Friday night lights in Connecticut have never shined brighter than they did on September 18, 2025, when high school football fans witnessed a series of jaw-dropping performances and dramatic finishes that are sure to be talked about for years to come. The spotlight, however, belonged to Glastonbury’s Danny Wallace, a senior who had never played a snap of high school football before this season. Wallace, already a standout in baseball and basketball and committed to play baseball at Fordham, decided to try his hand at football for his final year. Little did anyone know that his decision would spark one of the most thrilling comebacks in recent memory.
Glastonbury entered its game against Southington with a 0-1 record after a tough 17-3 loss to Staples, a team ranked sixth in the Courant football coaches Top 10 poll. The Guardians, led by coach Eric Hennessy, were looking to bounce back, but found themselves trailing by a touchdown with just 25 seconds left on the clock. What happened next was nothing short of remarkable.
Quarterback Connor Finnerty, under immense pressure, turned to the rookie Wallace in the game’s most crucial moments. Wallace delivered in spectacular fashion, hauling in two clutch passes—first for 28 yards, then for another 24 yards—putting Glastonbury on the Southington 1-yard line with just one second remaining. With the tension at its peak, Dante Casdia punched in the tying touchdown, and the extra point knotted the score at 35-all, sending the contest into overtime.
Coach Hennessy couldn’t help but praise Wallace’s natural athleticism and the value of being a multisport athlete. “Danny’s always been a multisport athlete,” Hennessy said. “He wanted to experience football, and Friday Night Lights and the crowd and I hope this encourages our other athletes, especially those that are focusing on one sport—‘Hey, go play other sports because it’s actually going to make you a better athlete overall.’ I think he has a different appreciation for football now.”
In the extra period, Glastonbury’s defense stepped up, forcing a critical fumble that set the Guardians up for victory. Casdia, already the hero of regulation, scored the winning touchdown in overtime, sealing a 41-35 triumph that sent the Glastonbury sideline and fans into a frenzy. “It was a total momentum swing,” Hennessy reflected. “We went into OT; our defense really played well in the second half. They gave up some big plays but that’s going to happen when you play great teams. They showed up in overtime and forced a fumble.”
Wallace’s story resonated beyond the field, serving as a testament to the benefits of athletic versatility. “He came out and he’s just a natural,” Hennessy said. “People say, ‘I’ve never played football before’—I say, ‘Can you dribble a basketball, can you hit a baseball, can you hit a golf ball—those are all athletic things that translate to football.’ The contact thing is a little different but if you’re a good athlete, you’re going to be a good football player. He’s proven that. The day of the specialized athlete has really hurt high school sports in general. When I played, it was a sense of pride that I’m a good enough athlete that I can play three sports.”
The win lifted Glastonbury to 1-1 on the season and set the tone for an action-packed Week 2 across Connecticut high school football. The excitement wasn’t limited to Glastonbury, as other teams and players delivered equally compelling performances across the state.
Berlin, for instance, made a statement of its own with a 38-20 road victory over Bloomfield on September 19. Quarterback Cody Puzio was instrumental, passing for 73 yards and a touchdown while also rushing for 52 yards and two more scores. Coach John Capodice called it “kind of a statement game for us. Our first real competitive game on the road. We knew we were going to be in for a tough game at Bloomfield.” Berlin’s offense caught fire in the third quarter, with Collin Sullivan booting a 29-yard field goal, Ryan Lavender adding a 9-yard TD, and Puzio finishing off a drive with a 1-yard run.
Meanwhile, East Catholic senior wide receiver Joey Montalvo etched his name into the record books by becoming just the fifth player in Connecticut high school football history to surpass 3,000 career receiving yards. Montalvo now sits at 3,025 yards after a stellar outing against Bristol Eastern, where he caught four passes for 66 yards and a touchdown and added nine carries for 57 yards and three rushing touchdowns. East Catholic prevailed 35-21 in that contest, with Montalvo’s milestone providing an extra layer of celebration.
Elsewhere, Week 2 was packed with standout performances. Conard’s Brady Cersosimo was on fire, completing 10 of 20 passes for 227 yards and four touchdowns in a thrilling 42-37 win over Bristol Central. The CREC Colts’ Nyqwan Jefferson dazzled with three return touchdowns—a 73-yard punt return, a 72-yard kick return, and a 37-yard fumble return—in a 60-12 rout of SMSA. Haddam-Killingworth’s Tyler Napierkowski racked up 102 yards on 15 carries and a touchdown in a 14-0 shutout of Stafford/East Windsor/Somers, while H-K’s defense held firm to open the season 2-0.
Rockville’s Keith Schmidt anchored the defense with 10 tackles, and quarterback Luca Houle was efficient, completing 5 of 7 passes for 104 yards and two touchdowns, also adding a rushing score in a 48-0 blowout of Morgan. Enfield’s Sawyer Pequita put on a show with four touchdowns—three rushing and one passing—while racking up 110 rushing yards and 120 passing yards in a 39-18 win over Simsbury. Lewis Mills’ Jayce McDonald tossed three touchdown passes in a 42-6 win over RHAM, and Northwest Catholic’s Vincent Burbank accounted for three touchdown passes, a 30-yard touchdown run, and three extra points in a 31-6 victory over Farmington.
Sheehan’s Jake O’Brien completed 9 of 16 passes for 92 yards, but his team fell 45-0 to Fairfield Prep, highlighting the competitive gap that can exist even within a single week of play.
Other notable Week 2 results included Seymour’s 21-14 upset of Ansonia, their first victory over the Chargers since 2004, and Bassick’s gritty comeback from an 18-point deficit to defeat Bridgeport Central. West Haven’s defense, bolstered by new running back Amir Daniley, helped the Westies knock off Shelton, showing that the defensive side of the ball can be just as electric as the offense.
Looking ahead, fans are already circling their calendars for some enticing matchups scheduled for September 26. Among them: Haddam-Killingworth (2-0) will face Weaver/Hartford Public/Classical (0-1) at Weaver, Newington (2-0) will battle Enfield (2-0) in a clash of unbeaten CCC teams, and Newtown (1-1) will take on Windsor (2-0), with Newtown eager to rebound after a tough loss to top-ranked New Canaan.
As the dust settles on a thrilling Week 2, one thing is crystal clear: Connecticut high school football is brimming with talent, drama, and unforgettable stories. Whether it’s a rookie like Danny Wallace making an instant impact or a seasoned star like Joey Montalvo rewriting the record books, the gridiron action promises plenty more fireworks as the season rolls on.
