Matt Kelly runs in a touchdown with 11 minutes left in the 4th quarter for Staples against Xavier Tuesday Dec. 1, 2009.
Pomperaug's Ben Crick outruns the Simsbury defense on a 38-yard touchdown run in the Class L state semifinal playoff game Tuesday night at Pomperaug High.
At the Ralph DeSantis Football Foundation Chapter meeting last month, I was invited to the podium to speak in front all of the proud football coaches of the Fairfield County football leagues. It wasn’t the greatest of speeches, I’ll admit. I had something prepared, but flubbed it like a freshman punt returner and they jumped all over me.
I eventually regained my composure and my thoughts in time to stumble across the finish line. But of all the things I said, I think I managed to get one crucial point across. “The best football in Connecticut,” I said, “is played right here in Fairfield County. We have the best players, the best coaches and — clearly — the best high school football programs in the state”
A week later — after hearing how well I did — I got a joke invite to speak at the New Haven meeting. Had I actually gone, I probably would have said the same thing about that county.
So let me sum up now: The best football is played in Southwest Connecticut.
St. Joseph's Tyler Matakevich leaps over Holy Cross defender Zach Brown during the first half of play in Tuesday night's game at Municipal Stadium in Waterbury, Conn.
Particularly the SCC, the FCIAC and, yes, the SWC.
That sentiment was only reinforced during Tuesday night’s semifinals.
Here’s the scorecard: FCIAC, SCC, SWC: 7-1. Everybody else? 5-11.
The southern/southwest football schools pretty much dominated the CIAC state semifinals Tuesday night.
St. Joseph absolutely crushed Holy Cross, to qualify for its first state championship game in 19 years. What a performance by the Hogs. 56 points? Against the NVL champion? Yow.
Staples outslugged Xavier. The Wreckers may be gassed, but they’re just that good. And Matt Kelly just made himself first-team All Connecticut Post with last night’s performance. The tradition continues.
Pomperaug rolled through Simsbury. Got a little dicey late. But Pomperaug thrives on the big play. One of the best collection of football players around
Notre Dame-West Haven hammered Conard. So much for Conard, huh? The Green Knights, who really didn’t impress me that much in the Green Bowl, flattened the once-unbeaten Chieftains.
Yes, I picked against Notre Dame, my No. 3 Elite 8 in Tuesday’s paper. But, hey, I was looking for an upset!
I never once thought, in a million, billion years that little ol’ Bethel — the sons of Ralph DeSantis himself — would be the team to pull it off:
But they did, by wiping out ECC power New London, 34-12.
And boy, after he and his offensive line manhandled the once-unbeaten Whalers, Pete Gallagher let me have it in the papers today.
(By the way, Pete: you and Conor Keniry, are officially invited to my steak dinner with Staples’ coaches Marce Petroccio and Jack McFarland. It’s looking like there will be no Christmas presents for my poor mother this year.)
Anyway, those were the big results.
New Canaan's Peter Park, left, is tackled by St. Paul's Devin Zeller, center and Tom Hawthorn, right, during the CIAC Class MM semi-finals at New Canaan High School in New Canaan, Conn. on Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2009.
We did, however, have a couple of anomalies:
New Canaan, which we all figured would make mince meat out of St. Paul Co-Op at Dunning Stadium, instead escaped by the hairs on their chinny-chin-chins, 14-13. (A win is a win, but what has happened to our former State No. 1?)
Ansonia, it turned out, was no match for Northwest Catholic, in a rather shocking final (not result, but final).
The NVL, which also resides mostly in New Haven County, hasn’t exactly been stellar all season. And this was a bad night for the league and its fans. It went 0-3, with only the inspired, inspired effort by St. Paul, one of its newest members, allowing the league to save some face.
As for the CCC… well, it was good night and good luck. Conard: gone. Simsbury: gone. Bloomfield: gone. Glastonbury: did it ever show up against Cheshire?
All that’s left from the CCC is Berlin, which needed to survive a second-half onslaught from Avon to win. They get Bethel next. Update And, of course, Northwest Catholic, which pulled off a rare and impressive feats: it shut out Ansonia.
That leaves the ECC, which had a so-so night. East Lyme took care of business vs. the other Pequot school, Vinal Tech/Coginchaug. Montville… well, they buried gutsy but outmatched Bullard-Havens.
And we all know about how New London checked out.
The Pequot’s only other entry: Hyde (which really, really, really should take its show over to the SCC next year. Lots of SCC coaches and athletic directors have told me they want this to happen. More on this grassroots campaign later.)
Anyway, the Hearst Connecticut Newspapers coverage area went into the state semifinals with eight teams, we now have six still standing. That’s half the championship field filled with southwestern Connecticut teams.
Yes, I picked three of them to lose (and I’ll be settling debts up at the CIAC football championship luncheon today). Maybe I really didn’t believe what I preached.
But I’m a believer now.
SouthWest CT rules!
(by the way, East Lyme 41, New Canaan 20 in the final. Seriously!)
Loading ...
Maybe Notre Dame didn’t really impress you at the Green Bowl(although they scored 31 points) because Hamden is a good team? Please pick Pomperaug on Saturday. You provide great locker room motivational material.
Comment by roto — December 2nd, 2009 @ 6:55 am
I told u guys Bethel could win the battle up front and no one except Cuozzo believed me. As said in an ealier post, NL is a year away and win this game going away….next year. Congrats to the cats. Who would have thought that Bethel not Masuk or Bunnell would be boasting the glory of the SWC. Staples is truly the #1 team in CT. It’s amazing how those kids just find a way to make a play when they so have to have one. Pomperaug, ND, Staples all have a shot at #1 but it’s Staples to lose at this point.
