By Jennifer Connic

With private funds used to install synthetic turf on two of Westport’s athletic fields, the athletic community is turning to taxpayers to help pay for the turf on two final fields.
The Staples synthetic turf football field was completed in time for this fall’s play. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com file photo

While the Field of Dreams Committee raised $1.5 million to install the turf on the Staples High School football field and the Wakeman Park soccer field, it hopes the town will pay for one of the two final fields, said Parks and Recreation Director Stuart McCarthy.

The Parks and Recreation Commission will discuss the proposal by the committee—made up of individuals who support town sports—during its meeting today at 7:30 p.m.

McCarthy said the $1.5 million for the final two fields has not been raised to date, but the committee would commit to raise $800,000 for the P.J. Romano Field at Saugatuck Elementary School.

Staples senior Alex Lebow gains ground in tonight’s Class L championship game against Bunnell at West Haven. Lebow had 16 carries for 130 yards in the game that saw Bunnell take a two-touchdown lead in the first quarter. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Staples supporters cheer as the Wreckers score a touchdown in the fourth quarter tonight to narrow Bunnell’s lead to 28-26 in the Class L state championship at West Haven. The Wreckers were unable, however, to score on a two-point conversion and the Bulldogs prevailed by that score as the clock ran out. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Eric Goldschmidt for WestportNow.com

Bunnell quarterback Steve Smith eludes a tackle by Staples junior Josh Kozel (42) as Andrew Kennedy (15) looks on during tonight’s 28-26 Wreckers loss to the Bulldogs of Stratford in the Class L championship game at West Haven. Smith threw four touchdown passes and intercepted a potential game-tying two-point conversion play with 4:01 remaining to lift Bunnell to victory over the two-time defending champions. More than 5,000 watched the contest at Ken Strong Stadium. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Staples junior Colin O’Shea gets by Bunnell’s Hopeton Quarrie in tonight’s state Class L championship game at West Haven. O’Shea scored two touchdowns and ran for 96 yards in the upset win by the Bulldogs. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Staples Coach Marce Petroccio talks to the press following tonight’s 28-26 upset win by Bunnell of Stratford. He said Bunnell quarterback Steve Smith was a key factor in the loss. “The kid just played a great game tonight,” he said. “We just didn’t have answers for him tonight. He’s just a great high school football player. We had our opportunities but we didn’t cash in. But I’m proud of what we did. It’s not easy leaving here with a loss, but that’s the way it is.” (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Flashback: Marce Petroccio celebrates last year’s state championship win over Masuk. Betsey Lebow/WN file photoWestport’s Staples High School football team plays in its fifth straight state championship final Saturday and Coach Marce Petroccio said today it will be tough.

Staples (10-1) plays Bunnell of Stratford (11-1) at 7 p.m. at West Haven’s Ken Strong Stadium for the Class L championship.

“I have great kids,” Petroccio told reporters in Cheshire at news conference for teams involved in Saturday’s games. “I love coming to work every day and working with them. They’re awesome. They’ve got a lot of heart. They are the poster child for team chemistry.

“It’s going to be a tall task (beating Bunnell), it really is. We don’t have a lot of time to get ready. They’re a spread offense. They do a lot of different things. It’s going to be a battle.”