Greenwich High routed Norwalk 49-6 on Saturday, Oct. 10, scoring on offense, defense and special teams in an FCIAC road game at Brien McMahon High School.
The Cardinals improved to 5-0 behind junior quarterback Phil Tarantino, who completed 10 of 12 passes for 179 yards and three touchdowns. Tarantino also added a 12-yard rushing score. Seven different Greenwich receivers caught passes.
Greenwich jumped ahead 21-0 after the first quarter and led 35-6 at halftime. Senior wide receiver Bobby Stanley opened the scoring with a 69-yard touchdown reception on the game's first possession. Junior Max Townsend followed with a 53-yard punt return for a touchdown. Townsend had a punt-return score called back by a holding penalty in the prior week's win over Newtown.
Senior Dan Black caught a 36-yard scoring pass from Tarantino in the second quarter, and senior Luke Langhorne added a 5-yard touchdown reception. Tarantino capped the first-half scoring with his rushing touchdown.
Norwalk's only points came on a 5-yard Easton Pace run late in the second quarter. Greenwich blocked the extra point.
The defense took over in the third quarter. Senior linebacker Hughes intercepted Pace and returned it 37 yards for Greenwich's first defensive touchdown of the season. Senior captain Justin Carroll scooped up a Norwalk fumble and returned it 20 yards for the final score.
Carroll recorded five tackles, two assists and a sack. Senior Ray Petrone added five tackles, two for loss. The defensive line held Norwalk to 130 total yards, according to Greenwich Sports Beat.
Through five games, head coach Anthony Morello's two-time defending CIAC Class LL (large school) champions have outscored opponents 167-13.
Both Greenwich and rival New Canaan enter their Oct. 23 matchup unbeaten. Greenwich is ranked No. 5 and New Canaan No. 3 in the New England High School Football Top 25 published Oct. 11. New Canaan carries a 27-game winning streak.
The Cardinals host New Canaan on Friday, Oct. 23, at 7 p.m. at Cardinal Stadium. The game will also feature the GHS Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony at halftime, with a free pregame social at 5:30 p.m.