Comment by Brian — December 2nd, 2009 @ 7:32 am
Northwest Catholic is also still alive from the CCC.
Comment by cuoz18 — December 2nd, 2009 @ 7:52 am
Isn’t it ironic that former Nutmeg Conference powers Berlin and NWC, a conference once held in the littlest of regards by the CCC, are the only teams left standing to represent the CCC. Conard’s special teams were poor last night and cost them three maybe four scores. We saw glimpses of the powerful running game that led them all year but when they were forced to throw, they looked like a running team. ND has great speed and strength. Good luck Saturday.
Comment by WRH — December 2nd, 2009 @ 8:10 am
Northwest is CCC too
Comment by ConardFan — December 2nd, 2009 @ 8:16 am
I would have to agree that the SW part of the state is running the show right now when it comes to football. My question is why? Can anybody explain it? Is there better water down here? Is it a socio-economic thing? Is it a cyclical thing? Can it be explained? We can’t just say we are better and that’s that! Glastonbury won the states last year. So we are one year removed from a northern CT team winning the top division in CT. Any suggestions?
Comment by WKRP — December 2nd, 2009 @ 8:16 am
Correction SPB (“All that’s left from the CCC is Berlin…”), Northwest is also in the CCC. As much as I like checking out your blog, since we have nothing like it up here, I really dislike how you hate on the CCC. Of course, you couldn’t say too much last year after Glastonbury won the LL championship.
Comment by CCC Fan — December 2nd, 2009 @ 8:43 am
Cant wait to hear the crickets coming from the CCC. (just like last year when Masuk scored one million points on two of the best teams up there). The FCIAC once again answered the call and the SWC may have its bottom dwellers but starting back in about 03 with Masuk, Brookfield, Pomperaug, Bunnell, Bunnell, Masuk, Brookfield, and now Pomperaug and Bethel. Think about some of those teams. A pretty good league.
Comment by simsburied — December 2nd, 2009 @ 8:44 am
I wonder if we’ll hear back today from the boys up in CCC country? Let’s not shove it down their throats today. The scoreboard at Conard said it all. No need to rub noses in it. Great job from the FCIAC, SCC and SWC. SPB – don’t apologize for your picks! Years ago, the Post guys never would have made picks at all. Bethel was the biggest shock of the night – not that they won but that they manhandled New London. Great job, Bethel. I would have loved to have heard the silence from the hill. Can’t wait for Saturday!
Comment by HSFB Fan — December 2nd, 2009 @ 8:46 am
Whoops. I did indeed leave out Northwest, very impressive. …Sorry. It was late, late, late.
Comment by Sean Patrick Bowley — December 2nd, 2009 @ 8:50 am
SPB Thanks for officially pulling a curse on East Lyme. After your picks Tuesday nobody wants to be on your list, just kidding, keep up the good work!
Comment by John D — December 2nd, 2009 @ 9:17 am
You can tell from my username that I hate Staples.
Actually, I don’t hate the Staples players. I don’t hate the Staples coaches. I just hate the Staples fans. They are whiney and intolerable.
Having said all that…….
I have to give credit where it is due:
Staples is the best offensive team around—-make no mistake; they are a BIG PLAy team.
Their defense is overrated but—but they will OUTSCORE you. I would love to see Staples play New Canaan….might be a 42-41 game. Or St. Joe’s…might be a 38-37 game…to bad we couldn’t see that this year.
Staples has answered the bell the last 3 weeks when they needed to late in games with their OFFENSE…..enough about the defense.
They should beat Chesire. If they don’t…it will be the worst loss in school history…besides 14-12 to lowly Wilton back in the late 90′s.
That being said, look for Staples to win it all and be the best team in CT finally come Saturday night.
Comment by StaplesHater — December 2nd, 2009 @ 9:22 am
Avon is from the Pequot Conference
Comment by Gerry — December 2nd, 2009 @ 9:24 am
WKRP, It’s mostly cyclical. But on top of that, the majority of people that live in Connecticut live South and West of the Housatonic, so that doesn’t hurt. Another topic that is not really broached much is the coaches salaries. From what I know, coaches in the FCIAC make considerably more than coaches in different parts of the state, this attracts better coaches which generate better teams. But don’t be fooled, I remember not that long ago when Fitch, Weaver, Bloomfied, Hand, and New London were putting a hurting on the rest of the state. It’s funny how fans have such short memories.
Comment by John D — December 2nd, 2009 @ 9:26 am
Congrats to the teams in the finals.
I went to the Ansona v. Northwest Catholic game, I was not impressed. Shutting out that Ansonia team is not a feat. That final score is misleading, the game was much closer than that.
Comment by chris — December 2nd, 2009 @ 9:31 am
Thanks Gerry. It was supposed to read: “other entry” Again. Late night.
Comment by Sean Patrick Bowley — December 2nd, 2009 @ 10:00 am
One thing I have learned about this years Staples team-you have to beat them because they don’t beat themselves. Three tough games in a row and they overcame big yardage situations in each game to pull out victories. Cheshire will score on Staples but Staples is a BIG PLAY team and can score from anywhere on the field.
The new quarterback is not as good a runner as the injured QB, however he is a more accurate passer.
NDWH vs POMPY is a classic. Running backs galore! 35-34 final POMPY.
How about the boys from ST. Joes. Most of their strong players will return next season.
The coaching staff at New Canaan deserves a medal for what this team has accompolished this year. A possible (not probable) state title with wins over Greenwich and St. Joes and lopsided scores throughout the year. This team is not that good.
BETHEL _BETHEL_BETHEL- way to go boys. When I saw that Masuk score I realized you were a good tem. Good luck in the finals.
