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10/15/2018 12:00 AMFootball
The Branford football squad ran its record to 4-1 on the season by posting a 35-15 home rout against non-conference opponent Pomperaug on Oct. 12. The Hornets held a 14-7 lead at halftime and then blew open the game with three touchdowns in the third quarter. Junior quarterback Sean Kelly had a hand in all five of Branford’s touchdowns by throwing three TD passes and rushing for a pair of scores in the victory.
Branford’s game versus Pomperaug was played as part of the Connecticut High School Football Alliance, which is a two-week series of crossover games between teams from the Southern Connecticut Conference (SCC), the Eastern Connecticut Conference (ECC), and the South-West Conference (SWC). The Hornets, who play in the SCC, won both of their games in the alliance this year by earning an 8-2 victory at ECC opponent Stonington on Sept. 14, prior to its recent win over Pomperaug, which plays in the SWC.
The Hornets scored the first touchdown of the night when Kelly tossed a 10-yard TD pass to junior Spencer Landsbach with 6:43 remaining in the opening quarter. With 8:32 to play in the second quarter, Kelly took in an 8-yard touchdown run for Branford. Kelly then threw the 2-point conversion pass to senior Jackson Seward to make it 14-0. Pomperaug (3-2) used a short touchdown run to cut the score to 14-7 at halftime.
Just 1:41 into the third quarter, Kelly scored on a 1-yard TD run for the Hornets. Junior Eli Hanlon followed by kicking the extra point for a 21-7 advantage. Later in the frame, Kelly threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to Seward and Hanlon kicked the extra point to make it 28-7 with 3:33 remaining. Two minutes later, Kelly connected with junior Aidan MacNeil on a 61-yard touchdown pass for Branford’s third TD of the quarter. Hanlon booted another PAT to give the Hornets a 35-7 command. Pomperaug ran for the last touchdown of the night with three minutes left in the game for the 35-14 final.
Kelly went 10-of-13 passing for 190 yards and three touchdowns, in addition to rushing 16 times for 63 yards and a pair of TDs. MacNeil had two receptions for 95 yards and a score, sophomore Kamryn Holmes caught three passes for 32 yards and also gained 28 yards on the ground, and senior Rob Lionetti reeled in a 36-yard reception for Branford.
MacNeil and Holmes both grabbed an interception on defense, while senior Chris Bouton recorded a sack. Sophomore Justin Osler had 12 tackles, Holmes made 11 tackles, and Seward had nine tackles for Head Coach John Limone’s team.
Branford’s next game will take place at fellow SCC Tier 3 opponent Law on Friday, Oct. 19. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. at Jonathan Law High School. Law has an overall record of 3-2 and is in 1-1 in SCC Tier 3. Branford is 1-0 in SCC Tier 3 play this year.
Field Hockey
The Hornets earned five more points by recording two wins and a tie last week. Branford notched one-goal victories versus Sheehan and Hamden, before battling Sacred Heart Academy to a draw later in the week. Branford now stands with a record of 8-2-2-1 on the season.
Branford started of its week by posting a 1-0 home victory versus Sheehan on Oct. 8.
Two days later, the Hornets played a game in Hamden and came away with a 3-2 overtime victory. Senior Carly Shea, junior Molly Zaffino, and fellow junior Brianna Shaw netted Branford’s goals in the win.
Then on Oct. 12, Branford hosted Sacred Heart Academy and played the Sharks to a 2-2 draw.
Girls’ Soccer
The Hornets squared off against a pair of SCC Housatonic Division opponents on the road last week. Branford recorded a shutout victory versus Sheehan and then lost at Shelton. Head Coach Jen Kohut’s club is now 3-7-1 overall and has a record of 2-3-1 in the division this year.
On Oct. 9, Branford hit the road to face Sheehan and blanked the Titans by a 2-0 final. Freshman Kendall Infantino scored a goal to put the Hornets up 1-0 with 14 minutes remaining in the first half. Infantino’s strong play on defense helped Branford maintain its one-goal edge until sophomore Melanie Sachs netted an insurance goal with just 1:15 to play in the game. Freshman goalie Macey Girard made seven saves in net to help Branford secure the victory. The Hornets and Sheehan had previously played to a 1-1 tie on Sept. 14.
Four days later, Branford was back on the road to face Shelton and took a 9-0 defeat.
Boys’ Soccer
Branford hosted Hamden on Oct. 9 and lost a 2-0 decision against the Green Dragons in an SCC Oronoque Division contest. Following a scoreless first half, Hamden netted a pair of goals in the second half to come away with the win. The Hornets now have an overall record of 7-2-2 to go with a mark of 2-1-2 in the Oronoque Division.
Volleyball
Branford picked up its second win of the year when the Hornets shut out Mercy in an SCC Hammonasset Division matchup last week. The Hornets also took a loss to Law and are 3-11 on the season.
Branford hosted Mercy on Oct. 10 and claimed a 3-0 victory to improve to 2-3 in the Hammonasset Division, while completing a season sweep of the Tigers. Branford had previously earned a 3-1 win at Mercy on Sept. 17.
On Oct. 12, the Hornets hosted Law and dropped a 3-0 decision.
Girls’ Cross Country
The Hornets split a tri-meet against two SCC Oronoque Division opponents to finish their regular season with a record of 6-3. Branford earned a 20-37 win against North Haven and lost a 20-38 contest versus host Wilbur Cross at East Rock Park in New Haven on Oct 12.
Bella Finta took third place by running a time of 21 minutes and 24 seconds at the meet. Finta was followed across the finish line by Kacey Gilman (6th, 22:03), Isla Lionetti (11th, 23:42), Juli Dillon (12th, 24:18), and Khusbu Shrestha (14th, 24:43).
Next up for Branford is the SCC Championship. The meet is being held at East Shore Park in New Haven on Thursday, Oct. 18 at 1 p.m.
Boys’ Cross Country
Branford completed its regular season by competing against a pair of SCC Oronoque Division opponents at East Rock Park on Oct. 12. The Hornets took a 24-35 loss against North Haven and dropped a 15-49 decision versus Wilbur Cross to finish the regular season with a record of 3-6.
Matt Daley finished with a time of 18 minutes and 2 seconds to take seventh place for Branford. The Hornets’ other runners at the meet were Andrew DeBenedictis (11th, 18:42), Andrew Betzig (13th, 19:17), Wyatt Reynolds (19th, 29:51), and Pat Zdunek (20th, 19:51).
The next meet for the Hornets is the SCC Championship, which takes place at East Shore Park at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 18.