Middletown — It was halftime Friday night when a Thames River co-op fan asked someone, “are all their games like this?”

So far, yes. For better or worse.

The Crusaders thrashed yet another overmatched opponent, winless VG Techs, turning a game into an exhibition that showcased their very many talents.

Thames won 56-0 in a Connecticut Technical Conference contest.

The Crusaders (3-0, 2-0) have outscored opponents 134-6. That includes a 44-0 rout on Sept. 23 at Plainfield, which elected to not play an Eastern Connecticut Conference schedule this season.

“It’s been a lot of scoring easily,” Thames senior Ryan Outlow said.

The Crusaders’ co-op is based out of Grasso Tech with 31 players from that school, 15 from St. Bernard and 11 from Norwich Tech. VG Tech’s is a co-op of players from Vinal Tech and Goodwin Tech.

Thames was already going to be a force within the CTC this season as it returned so many from a team that finished 7-3 last year and just missed the CIAC Class M playoffs.

The Crusaders already had the likes of senior Seth Cunningham, The Day’s 2021 Football Player of the Year. They’ve been further supercharged this season with the additions of Jonah Eddy and Justin and Ryan Outlow, who all transferred to St. Bernard from Ledyard. Eddy has yet to play due to transfer rules.

The upside to Thames’ riches is that going to win a lot of games easily.

The downside is that at some point, a team must get punched in the face and be challenged.

“There’s definitely times where the team has gotten a little too comfortable for my liking because we have so much talent and we score pretty easily, but we know that eventually someone is going to meet our level and we have to be ready for that,” Ryan Outlow said.

“Yes, we score a lot but there’s also a lot of things we could improve on and coaches harp on that because we have state (playoff) aspirations and there’s going to be a team in states that’s going to meet our level if not better.”

Outlow ran twice for 45 yards and two touchdowns and caught two passes for 69 yards and two scores while Cunningham had five carries for 67 yards and two touchdowns.

“Our offensive coordinator, Marquise Ruffin, he kind of emphasizes spreading the wealth,” Outlow said. “I don’t get that many opportunities which is fine because back when I was at Ledyard, I was getting the ball 30, 40 times and that takes a lot on my body. And we have Seth and (having so many carries last season) also took a lot on his body.”

Sophomore Jack Philistin completed 3 of 5 passes for 75 yards and two touchdowns and turned an errant snap into a 39-yard touchdown run.

Senior Jaivon Velez caught a 42-yard touchdown pass from junior Justin Outlow, who completed both of his attempts for 84 yards. Velez also had two interceptions.

“Coach Ruffin does a really good job balancing the run and pass,” Thames head coach Craig Sylvester said. “We have a lot of weapons on both sides (of the ball). … We try to get the ball to everybody so that everyone has a chance to do their thing.”

Junior Jayden Millette recovered two fumbles for the Crusaders while senior Rocco Cinelli and junior Xavier Jackson each had one.

Thames’ senior Kaleb Delmastro had a sack while sophomore Ricky Thompson and Cinelli combined on a sack. Junior Gavin Jameson also kicked four extra points.

n.griffen@theday.com