Hornets Fall to Yellow Jackets on Thanksgiving

The Branford football team started out the season where they left off last year. The Hornets won five of the last six games last season, including a 10 – 7 upset win over East Haven knocking the Yellow Jackets out of state playoff contention.

This year they started out winning three of the first four before going on a four-game losing streak, including the final game of the season to East Haven 14 – 0 on Thursday at Frank ​“Coach” Crisafi Field.

The Hornets played aggressive football in the first quarter and were inside the 20-yard line twice, but gave up the ball on two of the four interceptions they had in the first half both of which led to the only scores in the game. Here Branford senior quarterback Griffin Lynch picks up 12 yards as he breaks away from Luis Torres (21).

“It’s hard to win any game when you turn the ball over four times in one half,” said Hornet coach John Limone. ​“Take nothing away from East Haven, they played a good game on defense and shut down our rushing game.”

Here East Haven’s Luis Torres rides on the back of Brian Nichols before making the tackle.

Branford was held to only 63 yards rushing on 30 attempts. Dalton Carden led the Branford ground game with 50 yards on 14 carries for a 3.5 average.
With no way to move the ball on the ground, they went to the air with Griffin Lynch connecting on 18 of 41 attempts for 244 yards He had four interceptions.

Here James Dering stiff arms Luis Torres (21) as Jay Donaldson comes over to help.

Brian Nichols led Branford with six receptions for 57 yards including one for 33 yards. Danny Thomas had five for 51 yards. He and Zach Cash each had one for 19 yards. Here Thomas, a junior, breaks a tackle by the Easties’ Jay Donaldson.

Here Senior Jay Dering leaps to tackle the Yellow Jackets’ Jonathon Demorro. Junior Danny Thomas breaks a tackle by the Easties’ Jay Donaldson.

Cash was also all over the field on defense leading the team with 13 tackles and five assists, one interception and causing a fumble that he recovered himself. Here Cash picks up 19 yards on this run in the first quarter before being tackled by Evan Damien (5).

Neil Clyne and William Ryder each caused East Haven fumbles as well. Here Clyne (63) forced a fumble on East Haven’s Nate Lastomirsky (29).

On the sidelines watching closely were Branford administrators and staff, including from (L‑R) Lee Panagoulias, Joe Carbone, Sav Synodi, Paul Criscuolo, Tom Webster, Superintendant Hamlet Hernandez, and Jake Palluzzi.

The Branford Cheerleaders had a great day. Here they pose for a picture.

Here’s to next season!

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