Notre Dame of Fairfield, football players run first day drills at the Fairfield High School. Phil Noel/Staff photographer
It’s here. It’s finally here.
After another nine long months (the wait never gets easier, does it?), it’s once again time to grab your helmets, collect all the orange cones you can carry, fill and drag out the water jugs, push the tackling sleds, get into formation and start stretching those calves.
And don’t forget your physicals because you can’t play if you don’t… um, bring your note to the fray.
(thud)
Anyway! It’s football season. It’s finally really football season.
For everybody.
Ninety-six high school football teams started practice today, joining the 52 others that started last week under the new CIAC rules, which allow teams to eschew spring football for an extra four days in the fall.
(By the way, Big surprise: We already have one unconfirmed rumor today that at least one regional school might have already run both spring and the extra days of fall practice. Not sure how much validity’s behind that, but that’s quite a blatant violation if true. Then again, is it much different than running all of these offseason passing leagues, lineman camps and out-of-state trips and such? Like UConn coach Randy Edsall said, Connecticut is far behind the development curve with the CIAC’s draconian practice rules, but you do have to draw the line somewhere. By the way, how does the CIAC actually enforce these rules? The honor system?)
Notre Dame of Fairfield, running back, Brody Brandstatter does pushups during the first day of football practice at the Fairfield high school. Phil Noel/Staff photographer
After some chiding by Ned Griffen via email about my neglecting to remember last week’s opening day, I’m happy to say now that The Connecticut Post and friends are on back the case.
I visited four practices today in Fairfield to see three new head coaches in their new digs — Joe Beler at Notre Dame-Fairfield; Duncan Dellavolpe at Fairfield Warde; Bill Pinto at Fairfield Prep. Hard to believe but second-year coach Fairfield Ludlowe’s Matt McCloskey, who I saw last, is the old man of this bunch in terms of head-coaching service to their schools (2 years).
Of course, the others aren’t exactly rookies. Dellavolpe, after all, is an Ansonia guy and one of the architects of New Canaan’s state championship run. Beler has an SWC championship and state playoff appearance under his belt back during his days at Foran in 2001. Pinto has been Prep’s defensive guy for years. So…
The idea was to shoot some video and package it into a conditioning week practice feature. But, really, not much goes on at the first few practices. So I’m keeping the cap on the camera until the end of the week.
Here was what I gleaned from my time outside today:
…All four teams have some major gaps to plug. But doesn’t everybody. …Fairfield Prep has just one returning starter. Both of its captains were almost exclusively JV guys. …Fairfield Warde has about 40 on the preseason roster. …Ludlowe about 45. …Prep and Warde are going to scrimmage for the first time in years, if not ever. …Notre Dame is still low on numbers, but Beler’s optimistic with some of his newcomers. …Tried to think of some of the good teams in the SCC this year: Hamden, Hand, Shelton, Notre Dame-WH, maybe Xavier (had a good freshman team last year). …The Westies have some talent coming up through the ranks, too. I also heard good things about Sheehan and quarterback Brett Biestek a 6-3, 220-pound quarterback who’s getting local Division I looks. …Good teams in the FCIAC? Can’t discount New Canaan despite heavy losses (again). Darien will be pretty decent? Their new QB could be pretty good. …It has been pretty quiet down there in Greenwich. “That usually means they’re ready to explode,” said one. 8-3 was a down year for the Cards. …Prep won’t be on MSG this year. But they will be on the Connecticut Sports Network/WTNH game. With Hamden, possibly? …The Jesuits open with Notre Dame-West Haven. …Beler is taking his boys back to Jonathan Law in Milford, his old stomping ground, for three-a-days on Saturday.
Also, we had new football correspondent Henry Chisholm working overtime on the first full day. He’ll be focusing on the SCC this year and visited Amity and West Haven. … Amity, he said, is moving away from last year’s pass-happy modus-operandi. Gunslinger Bill Choiniere is gone, meaning that the team will be much more balanced. Two players are fighting for the QB job. DB/WR/RB Tom Scanlon is the Spartans’ best returning player. He said he’ll have more on West Haven tomorrow. The Westies have a new turf field installed at Ken Strong Stadium.
Looks like Henry’s in midseason form already.
Here are two football-related stories out of Danbury, where new Hatters coach Dan Donovan is keeping busy.
News-Times: Donovan named new Danbury athletic director
News-Times: Donovan wearing many hats for Hatters; New AD, football coach gets new era underway
That’s it for now… in retrospect, kind of a disjointed post. But, hey, it’s preseason for everybody. I’ll get my game on soon as we try to piece together the 2009 season.
