An appropriate headline for a wild and wacky Friday night of high school football.
Hamden goes down.
Ansonia goes down.
Trumbull goes down.
Montville goes down.
Simsbury goes down.
And, of course, the big one at Kennedy Stadium.
Central 14, Greenwich 13.
Biggest win in Central’s football history?
Well, the old guard from the golden age of high school football would take exception to that. Central did have a nice run in the late 1940s (The 1949 state title trophy sits on Lincoln Blvd., after all)
But biggest win in the last 50-or-so years?
Absolutely.
For any school, beating Greenwich in football is cause for celebration. Earlier on the comments section of this blog, we detailed the pedigree of this behemoth. Two or three losses a year for the last 40 years is about the average. So you gotta get ‘em when you can.
But if you’re a Bridgeport school?
Beating Greenwich is epic poetry.
Remember, until coach Dave Cadelina came along in the late 1990s, Central had gone decades without a winning season. Then came the breakthrough year of 2004. But that group, which starred a pretty good receiver named Kelleray Gill, just didn’t enough horses to beat Greenwich in a competitive FCIAC title game.
There have been other close calls but — as is the case with most teams — the pressure to finish the job becomes too much. Greenwich capitalizes on one or two mistakes and it’s adios muchachos.
And there were a handful of moments like that in this game, moments that typically would have signaled a Greenwich opponent’s late-game meltdown.
This time, Central didn’t blink. On the Hilltoppers’ first drive, they converted a key fourth-down for a touchdown. Later, trailing by one point in the third, they stopped Greenwich on fourth-and-short pass around their 25-yard line and then methodically drove down the field behind Kelleray Gill’s little brother, Christon. The senior capped a bulldozer drive with a diving touchdown and then ran the same play for a 2-point conversion to give Central the lead it would never relinquish.
Meanwhile Central’s defense, which had already stopped one Greenwich drive with Isaiah Flores’ end zone interception, came up huge again in the fourth quarter. It was the play of the game: Christon Gill’s jarring hit on Mike Lefflbine that popped the ball free at the 1-yard line.
When Greenwich finally did score its second TD to pull within one, there was just 3:06 remaining in the game. The extra-point miss, as crushing as it was, would have meant little had the sputtering Cardinals’ offense found a way to score earlier.
Instead, this was Central’s evening. It was a result that has suddenly turned the FCIAC — heck all of Class LL for that matter — on its head. What a way to kickoff the season’s second half.
While the rest of us are scrambling to figure out the implications of such a victory, we know this: it will do wonders for this Central program which can finally count itself one of the lucky few to beat Greenwich.
Hilltopper fans constantly talk about getting over the hump. They’re hoping this finally is the game that pushes them into the elite.
At the very least, this victory saves their 2009 team’s season.
It took some time to cut the footage together (hey, I never took one class in this stuff at ‘Cuse), but here it is… might take some time to process, so be patient.
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Big one for Central…
Comment by !!!! — October 24th, 2009 @ 1:13 am
i was at this game,huge gut check by central.K gill stepped up big when it mattered most,he was the best player on the field today.I think the central speed gave greenwich fits all game.Besides the lefflbine scrambles,they didnt do too much on offense,few cavini passes here and there but never found a rhythm.central ncanaan looming as a super big game!
Comment by theruler — October 24th, 2009 @ 1:19 am
great video spb,
Comment by theruler — October 24th, 2009 @ 1:33 am
…BummerClot…Hats off to Central, you beat a pretty good team…
Comment by ghsgrandpa — October 24th, 2009 @ 2:31 am
Way to step up Central – Great WIN!
Comment by THS Fan — October 24th, 2009 @ 6:37 am
Great clip SPB. I love the Central coach’s comments at the end. Small crowd though for a big game.
Comment by Dave k — October 24th, 2009 @ 7:41 am
I am in NO WAY dancing on Greenwich’s loss. I AM saying that King was competitive with Central and that King could compete in any game in CIAC. This shows that anyone can beat anyone on any given day. Way to go central!
Comment by Commissioner — October 24th, 2009 @ 7:52 am
Outstanding video and writing! Class by Coach Albonizio, and an amazing post game speech by the Central coaches. This is why HS football is so great.
Comment by PatPatriot — October 24th, 2009 @ 8:02 am
hey brian where are you at sir?
FEAR THE HILLTOPPER!!!!!
THE BIRD GOT STUFFED
Comment by prophet — October 24th, 2009 @ 8:18 am
oh what a night!.
