Norwich — Raise your hand if you’ve read this line before: “Fletcher leads New London High to victory.”

Ah, bloodlines. They run like a current through this proud family, whose latest Whaler recalled the great ol’ days Thursday, running over, past and through Norwich Free Academy, delivering the program to its first state playoff berth since 2016.

Demo Fletcher son of Kasi, nephew of Ambrose — ran for 203 yards and scored eight — yes, eight — touchdowns, leading New London to a 52-21 win in the country’s oldest high school football rivalry.

The Whalers (6-4) earned the No. 8 seed in the upcoming Class M playoffs and will play at No. 1 Hand on Tuesday at the Surf Club, a rematch of the season opener for both programs (Hand won, 36-14).

Fletcher finished two touchdowns short of tying the state record of 10 in a single game set Oct. 28, 2016 by Sheehan of Wallingford’s Zach Davis. The last player from the Eastern Connecticut Conference, per the state record book, to score eight touchdowns in a game was Woodstock Academy’s Kameron Janice Oct. 27, 2017 vs. Quinebaug Valley.

“Animal,” New London quarterback Jack Philistin said with a grin, describing Fletcher. “I've grown up with him my whole life. I knew that's what he's capable of. I expected that from him today.”

Fletcher ran for scores of 54, 21, 8, 3, 39 and 24 yards. He also caught touchdown passes from Philistin from 33 and 53 yards.

“Just the power of our line, making the push and me making the reads,” Fletcher said. “I mean, just straight execution. Can't have anything better than that.”

Fletcher, who transferred to New London after stints at IMG Academy in Florida and St. Thomas More, understands the significance of the name to the program and the city.

“It means everything to me,” Fletcher said.

The Whalers, who were never threatened in the game, forced five turnovers, including three early fumbles. So much for feeling the pressure of a rivalry game tied to playoff implications.

“Everybody kept it calm, cool and collected,” Fletcher said. “We knew as a unit that we were gonna come in here and just mop the floor (but) we just had to execute. The defense did their job. Offense executed, and we just came out to play today.”

When it was over, New London coach Bobby Sanchez burst into Norton Gym, where the Whalers celebrated postgame to escape the cold rain, and began dancing. His players joyfully joined him.

“It's damn hard to make the postseason in this state,” Sanchez said. “The point system and everything. But these 11 days motivating these kids (since the last game), you’ve got to find something to motivate them with, right? And they respond to hype, juice and energy. Then you go to the dancing mentality.”

Philistin threw for 264 yards for New London. NFA’s Shane Driscoll hit Rusean Clahar (37 yards) and Ethan Graham (25 yards) with touchdown passes.

Now the Whalers are back in the playoffs in Sanchez’s second year.

“I'm happy for them. I'm happy for the seniors. This is two years into this,” Sanchez said. “I took a lot of what Timmy (King) taught me at Valley (Regional) and what Tom Dyer (at Hamden) taught me and I tried to put it into effect. But like, when you do it, you just don't know. You don't know if it's going to work. You don't know if the kids are going to respond to it. For this to happen, it's validating.”

m.dimauro@theday.com