This week has been a whirlwind of statewide high school football news and tidbits. Here’s the latest as we head into the July 4 weekend.
Pomperaug QB Kellen Croce | Photo by Chris Ware
QB CROCE LEAVING POMPERAUG – Pomperaug quarterback Kellen Croce will likely enroll at The Gunnery prep school in Washington, Conn., his father, offensive coordinator Steve Croce said.
Croce was an all-SWC first team quarterback in his first year as a starter for 8-2 Pomperaug. He threw for 1,958 yards and 16 touchdowns. But his future, his father said, might be in baseball. Croce was a left-handed starter for the school’s outstanding baseball team.
Gunnery baseball coach Jeffrey Trundy is the manager for the Falmouth Commodores of the Cape Code Baseball League.
Meanwhile, Steve Croce said he is staying on as offensive coordinator for Pomperaug, where he said three players — 6-1 senior Garrett Delotto, 5-10 junior Eric Beatty and incoming freshman Wade Prager will vie for the starting job under new coach Dave Roach.
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Not only will the Panthers have a new QB, they will have a new defensive coordinator, too.
John Pereira, who consistently molded Pomperaug’s defense into one of the region’s best, has taken an assistant coaching job at Southington, joining former Pomperaug head coach Chuck Drury and new head coach Mike Drury. Pereira coached Pomperaug’s outstanding 2004 state championship defense, which included Connecticut Post Defensive Player of the Year Mike Kielt.
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Danbury's Austin Calitro | Photo: Barry Horn
DANBURY’S CALITRO COMMITS – Austin Calitro, a hulking 6-foot-1, 215-pound fullback and linebacker, has committed to Villanova for football. He reportedly chose the Divsion I-AA school over Temple.
We learned via a separate source Thursday, but on Friday we realized Calitro had already announced the news on Twitter a day earlier.
Calitro ran for 300 yards and scored 4 touchdowns at fullback. On defense, he made 75 tackles and forced five fumbles. He also served as the team’s punter. He was a second-team All-Connecticut Post
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Marc DesRuisseaux. Photo: Lindsay Niegelberg
STRATFORD’S DESRUISSEAUX SWITCHES –Stratford all-purpose back Marc DesRuisseaux will be heading to Milford Academy instead of Lackawanna Junior College, Stratford coach John Svatik confirmed. “I don’t know what led to the change, but as far as I know he’s real happy with the decision,” Svatik said.
DesRuisseaux, who is listed at 6-2, 170, earned all-state Class S and all-SWC as a defensive back in his first full year of playing football. He played primarily quarterback and safety for the 3-7 Red Devils and earned a spot on both the Governor’s Cup All-Star team and the Fairfield County All-Star team.
He’ll join Ansonia’s Montrell Dobbs (off to UConn), St. Joseph’s Tyler Matakevich and Montville’s Tyler Girard-Floyd at the New Berlin, NY prep school.
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TORRINGTON’S TSOPANIDES TO IOWA — According to the Register-Citizen of Torrington, the All-State OL/DE was supposed to attend Milford Academy, but caught the eye of offensive coordinator Ken O’Keefe during a combine and was offered a scholarship after a visit to the University.
Anything else? Drop me a line at sbowley@ctpost.com
2 Masuk players offered scholarships at CCSU this week. Wr Cusmano and RB Markus both offered scholarships during camp.
Yes they were. Forgot to add that last bit, although I’m sure they’ll get more before it’s all through.
I heard that the Croce kid was offered by Bryant and Stony Brook. So why would he go to prep school?
Is Croce going to go as a Senior after graduating from Pomperaug or is he leaving Pomperaug and doing a Senior and then Post Grad years? Seems strange he would leave with his Dad as the Offense Coach and being the starting QB, even for Baseball. Have to assume he will also play football at the Gunnery correct?
Croce made the formal announcement to the team last night. It looks like he is going to repeat Jr year at the Gunnery and have two years there. I asked around about the football program and they stink,he must be putting all his eggs in the baseball basket. I heard that Rhode Island is offering him for football,I just can’t believe they’d pass on that chance?
This is what I’m told: He’s young and will repeat junior year at Gunnery; focus is more on baseball.
Baseball? He was the 4 or 5th starter at Pomperaug. Pitched in 2 or 3 games. Never played the outfield.
Pompinsider so you don’t think he is that good in baseball? I say he’s a QB anyway,but I haven’t seen him pitch
Why would he leave pomp if he wants to pursue baseball. In the last 5 years Pomperaug has had the best baseball program in the state. If he wants looks for baseball why wouldnt he stay in the same program that produced two D1 pitchers and one D1 infielder?… I dont get it.
W.Prajer considered as QB at Pomp?….I don’t think freshman are allowed to play on varsity, are they? Seems a little dangerous for such a young player….