www.northhavencitizen.com
Volume 17, Number 50
Friday, December 16, 2022
HIGH SCHOOL FOOBALL / CLASS MM FINAL
This day, and this ground, belong to the Nighthawks North Haven runs over, around Killingly for first state title in program history By Ellis Santoro Special to the Record-Journal
EAST HARTFORD — Leading up to the Class MM state championship football game, North Haven hadn’t allow more North Haven 51 than 17 points in Killingly 34 any game this season. On Saturday, Killingly doubled that by scoring 34. It still wasn’t enough to beat the Nighthawks. No. 5-seeded North Haven was supposed to be high-
lighted by their defense, but its offense shined instead. The Nighthawks scored touchdowns on all but one drive, not counting a kneel to signal halftime and then to end it. The victory formation came with a final score of 51-34 lighting up the Rentschler Field scoreboard. It was the first football state championship in North Haven history. “How am I going to remember them? Just like that over there,” said North Haven head coach Anthony Sagnel-
The North Haven Nighthawks celebrate their 51-34 victory over Killingly on Saturday in the Class MM state championship game at Rentschler Field. It was the first state title in North Haven football history. Ellis Santoro, Special to the Record-Journal
la, pointing to his players celebrating next to the stands with a mass of fans. “They set the bar high with their goals. Then they had the courage to go work for it. They got to realize it today. That doesn’t happen often.”
North Haven awarded $250K for park, field improvements Citizen report
State Sen. Paul Cicarella and state Rep. Dave Yaccarino applauded the State Bond Commission’s approval of a $250,000 grant to the Town of North Haven to finance town park and field improvements. Awarded through the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, the
grant was announced Thursday, Dec. 8. “Thank you to the governor and Bond Commission for approving these funds, which the Town of North Haven will use to upgrade its public parks and fields. Also, thanks to the town’s public works director See Grant, A2
Saturday’s victory came against a defending state champion. The No. 3-seeded Redmen won last year’s Class M state crown. “Killingly is a great team; it was an honor to play them,” said North Haven quarter-
HELPER ELF
back Jeffrey Karavas while being mobbed by teammates and coaches congratulating him. “This was awesome and I’m going to remember it forever.” Both teams finished with a See Football, A11
Annabella DeLuca, 11, of North Haven, straightens pillows for sleepy elves during a private preview of the Magical Elf House inside the Nehemiah Royce House in Wallingford. DeLuca volunteered as an elf at the Magical Elf House. The event ran Dec. 10 and 11. Dave Zajac, Record-Journal