By Andy Hutchison

WESTPORT — In a key battle for state playoff positions, host Staples feasted on visiting Greenwich 27-0 in a rain-soaked Thanksgiving football showdown Thursday morning.

The Wreckers locked up the No. 2 spot in Class LL rankings and, according to CIAC standings, will host No. 7 Manchester in the tourney quarterfinals at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3. With a win, Staples will host a semifinal game at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec 8.

In the Turkey Day clash, the Wreckers built a 17-0 halftime lead. The strong defense was led by Justin Halky, who had a pair of first-half interceptions and Charley Leahy with a couple second-half fumble recoveries. 

Jarret DeLuca, Leahy, Halky and Davis Crandall — who scored two points with a tackle in the end zone for a first-half safety — were in on several tackles.

In the opening half, Staples quarterback Nick Weil scored a rushing touchdown and threw a long TD pass to Nathan Smith.

The Wreckers continued to pour it on like gravy in the second half. 

Leahy gobbled up his second fumble recovery of the third quarter at the Cardinals’ 11 yard line, setting up an Aidan Stubbs 25-yard field goal as the Wreckers carried a 20-0 advantage into the fourth.

Weil found Shane Sandrew with a long throw from near midfield, setting up first and goal at the five. Greenwich’s defense forced fourth and goal from the one yard line, but Kody Goldman punched the pigskin to conclude the scoring with 4:26 left.

Anthony Armentano and Deluca had several carries to help the offense move the chains throughout the game.

Punter Josh Marcus had some big boots to help the Wreckers win the field position battle.

The Wreckers were solid, make that dominant, on offense, defense and special teams.

“Defense — relentless all year,” said Staples Coach Adam Behrends, adding that the offense overcame challenging weather conditions.

“Tough to deal with the wet football, but we practiced that all week with wet footballs off the coaches’ suggestion, which was a great idea. We were prepared,” Behrends said.

“We told them we’ve just got to come out and see who’s going to deal with the adversity the best and that we’ve just got to stay relentless all the time, and they sure as heck did that in all phases today, “ the coach added. “Specials were awesome as well. Josh Marcus owning the field position for us — he’s the man. Definitely the best punter in the state.”

The Staples defense stuffed the opposition’s offense for the Wreckers’ fourth shutout of the campaign. 

Staples finishes with a record of 9-1. Greenwich fell to 8-2 and slipped to No. 3 in the Class LL rankings. Fairfield Prep (9-1) is the top team based on schedule strength.

The Wreckers, with a win in the state quarters, will host a semifinal game Sunday, Dec. 8. (Game schedules are subject to change; click for the latest updates.)

Andy Hutchison has been covering school sports — including Staples athletics — as well as news and feature stories in Fairfield County, since the 1990s.