Wilby football is on a two-game winning streak.
It’s a phrase that hasn’t been uttered about the Wildcats since the beginning of the 2013 season. Wilby started the 2013 season 2-0 after wins over Kennedy (30-6) and Torrington (34-19). Couple those wins with a 52-28 victory over Sacred Heart/Kaynor Tech in the 2012 regular season finale, and the Wildcats put together a three-game winning streak.
Wilby finished the 2012 season 5-5 and wound up 5-6 at the end of 2013. After that, the Wildcats endured more than their fair share of losses. Wilby won just two of its next 53 games, including two losses to start this season.
The Wildcats earned their first win of 2019 by beating Kennedy, 32-16, on Sept. 27 at Crosby High School. Jimmy Lee Stadium has served as a home away from home for city schools not named Holy Cross with the turf at Municipal Stadium being renovated.
On Friday night, Wilby (2-2) downed Crosby, 20-14, at Jimmy Lee Stadium for its second straight win. The Wildcats ran for 170 yards and two touchdowns, according to statistics posted on The Red Zone. Dashaun Wilson opened the scoring with a 12-yard touchdown run, and Raekwon James later ran for a 42-yard touchdown to break a 12-12 tie in the third quarter. Raekwon James also ran in the two-point conversion for a 20-12 lead, then Wilby held on for the victory. Raekwon James led the Wildcats with 138 yards rushing on 15 carries.
Aaron James was 14-for-24 passing for 143 yards, including a 29-yard touchdown pass to David LaBoy to put the Wildcats ahead 12-0 in the first quarter. Wilson led Wilby with six catches for 61 yards.
Crosby responded to Wilby’s 12-0 lead with back-to-back touchdowns of its own, and when Tanner Leo found Jeffery Burke for a two-point conversion, the Bulldogs had a 14-12 lead. All of Crosby’s points were scored in the first quarter.
In the Kennedy win, Aaron James passed for 235 yards and two touchdowns, and he also ran for a touchdown, according to statistics posted on MaxPreps. Raekwon James ran for 79 yards and a touchdown, and he had 96 yards receiving and a touchdown. Wilson had 69 yards receiving and a touchdown. Eli Lugo had 13 tackles while Wilson added 12 and Raekwon James chipped in seven. Jean-Nick Dagraca had an interception.
Wilby travels to Derby next Saturday for a 1 p.m. game.
Photo credit: Wilby football has its first winning streak since the beginning of the 2013 season. The Wildcats have won two straight games to get to 2-2. (Copyright, Sports on CT-69, file)
