For the first time since 2008, the New Britain Golden Hurricanes started 4-0, so when rival Southington came to town it was almost a foregone conclusion for the game to be a classic.

Having won six state titles since 1998 between the two, it’s safe to say these teams are powerhouse programs. The Southington Blue Knights have turned this rivalry to a one-sided affair, beating New Britain for the past 10 years.

This New Britain team is like no other and it was evident before kickoff.  As teams gathered in the middle of the field New Britain elected not to shake hands, fueling the tension between the two teams. Southington received the ball first and punted on their first drive.

New Britain’s Shawn Robinson picked up where he left off last week against Simsbury, picking up three straight first downs before punching it in for six from 12 yards out. Though the Blue Devils were down, they were not out, and on their very next possession, thanks to good starting field position, they scored after a three-yard Tanner LaRosa run, taking the lead 7-6.

But New Britain kept pouring it on as Robinson, again, took it in for six and with just 15 seconds left in the half. Then a pass from Tahje Yopp to Deshawn Clark pushed the lead to 18-7.

Like most championship teams, Southington made adjustments at half. After completing just three of 17 passes for 46 yards in the first half, Jacob Drena came alive in the second. After several missed red zone opportunities from New Britain, the Blue Knights began to chip away at the lead.

Drena hit Jacob Flynn for a 21-yard touchdown pass with 4:41 left in the fourth, taking the lead at 21-18.

“I told my team all week I promise you we will not lose this game,” Drena said.

Upon the next Hurricane possession, they drove down the field highlighted by a 35-yard gain to Miguel Maldonado, leading to a Yopp score from 15 yards out, retaking the lead 24-21 with just 1:48 left on the clock.

It couldn’t have been scripted better. The Blue Knights took possession and began driving down the field. The New Britain defense was stingy but after a controversial call on fourth and three, it seemed to deflate the defense. Drena remained poised and hit wide receiver Will Downes for a 26-yard gain, leaving him down at the four-yard line, setting up a game-winning touchdown by LaRosa.

“I just trusted my team, my coaches and their play call,” Drena said.

“We knew we were more conditioned than them,” Downes said.

And it proved to be costly for the Hurricanes.  Next week the Hurricanes have a bye and will look to see if they can bounce back against (1-4) Hall on the Oct. 19.