The Branford football team played a game in North Haven on Oct. 17 and took a 53-7 defeat to drop to 1-4 on the season.

North Haven recovered its own kickoff to start the game and scored a touchdown just 12 seconds in. The Indians then recorded an interception on Branford's first series and turned that into a TD for a quick 13-0 lead. North Haven led 20-0 after one quarter, 34-0 at halftime, and then returned the opening kickoff of the second half for a touchdown en route to the victory at Vanacore Field. The Hornets allowed 361 yards and six touchdowns on the ground.

"I just don't think we could have played worse. The game started badly for us and it snowballed from there," said Head Coach John Limone. "We didn't have the best week of practice and we just weren't physical enough tonight and it's hard to win like that."

Branford scored its one touchdown with 1:12 left in the third quarter when Zach DeGoursey found fellow junior Luke DiStasio in the middle of the end zone for a 21-yard scoring strike. Freshman Ted Gionteris kicked the extra point that made it 41-7. Junior Russell Morales had recovered a fumble at the North Haven 33-yard line that set up the score.

DeGoursey completed 11 passes for 159 yards, including a 56-yard completion to senior captain Colin Tracy. DiStasio had three catches for 53 yards and sophomore Spencer Berty had three for 32.

On defense, senior captain Owen Karsmarski made eight tackles, Morales had seven, and Berty and sophomore James Dering each had six. Karsmarski also recovered a fumble, DiStasio forced a fumble, and sophomore David Donnelly blocked a punt for the Hornets, whose next game is a home contest against Plainfield at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 24.

"The team has to come together and the focus there is on our older guys-our leaders," Coach Limone said. "There's no doubt they'll turn it around. Our guys don't quit. I have all the faith in the world that they'll bounce back."

For photos from this game, visit zip06.com.