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Staples High School claimed a landmark victory Friday, recording the program’s 500th win with a 20-0 shutout of longtime rival Darien in a rain-drenched showdown in Westport. The result — a defensive clinic paired with two touchdown passes from quarterback Grant Bozeman — both reclaimed momentum after a loss and kept Staples firmly in postseason view.
Playing in steady rain, the Wreckers built an early lead and relied on a swarming defense to preserve the milestone. The shutout extended Staples’ recent dominance over Darien and marked a memorable way to reach a half-century of program wins.
Defense sets the tone
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Darien never reached the end zone. Staples’ defense produced multiple game-changing plays: two interceptions, a forced fumble recovered in the final minute, and two stops on downs deep in Staples territory.
Standouts included Parker Toohey — who recovered the decisive fumble in the closing 30 seconds — and Luke Bernier, both finishing with seven tackles; Bernier added three sacks while Toohey had two. Defensive backs Hunter Ballai and Luke Moneyhon split the interceptions, the latter hauling in a diving pick.
- Takeaway plays: 2 interceptions, 1 fumble recovery, multiple sacks and two goal-line stands.
- Final defensive sequence: Toohey’s fumble recovery prompted officials to end the game shortly afterward.
- Impact: A shutout that erased the sting of last week’s loss and reinforced Staples’ defensive identity heading into the stretch run.
Offense delivers when needed
While the defense dominated, the offense produced the points that mattered. Bozeman completed 14 of 21 passes for 202 yards and two touchdowns, connecting on a 51-yard strike to Noah Sandrew and a 15-yard scoring pass to Levi Belzer.
Belzer finished as the leading receiver with seven catches for 88 yards. On the ground, Nicolas Trascari added a 3-yard rushing touchdown and totaled 46 yards on eight carries. Staples put all 20 points on the board before the fourth quarter and let the defense close out the game.
| Stat | Result |
|---|---|
| Final score | Staples 20, Darien 0 |
| Staples record | 5-1 |
| QB | Grant Bozeman — 14/21, 202 yards, 2 TDs |
| Top receiver | Levi Belzer — 7 receptions, 88 yards, 1 TD |
| Leading rush | Nicolas Trascari — 46 yards, 1 TD (8 carries) |
| Defensive leaders | Parker Toohey (7 tackles, 2 sacks, fumble rec), Luke Bernier (7 tackles, 3 sacks) |
| Turnovers forced | 3 (2 INTs, 1 fumble recovery) |
| Next game | Bye week; return Oct. 30 at Wilton |
Game flow followed a consistent pattern: Staples led 7-0 after one quarter, stretched the edge to 13-0 at halftime and entered the fourth up 20-0, according to local reports. From there the defense allowed no comeback.
A milestone with timing
The timing of the 500th win matters for more than the record book. After an early-season skid — the Wreckers dropped a 17-10 decision to Danbury the previous week, Danbury’s first win over Staples since 2014 — Friday’s result answered questions about the team’s resilience.
Staples opened the season with a four-game winning streak, including a late comeback against Cheshire on Oct. 2, then hit adversity. This victory shows the program can regroup and rely on a defense capable of carrying the team through high-pressure moments.
The half-millennium mark also symbolizes decades of players, coaches and community moments. But on Friday it was less about history and more about momentum: Staples enters its bye week at 5-1, with a stout defense as the foundation for its postseason push.
