By Dominic Konareski
Voice Writer
Homecoming games are always special and one that you circle on the calendar for a must-see. The Blue Devils homecoming game had them face a familiar red team, as Fairfield Prep came to Ken Strong Stadium for the first time since 2021.
The two teams have faced off the last several years on Thanksgiving Eve, with the exclusions of multiple playoff battles. A true rivalry matchup in what was an oh-so important game for the blue sliver and white team.
Both sides entered the Week 5 affair with mirroring 3-1 records on the season. West Haven looked to keep their home turf undefeated and carry on with back-to-back wins against Prep from last year’s semifinals 42-7 slashing.
To add on to the already intense rivalry, you had this game on the national scope by the Great American Rivalry Series, which is presented by the U.S. Army and Marines.
The Great American Rivalry Series dates to 2004 and was created to celebrate high school football and the culture of Friday night lights. The series showcases the best high school football rivalries in the country where select schools are chosen each year. The host school, which in this case was West Haven, also receives a donation to their athletic program for participating and the winning team gets a trophy.
Before kickoff an athlete from both teams gets a Scholar Athlete Award, which is based off their work both on and off the playing field. West Haven captain Yusef Turner was the recipient of the award due to his impressive 4.03 GPA and work ethic
The Oct. 10 matchup between West Haven and seventh-ranked Fairfield Prep marked the only Connecticut high school football game featured in the series for their Week 8 matchups. Overall, the rivalry between the Blue Devils and Prep dates to September 1953.
In what was a tightly contested defensive game, it would be Fairfield that took an early lead and never looked back.
West Haven started off the night with a powerful 60-yard run on their very first play by thanks of Amir Daniley, who would only rush for 20 yards off 12 more attempts before leaving in the third quarter with an apparent upper-body injury.
Blue Devils sophomore quarterback Mason Wright went 14-for-26 passing with 171 yards and two touchdowns, a 36-yarder to Trew Kitson and a short quick pass to Aaron Johnson for 6 yards. Wright also tossed two interceptions, which were both caught by Prep co-captain Samuel Barrett.
Despite West Haven never leading, the Devils always kept the score close and rallied at the end for a potential go-ahead touchdown. Fairfield intercepted a long pass from Wright and ran the clock’s final three minutes out to secure a narrow 17-14 victory.
The loss puts West Haven 3-2 in the Tom Unger era and essentially make the rest of their schedule a must-win if the team wants to make playoff football. The Blue Devils go into their bye week and will face Cheshire on Oct. 24th for an away game.