Converting regular-season dominance into postseason success can be difficult, but the Hawks showed no signs of slowing down last Wednesday night against Bloomfield. The team played with the same confidence and rhythm that carried them through the fall, charging past the Bloomfield Warhawks with a 42–14 victory. 

From the opening kickoff, Woodland took command on both sides of the ball, quickly establishing a lead and never letting Bloomfield settle in. The lopsided margin was nothing new for the Hawks, who have now secured ten wins this season by 21 points or more (MaxPreps), routinely putting games out of reach well before the final whistle. 

The win also extended the Hawks’ impressive home streak. Dating back to last season, Wednesday marked their tenth consecutive victory on their own field, pushing their overall record to a spotless 11–0. That stretch has been powered by their tight defense, which has given up an average of just 7.6 points per game this season (MaxPreps). 

“We played a solid game [but] we had some lapses,” said head coach Joe Lato. “There are things we can’t control, but we did it. We may have lost a little focus on Bloomfield’s last scoring drive, but we did a lot more good than bad.” 

For Bloomfield, it was the Warhawks’ second straight defeat, dropping them to 7–4 and ending their postseason momentum. While Bloomfield showed flashes of big-play ability that have defined their season, they struggled to sustain drives against Woodlands’ disciplined defense and couldn’t recover once the Hawks pulled away.

Looking ahead, Woodland Regional gears up for the class “S” semifinal matchup on Monday at 6:30 p.m. when they face the Sheehan Titans. The game is shaping up to be a showcase of two of the state’s most explosive running backs: Woodland’s own Ean Pringle and Sheehan’s standout Josh Durant. 

Pringle has been leading the Hawks’ offense, scoring a high of 19 total touchdowns, putting him in the 17th spot among total touchdowns, averaging 94.7 yards per game. 

Durant is almost identically matched up to Pringle skill-wise, scoring 19 total touchdowns, placing him in the 18th spot in Connecticut, and averaging 117.5 rushing yards per game.

If Woodland Regional continues its current level of play, fans may be in for a state-title showdown from the undefeated Hawks. 

“Sheehan is a very good team,” said Lato. “They are very well coached with many good players. We got to play one play at a time, stay in the moment, focus on our jobs, and play with relentless effort.”