Sweet Redemption

Quarterback Darryl White ran Naugatuck’s offense.

Anyone who attended last year's Thanksgiving Day game between Naugatuck High School and Ansonia must have felt deja vu during this year's game.

Matt Paradisi fumbled the ball in overtime last year to lose to Ansonia High. One year later, on Thanksgiving morning, Paradisi fumbled the football again in the fourth quarter with only eight minutes and sixteen seconds remaining on the clock. A look that said, "Oh no, not again," took over Paradisi's face as Ansonia's Willie Wooden ran the loose ball in for a 33-yard touchdown to give the Chargers a 13-6 lead. Due to Wooden's excessive celebrating (a back flip as he approached the end zone), a penalty flag was thrown for unsportsmanlike conduct, causing a longer conversion kick by Craig Behun. Behun's kick was blocked, giving Naugy a chance to later take the lead.

If Paradisi was to redeem himself, now would be a great time. Within seconds of fumbling the ball, the senior halfback scored on a 66-yard touchdown run with 7:52 to play. Naugatuck’s first-year coach, Rob Plasky, then had to decide whether to play for a tie or run the ball into the end zone for a two-point conversion. After a brief time-out, the Greyhounds decided to go for the win.

Jesse Culbertson, who made nine crucial tackles, assisted senior running back Pablo Couvertier into the end zone for the winning two points. Later, Culbertson plowed through Ansonia's defensive lineman Kevin Black for a first down with 1:05 remaining to secure the victory.

Pablo Couvertier, who ran for the game-winning conversion, was short of both breath and words after his team emerged as NVL champions. Photos/Sharon Crosby

Naugatuck's 14-13 win gave the Greyhounds a 10-0 record (their first undefeated regular season since 1981) and the NVL championship title. The Greyhounds, ranked #3 in the state, will play #2 Greenwich on November 27. The winner will advance to the finals on Saturday, December 1 at 7 p.m. at West Haven High School.