Groton — Mike Ellis delivered the postgame state of the union Thursday night to his happy Falcons inside the longstanding field house that sits at one end of Dorr Field, standing in front of a room whose walls are plastered with old newspaper clippings from a three-time state championship program.

There will be room for one more such clipping to add to the decor. And that’s to honor what senior Melakai Maddox authored in this game.

Maddox ran for 178 yards and two touchdowns. He returned a fumble 57 yards for a touchdown. And he returned an interception 47 yards for a touchdown, all helping Fitch defeat neighboring rival New London, 47-6.

Maddox owns a familiar surname from Fitch lore and legend. His dad, Matt, is among the all-timers in the program.

“I know my dad was good,” Maddox said. “But I want to make my own name for myself and be better.”

He’ll need a few more games like this.

“It was really about the (offensive) line,” Maddox said. “They’re my guys. They opened some big holes and I ran through them.”

The Falcons (2-0) capitalized on three New London fumbles in the first half to take a 28-0 halftime lead.

The second of the three fumbles went for a 78-yard touchdown return by junior Calvin McCoy III, who like Maddox has plenty of program bloodlines. His dad, Calvin, was a player (and current coach) in the Mike Emery era, while his uncle, John, played on the 1999 state championship team.

“(Teammate) Gianni (Drab) forced the fumble,” McCoy III said. “I saw the ball and remembered that Melakai had just returned one for a touchdown and got inspired by that.”

It won’t get easier for the Falcons, who play a state scheduling alliance game at home next week against Berlin, a team with playoff potential.

“I liked the way we came out tonight,” Ellis said. “I like the way we ran the ball and how our defense reacted to some of the things New London does that we were concerned about.”

Johnny Burns III scored on a 2-yard run for the Whalers in the third period.

Fitch has defeated New London in consecutive seasons.

“It’s always a big rivalry,” Maddox said. “We call it the ‘Battle of the Bridge.’ Tonight, we won it.”

m.dimauro@theday.com