SPB's High School Football

Boy I was impressed when I heard Wilbur Cross torched Xavier up at Palmer Field in Week 1. A few of voters upward and outward told me they really liked Xavier as a sleeper in the SCC Division I.

So what chance did Amity have? The Spartans were not being talked up by anyone, especially their coach Mike DeVito, after losing stars like QB Bill Choiniere and Jay Binkowski from last year’s high-flying offense. Was a trip to the Wilbur Cross Athletic Complex in scenic East Rock, New Haven even worth the trip?

Well, if you’re me… yes. It’s just down the street. Amity is my high school alma mater. And, of course, who can pass up a 3:30 football game, especially if you’re a state poll voter?

When I got there (late, may I add), boy was I impressed when I saw Amity take a 14-0 halftime lead on the Governors, who are loaded with returning stars James Ward, Arthur Tucker, Dontay Long and Tito Slaughter (what a football name).

Of course, Amity has itself a bona fide star in senior back Tom Scanlon, who was all over the field in this game, and a hard runner in Kyle Kalanta. The Spartans were game.

Alas for the BOW area, Amity couldn’t make the lead stick against this bunch. Cross came out fired up in the second half  exploded for three second-half touchdowns. What’s more, they stopped Amity on three consecutive trips inside the 20-yard line in the fourth quarter.

See how it all went down Friday afternoon in the second of our two Week 2 videos…

Amity apparently has some issues at quarterback, where two underclassmen are attempting to spell Choiniere in the spread/option offense hybrid – Tyler Vallie, a sophomore, took the majority of the snaps — especially late in the game. Brian Speer, a junior, appears to be the thrower of the two. Looks like a season of growing pains for the two of them.

Regardless, I was a little perplexed when Amity didn’t try for a third score when it took over at its own 20 with 2:50 left in the first half, especially since the Spartans were getting the ball to start the second. A friend of mine, though, said he would have sat on the ball two up two TDs on the road, too.  …OK. We’re all different. I woulda taken a few shots.

Cross, on the other hand, got manhandled in the first half. They were denied from in close by Amity’s defense and just kinda lollygagged they way through the first 24 minutes. Whatever coach John Acquavita said at halftime worked. They were more confident, poised and perfect. Ward showed his explosiveness, the defense looked tough.

Still, the Govs couldn’t get out of their own way until Amity was banging on the goal line, when they awoke again. Cross is 2-0, but still a little iffy in my book. I had ‘em in my top 15 last week, now I’m not so sure…

They’ll find out this week. Cheshire comes to town at 4 p.m.

Amity, now 0-2, is rewarded with No. 2-ranked Hamden. Thanks a lot SCC.