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“Big surprise: We already have one unconfirmed rumor today that at least one regional school might have already run both spring and the extra days of fall practice.”
Or the one where the 4-7 team from last year held no equipment full practices all summer…
Comment by Nameless — August 24th, 2009 @ 10:44 pm
Man I’m glad football season is finally here. The SWC looks like it’s up for grabs this year. Masuk looks like the recruited well from New London (5 players)should be a very strong team. Brookfield will be down twins gone along with wide outs QB’s ok. Newtown lost a lot Bunnell is going to be young but will not be that great. But the SWC champs this year should be New Fairfield the team returns just about everybody and has one of the Best QB’s in the State if not the best. The kid has a rocket arm and all kinds of college offers if he stays healthy no one touches them.
Comment by Truth — August 25th, 2009 @ 7:17 am
New Fairfield, Truth? Intriguing pick.
Comment by Sean Patrick Bowley — August 25th, 2009 @ 5:34 pm
The SCC won no state championships in football last year. Thank god Fairfield Prep will not be on MSG this year. They have been a poor to at best mediocre club for the entire decade. Their coach was vastly overrated too. No one has ever heard of the New Fairfield Quarterback. He will not even be the best QB in his conference. He is behind the Masuk and Brookfield QBs already. Notre Dame of Fairfield was awful last year and they could have the ghost of Tom Landry coach them and they still will be a losing team.
P.S. Where are all the Ansonia people at? I know they are not looking at a state championship ring from last year because they lost. HAHAHA!!!!!
Comment by MasukRules — August 25th, 2009 @ 10:15 pm
The reason you don’t know about him is because he’s in New Fairfield. If he was at Brookfield or Masuk you would. MasukRules I did not see you respond to the New London quote Truth Hurts!!!!!!! Let see which QB plays college football next year again the Truth Hurts!!!!!!!!! Keep recruiting!!!!!
Sean, New Fairfield SWC Champs!!!!!
Comment by Truth — August 26th, 2009 @ 9:46 am
Truth has gone bye-bye.
Egon, what do you have left?
Comment by Sean Patrick Bowley — August 26th, 2009 @ 12:39 pm
Bobby Wood behind the Masuk and Brookfield QBs? Spoken like a true, delusional, Masuk fan. You must have missed all of the passing league tournaments where Bobby Wood was clearly the best QB and NF stood out as one of the best teams. The Brookfield QB won a State Championship. Not much more needs to be said about him. The Masuk QB is talented but , unfortunately for him, is best known by his father’s reputation and not for his QB skills. I suggest we let Bobby Wood and the other QBs speak through their efforts on the field and we can talk the day of the SWC championship game. The fact is that there is no better pure passer in the SWC than Bobby and I agree with Truth that NF should be the SWC Champs in 2009.
Comment by NFBS — August 26th, 2009 @ 2:02 pm
Here’s the comparison between Bobby Wood from New Fairfield and Jordan Burandt from Brookfield. No stats on Casey Cochran via Max Preps. None of the other returning Masuk QBs played much varsity.
Comment by Sean Patrick Bowley — August 26th, 2009 @ 2:13 pm
Last year’s stats are helpful but not definitive in determing the best QB as they are dependent upon factors beyond the QBs control at this level. To properly compare the two head to head, you would need to see them perform under similar circumstances. For example, what would stats looked like if they switched teams?
Comment by NFBS — August 26th, 2009 @ 2:37 pm
We will see how good New Fairfield is on 10/2/09! They were 4-7 last year and all of the sudden they’re world beaters. I don’t think so!
Comment by MasukRules — August 26th, 2009 @ 4:03 pm
It’s hard to take serious a guy who uses passing league tournaments as a barometer to how good a Quarterback is. There will be alot of pressure on every Quarterback Masuk faces. New Fairfield’s offensive and defensive lines are light years away from The Masuk Panthers. It will be a tough Friday for all of the Rebels on 10/2/09.
Comment by MasukRules — August 26th, 2009 @ 4:12 pm
I agree with you on passing league tournaments but put that kid in Masuk and his numbers would be unbelievable. The TRUTH is New Fairfield has the BEST QB. Masuk’s supporting cast is much better but maybe not this year will see on 10-2. MasukRules still no comment on the recruiting or should we call you NewLondonRules!!!! Funny how you have nothing to say about that.
