Finally, the last of the CIAC State Championship Videos: St. Joseph’s 49-28 victory over Ansonia in the Class S championship game. This game was probably the best of the bunch, given the extraordinary efforts by both teams, the back-and-forth fireworks display between St. Joseph’s Tyler Matakevich and Ansonia senior Montrell Dobbs, who was heroic in trying to will his young teammates to the title — 52 carries, 303 yards, 3 TDs.
You really couldn’t have asked for much more from a battle between two of our region’s best programs. St. Joseph and its massive class of seniors won its second straight championship, going from 1-2 to 10-3 and a high ranking in the state polls. But they all walked off the field overflowing with respect for Ansonia, a team that played well beyond its years.
Final thoughts on the weekend, the season and Elite 8 rankings coming up.
Surprisingly close game throughout. What a game that was.
Congrats to St. Joe. Matakevich is the real deal. Hunt is also a gamer, especially on defense.
Congrats to Dobbs on a fantastic season – one of the best in Ansonia history.
Terrific, entertaining game.
St.Joe’s was a big, talented, experienced, well-coached team. With a spread offense, and DelleVecchia such a passing threat, running lanes also open up for their big backs. It was a very well-executed offense. Matekevich showed good speed for his size. He’s a terror on defense.
Ansonia’s defense, especially their very young secondary was suspect all year, and it showed Saturday night.
What Monrell Dobbs did against a big physical defense that packed the box completely focused on him was amazing. Not to mention he never leaves the field all game, including special teams. Just an incredible athlete.
And the young Ansonia squad never quit, despite being on the ropes the whole game. With 6 minutes to go it was anybody’s game. A poised St. Joe’s staff and team made plays when they had to. Great season for the Cadets. Without the early season injuries, who knows what might have been.
Thank you SPB for a great year you and your team are state champs as well and thanks to Ray and titletown they made me smile at my desk at work with there wit and sence of humor.Can’t wait till next year.
A few quotes from the movie “Patton” (1970) to end my sacrosanct posts for this year. You’re the greatest SPB!
Patton: “Men, all this stuff you’ve heard about America not wanting to fight, wanting to stay out of the war, is a lot of horse dung. Americans traditionally love to fight. All real Americans love the sting of battle. When you were kids, you all admired the champion marble shooter, the fastest runner, big league ball players, the toughest boxers. Americans love a winner and will not tolerate a loser. Americans play to win all the time. I wouldn’t give a hoot in hell for a man who lost and laughed. That’s why Americans have never lost, and will never lose a war… because the very thought of losing is hateful to Americans.”
Patton: “Now, an army is a team – it lives, eats, sleeps, fights as a team. This individuality stuff is a bunch of crap.”
Patton: “I love it. God help me I do love it so.”
Anyone else notice the punter’s knee down in the end zone with 1:20 left in the half? Should have been a safety.
Any person out there who says Dobbs couln’t run against the best teams in the state for over three hundred yards are sadly mistaken. Credit must also be given to a tremendous offensive line who held their blocks throughout the game.
I just noticed that. The ref is standing right there too.
tj you sound like anidiot
Montrell Dobbs is a freak!!!
Best part of the video is how Ty leaps over Dobbs to score his third touchdown. Later, Dobbs leaps over Matakevich to score his third touchdown. I thought that was great.
Sean – I think that was on the two point conversion and it was HUGE. It cut the lead to six with about 6:30 to go. Watching it again it alomost looks like Dobbs could have landed on his feet if #65 didn’t get a body on him.
The final was the only time I saw Dobbs. He lived up to the billing and then some. It was unreal how many times the play ended and he was still on his feet handing the ball to the official. Very tough to get to the ground.
Right, it was the 2-point conversion after his third touchdown.
i said from game one to the final–dobbs is a beast and the best running back in the state-lookout for chargers next year,theyll be reloading with arkel (after montrell) dobbs
Rumor has it Ray Brown is in line for the Wolcott job.
Ray-
Is Ansonia better this year with Dobbs or next year with Newsome and an experienced line?