By Andy Hutchison

WESTPORT — All victories are special in their own right, but Staples football’s thrilling, last-second 34-33 win over visiting West Haven on Friday was extra special in that special teams was the difference-maker.

Mickey Ross booted a 38-yard field goal with zeros on the scoreboard clock, sending Staples fans into a frenzy — and onto the field for a celebration with the players.

Special teams rule!

The game-winning kick was set up by a series of other notable special teams plays: Jake McGeehan dove to block a punt on West Haven’s first drive setting up Staples’ first touchdown; Ross kicked a first-half field goal; Charlie Clark returned the second-half kickoff 87 yards for a score; and Justin Halky blocked extra point attempts after each of West Haven’s last two touchdowns, preventing two crucial points.

Wrecker Coach Matty Jacowleff said his special teams coaches — Alex Horton and Corbett Smith — are the best in the state.

This game was a rematch of the 2023 state title game won by the Wreckers in similarly dramatic fashion; a two-point conversion stop (special teams, what else) preserved that 21-20 win.

In this contest, points were not at all at a premium. Chaz Darby was a beast in banging his way through defenders all night long. Darby scored the Wreckers’ first TD on a pass from Nick Weil. That score along with Ross’ first field goal helped the Wreckers hold a 10-7 lead into the late stages of the second quarter. West Haven took a 14-10 lead with 2:59 to go before the half.

Staples went back on top when Weil ran into the end zone on a quarterback keeper with just 31 seconds to go before the break. It was 17-14 Wreckers at the break. Connor Petrosino‘s catch of a deflected pass kept that drive alive and led to Staples claiming a three-point lead going into the locker room.

186 yards in two plays

Clark returned the second-half kickoff 87 yards for a score. That TD was notable given Clark was playing with a heavy heart; his grandfather and strong Staples football fan who was a fixture in the stands, passed away this week. Jacowleff told Clark that his grandfather was most certainly looking down on him proudly after that clutch score.

West Haven was not about to go away and, in fact, answered with a 99-yard return for a TD on the ensuing kickoff. It was 24-21 Staples less than a half-minute out of the break.

Darby broke free for a huge run setting up his own two-yard push into the end zone as Staples extended its lead to 31-21. Halky followed with an interception to help the Wreckers maintain their lead.

West Haven bounces back

But West Haven got the next two scores, one late in the third to pull to within 31-27 heading to the fourth and a go-ahead score with 6:32 left in the contest. Halky’s two point after blocks left the Wreckers needing only a field goal to go back in front.

The Wreckers lost possession on an interception but forced a punt and took over at their own 36 yard line with 2:51 to go. Darby’s bruising rushes helped Staples bash its way into West Haven territory, and eventually into field goal range for the decisive kick.

“Really overcome with emotion — just the way our players battled and overcame deficits and injuries,” said Jacowleff, adding that there was also adversity with Clark’s loss. “We thought this game would come down to character and willingness to do whatever it takes for the Staples football program and it did.”

Staples improved to 3-0 and West Haven fell to 2-1.

Up next for the Wreckers is a visit to Darien Saturday, Oct. 4 at 1:30 p.m.

Westport Journal’s recent Wreckers football coverage

• Staples stomps Stamford 49-6
• Wreckers defeat Glastonbury 17-3 in opener
• Staples football to face tough competition in FCIAC’s top tier

Andy Hutchison

^{_{Andy Hutchison has been covering school sports — including Staples athletics — as well as news and feature stories, since the 1990s. He is the sports editor at the Newtown Bee. He writes for the Monroe Sun. He was director of communications and radio color commentator for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers (now Islanders) hockey team. He has won numerous writing awards, including regional and national first-place honors.}}