In a game covered by News 12, The Wilton White 4th Grade Football team won a thrilling game against Westport on Sunday in the first round of the playoffs at Fujitani Field. The boys showed up ready to play and from down number one, they were not going to be denied. The offensive line of Kieran O'Neill, Ben Pond, Joe Schiavone, Michael Breen, Jack Lynch, Ryan Jackson, Andrew Pelicano, Michael Munrow, Ethan Jackson and Jackson Rivas was absolutely stellar as they provided blocking all day for their running backs and passing plays. The defense of Max Mercado, George DiRocco, Hawken LeFevre, and Eli Ackerman were a force to be reckoned with as they shut down Westport with very little positive yardage the entire first half.
The Warriors struck first when Quarterback Kevin Hyzy snuck the ball in behind a monstrous block from Mercardo for the score. Eli Ackerman scored the extra point. The Warriors were not done however. With only 2 minutes left in the first half, Kevin Hyzy hit his brother Craig for a long first down gain, then hit DiRocco for another first down, spiked the ball for one last attempt at the end zone where he found Craig again for a perfectly executed touchdown play. The extra point was no good. The Warriors came storming back out for the second half as Dillon Mannix, AJ Preisano and Ackerman bulled out yardage for the Warriors. But it was Ackerman who broke around the outside with great lead blocking by Alex Elia and Tyler Hough to score the Warriors third touchdown of the afternoon to go up 19-0. Declan Healy, Nevin Bellanger, Phillip Avalone and Billy Bonnist then gang tackled a Westport runner for loss of yards before Westport found a way to get the ball in the end zone to make the game 19-6. However, time expired and the Warriors walked off the field victorious. Standout defensive performances belong to Lynch and Ackerman who caused Westport trouble finding open field all day as each of them on more than one play tackled the Wreckers running backs for loss of yards. This was a complete team victory. The Warriors get another shot at arch rival New Canaan Red next weekend where they look to avenge a 29-12 loss to move into their division championship game.