What happened to Holy Cross? Please get the license plate of that truck that ran over them.
Ansonia will live another day . How does 2115 sound.
Cheshire option will drive Staples nuts.
Please separate the LL and L games so we can see four great teams go head to head.
Xavier missed a key interception early in the fourth quarter which would have given them the ball at the Staples 40 yard line. The game was tied at 21 all. Three plays later Staples goes the length of the field to take the lead for good.
Come on New London-show up next time. No excuse for coming out flat in a semi-final game.
Comment by old#52 — December 2nd, 2009 @ 10:16 am
St. Joseph will win states. I think the FCIAC will have 3 state champions.
Comment by MasukRules — December 2nd, 2009 @ 10:36 am
Having watched Matt Kelly in a few games, and FCIAC football for five years, he’s the best running back I’ve seen in that time. He moves like Gale Sayers in his prime, and has tremendous vision and speed. Let’s hope the Wreckers finish the deal Saturday.
Comment by dwje — December 2nd, 2009 @ 10:48 am
dwje,
Kelly is a great player but hes not even the best RB to play at staples during that time. Look in FCIAC record book you’ll see another staples RB (02-03) who owns several records including TDs in a career. FCIAC has had its share of great backs usually from the big three ( staples, Greenwich, NC.
Comment by fciacfan111 — December 2nd, 2009 @ 11:34 am
Several from Central and McMahon as well. Aaron Taylor from McMahon comes to mind (01-02).
Comment by fciacfan111 — December 2nd, 2009 @ 11:36 am
Congratulations to Bethel they brought it to NL, with their strong defense and offensive lines. The did to NL what NL has been doing to other teams this season. They played a very disciplined defense and stopped NL’s running game. Bethel played with heart and appeared to have wanted it more. NO excuses from NL, no question Bethel was more prepared then NL. Having watched NL all year this was by far the worst they looked, Bethel gave them a good old fashion beating. They deserve all the credit. Bethel beat a good team. NL had a great year (10-1) with a string of consecutive wins over Montville, East Lyme, Ledyard, & Fitch, but no team came close to manhandling them like Bethel. Would be great if some of the these teams played during the regular season rather then waiting until states. East Lyme & Montville have tough games in the finals and it will be good test for ECC. Good luck Bethel in the finals, I know NL will be rooting for you. You deserve a championship!
Comment by NL/ECC F An — December 2nd, 2009 @ 11:38 am
stapleshater,
The staples D is anything but overrated. they have given up 91 points in 12 games! several of those TDs came against the 2nd team D. Yes they have given up some points the last two weeks, but speaking as someone who was at the Xavier game, that was a great team they beat. Very big upfront, very physical, and a stud RB to go with the line. And frankly their banged up. However i expect a overwhelming performance vs. chesire and a state title this weekend.
Comment by fciacfan111 — December 2nd, 2009 @ 11:41 am
OLD52,
If anyone knows how to defend the option its Staples. Coach Petroccio’s option offense has been putting up huge numbers since 1997.
Comment by fciacfan111 — December 2nd, 2009 @ 11:44 am
couldn’t agree more on the New Canaan comments
toughest coaching challenge in a while
that said, they are going to need to a great peformance to beat E Lyme
Comment by fan — December 2nd, 2009 @ 11:49 am
Agree with John D about the cyclical nature of things.
But nobody wants to hear any of that today. All you are allowed to talk about today is how Southwestern CT is the best and don’t try to say anything different.
That is the nature of the internet and the blog dominated world we live in. Our memories are only as short as the previous week or in some cases the previous night.
Comment by Mike — December 2nd, 2009 @ 12:23 pm
old#52
you are RIGHT on the mark with your comments.
If NC does win the states this year, their coaching staff deserves medals. As an FCIAC fan, I really hope they win Saturday, but it’s gonna be really tough. The rams simply lost WAY toom uch from last year, and East Lyme is a very good football team
You are also correct about Staples. You can say they have been very fortunate over the past three weeks….which is true. Nobody can dispute that. But you are right…they always find the big play to beat you. Particualrly on offense. Kelly is amazing and the kicker is a weapon. The new QB can throw that ball around, too. I think they beat Cheshire by 10 or 11 points. Staples defense has not looked goot the past two weeks, but the offense has bailed them out. That’s what makes them a well-rounded TEAM.
The kids on Staples will learn (hopefully) on Saturday night that winning a state title is far more satisfying than winning an FCIAC title. Saturday is what you practice and play for! Get it done Wreckers…for your town, youe league, your coaches, and for yourselves! Haven’t had one since 2004…I believe….It’s a feeling none of these current players have experienced. Now’s your chance! Get it done like NCHS has done 3 years in a row!
Comment by Fiji — December 2nd, 2009 @ 12:38 pm
I like Joes and Staples to win. NC is due to get back on track offensively but EL has some athletes that could nuetralize NC. Weather could play a role to if it’s cold/windy/snowy as forecasted. I thinking EL might get NC just like they did a few years back. I think East Lyme is the last team to beat NC in states 4 years ago. Good games this year in all classes. Funny that they changed the layout for next year and here the 6 classes kind of worked out this year. I don’t like the six clsses and the new format is much better but kind of wierd that in the last year of the old one I think it’s the best one we have since it went to six. At least it went out with a bang.
Comment by Brian — December 2nd, 2009 @ 12:39 pm
That was a great night of football. I went the St. Joe’s massacre. I told you guys a few weeks back that they were going to sneak in and win the State Championship.
Thanks SPB for the blog coverage, it makes it easier to pick a game and go when you know that you can follow the others on the phone.
I missed on Glastonbury, thought they were the best team in the LL. Staples should take that.
