By Andy Hutchison

WESTPORT — It may be a new season with new faces in the mix, but the Staples football team — the defending state champion — picked up where it left off Friday night with a dominant victory.

The host Wreckers crushed Hamden 48-7 as junior quarterback Nick Weil threw five touchdown passes, including a pair to Shane Sandrew.

Weil also connected with Chuck Clark, Justin Halky and Anthony Armentano.

“It feels amazing,” said Weil, adding that he overcame a few nerves at the start. “Once I shook them off I think I played pretty well,” he added, noting that his receivers and offensive line made big-time plays to help him settle in to get the job done.

The Wreckers got a pair of rushing TDs by Armentano and Dan Devine, a sophomore who found the end zone for the first time at the varsity level. Devine turned the corner on the defense and used his speed to break free for a 60-yard sprint for a TD.

Staples’ defense stood tall with Davis Crandall coming away with an interception.

“The defense showed what we’re all about, making some big stops,” Weil said.

“We were able to make some big plays,” said Staples Coach Adam Behrends, adding that the Wreckers not only piled up the points, but came away with consistent stops on defense to force turnovers throughout the evening.

The Wreckers head to Ridgefield next Friday at 7 p.m. (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.