'Always the underdogs.' Bunnell HS Football one win away from first state championship since 2007
One more victory would clinch the program's first state title since 2007.
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Six high school football teams will be crowned state champions this Saturday, and Bunnell is hoping to be one of them.
The Bulldogs are riding a seven-game winning streak into the Class MM championship game against Windsor.
One more victory would clinch the program's first state title since 2007 nearly 20 years ago.
"It would mean a lot," senior running back Rickie Miller says. "Because it hasn't happened in a long time."
Bunnell breezed through Fitch in the first round of the state playoffs and then upset Wilton 21-20 Monday night in the semifinal.
"We're always the underdog," head coach Ty Jenkins says. "No one expects this from us."
Jenkins gets emotional reflecting on his time leading the program.
In his first year back in 2019, the Bulldogs finished with a 3-7 record.
"We're excited for this moment," Jenkins says. "We're taking it day by day just like we practice, brick by brick."
Junior running back Rody Ricketts says support from the Stratford community has fueled the team.
"Our parents have been here since day one," Ricketts says. "Our fans come to support in the cold, the heat, everything."
Kickoff for Saturday's game is slated for 3 p.m. at Arute Field on the campus of Central Connecticut State University.
"As happy as we are to be here," Jenkins says, "we didn't come this far just to come this far."
Bunnell won't be the only team playing for a state title.
New Canaan faces Cheshire in the Class L championship at 4 p.m. at Veteran's Stadium in New Britain.
Following that game, Greenwich will play Southington in the Class LL championship.
Check out the highlights and final scores from the title games on Saturday night on News 12 Connecticut