I still have Pompraug alive in the L, but ND West is looking really good. I still think that Pompy will win the game and I ‘m thrilled that it will be in my back yard in Shelton.
I picked St. Joe’s, Bethel and New Canaan in their Division. I still think that they will all win out. New Canaan probably thought that they had a cake walk last night. They’ll be readyy for the Final, 4 in a row. Once I saw Bethel vs. Masuk, I knew that they were for real.
I’m surprised that people are so surprised by the win, they are big and strong. St. Joe’s has been great all year. I don’t know how anyone thought that Cross would beat them.
My other pick was Ansonia…..the coach is probably hiding in his basement with the lights off….people are going to want his head.
Enjoy Saturday!
Comment by No Axe To Grind — December 2nd, 2009 @ 1:05 pm
getting into playoffs was a accomplishment for this years ansonia team but northwest exposed all their weaknesses which was only a matter of time—–shoddy D,poor secondary and coach brocketts one man passing routes -turning point of game ——ansonia down 6-0,ball on northwests 3 yd.line,and kinnebrew doesnt touch ball
Comment by ray brown — December 2nd, 2009 @ 1:29 pm
Conard High School is a fantastic school located in a beautful area. I have many close friends who attended and all are great people.
With this being said, Conard had no business lining up against ND West Haven last night. In fact, they probably wouldn’t fair well against many teams in Class L that didn’t make the playoffs. The new format next year will help but can’t prevent a soft schedule from qualifying for a playoff berth. Bullard Havens is another example of a team that had no business in the playoffs.
No offense Conardfan but if you went to the game last night you saw it with your own eyes. The Chieftans were nothing but a giant sirloin steak which was flung into a cage of hungy lions.
Comment by Galloping Ghost — December 2nd, 2009 @ 1:40 pm
MR B Can’t help wondering why the SCC gets top billing in your SCC, FCIAC, and even the SWC go 7 – 1 comment when the SCC accounts for the 1 loss? Didn’t the SWC capture 2 state championships last year? Shouldn’t the billing be the FCIAC, the SWC, and even the SCC or more accurately given this year’s results the FCIAC, SWC, and even the ECC?
On another note why no editorializing on the unfairness and anbsurdity of a CIAC Football tournament selection and seeding process that puts Bullard Havens in the state tournament. Bullard havens left the SWC because they not only could not win a game there, they could not even stay in any games for as much as a half. There is probably not a single small SWC school that would not easily defeat BH this year, but they are very unlikley to make the State tournament given their annual thrashings by the likes of Pomperaug, Newtown, and Masuk? Is this some kind of PC rule that keeps folks from stating the obvious? BH, or for that matter any team from that league, does not deserve to be in the State tournament. It is unfair to an awful lot of hard working kids to reward a team for deliberately choosing to play a very, very weak schedule.
Comment by SWCbiased — December 2nd, 2009 @ 1:51 pm
I have been following CT high school football (in general) and the NVL (in particular) for a long time. But I do not have blind loyalty. I will be the first to admit that the league simply did not have it this year. It happens. These things go in cycles and this year the league just was not able to compete at a high level.
You could tell that just by watching games within the NVL. There was no clear cut upper tier of the league. Even the teams with the good records, there was not that much of a difference between them and the lower level squads. There were few blowouts. It made for an interesting regular season, but it hurt them come playoff time.
Ansonia: very inconsistent team. Looked great one week and then downright sloppy the next. They did not come to play against Northwest Catholic and NWC flat out beat them. The final score made it seem much worse than it actually was, but the result was not a fluke.
Holy Cross: what can you even say? I am not going to defend them. Just a terrible performance, at home to boot. Their 9-1 record was very deceiving and they looked very suspect down the stretch. On the flip side, St Joes came out and dominated. Maybe the question should be why didn’t St Joes beat NC and Greenwich? They have the ability to.
St Paul: a bright spot for the NVL last night. They could have won that game three times. They turned it over twice very deep in NC territory late in the game. And then they were still only a failed two point conversion from pulling the upset. But credit to NC for gutting out the win.
Certainly not a good night for the NVL. I realize many of you think the NVL is “down” most years, and if that is what you think then a blog posting is not going to change your mind. All I can say is that the league has held up very well over the years in state playoffs. This was certainly not one of them.
Comment by Will Greene — December 2nd, 2009 @ 2:52 pm
Will – SJ put up points in both games, and but for a bounce here and a call there could have recorded wins. But the truth of the matter is that they struggled to contain Lefflebine and Baty absolutely lit up their secondary. The FCIAC is a tough league, especially for a small school.
Comment by Dr. Von Nostran — December 2nd, 2009 @ 3:31 pm
Will Greene- To answer your question on why SJ didn’t beat Greenwich and NC? I just don’t think they realized how good they were and after they went toe to toe with Greenwich it clicked. Right now they are playing like a well oiled machine. Everyone talks about Matakevich but there are other guys on that team who are playing great football too especially Dellavecchia and his receivers. And don’t sleep on the defense either they can get a stop when they need one. Good football team should be a great game on Saturday.
Comment by Ole#65 — December 2nd, 2009 @ 3:45 pm
StaplesHater, I love the name. But I doubt Staples fans are anymore arrogant than Greenwich fans. Plus Staples has the best looking Cheerleaders in the state. Can’t fault them for that. If you took Matakevich off of the SJ defense they would be one of the worst defenses in the state. On Offense they are legit, but the weather at Ken Strong stadium could neutralize the SJ passing attack. Also, I thought Staples offense was horrible. I only saw them vs. Bridgeport Central, but they went the whole first half without a first down. The #1 team in the state shouldn’t go a whole half without a first down. Let the other team grab your facemask or something. Also, it doesn’t seem like states without the Greenwich band or Jack Cochran. Matakevich for SJ is a throwback. A throwback to when I play Madden on PS2 and make up a player with 99 power rating and stiff arms every oncoming tackler. He is fun to watch.
