Xavier football turns opening-game jitters into a convincing win over East Haven
Maxwell Murphy threw three touchdown passes while Xavier's defense took control in the victory.
On Friday, September 11, 2026, Xavier High School's football team secured a convincing 27-2 victory over East Haven in their season-opening game at Middletown. Veteran coach Sean Marinan expected hyperactive comments from his starting quarterback, but Maxwell Murphy's controlled performance proved him wrong. Murphy threw three touchdown passes, two of which came in the second quarter, as the team adjusted and dominated the action.
East Haven took the lead in the opening quarter after a high punt sailed out of the end zone, but Murphy quickly responded with a 17-yard touchdown pass to Eli Halvorsen. Roby contributed significantly with two key runs, while Chandler scored a 26-yard touchdown in the second half. Despite a close chance when Fowler connected with Staron, Xavier's defense prevented any further scoring opportunities, allowing them to maintain their 27-point lead.
Coach Marinan acknowledged the struggles of his team but praised their growth and defensive efforts. The Yellowjackets showed promise, with two interceptions by Charles Fowler and Lucien Moran. Despite the loss, East Haven's coach, Scott Benoit, expressed confidence in his team's potential for improvement. Maxwell Murphy led Xavier with seven tackles, while Jacob Barnhart, Joey Zappulla, and Liam Lefebvre each had two tackles for loss, contributing to the team's successful comeback.
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