Comment by Truth — August 26th, 2009 @ 10:55 pm
There is no dispute that Masuk has been a great football team in the past. The record speaks volumes for the strength of the program and they consistently put a competitive team on the field. Your comment was about the QB and not the team and for that reason I believe passing league is relevant. Not everything, but definitely relevant. The Masuk and Brookfield QBs were performing under the same conditions and Bobby was clearly superior. Irrespective of the outcome on 10-2-09, which I believe will be a NF victory, Bobby Wood is the best QB in the SWC and one of the best in the State. Time will tell the story–it always does.
Comment by NFBS — August 26th, 2009 @ 11:20 pm
Masuk does not recruit kids. I’m not sure about other schools. Remember when Staples had a kid from Europe who was vastly overrated and hyped up by SPB. Masuk’s supporting cast is always better than New Fairfield. However, I don’t think the Rebels’ quarterback would have started for The Masuk Panthers in the last ten years. Almost every year Masuk has had the best quarterback in the SWC. I don’t think that’s going to change this year. Funny how you have nothing to say about that abysmal 4-7 record last year.
Comment by MasukRules — August 27th, 2009 @ 9:20 am
So a Masuk kid is starting this year not the transfer? Your right Masuk supporting cast is better just not there QB’s. The TRUTH is what I said from the start New Fairfield has one of the best QB’s in the state if not the best. Masuk’s has a great football program but this year would have been bad without the New London transfers. Are you saying you’re not starting the New London QB? Daddy won’t be happy about that he will take all the transfers to another school. Be careful what you say your season on depends on it!
MasukRules how many transfers from New London will start on your team this year 5,7,9?
Comment by Truth — August 27th, 2009 @ 10:32 am
Masuk has not had a QB that can throw the ball like Bobby Wood ever, let alone in the last 10 years. I don’t blame you for wanting to talk about the past as Masuk has had a great deal of success in previous seasons. Nevertheless, last year is just that-last year.
Comment by NFBS — August 27th, 2009 @ 12:54 pm
MasukRules smart move not talking about the New London transfers TRUTH hurts!!!!!!!!!!! I wonder why the CIAC has so many rules for football but a Head Coach moves 5 to 10 players to another school and they don’t say anything? Nice job CIAC & Musuk.
Comment by Truth — August 28th, 2009 @ 10:19 am
These people are talking about this New Fairfield quarterback as if University of Southern California and Notre Dame are fighting over him. He threw 16 touchdowns last year and 10 interceptions. Not that impressive so you need to calm down. Go to Maxpreps and look up past Masuk Panther quarterbacks. We will see how good he is on 10/2/09!
Comment by MasukRules — August 28th, 2009 @ 7:55 pm
Where are all the Bunnell people at? 11/13/09 will be here before you know it.
Comment by MasukRules — August 28th, 2009 @ 7:56 pm
Nobody said anything about USC or Notre Dame, we have been talking about the SWC and Bobby Wood is clearly the best QB in the SWC in 2009. I believe he is one of the best passing QBs that the league and the area has seen in quite some time. No doubt he would eclipse the Max Prep stats of past Masuk QBs if he had the same great supporting cast that you claim they had. I realize it is comfortable for you but you need to stop living in the past. What Masuk Panther QBs did in the past will not help you this season.
Comment by NFBS — August 28th, 2009 @ 10:07 pm
Sean i have a question for you. Who do you think will be the best QB in the SWC in 2009?
Comment by MasukBaby!!! — August 28th, 2009 @ 11:11 pm
MusukRules still not talking about the New London Players? WoW!!!!!!Come on Daddy won’t get mad at you speak up. TRUTH Hurts!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment by Truth — August 28th, 2009 @ 11:47 pm
OK since MasukRules/NewLondonRules or any other Masuk fan will not address the transfers from New London. I will go back to the SWC Best QB question.
I think all the QB’s that we have talked about are good but the New Fairfield Kid is just better. Without him that team does not stand a chance. You cannot say that about Masuk or Brookfield!!!!
Comment by Truth — August 29th, 2009 @ 12:44 am
Based on what I know at this point? …I couldn’t tell you. I mean, I like Burandt from Brookfield. Gutsy kid. Like Cochran from Masuk and he’s only a soph. I’ve never seen Wood.
Comment by Sean Patrick Bowley — August 29th, 2009 @ 11:35 pm
Sean, that’s my point you would have seen the New Fairfield QB if he was at Masuk, Brookfield, Bunnell!!!! Go watch all three and there’s no question!!!!!!!
