Barlow Football Is 4-0 With Big Win Over Stratford

REDDING, Conn. – After a scoreless first quarter the Joel Barlow football team romped over Stratford 40-6 Friday night, upping its record to 4-0.

The Falcons, ranked 28th in the state, scored three touchdowns in each of the second and third quarters with a running attack that netted 387 yards, 158 for junior quarterback Jack Shaban, who scored three touchdowns, the first on a 36 yard run.

The Falcons only completed two passes with a triple option run oriented offense that ran circles around a Red Raiders defense that stopped Barlow on its two first quarter possessions before yielding six touchdowns in the following two frames.

Falcons coach Rob Tynan said it was a great team effort and win, attributing it to the defense, which forced six turnovers, including four interceptions, a fumble and a blocked punt.

Red Raiders junior quarterback Michael Cannata completed a few passes early but couldn’t record a score. He threw three interceptions and was replaced by sophomore Gueber Docteur in the third quarter. Docteur threw another interception and ran for the Red Raiders only touchdown on the last play of the game.

Tynan expressed concern with the slow start. “We fumbled snaps and there was a holding penalty but our defense came to play. It was a great defensive effort and obviously we’re happy.”

The team’s 4-0 start matches Barlow’s 1996 effort, when it lost in week five to a winless team. The Falcons next opponent is Immaculate, which is currently winless and takes an 0-3 record to Weston on Saturday.

Tynan expressed concern with the game against Immaculate, but said, “Every week we try and go 1-0.”

Click here to follow Daily Voice Westport and receive free news updates.