis connection worked again to give Warde a 15-14 lead with 9:27 to play.
Ludlowe re-took the lead with 8:13 left. Field ran in from 25-yards out. The two-point try was no good but Ludlowe led 20-15.
After an interception by Field on the defensive end, he iced the game with a 74-yard run with 4:41 remaining. Field ran in the two-point try to extend the Ludlowe lead to 28-15.
Ludlowe would retain the Gallagher-Banyas Trophy. The Falcons have now won two in a row against the Mustangs, three in a row if you count the private league of 2020. If you don't count 2020, Warde leads the post-Fairfield High series 10-7.
Field was named the Ludlowe game MVP, while Sinis took home the honor for the Mustangs. The MVP award is presented by the Fairfield Rotary Club. As part of the award, each recipient gets a $1,000 scholarship.
Doing the clock all year was a different experience. Fun at times frustrating at others. Had fun with Phil Simpson, who was doing PA all year, in the booth. We worked well together, helping each other out, and just having conversations when we could also. I also had fun with some of the other people in the booth, like the Ludlowe players who were filming the game. Thank you guys for your help as spotters on plays.
Finally, a shout out to Kyle Geriak for a tremendous job singing the National Anthem at a number of games, including teaming up with the band for today's Anthem.
On to winter sports, especially basketball for me.
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