Greenwich Country Day School’s football team enters today’s 4:30 p.m. Homecoming Day game against visiting Austin Prep with plenty of momentum, after earning a 47-15 win against Portsmouth Abbey last week in a matchup in which it flourished in each phase of the game.

It was, indeed, a successful road trip for the Tigers, who traveled to Rhode Island to face NEPSAC Evergreen League foe Portsmouth Abbey, then proceeded to storm to a 30-7 halftime lead.

“It was an awesome team win, a great day of travel,” Greenwich Country Day coach Kevin Avery said. “Our kids played lights out in the first half and came out really fast.”

Senior quarterback Jesse Ripka completed 22 of 30 passes for 280 yards, while throwing four touchdown passes to help pace the Tigers’ offense against Portsmouth Abbey.

Jake LeDonne, a senior running back/linebacker, gained 53 rushing yards and scored a touchdown on the ground, while senior wide receiver/tight end/defensive end Cooper Edwards totaled six receptions for 95 yards. Edwards also caught two touchdown passes from Ripka.

“It was a great game in all phases,” said Avery, whose squad snapped a two-game losing streak with last week’s road victory.

In last week’s win versus Portsmouth Abbey in Rhode Island, GCDS’ first touchdown came when Ripka threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Edwards. Ripka then completed a two-point conversion pass to junior Connor Crain, giving GCDS an 8-0 first-quarter lead.

LeDonne scored on a 6-yard run in the first quarter, then Ripka connected with junior wide receiver Luke Miles for a 48-yard touchdown on a catch-and-run off a screen pass in the second quarter.

Crain kicked a 25-yard field goal in the opening half, then booted a 26-yard FG in the third quarter, extending the Tigers’ advantage on Portsmouth Abbey. Edwards caught an 18-yard touchdown pass from Ripka in the second half and junior defensive back Luke Chandra intercepted a Portsmouth passe for a touchdown, capped the Tigers’ scoring.

“It was an awesome day for our secondary in terms of taking the ball away,” Avery said. “We came out firing on all cylinders in the first half.”

Greenwich Country Day intercepted five passes against Portsmouth Abbey. Freshman defensive back Elijah Canty had two interceptions, while Chandra, junior defensive back/wide receiver Austin Rinello and junior Luca Corsano each had one interception in the winning effort.

Edwards finished the Portsmouth Abbey game with six receptions for 95 yards. Rinello caught nine passes for 64 yards and also snared a TD pass from Ripka. Miles had 66 receiving yards, while senior wide receiver/defensive back Bailey Gendason caught a pair of passes for 20 yards for GCDS.

For the season, Greenwich Country Day sports a record of 3-2 overall and 2-2 in the Evergreen League. After hosting league opponent Austin Prep (0-5) today, the Tigers travel to Dexter Southfield in Massachusetts next week and Hamden Hall Country Day School the following game.

“We really proud of where we are right now,” Avery said. “But we are not satisfied. Everybody on the team feels there are more plays out there that could have been made. Everyone wants to prove themselves each week.”

The Tigers are averaging 25 points per game so far this season, while allowing an average of 18. Though Austin Prep is winless, Avery knows his squad must be in top form to enjoy a Homecoming Day win.

“They are a very physical up front,” Avery said of Austin Prep. “They have some good-looking football players that compete hard. They scrap, they fight, they are physical up front and well-sized up front. It’s not going to be a walk in the park by a long shot.”