Masuk High School's football team won the South-West Conference championships with a dominating 46-7 victory over the Nighthawks Wednesday evening at Newtown High School.

"That's why they're No. 2," Newtown coach Steve George said of Masuk.

The Panthers showed what has kept them undefeated all season as they went on a scoring rampage after an even first quarter, putting down seven touchdowns while keeping Newtown's powerhouse rusher, Lou Fenaroli, in check.

"They're really good against the run and they create turnovers," Masuk coach John Murphy said of his defense. "The defense is underrated."

George said the Nighthawks came into the game with the intention of winning, and for the first quarter succeeding in keeping the Panthers off of the scoreboard.

But then the momentum quickly changed in the second quarter as the Panthers' Brandon Cusmano caught a pass in the endzone to put Masuk on the scoreboard.

Newtown appeared to be battling back, in the midst of a drive of its own after reaching first down with a completion by Jake Devellis at the 37-yard line when Masuk's Patrick Tripodi picked-off a pass and returned it for a touchdown.

Up 12-0 with less than seven minutes remaining in the second quarter, the Panthers would score again that quarter, beginning with a 73-yard catch and carry by Colin Markus – named Most Valuable Player – that was followed by a run into the endzone by Masuk's Thomas Milone.

In the third quarter, the Nighthawks finally put points on the scoreboard in a drive that included catches by Julian Dunn, Devellis and Dan Hebert and carries by Fenaroli. A face-mask penalty against Masuk brought the Nighthawks to a first-and-goal and Hebert eventually connected with Dunn for a touchdown.

But that would be Newtown's first and only goal as Masuk finished the third quarter with a Markus touchdown. In the fourth quarter, Milone and then later Markus would score two more touchdowns. The final and seventh Masuk touchdown came after the Panthers' Nathaniel Coleman made an interception and returned it 65 yards for a touchdown.

The rivalry between Masuk and Newtown is an annual crowd pleaser and Wednesday's game was no exception.

The Panthers were to have hosted the game but due to abysmal home field conditions, the game was moved to Newtown's Blue and Gold Stadium where nearly every parking space, real or impromptu in the parking lot and on nearby roadway shoulders and medians, was taken.

Masuk has played only two home games all season due to its field, so moving the match to Newtown wasn't much of a hardship, Murphy said.

"We're used to it," he said. "To come and play in a nice turf field isn't too bad either."

The SWC title win gained Masuk (10-0) entry into the upcoming state Class L playoffs while the Nighthawks (8-2) already qualify for a spot in their Class LL playoffs.

Editor's note: This article is posted on Newtown and Monroe Patch sites and will feature comments from readers of both.