Masuk football coach John Murphy
Masuk football coach John Murphy said Wednesday that he’s on board with playing the SWC championship game at Pomperaug next week.
His reason: SWC championships should be played at SWC venues, regardless if if gives one participant a home game.
“I’m all for it, in fact, I was one of the first people to suggest it,” said Murphy, who is a member of the league’s AD-head coaches executive board. “They wanted to move the game to Danbury (Crotty Field) and I said why? They said, because it would give them them a home game. I said no, it’s an SWC championship game, it should stay in the SWC.
“This happens all the time: in basketball, in baseball, in lacrosse and in football. If this was determined months in advance, nobody would be saying anything about it. I have no problems with it. The game will be determined on the field.”
Part of a typical deal, Murphy said, is that the SWC collects a gate, but the home school collects concessions. He said an SWC school — and no other — should benefit from the championship game. “They’re part of the SWC,” Murphy said. “It’s their field, let them use it for their program.”
The part of the league’s laws, Murphy said, require championship games at a turf field with lights. In 2004, the SWC did play at Trumbull, a neutral, non-league field. But Murphy said that was because, at the time, the SWC didn’t have a turf field with lights. “Now we have three.” (Brookfield, Bunnell and Pomperaug).
And it’s not like this hasn’t happened before, Murphy said.
In 1998, the Panthers played Stratford in the SWC title game in Monroe. Although Stratford, back then, requested home jerseys, the home side of the field and the home locker rooms, Murphy said he would not be doing that to Pomperaug should his team capture the SWC’s “top seed.”
“We were sitting in the visitors locker room before the game against Stratford and all I had to say was, ‘Hey, they’re in your locker room,’” Murphy said. “That fired ‘em all up. I’m not going to give Pomperaug any extra motivation.”
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Not to make excuses but football in this state has been very sub-par, New Cannan is probably the worst #1 team that this state has seen in a long time. There is no talent anywhere the players look soft and small. Where is football going in this state. that top ten looks ugly.
Comment by Greenwich — November 11th, 2009 @ 4:57 pm
Well done Coach Murphy.
Comment by giantsfan — November 11th, 2009 @ 4:58 pm
The Masuk football coach is the best in the SWC.
Comment by MasukRules — November 11th, 2009 @ 5:48 pm
I agree. Two class programs going at it. Should be a great night of football.
Comment by big guy — November 11th, 2009 @ 6:27 pm
I’m an FCIAC guy, and I can’t wait to watch this game…..
Comment by fciacfootballfan — November 11th, 2009 @ 7:16 pm
All good stuff. However I wonder if Brookfield was in line for the championship if they would not have figured out a way around parent night or whatever the conflict was.
Comment by tbart19 — November 11th, 2009 @ 7:58 pm
Ah, another perfectly placed backhanded cheap shot at NC from a Greenwich fan (if Greenwich is not good this year, everyone else must suck, right?)
I am not sure this NC squad is any less talented than any of the last three seasons (although the D is not a tight as it usually is)
NC is never going to look like a physically dominating team on the field – The success has a lot more to do with coaching – thus the continued success – even with an absurd amount of turnover year to year
Comment by fan — November 11th, 2009 @ 8:12 pm
not a fciac follower but im surprised no has given central a shot this week
Comment by ray brown — November 11th, 2009 @ 11:05 pm
I give them a shot. NC is the favorite, though.
Comment by Sean Patrick Bowley — November 12th, 2009 @ 12:33 am
This is going to be a huge deal, the rivalry between these two teams is very much alive and both teams will be fired up…thats what footballs all about.
Comment by StupidNighthawks — November 12th, 2009 @ 1:46 am
I love Centrals chances
They’ll have the athletic edge for sure – if they can get NC’s D on the ropes, they’ll only need to make a few stops on NC – Baty likes to hold on to the ball for any last second options so he is prone to taking sacks
Add to that the fact that NC had a huge game last week and may not be focusing on Central
Comment by fan — November 12th, 2009 @ 8:00 am
“Fan” Huge amount of turnover?!?, it doesn’t hurt when a Stanford Quarterback prospect moves to your town, helps with the whole turnover dilema, don’t you think, LoL!
Comment by John D — November 12th, 2009 @ 9:27 am
I bet “Greenwich” is “GHS Fan” in disguise, LoL!
Comment by John D — November 12th, 2009 @ 9:28 am
Ray Ray Brown and Ansonia Vinnie,
Though I don’t root for or against Ansonia I enjoy your posts much more this year because you are mindful of the fact that this is not a vintage Ansonia team. Good luck tonight against an improving Seymour team.
Central does have a legitimate shot against NC especially in the pouring rain. No way will this game be postponed. The home team (CENTRAL) has the final say if the game is played or not.
Must disagree with (GREENWICH) about CT. being down. There are many good teams in the state. Look at a three loss Shelton and West Haven and a two loss Greenwich team. Those teams are solid. Let’s enjoy the playoffs and the Thanksgiving day games.
Comment by jjs — November 12th, 2009 @ 11:28 am
I would not underestimate New Canaan’s athletic ability….maybe not on the same par as Central’s across the board, but they still have plenty of playmakers….
And, if all other things are equal, and it comes down to coaching, with all due respect to Central, Dave Cadelina, and his staff — New Canaan has not been outcoached in a long, long time…..
Just my 2 cents…..
Comment by fciacfootballfan — November 12th, 2009 @ 12:23 pm
John D, you could break it down and say it’s about one guy – but this is not the first time they’re coming off a state championship
It’s been a different QB every year in this decade (and usually a whole cast of new players as well)
Comment by fan — November 12th, 2009 @ 12:31 pm
has anybody heard of any rumors that fairfield prep let go of the ex-derby coaches after a embarrassing 2 year record?my apoligies to coach magdon————-maybe i was cutting down the wrong tree!
Comment by ray brown — November 12th, 2009 @ 4:07 pm
Where are all the prep fans?
Comment by MasukRules — November 12th, 2009 @ 5:13 pm
This is the worst year in state football in a long time. I still put my money on Notre Dame of West Haven. It would be awesome to see them play New Canaan. If Notre Dame is weak, it is they are not as strong on defense as they are on offense. On offense, they are as good as anyone. Team speed is incredible.
Comment by Jack Cochran Wannabe — November 12th, 2009 @ 9:19 pm
Not sure why people are saying this is the worst year in CT Football? Just because “namebrand” towns aren’t dominating? Maybe their isn’t one super powerful team this year, but there is a good number of solid teams!
Comment by John D — November 12th, 2009 @ 11:11 pm
Can I add, The picture of Coach Murphy is super creepy
Comment by John D — November 12th, 2009 @ 11:13 pm
It’s all I had
Comment by Sean Patrick Bowley — November 12th, 2009 @ 11:14 pm
are there any hamden bloggers left? figures first time in 15 years the green nerds have a football team and theyre stealing hamdens thunder.nd will win on turkey day
Comment by ray brown — November 13th, 2009 @ 8:20 am
Let me give you some neutral perspective – New Canaan is a good team with a great QB. I was at the game tonight and the wind totally neutralized Baty and the New Canaan offense. They had no run game – no run game because they could not pass and there was no push. Enough on how athletic they are, there are lots of team that are as or more athletic. Central punched them in the chin over and over and over again. Nice job Coach Catelina and the Central players.
Comment by HS Football Fan — November 13th, 2009 @ 8:30 pm