WILTON — The Ridgefield High School football team’s defense had its back against the wall on two separate occasions in the fourth quarter Saturday against rival Wilton. Both times — with no margin for error — the Tigers came up big in preserving a thrilling 21-6 victory.
“We’re really proud,” Ridgefield senior Kurt Monahan. “Every year for Ridgefield, the defense is always resilient, and we always have a lot of heart. We work really hard, and it shows on the field.”
Monahan made a game-saving play less than a minute into the fourth quarter. Wilton’s Kyle Phillips scored on a 3-yard run to cut Ridgefield’s lead to 7-6. Rather than kick the extra point and tie the game, the Warriors decided to go for two, but Monahan had other plans. Wilton quarterback James O’Brien faked a handoff, rolled to his left, and spotted a receiver wide open in the end zone. Monahan, however, read the play perfectly and batted down O’Brien’s pass to protect the lead.
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