Printer Friendly Version - North Branford Football Pounds Canton; Cross Country Runs at Shorelines

Mackenzie Glenn finished in 40th place with a time of 23:40.9 for the North Branford girls’ cross country team at the Shoreline Conference Championship, which was held at Totoket Park last week.Photo by Kelley Fryer/The Sound

The North Branford football team jumped out to an early lead against Canton on Oct. 21 and coasted to a 42-0 victory to improve to 2-3 this season.

Quarterback Jeff Jablonski was 3-of-8 passing for 97 yards and a touchdown that went to freshman Charles Walcott, who had a team-high 77 receiving yards. On the ground, Nico Sommo ran nine times for 130 yards and two scores, while Sydney Franklin, Nick Mancini, and Lou Raffone each added a touchdown on the ground.

Defensively, Matt Sibley had a team-high 18 tackles with Mancini adding 16 and RJ Sobask contributing 10 for North Branford. Mancini had a sack for the T-Birds and Keane Regan reeled in an interception as North Branford’s defense recorded its first shutout of the season.

The Thunderbirds’ next contest is their Homecoming Game against Lewis Mills (3-2) that takes place at 6:30 p.m. at Colfati Field on Friday, Oct. 28.

On Oct. 13, North Branford participated in the Shoreline Mega Meet at home as a warm-up for the Shoreline Conference Championship. The T-Birds competed in the unseeded division and placed second out of six teams. Those competing for the boys’ team included Michael Madoule (3rd, 18:30); Parker Nadeau (6th, 19:32); Zachary Jamieson (10th, 20:10); Jared Jamieson (13th, 20:26); Austin Gibilisco (21st, 21;02); Michael Rabuffo (25th, 21:48); and Pat Miconi (29th, 22:20).

On Oct. 20, the T-Birds hosted the Shoreline Conference Championship at Totoket Park and finished in ninth place out of 12 schools with a score of 229. Racers at the meet included Madoule, who took 13th place with a time of 18:20.4; as well as Nadeau (31st, 19:36.5); Jared Jamieson (59th, 20:47.5); Gibilisco (62nd, 20:59.5); Rabuffo (64th, 21:20.5); Zachary Jamieson (72nd, 21:48.3); and Miconi (78th, 22:49.3). Madoule earned All-Shoreline Conference Second Team honors by virtue of his performance.

On Oct. 13, The Thunderbirds took part in the Shoreline Mega Meet to get ready for the Shoreline Conference Championship meet. North Branford ran in the unseeded division and finished fifth out of six schools. Racers for the girls’ team included Mackenzie Glenn (8th, 24:22); Jillian Damiani (18th, 25:56); Sarah Sullivan (19th, 26:14); Julia Cassista (22nd, 27:34); and Winnie Chan (24th, 28:00).

On Oct. 20, North Branford ran at the Shoreline Conference Championship at Totoket Park and placed 10th with a score of 253. Competitors for the girls’ team were Glenn (40th, 23:40.9); Damiani (51st, 24:51.9); Sullivan (56th, 25:17); Chan (60th, 26:32); and Cassista (62nd, 27:43.2).

The Thunderbirds narrowly edged Old Saybrook, 3-2, on Oct. 18 as Sydney Hogan netted a second-half hat trick to complete the come-from-behind victory. MacKenzie Kaiser made nine saves in the win for North Branford, which improved to 11-3-1 with the win.

The Thunderbirds split their contests last week to stand at 4-7-4 in preparation for their final regular season match of the season. Should North Branford defeat or tie Montville on Oct. 24 (after press time), the team will clinch a spot in the State Tournament.

On Oct. 17, Haddam-Killingworth defeated North Branford 4-0. Then, the T-Birds rebounded on Oct. 20 as they celebrated Senior Night and topped Hale-Ray 2-1. North Branford honored Gianni Lavorgna, Jimmy Augur, Christian Defrancesco, and Antonio Pavic prior to the game. Augur and Zach Smola each found the back of the net in the victory.

North Branford improved to 7-2-6 with a 0-0 tie against Haddam-Killingworth on Oct. 17 and a decisive 8-1 victory over Hale-Ray on Oct. 20. The T-Birds will face East Hampton in the quarterfinals of the Shoreline Conference Tournament.

In the tie against HK, North Branford won the shots battle 8-3, but couldn’t put one home. Allie Augur made three saves for her ninth shutout this season.

Augur made one save in the win at Hale-Ray, but it was the offense that was the story as the T-Birds peppered Hale-Ray’s keeper with 30 shots. The Thunderbirds scored four goals in each half as Madison Sullivan led the way with a pair of goals. Others were scored by Alexi Rosado, Britney Gildersleeve, Jessie Kilburn, Ana Pavic, Mackenzie MacGowan, and Amanda Bouffard. Assists on goals went to Deanna Sgambato, Gabby Sarmiento, Pavic, Morgan Violette, Rosado, Bouffard, and Aaliya Aaron.

The Thunderbirds won one of their three matches last week to stand at 5-13 for the season.

On Oct. 17, North Branford defeated Old Lyme 3-1 as Patience Wilson had eight kills and six digs, while Kayla Despres finished with eight serve receives and three kills.

On Oct. 19, Coginchaug topped North Branford 3-0. Wilson had 17 serve receives and seven digs, plus Emy Stakaj scored on six serves and added a kill.