Notre Dame Prep is on a four-game streak of home wins, while Newtown is on a three-game streak of away wins: one of those streaks is about to end. The Lancers will host the Nighthawks at 6:30 p.m. on Friday. Both squads will be entering this one on the heels of a big victory.
Notre Dame Prep will roll into the matchup after a wild two-game stretch: they didn't score any points last Saturday, then bounced right back against East Haven on Friday. The Lancers took their contest with ease, bagging a 49-7 victory over the Yellowjackets. The Lancers' offense stepped up their game for this one, as that was the most points they've scored all season.
Notre Dame Prep found their leader in freshman Ja'Cari Harris, who rushed for 192 yards and two TDs while picking up 10.1 yards per carry. Another player making a difference was LJ Richardson, who threw for 155 yards and three touchdowns.
Nathan Derisme
| 11/07/25 vs East Haven | 8 |
| 11/01/25 @ Brookfield | 6 |
| 10/24/25 @ Nonnewaug/Lakeview/Shepaug Valley | 8 |
| 10/17/25 @ Weston | 8 |
| 10/03/25 vs New Fairfield | 8 |
| + 3 more games |
One reason for the win was Notre Dame Prep's imposing defense, which managed to get into the backfield for three sacks. Nathan Derisme was especially locked on to East Haven's QB and sacked him twice. Derisme is also crushing it when it comes to total tackles: he's made at least six every time he's taken the field this season.
Special teams was a major factor in the game for Notre Dame Prep, racking up 13 points in total. The biggest highlight from special teams (and perhaps the team as a whole) came courtesy of Bryant Tarczali, who ran a punt back for a touchdown.
Meanwhile, Newtown got themselves on the board against Bethel on Friday, but Bethel never followed suit. They claimed a resounding 57-0 win over the Wildcats. The final result isn't all that surprising considering the Nighthawks' considerable advantage in MaxPreps' Connecticut football rankings (they are ranked 14th, while the Wildcats are ranked 107th).
Notre Dame Prep better keep an eye on Cole Stockwell. He was instrumental in Newtown's win, rushing for 71 yards and a pair of scores, while also picking up 76 receiving yards. Those 76 receiving yards gave Stockwell a new career-high.
Newtown's run defense was locked in: Bethel could only muster 1.9 yards per carry. The team can thank Henri Quirk for the heroic effort on defense: he. Newtown's run defense has been on the up-and-up: they allowed 4.4 yards per carry earlier this season, but they've only allowed 7.7 on average over their last five games.
Newtown's victory bumped their record up to 6-2. As for Notre Dame Prep, their win bumped their record up to 5-3.
Friday's game might be decided on the ground. Notre Dame Prep has been unstoppable on the ground this season, having averaged 248.8 rushing yards per game. However, it's not like Newtown struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 152.9 rushing yards. There's a good chance Friday's matchup turns into a tough fight on the ground.
Notre Dame Prep was taken down by Newtown 49-7 when the teams last played back in November of 2016. Thankfully for the Lancers, Hunter Cobb (who rushed for 196 yards and three TDs on only seven carries) won't be suiting up this time. Will that be enough to change the final result? There's only one way to find out.
