Montville — David Clang decided a few years ago that he was going to attend Norwich Tech and play football for the Thames River cooperative program rather than stay at home and play football at Montville.

“When I first went to a tech school, everybody from Montville was telling me, ‘Why go to a tech school?,” said Clang, a senior co-captain. “‘You’re pretty much ending your football career.’”

That definitely hasn’t been the case for Clang.

Clang recovered a fumble at the Montville 15-yard line on the second play of Friday night’s game to set up the Crusaders’ first touchdown.

Thames never let up and won, 61-0.

“I played on a football team with most of (those) guys since I was eight (for Montville),” Clang said. “It was a different feeling (tonight) playing against people I’ve known my whole life. I don’t even know how to describe it but coming into this game (I) was a little emotional just because there was a lot riding on it.

“If (we) lose this game, I’m not going to hear the end of it.”

Thames is comprised of players from Grasso Tech, Norwich Tech and St. Bernard.

The Crusaders took control from the jump and led 21-0 after senior Javion Velez scored on a 56-yard interception return with 5 minutes, 34 seconds still left in the first quarter.

It was the third straight shutout for Thames (4-0), which has allowed just six points this season. It held Montville to 56 yards of offense and recovered four fumbles and added two interceptions.

“Coach (Mark) Corbett ... his defensive mind ... he just gets defense,” Clang said. “If you do what Corbett wants you to do, it doesn’t really matter who’s playing. I mean, obviously we have the best 11 out there but when we had our JV in, they were running his scheme and they still didn’t let anything up.”

Montville is 1-4.

It was the second non-conference game that Thames has played this season. It’s based out of the Connecticut Technical Conference whose football teams haven’t traveled outside the league in the past. The game was scheduled via the Connecticut High School Football Alliance.

The Crusaders beat Plainfield 44-0 on Sept. 23. The Panthers opted not to play an Eastern Connecticut Conference schedule and instead assembled and independent schedule.

Senior Ryan Outlow had five carries for 136 yards and three touchdowns for Thames while sophomore Jack Philistin completed 3-of-5 passes for 127 yards and two touchdowns.

Junior Matt Pero caught a 71-yard touchdown pass and had an interception, Velez caught a 50-yard touchdown pass and senior Kaleb Delmastro caught a 58-yard touchdown pass from junior Justin Outlow.

The Crusaders did all of that in the first half and led 47-0.

“They’ve got a nice squad,” Montville head coach Tanner Grove said. “(They have) got a nice group of kids on that first level on offense and defense.

“I think today they showed more balance than they had before. Maybe they were able to throw the ball a little bit better which will serve them well.”

Thames senior Seth Cunningham ran five times for 110 yards, including a 67-yard touchdown on the first play of the second half. Junior Jayden Millette added a 32-yard touchdown run and junior Gavin Jamenson kicked seven extra points.

n.griffen@theday.com