This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.

12/06/2022 10:16 AM

Branford Football Takes 35-25 Class M State Quarters Loss


Nate Florio produced two rushing touchdowns in the Branford football team’s 35-25 loss to Berlin in the quarterfinals of the Class M State Playoffs on Nov. 29. Photo by Wesley Bunnell/The Sound

The Branford football team began the Class M State Playoffs as the No. 8 seed and ventured to top-seeded Berlin in the quarterfinals on Nov. 29, suffering a 35-25 defeat to finish 5-6 overall.

Following a scoreless opening period to the postseason, the Hornets heaved the first blow when Nate Florio (125 rushing yards on 27 carries) raced from five yards away into the endzone at 8:38 remaining before the half to go ahead 7-0. The Redcoats, who improved to 11-0, then tied it exactly five minutes later with the equalizer on a 50-yard pass play, as the score was deadlocked 7-7 at intermission.

Berlin then took a 14-7 edge as 10:45 was left on the 3rd-quarter clock on a long 56-yard TD dash. The Redcoats then increased their command to 21-7 with 7:54 remaining in the third frame on a short 1-yard TD dash. Branford then went to the fourth down eight points after Zachary Turbert (13-for-22, 168 yards passing) ran the ball into the endzone from a yard away.

Florio (on a 1-yard TD scoring spurt) and Ethan D’Onofrio (with a 13-yard TD toss from Turbert) notched scores in that final fourth frame, but it was not enough as the Redcoats matched the Hornets’ efforts with two touchdown rushes, of 40 and 5-yard varieties, to hold on and advance.

Florio finished with three catches for 96 yards on the night, while Akiel Lomotey hauled in five receptions for 91 yards.

In the regular season, Branford defeated Waterford (42-20), Tolland (30-14), Lyman Hall (25-22), Bassick (44-16), and East Haven (48-14). The Hornets’ defeats came at the hands of Guilford (28-7), Law (45-21), Foran (35-14), Killingly (67-0), and Hamden (27-0). Four of the five defeats came against eventual playoff qualifiers with Guilford, which was in contention for a spot entering the final week of play, as the lone exception.

This fall, Branford won three-straight contests to finish its regular season and help itself qualify for postseason play in consecutive seasons for the first time since the 2004 and 2005 seasons.