Around Town

Did You Hear … ?

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U.S. Postal Service officials have the keys to their new building and say they’re hoping to open the Post Office on Locust Avenue in New Canaan “this winter.” A more specific date is not yet available. “We are ‘postalizing’ the interior by installing counters, electronic equipment, security features and other necessary items to conduct postal business,” USPS spokesperson Christine Dugas told NewCanaanite.com. ***

Originally scheduled for next week, the Grace Farms application to come before the Planning & Zoning Commission will be heard at the group’s Nov. 29 meeting, officials say. ***

Town officials say the motor vehicle that veered off of Old Stamford Road/Route 106 on Sunday morning and crashed into the Old Studio Road sign near the sharp bend there was traveling at about 60 mph.

Sports

New Canaan Reigns Over Westhill 35-7

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There was no deluge as had been forecast by local weather outlets, but that didn’t stop the No. 2-ranked New Canaan Rams football team from raining points down on Westhill Saturday afternoon. The Rams (4-0) scored the first 21 points of the game and never looked back on the way to a 35-7 road win over the Vikings (1-3) at J. Walter Kennedy Stadium. Both teams put last year’s controversial move of a Friday game to Monday due to rainy weather behind them, as this season’s game was completed without any lingering acrimony. “I thought those Westhill kids played hard and did a really good job against us,” New Canaan head coach Lou Marinelli told NewCanaanite.com. “Offensively, we’re coming.

Sports

New Canaan Football Blanks Central 49-0

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It was at times sloppy, but New Canaan’s 49-0 win over Bridgeport Central was money in the bank for head coach Lou Marinelli—especially considering New Canaan’s recent history against the Hilltoppers at cavernous Kennedy Stadium. “You never know what you’re going to get when you come up here,” Marinelli told NewCanaanite.com. “This can be the house of horrors for us.”

But those looking for a replay of New Canaan’s shocking 42-7 defeat at the hands of the Hilltoppers in 2009 would be sorely disappointed. New Canaan outgained Central 402 to 149 in total offense—including 246 yards on the ground, despite being without injured senior offensive lineman, co-captain Teddy Hood—and put the game away early with a 35-0 lead at halftime, crushing any notion of another upset. The Rams were led by senior co-captain Ryan O’Connell, who rushed for 125 yards and two touchdowns.

Sports

Pyne, O’Connell Lead New Canaan Football Over Ridgefield, 41-21

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After last week’s shaky win over Trinity Catholic, the New Canaan Rams were looking a leader who could step up and give a struggling offense an identity, a rhythm and some confidence. Enter Drew Pyne. The freshman quarterback solved New Canaan’s quarterback conundrum, completing 20 of 35 passes for 281 yards and two touchdowns, rushing for 58 yards and helped lead the Rams to a convincing 41-21 win over Ridgefield Friday night at Dunning Field. “Just a tremendous job for his first time as a varsity starting quarterback,” New Canaan head coach Lou Marinelli told NewCanaanite.com. “He exceeded my expectations for sure.

Sports

New Canaan Old Timers Association Spotlight: Mario Lopez

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One of the most intense competitors in the history of New Canaan High School athletics, Mario Lopez was a two-sport star for the Rams. The 1984 grad was a captain in both baseball and football in his senior year. Lopez was an inside linebacker for the Rams in head coach Lou Marinelli’s earliest seasons. Mentored by assistant coaches Joe Ditolla and Bo Hickey, Lopez earned three Varsity letters from 1981 to 1983, emerging as New Canaan’s top tackler and earning a reputation as one of the FCIAC’s hardest hitters. “Mario really set the tone for our team,” Marinelli told New Canaanite.com. “He was so emotional and so intense, one of the most intense players I’ve ever had.