GNH clashes with Ansonia in season opener

WINSTED — The Gilbert/Northwestern/Housatonic Yellowjackets football team lost the season opener on home turf to the Ansonia Chargers 42-7 on Saturday, Sept. 14.

Ansonia relied on its powerful run game to pile up the points and drain down the clock. The Chargers amassed more than 450 rushing yards in the game.

GNH strung together several promising drives with long passes from quarterback Ty Devita. Despite the lopsided score, big plays energized the crowd even late in the game and gave a sense of optimism for the coming season.

Last season, GNH ended with a record of 7-5 and departed the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC) Class SS playoff tournament in the semifinal game with a loss to Watertown. This year, GNH has just seven seniors on the roster.

Ansonia finished with a 10-2 record last year and ended on a loss to Cromwell/Portland in the semifinals of the CIAC Class S tournament.

The 2024 season-opening match was well attended with approximately 250 fans paying admission to enter Van Why Field in Winsted. It was about 77 degrees at kick off with a light breeze and strong sun.

Ansonia set out on the ground from the start. QB Matteo Sorrentino and RB Quintez Whittle created a powerful one-two punch in the backfield. The Chargers marched into the end zone on the opening drive and led throughout.

Ansonia's Quintez Whittle, no. 9, had three touchdowns and 207 rushing yards in the Saturday, Sept. 4 game between Ansonia and GNH.Photo by Riley Klein

GNH found a scoring chance in its first possession when Owen Riemer reeled in a 35-yard reception at the five-yard line. Ansonia locked down the goal line and prevented a touchdown to maintain a 7-0 lead.

GNH wide receiver Wes Allyn leapt for a high pass in the end zone late in the second quarter, but Ansonia corner back Jahzari Lawson snatched it out of his hands for a mid-air interception. Ansonia took a 28-0 lead by halftime.

Ansonia proceeded to run down the clock and add two more scores in the second half. In the fourth quarter, GNH got on the board when QB Ty Devita snuck out of the pocket and dove into the end zone for a nine-yard touchdown. The game ended 42-7.

Ansonia was led offensively by Quintez Whittle with three TDs and 207 rushing yards. QB Matteo Sorrentino rushed for two TDs and totaled 157 rushing yards. Chrishon Fogle rushed for 76 yards and a touchdown and Jayden Jackson rushed for 25 yards.

GNH’s QB Ty Devita passed for 140 yards and scored a rushing touchdown for the Yellowjackets. RB Mason Sobol ran for 42 yards and WR Everett Rigby ended with 68 receiving yards. Owen Riemer finished with 35 reception yards and 15 rushing yards in the first half. He did play the second half after taking a hard hit to the head late in the second quarter.

GNH will travel to Municipal Stadium in Waterbury Thursday, Sept. 19, to play Kennedy High School. The Yellowjackets return to Van Why Field Friday, Sept. 27 to host Torrington High School under the lights at 7 p.m.