Newtown Football's Memorable Season Finish Up For Award On ESPN

NEWTOWN, CT — It was certainly the highlight of Connecticut high school sports last year (or most any year) but is it riveting enough to win an ESPY?

That's the question on the minds of local sports fans as Newtown High School's startling come from behind victory over Darien in the Class LL championship last December finds itself in contention for the accolade from ESPN.

Riley Ward's 36-yard touchdown from Jack Street just as time expired is up for the Can't-Stop-Watching Moment for the 2020 ESPYS, the sports network's version of the Oscars.

Newtown beat third-ranked Darien on Dec. 14, on the seventh anniversary of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, and at the end of a 13-0 season.

Darien had grabbed a 7-0 lead in the second quarter on a 9-yard touchdown pass, then the fog rolled in and blanketed the majority of the field for the remainder of the contest.

The award is fan-voted, and the Newtown football team has reached the final four in the voting as of Wednesday. The team's "moment" entered the voting as the number 10 seed.

Fans can vote for the award online, and Newtown coach Bobby Pattison has been priming the pump relentlessly on social media.

The 2020 ESPY Awards ceremony will be held on ESPN at 9 p.m. on Sunday.