Blue Wave Football Eyes CIAC

Where taking care of business meant winning, the Blue Wave got the job done Saturday night. Through rain and drizzle, they beat Norwalk 22—3 and improved to 7—2. 

Saturday’s was a “must win” game for Darien, and they’ll have to beat the New Canaan Rams on Thanksgiving Day if they’re to stay alive for the CIAC. Still, it won't guarantee them a spot in the state tournament, but it will increase their chances significantly and put the odds of a place in the four-team tournament in their favor.

The game against Norwalk was a lot closer than the 22—3 score suggests.

Darien opened the scoring first in the first quarter when a high snap from center on a Norwalk fourth down sailed over the head of punter Danny Diaz. Diaz beat the Darien defenders to the end zone and kicked the ball for a safety and a 2—0 Wave lead.

Following a free kick from their own 20-yard line, Darien took over near midfield. On a third and ten, Darien made a big play. George Benitez tossed a screen pass to Bobby Nolan who took it for 42 yards to the Bear's eight-yard line.

On the next play, Benitez, on a keeper, ran it in for a 9—0 lead with under two minutes left in the quarter. The quarter ended 9—0 for visiting Darien.

In the second quarter, Darien was driving again but on a run, Benitez was stripped of the ball and Norwalk recovered on their own 33. The offense stalled and after the teams traded punts, Norwalk drove for a score. Diaz kicked a 33-yard field goal and the teams went into the break with Norwalk very much in it, trailing 9—3.

The rain let up enough for the quarterbacks to get some "feel" on the ball, and Benitez was starting to heat up with his receivers. But after some successful completions the Wave's attack stalled; neither team could score and the quarter ended as it had begun: 9—3.

In the fourth quarter, Benitez led a drive that started from his own 30-yard line: a completion to Alex Wildish to Norwalk's 42. Two plays later it was Benitez to Wildish again, which took them to the Bears 25-yard line. Following a Benitez swing pass to Bobby Nolan, Benitez hooked up again with Wildish on a deep corner. Wildish, with a defender in good position, grabbed the ball for a touchdown with just under eight minutes left. A two-point conversion made the score 17—3 brining the Wave some breathing room.

A second bad snap on a Norwalk punt; this one a ground ball between the punter's legs led to a second safety, as Diaz chased the errant snap, and once again booted it out of the end zone. Darien got another score when John Gardner kicked a field goal for a 22—3 final.

"The game was a lot tighter than I expected,” said Coach Rob Trifone. "We'll have to beat the best team in the state on Thanksgiving Day in order to make the playoffs."
That “best team,” is the New Canaan Rams; the FCIAC champions lost their first game of the season Friday night: a 42—7 upset against Bridgeport Central.

“I still think they're best. It was just a bad night for them and although I give all the credit to Central for the win, I'm not ranking them above New Canaan.” Said Trifone.

As for preparation for the Turkey Bowl with 13 days between games:

"We've been through this before. I'll give them the next few days off. Then we'll lift weights on Tuesday, and we'll come up with a game plan for New Canaan on Wednesday. We'll resume practice, give them next weekend off, and then get ready for the game."

With Saturday’s win, Darien improved to 7—2. They’ll meet the 8—1 Rams on New Canaan turf for the Turkey Bowl on Nov. 26, Thanksgiving Day.