GROTON, Conn. – On Friday, Sept. 12, Fitch Falcon’s varsity football team started their season with a win against Abbot Technical High School and Immaculate High School (ATI). 

 Fitch’s varsity football team defeated ATI at Dorr Field located at Robert E. Fitch High School with a 44-15 score. Porter Carter, a senior and temporary quarterback, led Fitch with five touchdowns. The score was already 31-7 by halftime. 

Jordan Panucci, who has been an assistant coach at Fitch for 18 years explained how it’s been since losing a star player for the whole season due to an injury.

“It’s been very difficult,” said Panucci. “You’re not just losing somebody on the field, but you’re losing somebody who is a great leader.”

The Falcons started out rough during a scrimmage before their first real game. Star player Devin Cook got injured and is out for the whole season. Quarterback Michael El Khoury also got injured during the game, but will be back soon. 

Christopher Hersom, who has been an assistant coach at Fitch for five years, explained how the Falcons played during their first game of the season. 

“For the first game of the season, I thought the team played very well,” Hersom commented. “We created turnovers, we played aggressively, and we never gave ATI a chance.” 

Both coaches of the Falcons explained how they were proud of the team for standing up and having each other’s backs.

“The guys stepped up, and you feel good about that,” Panucci said. 

“For the first game to go see everyone play together and have each other’s back, that was so exciting,” Hersom added. 

The undefeated Falcons, with a record of 2-0, take on Amity Regional, who have a record of 1-1. The game takes place at 6:30 p.m., Friday, Sept. 26, at Amity Regional High School in Woodbridge