NEWCASTLE – The Torrington and Newcastle football teams came into the game knowing the final playoff spot from the 2A East Conference was on the line, and the winner would live to play another week, while the loser would hand in jerseys.
When the final horn sounded Friday evening, the Blazers came up on the short end of the final score, losing 39-14 as the Dogies ended Torrington’s playoff hopes.
“The opening drive, they drove down and scored a touchdown on us,” coach Russell Stienmetz said. “We made some adjustments defensively, and they were working for another quarter to half of the game.”
Torrington led 14-13 at halftime as junior quarterback Bryce Hager scored both touchdowns for the Blazers.
Then things unraveled in the second half.
Newcastle went on to score 26 unanswered points in the second half.
“We fell apart. A lot of missed assignments, missed tackles, and we weren’t able to come back from that,” Stienmetz said. “Starting off the third quarter, we had a great opening play, but the very next play, we fumbled it.”
The Blazers were never able to recover after the fumble.
“It’s tough,” Stienmetz said. “Their running back ran very determined, and we weren’t able tackle him.”
Torrington’s season ended with a 3-6 record and the loss marks the end of the careers of eight seniors – Brendan Flock, Juan Carlos Stevens, Dylan Packard, Kaden Miller, Jesus Chavez, Sam Birdsall, Keyan Sargent and Ryan Baker.
“Most of them were all four years,” Stienmetz said. “They were hardworking kids that led by example. Going to miss those kids, and I wish them the best.”
Now the Blazers turn the page and look towards to getting back into the playoffs again in 2023.
“The season doesn’t start in August. It starts way before then,” Stienmetz said. “I hope they all go out and compete in other sports this winter and spring, and that we have a better summer program than we did this past summer.”
