Without a doubt, the Shelton High football team is the best 1 – 3 team in the state. They proved it Friday in a 37 – 27 loss at top-ranked Hamden High (4 – 0).
“Definitely, we’re the best 1 – 3 team because we go out every day and practice … and our scout team is good and gives us a good workout,” said Gaels junior tight end and cornerback Mike Georgalis.
Hamden, meanwhile, proved why it is the top-ranked team in the state. Its explosive offense, defense and special teams and dominated the first quarter.
A fumble recovery by Gaels senior quad-captain Carl Cristino prevented the Green Dragons from scoring in their first drive, but the hosts weren’t going to be denied the whole quarter.
Senior Frank Greene’s 28-yard punt return gave Hamden a first down on Shelton’s 16-yard line. Three plays later, senior Jason Lassiter (14-for-23, 185 yards, three touchdowns) threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to classmate Geoff Kaire with 2:25 left in the first quarter. Green Dragon Kemuel Lawrence kicked the extra point to make it 7 – 0.
On the Gaels’ next possession, senior quarterback Ray Pendagast was intercepted by senior Anthony Guess, who returned it 18 yards to Shelton’s 31. That set up Lassiter’s 31-yard touchdown strike to junior Jordan Teague with 31.1 seconds left.
Lawrence’s kick was no good and Hamden led 13 – 0.
Just when the Gaels looked like they were out of it, they showed their mettle and took advantage of big plays.
Field position helped Shelton on its first scoring driving as it began its first scoring drive on its 48 after Lawrence punted it 17 yards.
Junior tailback Ryan DeAngelis (10 carries for 64 yards, one catch for 13 yards) got the ball rolling for the Gaels with a 32-yard run o the Green Dragon 18 and added a nine-yard run to the 9.
On a second and goal, senior Joel Youd had a 1‑yard touchdown run with 6:13 to go in the half. Junior Jon Groth’s kick made it 13 – 7.
The big play produced Shelton’s next points. On a third-and-10 from the Gael 37, Pendagast (12-for-23, 269 yards, two touchdowns, two interceptions) threw a 63-yard touchdown pass to senior quad-captain Paul Piccirillo (three catches for 160 yards and two touchdowns) with 2:30 left in the half.
Groth’s kick gave Shelton a 14 – 13 lead, its only advantage for the night.
Lassiter responded with an 11-play, 51-yard scoring drive, that resulted in Lawrence’s 29-yard field goal with six remaining to give Hamden a 16 – 14 halftime lead.
After the Gaels punted, Lassiter led the Green Dragons on a five-play, 62-yard scoring drive, capping it with a 27-yard touchdown pass to Greene with 7:40 to go in the third quarter.
Lawrence’s kick made it 30 – 21.
Shelton bounced back 12 seconds later with Pendagast throwing an 80-yard touchdown pass to Picirillo. Groth’s kick made it 23 – 21.
After the Gaels stopped Hamden in their own red zone courtesy of an offensive pass interference penalty, they had a chance to take the lead. Pendagast hit Georgalis (six catches for 94 yards) on a third-and-nine to Shelton’s 42.Cristino followed with a 17-yard run to the Green Dragon 41 but the drive died there.
Sophomore Dan Matthews blocked Pendagast’s punt and Lassiter then led Hamden on a three-play, 61-yard drive, starting with an 18-yard completion to Teague. Greene capped the drive with a 20-yard touchdown run on a reverse with 9:07 left in the game. Lawrence’s kick made it 30 – 21.
Guess ended the Gaels’ hopes of a comeback with a 45-yard interception return for a touchdown. Lawrence tacked on the extra point to account for the final.
Despite the loss, Shelton feels good and would beat many 3 – 1 teams, possibly some 4 – 0 squads. DeAngelis scored on a 16-yard touchdown run with 2:29 left but the two-point conversion was no good and Hamden recovered the onside kick.
“We had our best week of practice this week and entered the game as the underdog, which is the best place to be in a fight,” said Georgalis. “Our backs were against the wall and we had nothing to lose. We gave it our all but sometimes, that’s not enough. We’re battling key injuries [senior quad-captains Bobby Castelot and Greg Bukoski].”
