By Andy Hutchison

WESTPORT — Staples High football team, in a Friday night battle with a visiting non-conference opponent, West Haven, fell 33-23.

Quarterback Caleb Smith ran for a pair of touchdowns, an 18-yard run and a 3-yard score, and thew for another TD, connecting with Charlie Iannone for a 57-yard scoring play.

After falling behind 6-0, the Wreckers went ahead on Smith’s first TD and held a 7-6 lead after the first quarter of play. Smith’s second touchdown run extended the lead before West Haven tied things with a TD and two-point conversion. It was 14-14 at the half.

Iannone’s TD reception answered a West Haven score in the third. The Wreckers fell behind again and trailed 27-21 heading to the fourth.

An interception return for a touchdown capped West Haven’s scoring. Staples got two points in the fourth on a safety.

Up next for the Wreckers is their first FCIAC clash when the Ridgefield Tigers visit at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 14. (Game schedules are subject to change; click for the latest CIAC updates.)

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