No Dobbs? No problem.
For the second consecutive week, Ansonia’s underclassmen played a crucial role, this time carrying the Chargers to a 46 – 6 win against the Wilby Wildcats.
With its only starting senior — running back Montrell Dobbs — nursing an injury, Ansonia freshman Arkeel Newsome rushed 25 times for 268 yards and six touchdowns at Wilby High School Saturday.
“I didn’t think I was going to end up with six,” said the freshman. “I felt like I had to come in, do what I had to do, and play hard.”
Newsome propelled the Chargers (4 – 0) to their fourth win. His performance, coupled by the stifling Chargers’ defense, spelled disaster for the Wildcats.
Wilby’s first possession resulted in a turnover on downs. The Ansonia defense, led by Dylan Vano and Tyler Wood, recorded five tackles for a loss on the drive along with a sack by Matt Hall (two sacks on the day).
The change of possession led to Ansonia’s first touchdown – a 14-yard spurt by Newsome at the 5:06 mark of the first quarter. The Chargers led 6 – 0.
The Wildcats responded on their ensuing drive with a 76-yard TD pass from quarterback Robert Williams to WR Jay’len Mahan.
That would be the last trip to the end zone for the Wildcats. The ‘Cats would be held to 181 total yards on the day.
Wilby would continue to get doses of Newsome.
Newsome put the Chargers ahead for good with a 1‑yard rushing touchdown early in the second quarter. The drive was highlighted by a 22-yard run by fullback Dennis Danley to set-up the score. Tyler Lester then kicked the ball through the uprights for the PAT. Ansonia led 13 – 6.
Wilby found itself down 20 – 6 at halftime, after a 36-yard sprint into the end zone by Newsome —– his third TD of the half. Junior quarterback Elliot Chudwick (5 – 7, 91 yards passing) connected with sophomore Raeshaun Finney on a 37-yard pass play to set-up Big Blue’s third score.
“In the first half, I thought I slacked-off a little bit. But in the second half, I brought my game back,” Newsome said.
The crowd saw Newsome rush for three additional touchdowns in the second half – runs of 3 yards, 36 yards and then a 95-yard dash down the Ansonia sideline that gave the Chargers a 40 – 6 lead at the 11:41 mark of the fourth quarter.
One of the scores came on a drive where Chudwick hooked-up with sophomore Andrew Matos on two third-and-longs (15 yards, 18 yards) to keep the drive alive for Newsome.
Ansonia put its stamp on the game when sophomore Rayshawn Pender picked-off a Mark Plourde pass and trotted down the Wilby sideline, into the end zone to give the Chargers a 40 point lead late in the fourth quarter.
Chris Nihill recovered a fumble for the Chargers. Jake LaRovera and Arek Kaszuba also recorded sacks for Ansonia.
The undefeated Chargers will host undefeated Wolcott (4 – 0) at Jarvis Stadium Friday, Oct. 15 at 7 p.m.
“We’re getting better. That’s the key. Wolcott is a heck of a football team. They do a lot of things to give you problems and they’re really physical. We definitely have our work cut out for us,” Ansonia coach Tom Brockett said.
The writer is one of the publishers of NVL Football.
