Early in Wreckers’ Saturday match up against Fairfield Warde, Joey Zelkowitz ’13, Staples’ leading running back, went down with a shoulder injury.

“When Joey goes down in the first quarter, people are looking around like, ‘Oh my god, what are we going to do?’” said Staples Head Coach Marce Petroccio. “But we have some other players who picked up the slack today.”

Jack Massie ’14 threw for two touchdowns and ran for another. Nick Kelly ’13 ran a touchdown and caught another and Jon Heil ’12 ran the ball in for a score. The Wreckers took a commanding 35-17 victory over the Mustangs of Fairfield Warde in yet another second-half comeback, a trademark win for the Wreckers who fought back to beat Darien a week before, and did the same against Brien McMahon a few weeks prior. The Wreckers improved their record to 7-0.

“Well, the way they were running their defense there were some good openings in both the passing and rushing game,” Massie said. “We just had to find those holes and then execute.”

Petroccio has strong feelings about his team’s character.

“They’re a young team, they could fold their tents at any time. I’m proud that they can handle tough times,” Petroccio said. “It’s a testament to the kids and the coaches. These kids believe that they cannot lose.”

Next week the Wreckers will kick off against 0-7 Westhill as they forge onward towards their goal of making the FCIAC Championship.

“We’re excited to play next week and hopefully get another win, and play in a game that has great importance afterward,” Petroccio said.

With New Canaan’s loss to Stamford on Saturday night, the Wreckers sit in first place in the FCIAC, in second is Greenwich, the Wreckers’ venerable Thanksgiving Day opponent. If both Staples and Greenwich win next week, the two will face off in a Turkey Day/FCIAC Championship double feature.

“Obviously we are looking forward to the FCIAC championship,” Massie said. “But first we need to try and keep our mind set on Westhill, we can’t take anything for granted.”

Greenwich, who is 7-0 in the FCIAC, took a loss earlier in the season to New London, an out-of-conference foe, which does not affect the FCIAC standings.

Many still believe New Canaan deserves to play in the conference championship—its All-FCIAC quarterback Matt Milano sustained a head injury on one of the early drives of the game, which made a big impact during the game.

Staples takes on Westhill next week in Stamford at 1:30 p.m.