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With team speed to burn, the carpet suited Hyde just fine and running back Dy'onne Crudup scored three touchdowns to help the Howling Wolves, ranked No. 10 in the Register Top 10 poll, cruise to a 56-22 triumph Tuesday night.
The win catapulted Hyde into the championship game Saturday against Cromwell, which defeated Ansonia in the other semifinal.
Hyde, which normally plays at Bowen Field in New Haven, a grass field, took advantage of the Strong Stadium turf and punished the West Hartford school with its ground attack.
Hyde amassed 362 rushing yards.
"We thought coming into this game that we could establish the run. When we were deciding where to play our game, Strong Stadium immediately came to mind," Hyde coach John Acquavita said. "Our running game was outstanding, with guys like Dy'onne Crudup (running back) and Chaz Neal (quarterback) working their tails off all night."
The Wolves jumped out a 25-0 first-quarter lead behind Crudup runs of 17 and 26 yards, a Neal run of 21 yards, and a 26-yard touchdown pass from Neal to Willie Harriott.
"I think tonight's win puts our league (the Pequot Conference) in a higher light. We moved into the (Register) poll this week as well," Acquavita said. "But to gain the ultimate respect, we need to win a Class S state championship."
In the second quarter, Hyde went back to work and Crudup scored on a 77-yard run to make it 31-0. The last 2 minutes, 17 seconds of the quarter netted four more scores.
At the 2:17 mark, Neal found Harriott on a 10-yard pass to give Hyde a 37-0 edge.
Northwest Catholic responded with 1:12 left in the half when Mike Sarnese threaded a 39-yard touchdown pass to Justin Jarvis to make it 37-8.
Hyde tacked on two scores in a 52-second span. James Nixon had a 50-yard touchdown run and also intercepted a Sarnese pass and returned it 58 yards for a score.
"Coach Acquavita told me to watch the fade on their (Northwest Catholic) big receiver. I was lucky enough to pick it off and get a score," Nixon said.
The Indians started the third quarter with a 29-yard touchdown pass from Mike Bourdon to Jarvis to make it 49-14.
At the 6:27 mark of the third quarter, Hyde lined up to execute its second punt of the night, but a botched snap prompted Harriott, the punter, to scramble for the first down. He later ran 47 yards into the end zone for a 56-14 lead.
"We played a great team tonight. I'm proud of my team's accomplishments, but we'll just have to try and get back here again," Northwest Catholic coach Mike Tyler said.
Jarvis was stellar for Northwest with nine catches and all three of the Indians' touchdowns.
Crudup carried 15 times for 196 yards and three touchdowns, Harriott caught four passes for 53 yards and two touchdowns in addition to his 47-yard scoring run, and Nixon had two interceptions.
