NEW BRITAIN — Vincent Burbank threw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes to lead Northwest Catholic-West Hartford to a 21-0 victory over Ansonia in the CIAC Class S semifinal Monday night at Veterans Stadium.
Northwest advances to play Sheehan-Wallingford for the championship Saturday, time and site to be announced.
It was a defensive struggle, both teams mired in penalties. Burbank’s apparent 76-yard touchdown run was nullified by a holding penalty in the second quarter. Ansonia reached the NWC 1-yard line in the first half, but two holding penalties and a false start pushed them back.
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Northwest began possessions on the Ansonia 21-yard line late in the first half and 33-yard line early in the second, but could not score.
They finally moved 47 yards for the winning drive. On 3rd-and-goal at the 1-yard line, Northwest tried a “tush-push” but failed. On 4th down, Burback threw a quick slant to Patrick Knorr in the end zone with 8:54 left.
Ansonia couldn’t move the ball, and when Northwest got it back, Burbank hit Kayden Davis for 30 yards and the second score with 6:38 to play. Knorr made an interception and returned it deep into Ansonia territory to set up Mark Chaney’s 1-yard run with 4:55 to go. Northwest’s defense dominated the second half.