Powered Friday by an explosive first half featuring the speedy duo of Montrell Dobbs and Arkeel Newsome, the Ansonia Chargers defeated the Wolcott Eagles 39 – 20 to improve to 5 – 0 on the season.
The win moves Ansonia into first place in the Naugatuck Valley League’s Brass Division.
Wolcott walked into the game with a perfect record, armed with an offense that had outscored opponents 142 – 28 and a defensive line that had allowed just one touchdown in each of its first four contests.
But Ansonia played like they were there to make a statement. All of Ansonia’s points came in the first half — and that’s all they needed.
Dobbs, a senior, rushed 30 times for 286 yards, including three first-half touchdowns (runs of 79, 28, and 87 yards, respectively).
Each of his three touchdowns came exactly one play after Wolcott punts.
The Chargers didn’t waste any time lighting-up the scoreboard with their plethora of solid underclassmen. Chargers quarterback Elliot Chudwick (2 – 6, 71 yards, TD) fired a 57-yard pass to sophomore Raeshaun Finney for the first of six Ansonia touchdowns.
They led 7 – 0 just one minute into the contest after a Tyler Lester PAT.
Wolcott went three-and-out for the second-consecutive drive, which led to Dobbs’ first score.
Montrell took a “Wildcat” snap 79 yards for the touchdown mid-way through the first quarter. It was 13 – 0 Chargers, that quickly.
“I just felt like when I got the ball in my hands, just go for the house. Our line did great blocking and execution on the plays,” Dobbs said.
Wolcott was stunned. After a Ryan O’Connor sack on Wolcott QB Dom Gambino, the Eagles were forced to punt. Ansonia took over. Its offensive line continued to overpower the Eagles. Dobbs used this to his advantage, taking another Wildcat snap 28 yards to the house on the very next play at the 9:32 mark of the second quarter.
Ansonia led 19 – 0.
The Eagles responded with a 9‑play drive, capped by Gambino’s 1‑yard sneak into the end zone.
Ansonia led 19 – 7, three minutes into the second quarter.
This was the moment Newsome, the Ansonia freshman, had been waiting for — a chance to put his mark on the game.
“As soon as I saw that lane, I was gone,” Newsome said.
Just when Wolcott thought it was back in the game, Newsome returned an Eagles kickoff 82 yards for his tenth touchdown of the season. The Wolcott crowd hadn’t been that quiet all night.
“That was big. We expect big plays. But after they scored and then to come back out and score — that was huge,” Dobbs said.
Newsome’s touchdown increased the Chargers’ lead to 25 – 6 at the midpoint of the second quarter.
Just two minutes after Newsome’s electrifying run, Wolcott punted and Dobbs took it to the house just one play later — 85 yards down the sideline to give Ansonia a 32 – 6 lead.
Ansonia junior Dennis Danley forced and recovered the fumble on a Wolcott punt attempt, which led to Ansonia’s final touchdown of the half – a 4‑yard draw by Elliot Chudwick.
The Chargers led 39 – 6 at the half.
Wolcott added two scores in the second half, including a safety. It wasn’t enough to overcome the Chargers’ onslaught.
Tyler Wood recorded three tackles for a loss and forced a fumble. Dobbs had one fumble recovery.
Arek Kaszuba and Matthew Hall also recorded sacks for the Chargers. Ansonia’s defense held Wolcott to just 225 yards of total offense on the night.
After the game, Ansonia players still said there is work to be done.
“I think we’re good, but we need to do more work,” Newsome said.
Wolcott is 0 – 24 all-time versus Ansonia.
Next up: Ansonia (5 – 0) travels to Watertown (3 – 1), Oct. 21 at 6 p.m.
The author is a publisher of a NVL Football Blog. Check Ansonia Football for more photos and all things Ansonia.