Comment by Tiger Woods Wannabe — December 2nd, 2009 @ 4:15 pm
Staples offense was awesome vs. Greenwich and vs. Xaver (which has a real good defense). Central’s defense played out of its mind in the FCIAC final. Give them their due. One of the most physical games I’ve ever seen. It was a bloodbath… and Staples won.
Comment by Sean Patrick Bowley — December 2nd, 2009 @ 4:19 pm
I’ve been saying it since the 1st game of the year NDWH is the best team in the state they are absolutely HUGE and Cheshire will beat Staples.
NDWH
Cheshire
Staples
Xavier
Hamden
Central
Pomp
Shelton
New Canaan
Greenwich
Comment by DDS — December 2nd, 2009 @ 4:25 pm
TWwannabe- I think your underating the SJ D. The only teams to realy score on them were NC and GHS and one of NC TDs came on D. If u look at the 30 points Trumbull scored it’s decieving because if it weren’t for 2 bad pass interference calls and a kick return thy would have only scored 10pts. To say they would be one of the worst without Matakevich is a little much.
Comment by Ole#65 — December 2nd, 2009 @ 5:04 pm
SPB have you gotten a chance to see Chesire this year?
Comment by tpl — December 2nd, 2009 @ 5:40 pm
DDS,
You lose credibility by listing Hamden #5. You better be the principal at Hamden or have 4 kids there.
Comment by Tiger Woods Wannabe — December 2nd, 2009 @ 5:41 pm
St. Joe’s and NC are textbook examples of the role momentum plays over the course of a high school season. For those who didn’t go, that game was a good ole fashioned blowout – the Rams were thisclose to emptying the bench in the fourth (score was closer, but trust me on this). If they played again today, I’d take the Hogs. Classic example of a playoff team… knows how to close, with a franchise player capable of gutting out close wins.
Comment by John — December 2nd, 2009 @ 5:56 pm
TWwannabe really wannabe?
Comment by tj — December 2nd, 2009 @ 6:14 pm
Yes, TPL, I’ve seen Cheshire twice live and once on tape. You can see them, too here on the blog in Week 2 vs. Shelton
Comment by Sean Patrick Bowley — December 2nd, 2009 @ 6:43 pm
What were your impressions? How does Staples match up?
Comment by tpl — December 2nd, 2009 @ 6:52 pm
SPB……Is the Bethel game still be played on Saturday at 7pm??
You really did not think that Bethel would be in the finals, did you?
The have a great line, with a kid that can run like crazy…
Comment by Smitty — December 2nd, 2009 @ 6:53 pm
I wish I could golf like Tiger, and he has a pretty nice harem to choose from. But he is definitely in the doghouse. Sad day when Stratford High loses Duane Sheridan. He was a class act. I still think Bridgeport Central got hosed. They are one big play away from beating Staples. I am taking nothing away from Staples. That coach has turned that program into a football team that forgot how to lose. Lou Marinelli is coach of the year!
Comment by Tiger Woods Wannabe — December 2nd, 2009 @ 7:13 pm
SPB speaks the truth. The Central game was a bloodbath.
Comment by The Truth — December 2nd, 2009 @ 8:35 pm
How about we take a look at this very realistic scenario for winners on Saturday.
LL – Cheshire
L – Pomperaug
MM – East Lyme
M – Berlin
SS – Montville
S – Northwest Catholic
That could easily happen. And that would not be a banner day for southwestern CT. (By the way folks, Southbury is not in southwestern CT. I don’t care what the CT Post says. Look at a map.)
Comment by Tony B — December 2nd, 2009 @ 8:38 pm
I’m familiar with a few coaches and know their stipends for a year round coaching commitment up in the Hartford County area. They range from $3000 – $6000 for assistant coaches and $6000 to $7500 for head coaches. Usually the district allows three assistants and the head coach. Does anybody have concrete knowledge of the coaching salaries in the southern part of the state?
Has New Canaan been exposed? or no? I read someone on these comments speak to the Central game where they were blasted and appeared to give up. They are stifled by Darien. And St. Paul’s pushes them to the edge but couldn’t close. I guess they are always so good, I just expect them to go Florida Gators on every opponent.
Cheshire is good. Staples is probably better but it’ll be fun watching them hammer each other. Unfortunately, I have to pick between Pompy/ND and cutting down a Christmas tree with my family.
(Who wants dead pine needles all over the house anyway, it can wait a week.)
Good luck to all.
Comment by WKRP — December 2nd, 2009 @ 9:14 pm
The Xavier-Staples football game was a total contrast is style. Xavier basically said “We have a 6-2 210 pound monster running back and a mammoth offensive line; we’re giving the kid the ball every play; go ahead and try to stop him.” Staples has a myriad of offenses and adjusts as the game goes along to see which one is working that day. Greenwich (to their credit) totally shut down the option, so Staples just went to something else and still racked up the points. The option was working against Xavier, so they used it a lot more.
Cheshire runs the option so I’m sure they know how to defend it. Cheshire also knows it’s likewise for Staples. So now what for Cheshire? Go away from your strength? Or, like Xavier, just say this is who we are, this is what got us here, stop us. Damned if you do, damned if you don’t.
Cheshire is another team that just seems to find a way to win. In the regular season, whereas Xavier had beaten one 9-win and three 7-win teams, Cheshire had only beaten two 7-win teams. Yet they won the games they had to win to make the playoffs. You could make the case that Glastonbury’s two-loss tailspin caused their five turnovers, or you can say, once again, Cheshire stepped up and made the plays.
