WOODBURY ー During Nonnewaug’s annual Corn Bowl game Nov. 25, staff members and senior boys faced against each other to determine a flag football champion. Packed with school spirit and friendly rivalry, the match united students, staff, and the community in a thrilling celebration of tradition that some think resembled a lumberjacking competition.

Declan Curtin, Nonnewaug’s assistant principal, was happy with the outcome of the game especially with principal Mykal Kuslis’s crucial touchdown when he returned an interception by senior Mathew Shupenis.

“If I was to write an article in a newspaper, I’d title it ‘Small Ax Cuts Down a Big Tree’ because my visual images of Dr. Kuslis basically destroying Matt Shupenis,” said Curtin. “A lot of our students who are physically much taller and stronger and bigger [and] could be redwoods, but at the same time we come in there and we just dominate and we’re like beavers — we work really hard and and we destroy things in our path and we are victorious.”

Athletic trainer Sean McGee caught the game-winning touchdown pass from wellness teacher Kyle Tehan, who threw the ball over Shupenis in coverage.

“I had a great time and a ton of fun,” said Shupenis. “It was nice to see the school spirit and competitiveness between students and faculty members. Even though the students didn’t win and they scored the game-winning touchdown on me, in the end I had a lot of fun.”

At the end of the day Curtin is just happy all of his staff were OK and the underdogs got the victory.

“I think of the Vision of a Learner attributes a lot,” said Curtin. “When I think of our faculty, they were full of adapting and adjusting as well as persevering, and the best part of the day was the following day when 100% of the teachers showed up to work and none of them were injured, which just goes to show that we are in peak physical condition as well as unbelievable mental fortitude. That’s what I think of the entire faculty at Nonnewaug High School.”

The teachers won 44-38 and ended with a great game.