Crazy upsets. Here is what I saw and know. A few nights ago on interactive we said we would love to see a hamden/greenwich final. Now I don’t think either will make it. I can see Hamden getting knocked out by NDWH in the greenbowl and greenwich down the stretch most likely will lose ATLEAST one of thier last 3 tough ones.
Xavier should run the table and cheshire might as well. G-bury I think is a given to run it and Staples better as well to guarantee a spot. Greenwich would have to win out and get help to get in even if it finishes with only the one loss.Hamden has a lot of points with only one loss so they could get in if they win out. Staples could lose to greenwich and get outpointed by cheshire, xavier, hamden and gbury all with one loss. Staples schedule is weak with after ridgefield and greenwich. No NC, Joes, or central which hurts them.
Not sure how SHS beat trumbull and even more confused how trumbull could spank central. I guess chalk it up to them being 15-18 years old !! LOL
Hamden went right down the field on 1st possession and looked like they would kill xavier. xavier then shut them down and julian hayes is a monster at RB. the SCC large is so good and bad. each team gets alot of bonus points each week from beating each other. the bad thing is its tough to go through it with only 1 loss so they knock each other out of states. People in L should pray NDWH does not get in. I think they win it if they do.
as HS football fans we need to gang up on the CIAC and make sure they don’t put the LL and L at the same time. Those are by far the 2 best finals coming down the pike.
Though I root for greenwich and very upset from last night I want to give central props. Great win for that program and Cadelina personally. My cards need to regroup fast but as I said before on these blogs they are not your typical greenwich team upfront and really no stud at RB like most years. Thy could possibly lose 3 out thier last 4 and definelty 2 out of 4 (Staples and NC). I still think they could win all 4 as well if they play well. LL is a mess.
Finally, Waterown beats Ansonia?? I will let someone else answer than question?? Going to NC and Joes today. Does the upset bug continue into Saturday??
Comment by Brian — October 24th, 2009 @ 8:19 am
If you aren’t moved by that video, then you don’t have a heart. Go Central!
Comment by HS Football — October 24th, 2009 @ 9:05 am
watertown always plays ansonia tough————coach brockett made two of the worse coaching decisions in ansonia football history that basically turned a 9-0 ansonia lead into defeat.hes the only ansonia coach thats ever punted on a fourth and half inch.any more quotes from greenwich players? unbeatable hamden proves theyre still hamden.
Comment by ray brown — October 24th, 2009 @ 9:37 am
Being a part of Cadelina’s beginning with the program it is very touching to see how he and the coaching staff have turned things around. SPBowley, did a great job capturing the emotions and historic implications of this win. Yes, this win is “epic poetry” and he was correct in his reporting that past Central teams would have folded in the face of such adversity. I am sure my former teammates could attest that it was heart wrenching to travel to suburban schools and week after week present as the homecoming feast and return home with blowout loses. However, I am thrilled to see PRIDE restored at Central and hopefully no future player will ever have to face being the laughing-stock of the FCIAC.
Comment by ADePina — October 24th, 2009 @ 9:43 am
SPB, thank you for capturing the team meeting after the game that allows us to share the unabashed joy that Central community will treasure for a very long time.
Comment by tj — October 24th, 2009 @ 10:16 am
WHERE’S BRIAN?
gettin ready for this SJ-New Canaan game. See if the upset trend keeps rolling…
Comment by FlyingDutchmen — October 24th, 2009 @ 10:37 am
That must have been a long bus ride home to Greenwich. However, not as long as Trumbull’s bus ride from Stamford. No one saw that one coming.
Comment by MasukRules — October 24th, 2009 @ 10:38 am
The Hogs feel’in confident? I bet Ty is ready, but is everyone else ready for the “Big Game”? We’ll know by 2:00 this afternoon.
Comment by Hog Tied? — October 24th, 2009 @ 11:59 am
Commish you are a joke go start a fairchester clown school blog. Yes ur comment did take away from this win cuz u r a pathetic selfish person with an agenda.
Comment by Silent — October 24th, 2009 @ 12:58 pm
Lots of people won’t understand this post unless they saw the Ansonia game, so this is directed at Ray.
You can fault Brockett for calling for the punt on fourth and inches, but once he called for it, that does not excuse the Ansonia punt coverage team inexplicably standing around and watching as the Watertown returner picked up the ball and run for 25 yards and then making the tackle.
If they execute as they are supposed to there, Ansonia goes into the half up 16-7 and wins the game.
Comment by Rob — October 24th, 2009 @ 2:41 pm
Guys I am not sure what u want me from me LOL? I showed up and posted ASAP and took the loss like a man didn’t I?. I also think some my analysis is pretty damn good each week. I won’t jump ship after a bad loss or 2. We will be back soon enough and so will Ansonia I’m sure.
