GNH defense delivers 41-16 win over Wolcott

GNH’s Cole Simonds caught an interception, seen above, and recovered a fumble.
Riley Klein

GNH’s Cole Simonds caught an interception, seen above, and recovered a fumble.
WINSTED — The Gilbert/Northwestern/Housatonic co-op football team defeated Wolcott High School 41-16 on Saturday, Oct. 25.
The swarming Yellowjacket defense forced eight turnovers and held the Eagles to 182 total yards. GNH scored two defensive touchdowns and a safety in the game.
It was a classic fall football day. Gusts of wind ripped through the 52-degree air and sent leaves tumbling across the turf.
GNH scored first on a 45-yard touchdown run from RB Cole Linnen. Wolcott responded with a passing touchdown to Ryan Charbonneau and tacked on a two-point conversion to go up 8-7 in the second quarter.
With 3:34 minutes before halftime, Wes Allyn intercepted a pass and returned it 72-yards for a touchdown to reclaim the lead for GNH.
On the next drive, Cole Simonds recovered a botched snap on the Wolcott 18-yard line. RB Airyn Berube rushed in a touchdown to give GNH a 19-8 lead.
Another botched Wolcott snap on the next drive rolled out the back of the endzone for a safety, bringing the score to 21-8 and giving GNH the ball with 30 seconds until halftime. Allyn went on to catch a touchdown pass to put GNH up 28-8 at the break.

Wolcott started with the ball in the second half but struggled to establish momentum. The Eagles’ third quarter drives amounted to two interceptions, a lost fumble and a punt. GNH added two touchdowns to its lead.
Wolcott scored with 2:37 minutes left in the game with another two-point conversion. GNH’s Linnen returned the subsequent kickoff all the way to Wolcott’s 5-yard line. QB Trevor Campbell then took a knee run out the clock and win 41-16.
GNH’s offense was led by Linnen with 109 rushing yards and two TDs. Berube and Allyn each scored a touchdown.
On defense, Tyler Roberts recorded three interceptions and one touchdown for GNH. Allyn returned a pick-six and recovered one fumble. Cole Simonds had an interception and a fumble recovery. Owen Riemer caught an interception.
Wolcott’s special teams recovered one muffed kickoff and the defense intercepted one pass.
GNH’s record moved to 2-4 and Wolcott moved to 3-3.
The next game for GNH will be played at Housatonic Valley Regional High School Saturday, Nov. 1, at 1 p.m. against Watertown High School (1-5).

Kent Volunteer Fire Department and mutual aid crews responded quickly to contain the fire on North Main Street late Sunday night, Nov. 16.
KENT — A fire broke out inside a downtown general store in Kent Sunday night, prompting reports of explosions and drawing a swift response that prevented wider damage, according to authorities.
Kent Fire Marshal Timothy Limbos said Monday that the blaze erupted at 4 North Main Street — home to Woodford’s General Store — and was first reported just after 11:30 p.m. when Litchfield County Dispatch received 911 calls about flames and explosions in the area.
The first crews to arrive found a heavy fire burning at the back of the building, with flames beginning to extend toward the neighboring structure.
Firefighters extinguished the blaze quickly, preventing further damage.
No injuries were reported, as neither building was occupied at the time.
Limbos credited the quick containment to the coordinated and professional efforts of the Kent Volunteer Fire Department and mutual aid partners from Cornwall, Gaylordsville, Litchfield, Northville, Sherman, Warren and Wassaic.
Limbos said his office is conducting an investigation into the cause of the fire and that further details will be announced.
Newly elected First Selectman Eric Epstein responded to the call. He said, “There was heavy fire when we arrived” and noted “there were a couple of propane tanks that looks like they exploded.”
He said the nearby Swyft restaurant sustained fire damage on the exterior.
A portion of North Main Street was closed while crews dealt with the blaze but later reopened.
More information will be announced when it becomes available.
Norfolk fire and ambulance crews responded to a one-vehicle crash on Route 272 (Litchfield Road) shortly after 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14.
NORFOLK — A 60-year-old Oregon man is dead after a single-car crash Friday, Nov. 14, according to Connecticut State Police.
Kevin Scott, of Portland, was driving a Ford Escape southbound on Route 272 (Litchfield Road) when he exited the roadway while negotiating a curve and struck a utility pole. The Ford rolled onto its side and the airbags deployed. No other vehicles were involved in the crash and there were no passengers in the car.
Jon Barbagallo, public information officer for Norfolk emergency services, said the roof of the vehicle had to be cut open so first responders could reach the driver. The extrication took about 10 minutes.
Scott was transported by Norfolk Ambulance to Charlotte Hungerford Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
The utility pole snapped at its base.
Anyone with information on the crash is asked to contact Troop B at 860-626-1820.
NEWTOWN — Housatonic Valley Regional High School's girls soccer team's state tournament run concluded in the semifinals with a 4-2 loss to Morgan High School Wednesday, Nov. 12.
The final four finish was the deepest playoff push for Housatonic since 2014. Lainey Diorio scored both goals and keeper Vi Salazar logged 10 saves in the semifinal game.
"It's an unfortunate loss but you know they played their hearts out," said HVRHS coach Don Drislane. "Awesome season."

It was the final soccer game for HVRHS’s two senior captains: Ava Segalla and Madeline Mechare. Segalla ended her varsity career as the leading goal scorer in school history with a total of 133.
Morgan's size and speed on the field helped the Huskies dominate possession and earned them a bid to the Class S girls soccer championship for the second year in a row. In 2024, Morgan lost in penalty kicks to Coginchaug High School.
This year, the Huskies will face Old Saybrook High School in the Class S championship game at Trinity Health Stadium in Hartford on Saturday, Nov. 15 at 10 a.m. Old Saybrook defeated Canton High School 1-0 in the semis.