The Shelton High School Gaels continued their five-game win streak Saturday, overpowering the Daniel Hand Tigers in a 31 – 13 victory at Finn Stadium.
“The offensive coaches made good adjustments,” Shelton coach Jeff Roy said about the offensive explosion in the second half.
“In the first half we could not make plays, but in the second half the defense did not allow scores and the offense stepped up.”
The first half of the game started out as a defensive struggle, with each team scoring once.
On the very first play of the game, Shelton quarterback Raymond Pendagast went 67 yards on a pass to Shaquill Holman for a touchdown to take the early lead.
But after a number of three and outs the first quarter ended 7 – 0, Shelton.
In the second quarter, the Tigers returned Pendagast’s punt 60 yards to set up a 2‑yard touchdown run for Nick Morello to tie the game at 7 – 7. Later in the quarter, Daniel Hand failed converting a fourth down conversion which game Shelton a chance to score late in the second quarter. But Shelton could not turn the turnover into points.
Shelton would break this defensive struggle in the third quarter and score often.
The o‑line was crucial as Pendagast threw a 75-yard pass to wideout Mike Georgalas. This big pass would lead to a 10-yard touchdown run from senior Paul Piccirillo, to push Shelton ahead 14 – 7. And on their next drive running back Joel Youd would take it up the middle for a 39-yard touchdown run to put the Gaels up 21 – 7.
Early in the fourth quarter, the defense stepped up and showed their dominance. Mike Georgalas picked off Morello, leading to a 40-yard run by Ryan Deangelis.
Then Raymond Pendagast finished the drive with a 9‑yard run for touchdown to continue pushing their lead to 28 – 7. Then Morello was picked off again but this time by Carl Cristino which led to a John Groth field goal to end Shelton’s scoring at 31 – 7.
But late in the fourth quarter, Daniel Hand would respond with a touchdown pass from Nick Morello but after failing the 2‑point conversion the score was 31 – 13.
And, with seconds left in the game, Morello threw his third interception as Stephen Leopold intercepted the pass to end the game and solidify the defenses great game.
Roy called the game, “all-around one of the best games this season defensively.”
Shelton now has two weeks to prepare for their last game of the season and their 99th meeting with Derby High School on Thanksgiving Day.
The writer is a Shelton High School student.
