At the conclusion of Pomperaug’s 39-0 shutout victory over Branford, head coach Tony Pereira’s team huddled around him on the field, with the scoreboard still illuminating the final score over his shoulder.
He told his team to take in the moment and reflect on what led them to a dominating shutout win on Senior Night.
“We overwhelmed them,” said Pereira. “Our kids came together. We played lights out from the first kick.”
The seventh-year head coach didn’t hesitate to call the all-around performance a “program-defining win.”
“I want them to remember that some of these kids have been on the opposite side of that,” said Pereira. “They’ve earned it.”
With the win, Pomperaug moves to 4-2 on the season. Branford falls to 4-2 with the loss.
From the opening possession, the Panthers set the tone with a 87-yard drive, capped by a Dane Guinipero 28-yard touchdown run, and a two-point conversion by Bryan Vidal.
The family affair continued as Jack Guinipero got on the scoreboard with a 21-yard rushing score, making it 15-0 at halftime.
Dane Guinipero was one of four seniors and captains on the team honored before the game for their contributions to the program, along with Sahn Choi-Kang, Hunter Simmons. Elie Baroody and William Parris.
Guinipero reflected on the chance to play alongside his cousin this season, as they’ve accounted for big plays on both defense and offense so far this year for the Panthers.
“Even though we’re cousins, we call ourselves the Guinipero brothers,” said the senior captain. “It’s been a blessing to be able to play with him.”
The Panthers’ rushing attack continued in the second half, as Dominic Creaco, Gavin Lynch and Josh Coughlin all found their way into the end zone before the final whistle. Coughlin’s 70-yard rushing score on a read-option in the fourth quarter accounted for the longest play of the night.
On defense, Marco Russomano and Bryan Vidal came up with multiple tackles for losses, with Jaden D’Amico helping to anchor the defensive line and holding their opponents to zero points for the second straight game.
Caleb McKee came up with a fourth-quarter interception, preserving the shutout for the Panthers.
“We have a big mud pit in our grass…they work hard every day,” said Creaco of the team’s defensive performance.
Pereira credited a hard week of practice and preparation for the team’s win on Senior Night.
In those final moments of reflecting on the final score, Creaco echoed his coach’s remarks about the work that was put in during the days leading up to Friday night.
“When I look at that scoreboard, I just remember getting up at 6:00 a.m. and putting in the work,” said Creaco.
The Panthers will play their next three games on the road, starting with New Fairfield on Friday, October 31, at 7:00 p.m.
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