Billy Seymour’s 53-yard touchdown run with just over three minutes left gave New Britain a 21-20 victory over Maloney in a CCC Tier 1 football matchup at Veterans Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026. The senior quarterback accounted for all three New Britain touchdowns, including runs of 79 and 8 yards earlier in the game, delivering a late score that proved decisive after Maloney had taken a brief lead.
New Britain, ranked No. 10 in the GametimeCT poll, improved to 2-1 after rebounding from a heavy 35-7 loss to No. 2 Greenwich the previous week. Maloney slipped to 1-2 after suffering its second consecutive defeat, following a 50-36 loss to No. 9 Ridgefield. The game unfolded as another intense chapter in the growing rivalry between these two CCC powerhouses.
Maloney’s senior quarterback, Eli Showerda, kept the Spartans competitive despite the absence of injured senior running back Devan Bacote. Showerda, fresh off a school-record 422-yard passing game last week, scored on a 17-yard keeper late in the third quarter. He then connected with Joel Lopez on a 2-yard touchdown pass on fourth down to tie the game at 14 apiece with 7:30 remaining.
Maloney’s defense made a critical play soon after, recovering a New Britain fumble at the 32-yard line. Showerda capitalised, finding Jaymeir Diaz in the back of the end zone from 21 yards out. The extra point attempt failed, leaving Maloney ahead 20-14 with just under five minutes to play.
That’s when Seymour took over. His 53-yard touchdown run down the right sideline, set up by strong blocking and his own acceleration, put New Britain back in front. Jonathan Nunez added the extra point to make it 21-20.
Maloney mounted a final push after a 50-yard kickoff return by Cayden Simonds Gaskins set the Spartans up near midfield. Showerda converted a fourth-and-5 with a 12-yard pass to Jayden Soto, eventually moving Maloney into New Britain’s red zone. On third-and-3 from the 16, New Britain defensive end Zion Calvin forced Showerda out of bounds for a 3-yard loss, stalling the drive.
With 30 seconds left, Maloney sent on Eli Osei to attempt a 36-yard field goal that would have won the game. The kick was on target but fell just short, sealing New Britain’s narrow victory.
New Britain coach Isaiah Boddie praised Seymour’s determination after the game, saying, “He wanted the ball in that situation. He said, ‘Coach, I need the ball. I need ball. Give me the ball. Give me the ball!’”
The rivalry between New Britain and Maloney has produced several close finishes in recent years. Last season, New Britain rallied from a 21-0 deficit to win 30-28 at Falcon Field. The 2024 meeting ended 20-17 in New Britain’s favor amid post-game tensions. Before that, Maloney had won convincingly in 2023 and 2021. Maloney leads the all-time series 14-13.
Thursday’s game added another dramatic chapter to this longstanding contest, with both teams fighting hard and the lead changing hands multiple times before Seymour’s late burst.
New Britain now looks ahead with a 2-1 record, while Maloney will seek to bounce back from its second straight loss at 1-2. The CCC Tier 1 schedule continues next week with both teams eager to improve their standings.
According to Yahoo Sports.
