McDonald’s strong passing effort helps Falcons fly past Fermi

Avon’s Luke Meaney (80) runs upfield with the ball in Saturday’s win over Fermi-Enfield. Leon Asberry (32) and Geoff Kirk (12) look to help with blocking. (Photo courtesy Mark Zacchio)

Ian McDonald threw for 271 yards in Saturday’s win over Fermi.

AVON, Oct. 3 – The Avon High football team is looking to sharpen its offense. The Falcons have been forced to adjust due to season-ending injuries to two starters on the offensive line – guard Liam Russell and tackle Andrew Marshall.

Justin Nastri, George Pavlakis and Sam Donahue have stepped into the starting lineup.

Things went well Saturday as the Falcons improved to 3-1 in its Central Connecticut Conference debut season with a dominating 35-6 CCC Division III East Division victory over Fermi-Enfield. Avon senior quarterback Ian McDonald completed 11-of-25 passes for a career-high 271 yards and a touchdown.

McDonald’s 271 yards ranks as the second-highest performance in school history. Noah Hahn threw for 280 yards against Valley Regional/Old Lyme in 2013 and Colin Pavano also threw for 280 yards against Housatonic/Wamogo in 2010.

Geoff Kirk caught two passes for game-high 89 yards including a 45-yard completion in the third quarter. Sean Del Gallo caught two passes for 83 yards including a 48-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter.

Avon improved to 2-0 in the CCC Div. III East. The Falcons have Eastern Division games remaining with Rockville (0-4, 0-2) on Nov. 7 and a game with Berlin (4-0, 2-0) on Friday, Oct. 23 at Scalise Field in Berlin that will likely determine the East Division pennant.

But before games with Berlin and Rockville, the Falcons will host Bloomfield (3-1, 2-0 CCC Div. III West) next Saturday at home in a key game for Avon’s CIAC state tournament hopes.

Fermi (0-4, 0-2 CCC Div. III East) is playing its final season of scholastic football. The team will merge with Enfield High next fall.

Sam Donahue (53) puts pressure on Fermi during a punt in Saturday’s victory. (Photo courtesy Mark Zacchio)

Avon took command early. They marched 76 yards on its first possession with McDonald scoring from the one-yard line for a 7-0 lead. The big play on the drive was a 44-yard completion from McDonald to Kirk to the Fermi 30-yard line.

Sean Del Gallo scores on a 48-yard touchdown pass from Ian McDonald. (Photo courtesy Mark Zacchio)

After forcing Fermi to punt, Avon’s Danny Taylor had a return of 21 yards to allow Avon to take over on the Fermi 48-yard line. McDonald hit Del Gallo in stride for a 48-yard touchdown reception and a 14-0 lead.

On its next drive, a 27-yard pass to Leon Asberry and a 12-yard completion to Taylor set up a three-yard touchdown run from McDonald and a 21-0 advantage.

In the second quarter, Luke Meaney had receptions of 27 and 15 yards on a touchdown drive that ended with Asberry scoring from the one-yard line for a 28-0 lead.

In the third quarter, Fermi did drive to the Avon 4-yard line but the Falcon defense stiffened and Fermi turned the ball over after an incomplete pass on fourth down. Avon responded by driving 96 yards with Teddy Allmendinger scoring on a four-yard run for a 35-0 lead. Key plays on the drive came on a 45-pass reception by Geoff Kirk and a 22-yard run by Allmendinger.

NOTES: It was the first and last meeting between the two schools on the football field … Avon’s Alden Getz was 5-for-5 with extra points. … Avon’s Ryan Nolan recovered a fumble.

Avon 35, Fermi 6
At Avon
Fermi (0-4)      0  0  0  6  —  6
Avon (3-1)     21  7  7  0  — 35
First quarter
A: Ian McDonald 1 run (Alden Getz kick)
A: Sean Del Gallo 48 pass from McDonald (Getz kick)
A: McDonald 3 run (Getz kick)
Second quarter
A: Leon Asberry 1 run (Getz kick)
Third quarter
A: Teddy Allemendinger 4 run (Getz kick)
Fourth quarter
F: Ian Grabowski 38 run (pass fails)
Individual statistics
RUSHING – Avon: Ian McDonald 7-48, Leon Asberry 8-33, Teddy Allmendinger 3-27, Tommy Donovan 5-17, Dan Quick 1-1, unknown (25) 2-minus 4, Peter Gerosa 2-minus 4, Ryan Nolan 3-minus 18
PASSING – Avon: McDonald 11-15-0, 271, 1 TD; Gerosa 0-1-1, 0
RECEIVING – Avon: Asberry 2-33, Donovan 1-12, Sean Del Gallo 2-83, Geoff Kirk 2-89, Luke Meaney 2-42, Danny Taylor 1-2
RETURNS –Taylor (A) 3-57 (punt); FUMBLE REC: Ryan Nolan (A) 1-1