I can’t imagine Cheshire is more athletic than Central. I can’t imagine they are better mentally prepared from watching film than Greenwich. I can’t imagine they have a back as bruising as the kid from Xavier. I also can’t imagine any team having more of a will to win under any circumstances than Staples. Which is why, at least on paper, Staples has the edge. Now they just have to prove it on the field where it counts.
Comment by Jeff — December 2nd, 2009 @ 9:23 pm
Tiger-
Not only do you have the BEST screenname on here—–but you have great thoughts on high school football as well. I always look forward to our posts.
I agree with you about the job Lou Marinelli has done this year at New Canaan…if he wins this Saturday…and that is a BIG IF….he should have the field named after him. They graduated everybody from that 13-0 team. Yes, Baty showed up, but he has not been good the past 3 games, and he didn’t even start the first four games.
Comment by CTfootballjunkie — December 2nd, 2009 @ 9:32 pm
Tony… Pomperaug plays in the South-West Conference. They belong to the Fairfield County football chapter. They’re ours. (p.s. > I had to cut the comment slightly. Sorry)
Comment by Sean Patrick Bowley — December 2nd, 2009 @ 9:46 pm
CTfootballjunkie, I love these blogs. The views people have are fascinating. I can’t believe so much thought goes in to high school football. If we spent this much effort on our jobs, we could probably get promotions or make more money. I must admit, watching Bridgeport Central walk onto the field vs. Staples got me pumped up. I wanted to rush into the locker room and suit up. As far as what high school football coaches make, it’s not enough. Especially at the private schools. There are long gruelling hours involved in that profession. Lou Marinelli is the 2nd greatest coach in the history of the state. Jack Cochran was the best. I wish he didn’t tarnish himself by beating teams 80-0. There was no need for that. But he won every where he went. So what if he didn’t send Greenwich a couple of game tapes. Hahahaha. I’m quite sure they got lost in the mail. Mail gets hectic around the holidays.
Comment by Tiger Woods Wannabe — December 2nd, 2009 @ 10:26 pm
People across the United States next week are going to look in the USA Today and on Yahoo and see that Staples was the top-ranked team in Connecticut high school football. Then they’re gonna say “A stationary store has a great football team?”
It’s time (for the good of the town) to change the name of the school to Westport High. I have asked 25 people at Staples this question and 24 of them agree with me.
Some people around Connecticut have no idea who Staples is (even in Fairfield County!)
It’s time to change…for the good of the town…not just for one person….presumably named Mr. Staples.
That said….I hope the Wreckers win on Saturday!
Comment by CTfootballjunkie — December 2nd, 2009 @ 10:41 pm
by the way..they have to get past Cheshire first…I know that….
Also….I KNOW that Staples High was around LONG before the store Staples was around.
Comment by CTfootballjunkie — December 2nd, 2009 @ 10:44 pm
Speaking of odd school names, imagine attending Amity HS in the late 70s: “Oh, wow, were people really eaten by sharks in your home town?” Amity was the fictional town in the hit movie Jaws for those that can’t remember.
I also had to look up Pomperaug. Accordingly to Wikipedia, it’s a Native American Indian name that translates to “Counterfeiter of the annoying Seminole Chop”.
Comment by Jeff — December 3rd, 2009 @ 12:43 am
BTW, the Amity reference was based on reality. The Pomperaug reference was musical in nature (I mean, seriously, can anyone stand to watch the Atlanta Braves or FSU play a home game without turning off the volume?) and not intended to demean the school itself or its fabulous football team.
Comment by Jeff — December 3rd, 2009 @ 12:55 am
Wow!! Everybody has jumped off the New Canaan bandwagon after one loss in 26 games. This is not a vintage NC team but they seem to get it done wheneve they need too. With that being said (sorry Larry David) New Canaan must play its “A” game this week to beat a very talented East Lyme team. This will be the closest and most entertaining of all the State Championship games. Too bad its the same time as Pompy-NDWH a classic match-up that the whole state is buzzing about.
Cheshire vs Staples will also be very entertaining but Staples has a much better defense than Cheshire. If Staples loses and Cheshire wins then what team do you think will deserve the states Number one ranking. Is it the winner of Pompy-NDWH or is it Cheshire or even NC if it upsets East Lyme. Staples controls everything and I think they will win. Good luck to all of our teams from this area.
Comment by jjs — December 3rd, 2009 @ 8:42 am
spb did i read correctly that you are predicting a 41-20 East Lyme win over NC in the final on saturday? ill bet you lunch its the other way around.
Comment by prophet — December 3rd, 2009 @ 8:44 am
I’d give verryyy generous odds on a 41-20 EL win.
NC is still the more talented team, and those who showed up to the St. Paul uglyfest saw a team JUST out of sync. There were about five or six times (not an exaggeration) in the first half when a surefire Baty touchdown pass fluttered inches past the receivers’ hands. Fix that, and St. Paul is buried in an avalanche of points of halftime and everyone’s talking about another NC cakewalk in the final.
I think SPB is guilty of a certain fickleness here.
Comment by John — December 3rd, 2009 @ 9:39 am
Funny story, I watched the ND-Conard game standing next to a CCC assistant coach, whose team I won’t reveal. He plainly stated that Conard had played nobody this year, and I had to double take b/c he even used the same phrasing used once on this board (Cuoz?), describing it as “God awful”. I had to laugh.
Conard’s punter had net kicks from deep in their own territory of 3 and 10 yds, and then a different punter touched his knee to the ground when he caught a low snap. Doh! (Actually I felt bad for them, just kids in a pressure situations!) Anyway, that coach told me semi-seriously that he doubted that Conard had punted 3 times all yr.
