Masuk scored 14 unanswered points in the second half to pull away from Pomperaug, 26-15, on Friday night in a battle of the SWC Panthers.
Pomperaug falls to 4-5 with the loss, with one remaining game on the schedule.
Quarterback Cole Tracy got the scoring started with a read-option play, falling on his own fumble for the opening touchdown. Gavin Lynch punched in the 2-point conversion for an early 8-0 lead.
An early defensive stand powered by William Parris and Marco Russomano led to a fumble recovery for Pomperaug, but the offense was unable to capitalize on the turnover.
Jack Guinipero added an impressive 23-yard touchdown run before the first half ended, giving Pomperaug a 15-12 lead going into the break. The younger Guinipero cousin had 60 yards rushing on the day.
Collectively, Pomperaug rushed for over 200 yards behind the group of rushers: Tracy, Guinipero, Lynch, Dominic Creaco, Dane Guinipero and Josh Coughlin.
Momentum nearly shifted before halftime with a recovered onside kick for Masuk in the first half, but the home team was ultimately turned away on downs by Pomperaug’s defense.
Masuk’s second-half response was fueled by Jake Viglione and Michael Charland, with each accounting for two touchdowns, and Viglione adding the game-sealing interception in the fourth quarter.
Pomperaug head coach Tony Pereira said the game came down to physicality and late-game execution.
With late opportunities to cut the game to a 3-point difference, Pereira noted, “That’s something these kids can build upon.”
Pereira added, “Blocking and tackling, at the end of the day, that’s what football is all about. The team that does that more consistently throughout four quarters usually wins the game.”
Masuk, the former Class MM state champions, now sits at 5-4, as their first-year head coach Chris Pace spoke about his group of seniors just after they played their final game at home.
“I’m proud of them and how they played tonight,” said Pace following the game. “They got to go out the way that everybody wants. Collectively, every one of them contributed to the win tonight.”
Pomperaug will play its final regular season game against Notre Dame Prep on Tuesday, November 25, at 6:30 p.m. at Pomperaug High School.
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