Harding's defense played tough in the early going, but Wreckers quarterback Brandon Pacilio broke the ice for the locals running it from five yards out. Santiago Cuartas then drilled the extra point to give Staples a 7-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Early in the second quarter, Pacilio suffered a severe ankle injury and will be lost to the Wreckers indefinitely. Pacilio was having a banner season for Staples as both a passing and running threat. The senior had quietly established himself as one of the top quarterbacks in the Fairfield County Interscholastic Athletic Conference (FCIAC).
But on Saturday afternoon in Bridgeport, Staples showed its resiliency as senior Kevin Gelman stepped in for Pacilio and played a solid game for the Westporters, efficiently directing the Staples offense as the Wreckers pulled away from the Presidents on their home field.
Along with Gelman, Staples defense was again a key to victory. The defenders accounted for three separate scores including a second quarter safety that extended the Wreckers lead to 9-0. A furious pass rush forced Harding quarterback Julius McCord to throw the ball out of bounds from his own end zone for the two points.
Staples was able to breathe a little easier by taking a 19-0 lead into the locker room at halftime. A six yard TD run by Gelman and a 28 yard field goal by Cuartas accounted for the 10 points that helped take the starch out of the Presidents' (0-6) upset bid.
Matt Kelly then smashed in from 10 yards out on Staples first series of the third quarter, giving his team a 26-0 lead. Back to back defensive touchdowns then put the game virtually out of reach as Brendan Rankowitz scored on a 45 yard interception return and Tyler Jacobs scooped up a Harding fumble and raced it back 21 yards for the score. Those 21 third quarter points gave Staples its eventual winning margin of 40-0.
The shutout was the Wreckers third of the season, having previously shutout Ridgefield (30-0) and Brien McMahon (45-0). Staples has allowed 19 points, the fewest in the state and are now ranked fourth in the Connecticut Sports Writers Alliance poll.
Next up, the locals will travel a few miles east down the Post Road for an away game at FCIAC rival Fairfield Ludlowe, a possible trap game for the 6-0 Wreckers.
The Falcons generally play tough against Staples, and currently stand at 3-3 for the season. Ludlowe opened the season with three straight losses to Bridgeport Central, Ridgefield and New Canaan. Since then, the Fairfielders have won three straight, knocking off Harding, Norwalk and McMahon.
Kickoff is Friday night at 7 p.m., under the lights at Ludlowe.