Norwich — Sean Marinan and Jemal Davis, the coaches, spent a decent chunk of time talking before the game began. Or perhaps commiserating. Heaven knows there was plenty of fodder for discussion.

To think of all the preparation that goes into high school football season, all the summer conditioning and passing leagues, the hope and wonder of what could be ...  and then everybody gets hurt.

Xavier: started Colin McCarthy, its third straight quarterback, Saturday afternoon. He lasted a few plays. Injury to his ankle. To the bullpen for Will Levis, the season's original starter, just cleared after a collarbone injury, with but a few repetitions during the week.

Norwich Free Academy: started second-string quarterback Shea McManaway, in for starter Jawaun Johnson (illness). McManaway lasted into the third period. Injury. To the bullpen for sophomore Tyler Briggs, who took his first varsity snap.

Xavier, owner of four state titles since 2010, managed to make a few more plays — or fewer mistakes — and earned an 18-6 win before 1,500 fans on Homecoming Day.

"The kids wanted to fight for it," Marinan said, alluding to his team's resolve, after NFA rallied to tie the game late in the third period. "That's all you can ask for. Battle and keep coming."

Davis said many of the same things. Normally, he might have been daffy over his team's six turnovers — five interceptions and a fumble – but given the attrition to several important players, Davis left the field encouraged.

"We'll build on it," he said. "The thing that's impressive is how our kids fought. We've got guys down. The second string quarterback goes down and we're using the third stringer who has never taken a varsity snap. He moves us down the field. The fight is what you want. Playing in these types of games will make us better. When we get healthy, we can look back and say we're going to have a pretty good football team."

NFA was a successful punt away from escaping the first half in a scoreless tie. Problem: Punter Spencer Molkenthin stood deep in the end zone, heels almost touching the back line. Next problem: leakage up the middle. Result: Anthony Caramanica's block, upon which Ben Costello fell for a touchdown and a 6-0 halftime lead.

NFA (3-2) tied the game with a 10-play, 73-yard drive that Briggs orchestrated. Receiver Griffin Gooden made three sensational catches, setting up Peyton Whittaker's fourth-down plunge from the two. Xavier's Owen Gonzalez, who had two of the five interceptions, blocked the extra point, however.

Gonzalez's first interception came with 9:11 left, giving the Falcons (3-3) the ball at the NFA 42. Nine plays later, leading rusher Glenn Cunningham scored from a yard out, giving Xavier a 12-6 lead.

Gonzalez's second pick set up Cunningham's second touchdown run with 3:35 left. Cunningham finished with 142 rushing yards.

Daijohn Cummings ran for 52 yards to lead NFA.

"We're still probably two weeks out from being totally healthy," Davis said. "Hopefully, we can steal one before then."

m.dimauro@theday.com

Twitter:@BCgenius