One last shot at victory did not get wasted by the Joel Barlow High varsity football team in the state Class SS semifinals.
Trailing by six points later in the fourth quarter, the seventh-seeded Falcons were deep in their own territory with just over a minute left to play against seventh-seeded host Sheehan. Several key plays, plus a couple of penalties called against the Titans, set up a game-winning pass from Jack Gilbert to Andrew Watson with six seconds left as the Falcons pulled off a 17-16 win at Riccitelli Field in Wallingford in the rain on Sunday, Dec. 3.
The win propelled Barlow to the state championship game for the second straight season.
“I couldn’t be prouder of my guys,” said Barlow head coach T.J. Cavaliere, whose team also upset second-seeded Coginchaug/East Hampton/Hale Ray in the quarterfinals the previous Tuesday. “We talked all year about playing for 48 minutes and making sure you finish the game, and they did that today.”
The Titans wasted no time in getting down to business, turning their first possession into a 65-yard scoring drive. Runs by quarterback Paul Gorry and running back Brady Rossacci got them deep into Barlow territory before the former sweep left from five yards out for the score. Austin Eccles kicked the extra point and the hosts were up 7-0 with 6:30 left in the first quarter.
Barlow had little luck on its first series before being forced to punt and Sheehan returned the favor on its next turn right before the first quarter ended. A 19-yard option run by Cole Peterson was good for a first down on the Sheehan 18. Peterson also came up big on a fourth down and one situation to keep the drive alive until Dylan Taylor scored from the two-yard line. Keane Horne’s extra point kick was good to tie it up with 4:47 left in the half.
Continuing to grind out the yards, Rossacci helped get Sheehan to the Barlow 24. On second down, Dante DeNuzzo caught a pass from Gorry to cap off a 49-yard drive, but a blocked extra point would ultimately come back to haunt the Titans, who led 13-7.
Sheehan put itself in good shape for another touchdown when Lucas Geremia blocked and recovered a Barlow punt on its own 19 with less than a minute but had to settle for a field goal by Eccles with three seconds left in tha half and a 16-7 lead.
Following a scoreless third quarter, the Falcons started the fourth on their own 36 following a punt by the Titans. A defensive pass interference call helped Barlow sustain the drive and cross midfield. Faced with fourth down, they opted for a field goal and Horne’s kick was good to make it a six-point game.
The Titan’s last punt of the day put the Falcons deep in their own territory with 1:03 left to play. A Gilbert-to-Watson pass got them a first down on their own 24 and a pass interference call against Sheehan moved the ball to the 39.
Although Jay Chase sacked Gilbert on the 34, it was only a temporary setback, as a personal foul against Sheehan was good for another 13 yards. Two plays later, Gilbert connected with Watson, who jumped higher than Sheehan cornerback Tucker Larson, catching a 16-yard touchdown pass with six seconds left. Horne’s extra point broke the tie as the Falcons punched their ticket to the title game.
“Coming out of our league, we feel that we’re battle tested,” said Cavaliere. “It feels like it gives us a good opportunity to be ready to go. When push comes to shove, we have to step up and make plays.”
Barlow, now 8-4 overall, plays eight-seeded Watertown (which defeated Gilbert/Northwestern/Housy 21-0 in the other semifinal game) on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. at Rentschler Field in East Hartford. Tickets are available online.
Click on the right arrow to advance the slide show. Photos by Suzanne Romano.
