TORRINGTON, CT — The No. 6 seed Masuk High football team traveled to No. 3 Torrington and toppled the host team 41-0 in the snow for a Class MM State Playoff quarterfinal victory Tuesday night.
With the win, the Panthers earn a rematch with No. 7 Bunnell of Stratford — a 21-12 winner over No. 2 Bristol Central — in the Sunday, Dec. 8 semifinals. Masuk will host their South-West Conference rivals at 12:30 p.m. Bunnell won the regular-season meeting.
Against Torrington, quarterback Aaron Champagne returned to the lineup after exiting the Nov. 15 game against Brookfield and missing the regular season finale against Newtown. Champagne led the Panthers to victory behind solid play from the offensive line.
Masuk opened the scoring when Champagne threw a five-yard touchdown pass to Shane Walker; a two-point conversion made it 8-0 in the first quarter.
In the second quarter Jayden Cassese picked up a fumble and ran it back 90 yards for a score and the Panthers took a 15-0 lead.
Masuk cashed in on another Torrington fumble as freshman Michael Charland scored the first of his two TDs on a 25-yard run to the end zone. The two-point attempt failed and it was 21-0 Masuk.
Masuk’s defense stood tall, including thwarting Torrington on a quarterback keeper on fourth and goal from the six.
A blocked punt gave Masuk possession at the Raiders’ 36. Champagne completed a 30-yard pass to Max Viglione setting up a four-yard TD toss to Charland. It was 28-0 Masuk at the half.
Champagne had a long completion to Viglione in the third, setting up first and goal from the six. On fourth and goal, Champagne completed a TD pass to Nick Fox and the extra point made it 35-0.
Cole Henderson took over at the quarterback position. Walker broke free on a big run setting up a Henderson to Walker TD pass to cap the scoring.
“Really good effort by everybody. Defense was outstanding, offense played well,” said Masuk Coach Steve Christy, adding the D was led by Fox and Luke Longo with help from the rest of the group.
“It was a collective effort. The defense really stepped up,” the coach said.
Masuk is hoping for a different outcome against Bunnell after falling 21-0 to the Bulldogs back in early October.
“We’re looking forward to playing them again,” Christy said.
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