Naugatuck secures 51-35 win over Notre Dame-West Haven in Alliance clash
Junior Brandon Andoh’s five-touchdown performance and a late interception return propelled the Greyhounds to a decisive victory at Craig Peters Field.
Naugatuck has moved to a 2-0 record following a 51-35 victory over Notre Dame-West Haven in a Connecticut High School Football Alliance match at Craig Peters Field. The contest was characterised by an early offensive exchange, with the first seven possessions of the game resulting in touchdowns as the teams traded scores.
The Greyhounds relied heavily on their running game, accumulating over 450 rushing yards. Junior running back Brandon Andoh was the primary engine, carrying the ball 34 times for 248 yards and five touchdowns. Senior Qwentarvous Lee also contributed significantly, rushing for 204 yards and a score on 16 attempts, despite missing time in the second quarter due to an injury.
Notre Dame-West Haven responded with a versatile attack led by quarterback Wyatt Verrillo. Verrillo threw three touchdown passes of 17, 18, and four yards to Eli Johnson, Michael Verderame Jr., and Raniel Matheney respectively. He also demonstrated his dual-threat capability by keeping the ball on a zone read and running 77 yards for a touchdown, which temporarily tied the game at 28-28 early in the second half.
Naugatuck reasserted control with a sustained 13-play, 75-yard drive in the third quarter. Andoh converted a critical fourth-and-three situation with an eight-yard run before scoring from the one-yard line to extend the Greyhounds' lead to 35-28. Kicker Gabe Bello added a 27-yard field goal in the fourth quarter to increase the margin to 38-28.
The decisive moment came on the first play of the ensuing Notre Dame possession when Eric Harriot returned a 33-yard interception for a touchdown. This defensive adjustment effectively sealed the victory for Naugatuck, who had previously held a 28-21 lead at the end of the first half.
Senior offensive tackle Llir Mamudov attributed the team’s resilience to their offensive line and a collective "no fall back" mentality. The Greyhounds are scheduled to play at Woodland next Friday at 6:30 pm, while Notre Dame-West Haven will travel to Cheshire for a 7:00 pm kickoff.
