The North Branford football team suffered its first loss of the season on Oct. 12 as Avon took a 42-39 victory in an away contest for the T-Birds. North Branford now stands at 4-1.
Avon jumped out to a 14-6 first-half lead with Eddie Miller connecting with Austin Calamita on a 51-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter to account for the T-Birds' lone score of the half.
The T-Birds stormed back in the third quarter, outscoring Avon 26-7 to take a 32-21 lead into the final frame. Miller hit Shelby Franklin on a 25-yard pass for the first score of the quarter before Calamita's 28-yard interception return plus Josh Melaccio's eight-yard run put North Branford on top 25-14.
Avon responded with a TD before Miller and Calamita connected again to end the third quarter with a 64-yard TD pass.
In the fourth quarter, Avon struck first, but the T-Birds answered with a 35-yard quarterback keeper by Miller to hold a 39-27 lead. Avon, however, closed out the game with two more scores to pull ahead 42-39 for the win.
Miller was 10-for-16 passing for 202 yards to go with 124 rushing yards. Melaccio added 60 rushing yards, while Franklin had 34. Calamita had four receptions for 133 yards.
Mike Kaiser led the defense with 10 tackles. Franklin added nine, Nick Sagnella had seven and John Burke and Lou Distasio each had five.
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