Groton - A highly-motivated New London football team ran onto Dorr Field on Friday night.

That was bad news for Fitch.

The Whalers cruised to a decisive 49-20 victory, extending their winning streak to four.

Emotions ran high at times, leading to several personal fouls penalties on both sides.

"Our guys really had a bitter taste in their mouth because they had lost the last two years to Fitch," New London coach Duane Maranda said. "So there was some significant motivation. Things got a little emotional. We've got to learn to control ourselves a little better, but I was really happy with the outcome and happy to get the victory and keep the momentum going."

New London's Eastern Connecticut Conference Large Division opener served as a tune-up for next Friday's home showdown against Middletown, the fourth-ranked team in The Day's Top 10 state coaches' poll.

"It was extremely important for us to play well this week as a team," senior Jose Garcia said. "It's setting us up for how we're going to prepare this week in practice and play next week against Middletown."

Middletown beat previously unbeaten Farmington, 21-7, on Friday night.

The multi-talented Garcia turned in his usual complete game, returning a kickoff (81 yards) and a fumble (14 yards) for touchdowns, catching a 19-yard touchdown pass, and intercepting a pass in the end zone.

"He's an extremely special player," Maranda said. "He's a difference-maker."

Of his four big plays, Garcia's electrifying kick return was the highlight.

Fitch (2-6, 0-3) tried to avoid Garcia by kicking the ball toward the sidelines, but Garcia scooped it up, bolted across the field and sprinted down the left sideline for an 81-yard score. The play put the Whalers (5-2, 1-0) ahead for good, 14-7, with just over one minute left in the first quarter.

"They kicked it to the sidelines so everybody closed down," Garcia said. "I had the outside opener so I beat the edge defender."

The previous time he touched the ball, he returned a fumble 14 yards for a touchdown for the game's first score. Junior Hunter Roman's bone-jarring hit forced the fumble.

By halftime, New London led 35-13, and had offensive, defensive and special teams touchdowns.

Mistakes cost the Falcons dearly. A holding penalty negated a long run by Terrell Scholle deep in New London territory in the second quarter.

"Momentum is huge," Fitch coach Jordan Panucci said. "We took the wind out of our sails a few times. ... You can't make mistakes when you play a team that lives off big plays."

Several Whalers joined the offensive party. Senior Orrin Parke rushed for 170 yards on just seven carries, three of which went for touchdowns that covered 15, 50 and 95 yards.

Quarterback Danny Maranda completed 7 of 11 passes for 134 yards and threw touchdown passes to senior Nico Ramos for 91 yards and Garcia for 19 yards.

A banged-up Fitch moved the ball at times. The Falcons went on a 13-play, 74-yard drive on their second possession.

Senior John Moscol caught a five-yard touchdown pass from Robert Duncan to tie the score at 7-apiece.

Moscol was Fitch's leading rusher, carrying the ball 14 times for 81 yards. Scholle was a standout on special teams, returning a kickoff 80 yards for a score.

Now New London's focus shifts to Middletown.

"It's a big game," Maranda said. "We purposely didn't look ahead. I even haven't watched them on film yet. I knew Fitch was going to be tough and be ready no matter what their record was.

"Now we move on to Middletown."

g.keefe@theday.com