Comment by Brian — October 24th, 2009 @ 4:26 pm
Bravo Brian! Way to man up!
Everyone can lose but not Everyone can Win….
Comment by THS Fan — October 24th, 2009 @ 4:56 pm
Clown school? That explains the floppy shoes. Don’t hate.
Comment by Commissioner — October 24th, 2009 @ 5:35 pm
THS Fan,
Did u go to the trumbull game last night? they were up 14-0 and SHS had done nothing then someone called me and said stamford won 15-14. I was stunned. I was at the hamden game which stunned me as well.
I went to the NC game today and that was ugly. Complete differnce in the game was QB play. Baty is real good and can make all the throws needed. I was like watching quinn to ondash again with baty and newton. It is really sad that in MM there is no challenge their for them. St.Joes plays tough but some of the play calling is awful I thought. Any one agree?
Comment by Brian — October 24th, 2009 @ 5:49 pm
rob i dont know what game you were watching-if you cant make an inch you shouldnt be playing or coaching—if i recall the qb sneaked the previous down for 3 yards.how bout the hb option pass that was picked after ansonia ran the ball 70 yards down watertowns throat?brocketts credibility is going downhill dating back to the crosby loss last year.hes being outcoached too many times.he should be 2-4.he got lucky against wolcott and crosby.got embarrased by cromwell-and has destroyed tristan roberts and montrell dobbs.every bak cant carry the ball 50 times like alex thomas did
Comment by ray brown — October 24th, 2009 @ 6:38 pm
guys in an update from another link on these blogs apparently the Staples QB broke his ankle. That would be Pacillio if its the starter. what a shame if this is true. SPB can u confirm?
Comment by Brian — October 24th, 2009 @ 7:24 pm
Some guys on here are funny.Nobody complained about greenwich not having a dominant back or a huge line upfront during the 1st 5 weeks of the season,but now all the sudden thats the reason for the loss? comeon guys.While i dont follow every greenwich game year in and out,ive seen my share of big greenwich games in the past and theyve always had a good mix of athletes on offense and spread the ball around alot to get it to them.Is it possible that they just never got in a rhythm yesterday on offense?if gill doesnt make that hit on #6,greenwich wins 20-14 case closed.Also how does greenwich not have any size upfront this year? #77 is a big kid and their line has to average 230 across the board,and newsflash central ISNT huge upfront,just strong as hell.Did it ever occur that for once in 14 years central maybe wanted it more.Greenwich probably saw thway trumbull beat central,and thought they would have their way.I cant lie i didnt think central was gonna win,but i did think they had the athletes and speed to keep up with greenwich.Now lets all mark down ncanaan @ central as the next big fciac game
Comment by theruler — October 24th, 2009 @ 7:34 pm
also spb can u give us some clarity on the fciac championship as it stands rite now-would it be ncanaan vs staples?
Comment by theruler — October 24th, 2009 @ 7:34 pm
Was disappointed to hear that New Canaan high schoolers in the stand at today’s game began a loud “Greenwich Sucks” chant, upon realizing a number of Greenwich students had come to see the NC/St. Joseph game. They also did an ugly chant about Greenwich girls, apparently.
I marvel that this is not offensive enough to New Canaan parents and other officials within earshot to put an end to it. How unfortunate to have such a great team , and then leave the taste of horrific and four-letter sportsmanship in other’s mouths.
Comment by LuvFootball — October 24th, 2009 @ 7:35 pm
I wonder if there are other people who feel the same way about the Ansonia coach. Could they get into the playoffs with two losses?
Comment by MasukRules — October 24th, 2009 @ 7:42 pm
Ruler: The FCIAC standings are as such: New Canaan and Staples out in front (only two unbeatens left). But it’s going to be a mad scramble for both spots the rest of the way.
Greenwich 5-1, Central 5-1, St. Joseph 5-1, Ridgefield 5-1 are all in the hunt. Staples losing its QB Pacilio adds a little wrinkle in the mix. But the Wreckers are taking it pretty well.
The FCIAC will release their playoff standings shortly and will post it on their site httt://fciac.net.
It’s gonna get juicy in the next three weeks (this is why I actually like the idea of a league title game. There’s a bunch of teams vying for one goal. Whereas in somewhere like the SCC, everybody has separate goals.
Comment by Sean Patrick Bowley — October 24th, 2009 @ 7:45 pm
By the way everybody: I’ve been kind of liberal with approving comments, and I’m realizing that I’ve let a few slip past me that shouldn’t have.