Comment by Truth — August 30th, 2009 @ 11:52 am
Come on… really? The reason he hasn’t heard of the New Fairfield Qb is because they aren’t anywhere close to being in the same league as Bunnell, Brookfield, and Masuk. And why haven’t we heard any thing about Bunnell and Brookfield, does it always have to be about Masuk?
Comment by Come on. — August 30th, 2009 @ 5:23 pm
Come on….Thanks for making my point!!!!!!!!
Comment by Truth — August 30th, 2009 @ 8:40 pm
Sean, how do you think the SWC compares to the other conferences this year?
Comment by Truth — August 31st, 2009 @ 10:54 am
Fourth comment of the pre-season and MasukRules mentions Ansonia, and for no reason at all.
That is a testament to the success the program had had.
Just enjoy your own title. 1998, 2008…your next one is only 9 years away!
Comment by TRG — September 1st, 2009 @ 3:29 pm
Masuk Rules, every year you run your mouth on this blog, if Masuck is so good why do they need you to remind every one so often. Brookfield’s QB is good and Bunnell has had the best QB play in the SWC over the past few years and there is no doubt about that. Bunnell and Brookfield clearly don’t need a blog to try and convice readers that they will be good this season. And nether do any of the other quality program in the state.
Comment by All Talk — September 1st, 2009 @ 4:58 pm
TRG, I hope that helps you sleep at night. The Ansonia football team was so successful last year. Like when they couldn’t score any points against Cromwell in the second half of their state championship game.
Comment by MasukRules — September 1st, 2009 @ 8:08 pm
First of all it is spelled Masuk. This is for all the Bulldogs. Did Bunnell win anything last year? I remember alot of tears after that 42-20 beating when you first played on that third rate turf field of yours. You shouldn’t worry about The Panthers until 11/13/09! If I were you I would be more worried about that defence that gave up 297 points last year. You almost lost to the mighty Weston Trojans last year. Yikes!
Comment by MasukRules — September 2nd, 2009 @ 9:54 am
Masuk gets dominated by Shelton. Bunnell gets blasted by Staples. SWC up for grabs!!!!
Masuk better ask Daddy for more transfers!!!!
Comment by Truth — September 3rd, 2009 @ 7:33 am
MasukRules – I am a big fan of Masuk and don’t know why you embarrass the program with your taunting. If you were in Shelton last night, you shouldn’t be happy about anything. Shelton walked up and down the field at will. I know we are two weeks away. If that game was an official game, I bet the score would have in the area of 56-24 – Shelton. That is an objective view. Cochran will be very good. Outstanding passer with good instincts. Made a few mistakes but the kinks will be worked out by the opener. Talent-wise, the best Masuk has. The defense is awful right now. Couldn’t stop the run or the pass. Absolutely picked apart. I have no basis to compare the QBs in the league, but Cochran will eventually be the best and potentially the best in the State in his junior and senior years. Probably a D1 prospect. Again, just basing off of arm strength and raw ability.
Comment by monroefan — September 3rd, 2009 @ 12:40 pm
How do I embarrass the Masuk Panthers? Should I just not state my opinion as if I was living in Communist China? Is that what you want?
Comment by MasukRules — September 4th, 2009 @ 9:56 am
This is in response to the comment saying Notre Dame of Fairfield was “awful last year” I was at that game against Masuk and I counted 96 players on the Masuk side and only 30 on Notre Dames side.. Those kids have more heart than any of you can imagine. They never got to come off the field the way you do with 96 players….They are a great team this year with new coaches. Perhaps you should keep that in mind next time you want to say how “Awful” they were…I am looking forward to watching Notre Dame beat you this year….Go Lancers…
Comment by Go Lancers — September 4th, 2009 @ 9:53 pm
The Lancers can go and look forward to a losing season. Their coaches will be out of there sooner than the last ones who obviously gave up. I don’t blame them. Notre Dame of Fairfield is a perennial door mat in the SWC. If they have so much heart why were they 2-9? When they were on the field they were awful! They should just be thanking God for the 50 point rule this year. I wouldn’t hold my breath for them to beat The Masuk Panthers any time soon!
Comment by MasukRules — September 7th, 2009 @ 10:44 pm
(Now, c’mon, MR. That’s not true. Believe me, nobody gave up over there… Also, it wasn’t very long ago that Notre Dame was 9-1. Made a few state playoff appearances, too.)
Comment by Sean Patrick Bowley — September 7th, 2009 @ 10:49 pm
My apologies. However, you have to win states to be respected.
Comment by MasukRules — September 8th, 2009 @ 9:46 am