North Branford Football Tops Gilbert to Stand at 3-0

The North Branford football team continued its winning ways as it topped Gilbert- Northwest Regional 42-25 on Sept. 27 to remain undefeated in 2013 at 3-0. 

Early on, though, the T-Birds found themselves in unfamiliar territory – behind at Gilbert took a 7-0 lead in the first quarter. North Branford came back behind a 62-yard pass from Eddie Miller to Austin Calamita, but the two-point conversion attempt failed and North Branford trailed 7-6. 

That was the last time North Branford was behind, though, as in the second quarter, Shelby Franklin ran in a 22-yard touchdown with Nick Sagnella converted the two-point run before Corey Seymour punched in a score from the three-yard line to take a 20-7 lead into halftime.

Gilbert struck first in the second half, but Seymour responded with a score from the one-yard line with Miller and Calamita connecting on the two-point conversion. Gilbert cut it to 28-19 with another TD heading into the final frame.

North Branford held onto its lead behind two scores in the fourth quarter – a two-yard run by Sagnella and a five-yard run by Eddie Miller. Both of Franklin's kicks were good. Gilbert closed out the scoring with a final touchdown to end the game with a 42-25 North Branford victory.

Miller was 8-for-11 passing for 172 yards, while collecting 94 rushing yards. Seymour added 44 rushing yards, Franklin had 27 and Sagnella had 21.

Franklin and John Burke led the T-Birds' defense with nine tackles apiece, while Sagnella and Mike Kaiser each had eight. Lou Distasio added six tackles and Calamita and Joe Ferreira each had five. Burke and Distastio each had a sack.

Next up for the T-Birds: North Branford takes on Old Saybrook/ Westbrook at Old Saybrook High School on Saturday, Oct. 5 at 2:15 p.m.