No more.
Please — please — keep it civil. You all have a lot of good things to say, and I hate denying your opinions, but I will if you cross the line.
No personal attacks on players or coaches AT ALL. If you want to criticize coaches managing the game etc, fine. They’re adults they can take it. But keep it civil. Personal attacks are unacceptable. No calling each other names either. It cheapens the whole experience.
Thanks.
Comment by Sean Patrick Bowley — October 24th, 2009 @ 7:52 pm
Ruler I don’t think anyone here is complaining about anything. we are just stating facts about teams and giving others info who don’t see them. I see many of the greenwich games each year and this team is not built like most of the other championship teams they had. that’s not complaining in my eyes. They still have a very good team and central just beat them as My earlier post had said.
Luv football, I was at the NC game today and did not hear that chant. I agree that is bush league for a program that that helps set the bar for ct football. Maybe November 6th could be interesting after all.
Comment by Brian — October 24th, 2009 @ 7:55 pm
LuvFootball … Yeah, as we’ve learned at major high school sporting events, student sections can get ugly at times (ever go to a Prep or ND-Fairfield or Notre Dame-WH hockey game?). I think there were a few instances that New Canaan’s employees attempted put a stop to some of the really bad ones.
I didn’t mind them chanting “14-13,” the other stuff we can do without. Besides, I’m sure the NC players would rather their fans didn’t taunt Greenwich. After all, they have to play the Cardinals in a few weeks.
Comment by Sean Patrick Bowley — October 24th, 2009 @ 8:01 pm
I think Staples is going to be ok. From what I’m hearing its not that bad of a break. Besides, I really wouldn’t be surprised if Staples’ defense posts shutouts in the next 3 games. They’re that good.
Comment by JJ — October 24th, 2009 @ 8:22 pm
Brian, it’s going to be interesting all right, and of course you are right, SPB, it seems even students at parochial schools can swear like sailors now , too – as you say, certainly not the players’ faults. It’s just a few bad eggs.
Comment by LuvFootball — October 24th, 2009 @ 8:44 pm
Brian-
Yeah – I was there. It was a tough way to lose (field goal…seconds on the clock). It happens… my take is that teams match up differently on any given night which is what makes it interesting for those that want to predict outcomes. Shocking upsets this week – but it’s not over yet. Two unbeaten teams left in the FCIAC for now with a few showdowns still left on the schedule. Not sure about you guys- but my feeling is that will come down to the wire this year.
Gut check for the fans/bloggers/elite8(SPB get the red pen out!)
Comment by THS Fan — October 24th, 2009 @ 9:19 pm
I can’t believe I’m doing this, but I have to take a stand for the Ansonia Coach Brockett. I don’t know him from a hole in the wall, but when he won his first 20 games in a row, no one complained. When he beat Jack Cochran and New London, no one complained. I’m sure if he’s losing, he must be down on talent. Cut the guy some slack. OMG, i can’t believe those words came out of my mouth.
Comment by ilive for football — October 24th, 2009 @ 9:46 pm
The wheels are coming off the Ansonia bandwagon and their fans are jumping ship on them.Great comment Ilive,the bottom line is Ansonia is down on talent and size and should be pleased with a 8-2 or 7-3 season.Put them in the FCIAC or SCC D1 and best they would be is 5-5 this year.Lets not run Coach Brockett out of town yet unless they lose to Derby this week.Where is Ansonia Vinny and the Rem-Dog?Please knock some sense into your front running fans please….You guys are true football people that understand the big picture.
Comment by JR — October 24th, 2009 @ 11:05 pm
any 1 els on here think the staples-trumbull match could now DEF be a coin flip game? Defenses(and probably offenses now too) seem to be similar,have a crazy hunch the staples kicker is gonna play a huge roll in that game,just a hunch.
Comment by theruler — October 25th, 2009 @ 10:14 am
i revert to my posts earlier in the week now SPB: Is NC now #1 on your elite 8??? I think they have to be until they lose, am i correct?
Comment by prophet — October 25th, 2009 @ 1:42 pm
live for football-nobody knows ansonia football better than me.brockett inherited one of the greatest ansonia teams ever-including the one that beat new london——since that group has left,the performances have gotten uglier in big games.hunt never let that happen he just rebuilt.no one is jumping ship because ansonia has serious talent waiting in the wings including experienced returnees-but if your gonna dance as a coach when you win big you gotta be ready to take the heat.