I’m not trying to pile on here, I have no problem with Conard’s getting in, nor do I object in the slightest to the Tech schools getting in. You set the rules and whoever gets in gets in. If a Tech school feels it can’t line up, then it is incumbent on them to decline the bid. I believe Griswold did this vs. Ansonia around 20 yrs ago. (The Wolverines had a small roster and their biggest lineman was 165 lbs. so they thought they would be risking injury. Interestingly enough they were running a pure single wing if I remember correctly, which makes them some kind of coaching visionaries with all the wildcat and spread offenses out there today!)
Comment by FauxRealism — December 3rd, 2009 @ 10:02 am
Decisions, Decisions. Do I go see NDWH stomp on Pomperaug, or do I go see SJ get outcoached by Montville. When you leave Notre Dame football games this year, you are like “wow, that team is fast”. No excuse for SJ to not be in states for the last 19 years. Wasted talent. Also no excuse for them to loose to Greenwich or New Canaan this year. If the Marinelli, Alabanizio or Petruccio were at SJ they would of had 5 state titles over the last 19 years.
Comment by Tiger Woods Wannabe — December 3rd, 2009 @ 11:23 am
TW Wannabe
I saw Hamden when they were playing well, I never saw Central or Pomp, but I would have no problem dropping Hamden to 6th or 7th. i just think the SCC is that much better than the other divisions this year.
Comment by DDS — December 3rd, 2009 @ 11:31 am
EL v. NC should be close, but if Batty gets hot, it will be tough on EL…
Comment by John d — December 3rd, 2009 @ 11:37 am
FauxRealism,I will be at the L final on Saturday.Look for the notebook who SPB has infamously named as the “Bible”of High School Football that is.
Comment by cuoz18 — December 3rd, 2009 @ 11:48 am
DDS,
I heard Hamden was very talented this year. How did they lose 3 games. That is way too many loses. I think the SCC and the FCIAC are the equivalent in terms of talent. I do think NDWH is the best team in the state. They need Staples to lose so they can lay claim to being the #1 team in the state.
Comment by Tiger Woods Wannabe — December 3rd, 2009 @ 11:56 am
Tiger Woods…you sound like someone who has had no idea about the state of St. Joe’s football…Albonizio???How many stae championships does he have at Greenwich? How many did he have at Trinity? Give me a break…
Comment by The_One — December 3rd, 2009 @ 12:13 pm
Lets all stop giving St.Joes so much prop…They played two teams[NC&Greenwich] with seven or more wins and lost both.Their next best teams were Darien/Trumbull who stunk this year.Give them west Havens schedule this year and the best they finish is 6-4.Lets go easy before we have them as an elite program state wide.Its been 19 long years before they returned to states.They beat a Holy Cross team that lost to naugatuck and beat Wilby 7-6.Easy does it everyone and lets enjoy the games saturday.Good day.
Comment by JASMINE — December 3rd, 2009 @ 12:49 pm
Question about New Canaan….I know they are the wealthiest town in the United States of America….BUT..
How many different uniforms do they have? Jeez!
Everytime I see them play they have on something different. Pants: They have red; they have black; they have grey. Am I missing another pair? Maybe white.
Jerseys: They have white; they have red; they have black. Any more?
Helmets? Red. Black?
Where does this money come from?
Sharp as a tack!
Comment by Fiji — December 3rd, 2009 @ 1:10 pm
TigerWoods – don’t be so bitter. We all know who you are, but I’m sure your kid is good at other things.
Comment by FCIACCHAMPS — December 3rd, 2009 @ 1:13 pm
JASMINE…Greenwich was legit…Trumbull would still beat a lot of teams…give it a rest…have a clue…Too bad SJ can play in SCC DII which they would with their school size…btw…no doubt SJ beats a few of those so called SCC world beaters
Comment by The_One — December 3rd, 2009 @ 2:27 pm
Jasmine you are clueless.stop talking about the last 19 years and give st joes their props for this year.Nobody handled holy cross like that this year.st joes is argueably playing as well as anyone in the state rite now,and they are a small school and givng greenwich &nc real good games,darien also missed states by 1 game.West haven hasnt been relevant since 2005 and they dropped down a class since.u sound like a hater on the low.
Comment by theruler — December 3rd, 2009 @ 2:50 pm
Trumbull will be Trumbull soon enough and assuming it will never again amount to anything is folly!
GO EAGLES!
Comment by THS Fan — December 3rd, 2009 @ 3:18 pm
Tiger Woods- I actually thought u had a clue before i read that comment on SJ getting out coached..U think they are a hot bed for talent?? Sure they get a good group every now and then. I think they are very well coached. Infact Im gonna go ahead and say they are one of they best coached teams in the league and I know for a fact the Marinellis and the Albonizios would would definatly agree…There has been plenty of times in the past that St. Joes has gone toe to toe with some of the big dogs of the FCIAC and ran out of gas in the second half due to numbers.
Comment by Ole#65 — December 3rd, 2009 @ 3:23 pm
How many wins did Darien have?
Comment by CraigD — December 3rd, 2009 @ 4:28 pm
7 craig.
Comment by theruler — December 3rd, 2009 @ 4:45 pm
Reality Check time – do you really expect the good people on this blog to agree with you that a state appearance after being absent in 19 years equals a successful football program. Seriously, you probably are better off talking about the basketball program. Let’s be realistic! You lose all credibility every time you post!
