Stonington Bears Extend Winning Streak to Four with 35–12 Victory Over Valley Panthers | By Jason Foster

By Jason Foster

CENTRAL VILLAGE, Conn. —
The Stonington Bears extended their winning streak to four on Saturday, powering past the Valley Panthers 35–12 in an Eastern Connecticut Conference Division III matchup that showcased the team’s continued growth, balance, and confidence on both sides of the ball.

The victory lifts Stonington to 4–2, a key boost in the Class S playoff race. The Bears now sit ninth with 110 points, narrowly trailing Bloomfield (4–2), which holds the eighth postseason spot at 113.3 points. With such a tight margin, every remaining game carries heightened significance as the playoff standings take shape.

Offensively, Stonington once again leaned on senior standout Logan Christina, whose physical ground game set the tone early. Christina added one of the day’s most electric moments when he delivered a perfectly executed fake-punt interception return for a touchdown — a spark that energized teammates and ignited the Bears’ sideline. His power running, paired with the speed and athleticism of Stonington’s receiving corps, continues to give the Bears a dynamic and difficult-to-defend offensive rhythm.

Defensively, Stonington remained steady and disciplined, holding opponents to a combined 34 points across the last four games. The Bears’ ability to control the line of scrimmage, contain explosive plays, and execute under pressure has become a defining trait of this mid-season surge.

Looking ahead, Stonington returns home on Thursday at 6:00 p.m. to host Bacon Academy/Lyman Memorial in another pivotal ECC Division III contest. The two programs enter the matchup trending in opposite directions: Stonington riding momentum from four consecutive wins, and Bacon Academy/Lyman Memorial looking to bounce back after dropping three straight, including a narrow 16–12 loss to Montville.

The Bears defeated Bacon Academy/Lyman Memorial 38–21 in their meeting last November, but with playoff stakes rising, both teams know the importance of this week’s game. A win would keep Stonington firmly in postseason contention as the regular season enters its decisive stretch.

If the Bears maintain their current trajectory — and continue the brand of tough, disciplined football that has defined October — they are well-positioned to make a compelling push toward the Class S playoff bracket.