Comment by ray brown — October 25th, 2009 @ 3:25 pm
i live for football how those hogs feeling——–new canaan swine flu?
Comment by ray brown — October 25th, 2009 @ 3:26 pm
Rem-dog is still here. I read this CTPost blog from time to time but don’t post in here on a consistent basis – never have.
I just got back from a long weekend at WVU. I wasn’t around for the Ansonia/Watertown game.
Comment by Remmy — October 25th, 2009 @ 4:50 pm
SPB, Great clip of Centrals victory and coach Cadelinas comments after the game. I think we are all ready to strap em up and play for that guy.
Staples wins with defense-they have always won with defense. The schedule maker was very kind to them this year.
Greenwich can still sneak into the states if it runs the table which they are capable of doing. Xavier still plays a good West Haven team and Hamden will lose to ND. Cheshire could lose to Southington and Newtown will lose to Masuk.
It will be very tough for New Canaan to go through the season unbeaten. They have Greenwich, CEntral and possibly Staples and then Darien. You better play pass defense if you want to beat the RAMS.
Ansonia must be way down if they lose two games in the NVL. NOw they are all over the coach. Stop blaming the coach-players win or lose games. The master of going for first downs on fourth down is Coach Jack Cochoran. I was at a game last year when he went for seven first downs in his own territory and made them all.
Teams are as good as their schedule. Let these teams that win all the time play in the SCC division one and see what happens.
Comment by jjs — October 25th, 2009 @ 5:02 pm
Nice its great win over great team like Centrals this victory give them confidence. They always win with defense and it is good to see this victory.
Comment by r4 cards — October 26th, 2009 @ 2:20 am
how those hogs feeling——–new canaan swine flu?
Ray – ouch on the post! You sure you’re not a Trumbull High fan??
Comment by THS Fan — October 26th, 2009 @ 9:11 am
Look the bottom line is the coach’s job is to put the players in the best possible position to win the game. I have no doubt that Coach Brockett and his staff do that day in and day out. If you look at the league there are many teams in contention to make the playoffs. Ansonia, Holy Cross, Wolcott, Watertown, Woodland, and St Paul. The reality of high school football is that your not gonna win 10 games and a state title every year. Ansonia has been fortunate with great talent and many winning seasons and state titles and the fans think it is a given that every year the chargers are gonna roll. I have not been able to see the chargers that much this year but i know from the past the fans need to stick behind their coach and team. Fortunately their is alot of football left to play and I still believe the chargers control their own destiny. Make a statement in Derby this week in a game that you have to throw out the record books and win the revival of an old fashioned rivalry. If you win out I believe you will make the states with two losses and i’ll tell you right now the last thing Bloomfield wants is a weeknight game against the chargers in December.
Comment by AnsoniaVinny — October 26th, 2009 @ 11:52 am
Ray..the Hogs feel fine I’m sure…They got beat by the #1 team in the state…last time I checked that isn’t losing to Watertown…LOL…WOW!…How did that one feel Ray? BTW…you can write a response, but you won’t get one back from me…Have a nice day Ray
Comment by Fciac_Fan — October 26th, 2009 @ 12:19 pm
ths fan r u kidding me?
Comment by ray brown — October 26th, 2009 @ 12:31 pm
Ray -
Just checking – I heard you were down on the Chargers thought maybe you were jumping ship! No worries – the coach will have them straightened out for Derby. NO Doubt!
Comment by THS Fan — October 26th, 2009 @ 1:39 pm
watertowns a good team-probably better than half the fciac teams-but dont cry fciac fan masquerading as a st. joes fan your use to losing anyway.
Comment by ray brown — October 26th, 2009 @ 4:35 pm
Was Oxford beating Bunnell an upset? A second year varsity team. I don’t think so.
Comment by MasukRules — October 26th, 2009 @ 9:21 pm
Ray,
You are a typical Ansonia fan. I’m sure Ansonia would have a better record with Jack Cochran as head coach, but so would any team in the state. I am curious to see where Cochran will wind up next. I would love to see Masuk play New London and the Cochran kid throw for 500 yards. Revenge for canning his dad!
Comment by Juan Pablo Montoya — October 27th, 2009 @ 11:43 am
Also how does greenwich not have any size upfront this year? #77 is a big kid and their line has to average 230 across the board,and newsflash central ISNT huge upfront,just strong as hell.
Comment by theruler — October 24th, 2009 @ 7:34 pm
Response
Central is the strongest team in the state and have some of the biggest lineman in the state. I have no idea why you just said that Central has no size.
Comment by Unknown — November 4th, 2009 @ 8:45 am