Staples senior Nick Kelly is helped off the field in the third quarter tonight after suffering an apparent shoulder injury in the Wrecker 42-20 quarterfinal win over West Haven. He did not return. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Douglas Healey for WestportNow.com

It was a chilly night with temperatures in the 30s with a rain-sleet combination as Staples took on West Haven tonight in the Class LL quarterfinals—the first state playoff game under the new permanent lights at the Wrecker home field.  (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

UPDATE Staples senior quarterback Jack Massie is brought down for a loss in tonight’s 42-20 Wrecker win over West Haven in the Class LL quarterfinal. Staples plays the semifinal Sunday against No. 5 Norwich Free Academy at a time and neutral location to be determined. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

Staples cheerleaders kept the crowd warm with their cheers tonight as the Wreckers took on West Haven in the Class LL quarterfinal match. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

Staples Head Coach Marce Petroccio is surrounded by the offensive line after today’s 48-30 FCIAC win over Greenwich: (l-r) Kyle Vaughn, Wil Patrick, Chris Spear, Byrum Tjdevaj and Nick Ward. Said Petroccio after the victory: “This team has the heart of a lion and so do they,” referring to Greenwich. “That fourth quarter was a bloodbath.” He likened the rivals’ latest battle to the original “Rocky.” “Like Apollo said in the movie, there ain’t gonna be no rematch. The only way I hope to see Greenwich again is in the state finals.” See a replay of the game here. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Patty Strauss for WestportNow.com

Staples senior Joey Zelkowitz, holding his MVP plaque, celebrates today with his proud grandfather, Dan Zelkowitz, after the Staples 48-30 FCIAC victory over Greenwich. Zelkowitz rushed for 317 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Patty Strauss for WestportNow.com

A trip to Greenwich today to face rival Greenwich for the FCIAC crown ended in a 48-30 victory for the Staples Wreckers. Douglas Healey for WestportNow.com

Staples senior Joey Zelkowitz reacts today after the Wreckers stopped Greenwich from gaining a first down in the fourth quarter of today’s 48-30 win over the Cardinals at Greenwich to win the FCIAC crown. Zelkowitz was named most valuable player, setting a 317-yard rushing record and scoring three touchdowns on 20 carries while adding an interception. “All the credit goes to our line,” Zelkowitz said of the front wall of seniors Kyle Vaughn, Chris Speer, Will Patrick, and Burim Trdevaj, and junior Nick Ward. “This is a great rivalry, so it feels really good to defend the title on their field. The goal all season has been to go 1-0 each week, and hopefully we can carry that over into states.” (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Douglas Healey for WestportNow.com