Comment by THS Fan — December 3rd, 2009 @ 5:17 pm
Ole #65 you clearly have not seen the talent walk through those doors over the last 19 years. The Marinelli’s and the Albonizios would agree they’re good coaches because they beat them every year and don’t want them to leave. It’s a guaranteed win for NC and Greenwich. Matakevich is the best player this area has seen in some time. Greenwich, New Canaan or Staples don’t have a player that good. Jasmine was right in post #69. Also, Let’s not compare coaches who have been to states virtually every year for the last 10 years to coaches who have not sniffed states in 19 years. Get your chatter in now, ’cause it will be back to the norm. Losing to Trumubull every year and buying tickets to the state finals.
Comment by Tiger Woods Wannabe — December 3rd, 2009 @ 5:58 pm
I’ve never said NC would beat East Lyme 41-20
Comment by Sean Patrick Bowley — December 3rd, 2009 @ 6:15 pm
SPB-
did you really predict that East Lyme would beat New Canaan 41-20? I DO think that East Lyme will win…but not by 3 touchdowns!
Comment by MV — December 3rd, 2009 @ 10:13 pm
I did NOT predict that. I haven’t predicted any game yet.
Comment by Sean Patrick Bowley — December 3rd, 2009 @ 10:16 pm
Tiger Woods –
You could easily ask how Albonizo, with Greenwich’s enormous talent pool, has failed to reach the playoffs for two consecutive years. Or why he has such a dismal record in the state playoffs. Frankly, it’s a bit insulting to Lou Marinelli – who also has the distinction of being a classy guy – to lump those two together.
I’m not sure DellaVecchia has anything to answer for. The guy’s running an S program in an LL/MM-dominated league, and essentially splits youth talent in a so-so football town. His boys have acquitted themselves well (Matakevich is good, but, as Khairi Fortt has shown, stud athletes don’t make programs) despite questionable depth and a dearth of playmakers.
Comment by John — December 3rd, 2009 @ 10:45 pm
SPB-
It WAS on your website yesterday morning…do you not remember that? Or was it a joke? It said East Lyme 41, New Canaan 20….all the way at the bottom.
Double-check.
Comment by MV — December 3rd, 2009 @ 10:50 pm
look…it still says it right now…your last line of THIS column…SW Domination. 41-20 East Lyme…it’s right there for everybody to see!
Comment by MV — December 3rd, 2009 @ 10:52 pm
TW- Honestly! U realy have no clue so i cant even take u seriously anymore…THSfan- Your right Trumbull will be back to normal maybe in 2 yrs and to me that means choking in big games and continuing to think they are a storied program. I say 2 yrs because next year thanksgiving probobly wont be much different for u and your boys with the whole team coming back for SJ.
Comment by Ole#65 — December 3rd, 2009 @ 11:44 pm
Oh, riiiiiight! That’s funny. You’re absolutely right, I did write that. ….Honestly, it was a lame attempt at a joke at whenever-in-the morning I wrote that.
The gist of the joke was supposed to be this: Here I am spouting off on how great SW Connecticut is, and then at the end throw in a pick against it — the same way I loved ND, but picked against it. The final score is merely a reference to my New London-Bethel pick. 41-20, New London… and Pete Gallagher will let you know how that turned out.
By the way, speaking of Pete, I shot a quick interview with the young man at the state final luncheon. I thought I screwed it up. I didn’t. Look for it later.
Comment by Sean Patrick Bowley — December 3rd, 2009 @ 11:51 pm
Credibility!!! My man u talked like Ray Brown is a football guru the other night…THE GUY THINKS THE NVL IS A GOOD LEAGUE!!!!! U r Hillarious…
Comment by Ole#65 — December 3rd, 2009 @ 11:54 pm
Wow – This blog has gone downhill in a hurry. The bottom line is – there are no bad teams and no bad coaches left at this point of the season, with 9+ wins under thier belts. Congrats to all, you have worked hard and accompished much. As for the posts, a little too much chest thumping (probably from Dad’s living vicariously through your kids), and way too much jealousy from the programs (Dads as well???) who worked just as hard but came up short. Good luck to all, I am especially pulling for NC, SJ and Staples.
Comment by CraigD — December 4th, 2009 @ 12:07 am
Craig D…well put…I as well will be rooting hard for all 3 FCIAC teams…I love the league and hope they are represented well…I have the utmost respect for New Canaan, Staples, and St. Joe’s…they have earned their ways to this special day tomorrow and I hope they make the most of it…REPRESENT THE FCIAC!!!
Comment by The_One — December 4th, 2009 @ 8:36 am
Couldn’t agree more Craig. but I am kind of enjoying the Trumbull family spat. Here is a stat that will hopefully put things to rest. Over 5 years 2005-2009…a relevant time period for HS FB, THS record is 33-18, and SJ is 33-19. Statistically equal in the same league, and both pretty good at .635 and .647
Comment by FCIACCHAMPS — December 4th, 2009 @ 10:26 am
Overall Trumbull’s a real good football town. Most years you get 5 or 6 St. Joes starters and a few more from Prep from Trumbull and all 3 schools have done fairly well lately (except Prep these past few). I’ve always said that if you take all the players from Trumbull and put them on the same team, you are looking at one of the best teams in the state every year. Say what you want but its the truth. That’s a problem only a few other towns have but I always wonder what an All-Trumbull team would be like some years.
Comment by guy — December 4th, 2009 @ 2:26 pm
I will throw in that (being a Trumbull guy) I can’t root hard for St. Joes, but their success so far in states (blowing out the NVL champions) shows the rest of the state how good the FCIAC is. The 5th or 6th best team in the FCIAC is on a whole different level than the NVL champ. It shows the other conferences why winning an FCIAC championship is a big deal for FCIAC teams. I’m happy the FCIAC game stays intact under the new playoff format.
Comment by guy — December 4th, 2009 @ 2:39 pm