MONROE - Aaron Champagne threw for two touchdown passes and ran for three more to power the Masuk football team past Bunnell 41-26 and keep the Panthers unbeaten at 5-0 ahead of a matchup next week against fellow SWC unbeaten Pomperaug.
"Tonight was a great feeling coming out and putting 41 up on (Bunnell) because they have great players and coaches and all the respect to them," Champagne said. "We are going to start preparing for (Pomaperaug), they are a great team too but we have to just do what we do and that's Masuk football."
Champagne ran for scores of 21, 14 and 7 yards and threw touchdown passes to Jace McGee (7 yards), and Domenico Convertito on a screen which went for a 50-yard score.
Champagne was able to do it on the ground as well as through the air and late in the game was able to pick up tough yards on inside runs to keep possession of the ball.
Masuk was up 21-0 early, but Bunnell scored before the half on a 14-yard pass to Rody Ricketts from Jake Garrigan.
The Bulldogs got within 21-12 in the third quarter on a 3-yard scoring run by Garrigan but would not get any closer as Masuk answered every Bunnell score.
"We are 5-0 and that's something special," Masuk coach Chris Pace said. "These guys are excited to take the field and excited to play in big-time games."
Masuk's last win over Bunnell came in 2023.
A 51-yard run in the fourth quarter by Tanner Walker capped the Masuk scoring.
Bunnell falls to 2-3 and is currently on the outside looking in in Class M after playing in the Class MM championship game last season.
Masuk is firmly in the mix near the top of the Class M standings with a huge game looming next week at Pomperaug.
Player of the Game
Aaron Champagne, Masuk: He was in control of the offense all night with his legs and arm.
Quotable
"With the rain the weather we thought we would be running the whole game but the pass opened up and that's what we want. We are a passing team but don't doubt the run. The o-line calls me a ‘gritty quarterback' but I just like running the ball." – Masuk quarterback Aaron Champagne
Masuk 41, Bunnell 26
BUNNELL 0 6 6 14--26
MASUK 7 14 7 13-41
M-Aaron Champagne 21 run (Kenneth Hoyos kick)
M-Jace McGee 7 pass Champagne (Hoyos kick)
M-Champagne 14 run (Hoyos kick)
B-Rody Ricketts 14 pass Jake Garrigan (kick failed)
B-Garrigan 3 run (pass failed)
M-Domenico Convertito 50 pass Champagne (Hoyos kick)
M-Champagne 7 run (Hoyos kick)
B-Jacob Mosely 7 pass Garrigan (Mosely pass Garrigan)
M-Tanner Walker 51 run (kick failed)
B-Garrigan 2 run (pass failed)
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This article originally published at Masuk stays unbeaten with win over Bunnell behind big night from Champagne.