Printer Friendly Version - East Haven Football Takes Loss to Wilbur Cross

Senior Dom Salato and the East Haven football team took a 32-14 defeat to Wilbur Cross in a road game at Bowen Field on Nov. 4. Photo by Wesley Bunnell/The Courier

Sophomore Rocco D’Amato and the Yellowjackets lost a decision against Wilbur Cross last week and now get ready to take on Jonathan Law. Pictured on the left for East Haven are senior Jason Toth and Mekhi Morrison. On the right is senior Dom Salato (No. 8). Photo by Wesley Bunnell/The Courier

The East Haven football team hit the road to play a game against Southern Connecticut Conference opponent Wilbur Cross on Nov. 4. The Yellowjackets took a 32-14 defeat against the Governors at Bowen Field to put their overall record at 2-5 for the season. Wilbur Cross moved to 2-6 on the year with the victory.

East Haven was trailing Wilbur Cross 26-6 entering the fourth quarter, but then scored a touchdown to get back in the game. However, the Governors responded with an insurance touchdown in the closing minutes of the contest to come away with the 18-point victory.

Senior Dom Salato threw a touchdown pass to sophomore Dante Rodriguez to account for one of East Haven’s TDs in the game. Sophmore Rocco D’Amato rushed for a touchdown for the Yellowjackets’ other score.

Wilbur Cross scored the first two touchdowns of the game to grab a 14-0 advantage in the opening quarter. East Haven got on the board when D’Amato scored on a 6-yard TD run that cut the deficit to 14-6 after one.

The Governors recorded the only score of the second quarter to take a 20-6 lead into halftime. Wilbur Cross then scored a TD during the third quarter to make it 26-6 entering the fourth.

The Yellowjackets trimmed the deficit to 26-12 on a 30-yard scoring strike from Salato to Rodriguez in the final frame. Sophomore Rocco D’Amato followed by rushing home the 2-point conversion to make it 26-14.

With less than 2 minutes left in the contest, Wilbur Cross scored its final touchdown of the night to solidify the win. The Governors ultimately walked off the field with the second win of the year on the strength of a 32-14 victory over East Haven.

D’Amato finished the game with 17 carries for 149 yards and a touchdown for the Yellowjackets in teh game. Salato completed 5 passes for 81 yards and a TD.

Sophomore Nick Bilides had 10 carries for 53 yards to go with 1 catch for 25 yards for the Easties. Bilides also snagged a pair of interceptions on defense. Rodriguez had 4 receptions for 56 yards and 1 touchdown for Head Coach Scott Benoit’s club.

The Yellowjackets are hosting divisional opponent Jonathan Law for their next contest on Friday, Nov. 11 at 6 p.m. The Lawmen come into the contest with an overall record of 7-1 to go with a mark of 3-1 in SCC Tier 3 this year.

Following that matchup, the Easties are playing a home game versus Guilford on Thursday, Nov. 17 at 7 p.m. East Haven will then play its annual Thanksgiving game against Branford at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 24.

East Haven’s two wins this season came with 28-27 home victory versus Bethel on Sept. 23 and a 50-0 home win over Bassick on Oct. 1. The Yellowjackets have also taken losses to Ledyard (59-28), E.O. Smith (30-20), Foran (42-8), and Lyman Hall (39-16) prior to facing Wilbur Cross last week.