West Hartford’s Northwest Catholic High School football team was defeated Saturday afternoon in the Class S championship game.

Sports reporting is sponsored by Keating Agency Insurance

Northwest Catholic QB Vincent Burbank is trying to find an open receiver . Northwest Catholic vs. Sheehan. CIAC Class S championship. Photo credit: Savannah Cote

By Savannah Cote

The Northwest Catholic Lions delivered a season to remember, finishing with a 9-1 regular season record and a postseason run that exceeded expectations, even as they entered most playoff games as underdogs.

Their journey culminated in a state championship appearance, where they ultimately fell to No. 5 seed Sheehan (Wallingford), 21-7. While the final result was disappointing, the No. 6 seed Lions’ performance on the sport’s biggest stage reflected the toughness, discipline, and resilience that defined their year.

Kaedean Stewart is trying to find an opening. Northwest Catholic vs. Sheehan. CIAC Class S championship. Photo credit: Savannah Cote

From the opening kickoff, Northwest Catholic relied on its defense to keep the championship game within reach. Facing a physical and efficient Sheehan offense, the Lions repeatedly rose to the moment with timely stops. The defense made its presence felt on multiple third- and fourth-down situations, preventing Sheehan from extending drives and keeping the game competitive well into the second half.

Several individual performances stood out on the defensive side of the ball. Patrick Knorr provided a momentum swing with a crucial fumble recovery, giving the Lions a chance to flip field position and generate offense. Jacob Krause and Bryce Jones each recorded sacks, disrupting Sheehan’s rhythm and forcing long-yardage situations. In the trenches, Caiden Reese and Marc Cheney consistently penetrated the backfield, combining for tackles for loss that limited Sheehan’s rushing attack and showcased Northwest Catholic’s physicality up front.

Ayden Ayala is celebrating after a huge catch. Northwest Catholic vs. Sheehan. CIAC Class S championship. Photo credit: Savannah Cote

The game remained scoreless at halftime.

Despite the constant pressure, Sheehan capitalized on a handful of key moments, but Northwest Catholic’s defense ensured that no lead ever felt insurmountable. The unit’s ability to respond after setbacks was emblematic of a team that had thrived all season when counted out.

Offensively, the Lions found success through timely execution and big-play potential. One of the game’s defining moments came on a massive first-down reception by Kayden Davis, who hauled in a catch of more than 30 yards to move the chains and inject life into the offense. That momentum carried over later when Davis struck again, this time in the end zone, recording a receiving touchdown that put Northwest Catholic on the scoreboard and kept the championship contest within striking distance.

Kayden Davis is trying to find an opening. Northwest Catholic vs. Sheehan. CIAC Class S championship. Photo credit: Savannah Cote

While the offense faced challenges against Sheehan’s disciplined defense, those flashes highlighted the balance and explosiveness that helped power the Lions throughout the season. Northwest Catholic’s ability to produce in high-pressure moments was a hallmark of its playoff run and a key reason the team advanced as far as it did.

The last time Northwest Catholic made it to the championship game was in 2009, when they were shut out 21-0 by Hyde Leadership.

Although the Lions fell short of claiming the title inm 2025, their season stands as a testament to perseverance and belief. Time and again, Northwest Catholic embraced the underdog role, responding with strong performances against formidable opponents. The championship loss does not diminish a campaign defined by hard work, unity, and competitive spirit.

Both teams are fighting for a fumble recovery . Northwest Catholic vs. Sheehan. CIAC Class S championship. Photo credit: Savannah Cote

For Northwest Catholic, the 2025 season will be remembered not just for the final score but for a remarkable run that showcased the program’s growth and established the Lions as one of the state’s toughest competitors.

Vincent Burbank is trying to find an opening. Northwest Catholic vs. Sheehan. CIAC Class S championship. Photo credit: Savannah Cote

Kaedean Stewart is trying to find an opening. Northwest Catholic vs. Sheehan. CIAC Class S championship. Photo credit: Savannah Cote

Vincent Burbank is trying to find an opening. Northwest Catholic vs. Sheehan. CIAC Class S championship. Photo credit: Savannah Cote

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