New Canaan's Matt Milano return as the FCIAC's top QB and the first incumbent QB at the school since 2006.
We’re only a week or so into fall practices. We’re still gathering info and still short on details. A lot can change over the next three weeks as we learn more and more about our 2011 high school football contestants.
By no means is this a definitive preview. But it’s worth taking a quick glance at our regional conferences and attempt to tackle the important issues facing our local teams. We won’t have all the answers, but we’ll give it a shot.
We’ll start on the Gold Coast and work our way east.
Who’s best team in the FCIAC?
With all due respect to defending league champion Darien, New Canaan was the league’s best team in 2010.
In fact, the Rams have been the class of the league for at least four years running. They’ve reached five straight state championship games, won four state championships, earned a No. 1 ranking in 2008.
New Canaan WR Patrick Newton
Every time we’d wonder if they could dominate again. Every year, they do.
So we’ll ask again: Is this the year New Canaan is usurped as the king of the FCIAC?
We’ll say this much: With a roster that includes Matt Milano (above), the school’s first incumbent quarterback since Curtis Casali in 2006, and quality returning stars in Patrick Newton (right), Kevin McDonough, Tom Rochlin, Dylan Leeming, Connor Kilbane, and Bobby Distler, the Rams look like the most talented and experienced team in the league.
Of all the graduated stars, losing do-everything WR/DB Kevin Macari hurts the most. But so was losing Kurt Ondash after 2008 and Charlie Westfal in 2007, and so on.
And then there’s the schedule. It’s a bakery until season’s end.
We’d be shocked if this team loses more than one regular-season game. That would put them right in the mix for FCIAC and state playoff berths.
[Who do you think will be the best team in the FCIAC? Vote in the poll at right]
OK, can anyone knock off the Rams?
While Trumbull, Staples and Darien all suffered significant graduation losses, they’re looking like the best bets right now.
Trumbull FB/LB Don Cherry returns as one of the league's top all-around players.
Trumbull, the FCIAC and Class LL runners-up, bring back studs in RB/LB Don Cherry (left) and OL/DL Zach Voytek. The rest are talented, but virtual no-names who will be counted on to replace the likes of Phil Terio, Ian Milne, Tom Pauciello, Brian Gallo and Matt Lena.
Staples has standout junior Nick Kelly back from injury and QB Jack Massie, a sophomore with big-game, playoff experience on his side. While there’s some gaping holes in the infrastructure to mend (Pat Murray, Rob Gau, Chris Coyne, Tyler Jacobs), the Wreckers typically find a way.
Trumbull plays New Canaan in the regular season (Week 9) so they’ll get first crack. Staples won’t face New Canaan unless they reach the FCIAC title game.
How about arch-nemesis Darien, the actual defending FCIAC champions? Though seriously depleted by graduation, the Blue Wave are hoping to reload quickly for another title run. Junior Peter Gesualdi returns in the backfield, there’s plenty of talent at receiver and a growing buzz over 6-foot-3 QB Henry Baldwin. Defense is Darien’s concern. If the Wave can shore up the weak spots early, they’ll be in great shape to contend. The road to the Turkey Bowl is no picnic this year. Trumbull awaits in Week 5. Staples in Week 7.
[Related: Defending FCIAC champion Darien confident it can contend]
Who’s lurking in the shadows?
Stamford's Carlos Martinez
You’re going to hear a lot about Stamford this season. Many of last year’s stars return from a squad that rebounded from an 0-2 start to finish 6-4, including an upset of Trumbull. QB Bryan Boderick leads a hungry group anxious to sink their teeth into a bigger chunk of FCIAC meat. Stamford has dropped into FCIAC Central and the schedule isn’t as foreboding as it once was.
And, yes, they will get a crack at New Canaan in Week 8. But that’s still a ways off.
We’re not saying they’ll be in the FCIAC championship game. This team still must learn how to win. But it’s worth watching. Closely.
Others to consider — Ridgefield: The Tigers won’t have Tommy Jordan to run behind, but they do have enough returning talent to correct the ills of last season. Ridgefield’s schedule isn’t too daunting. If they can get by a Week 1 date at Greenwich, the Tigers might be pretty decent. McMahon: Lots of talented skill players return from a solid 6-4 team. The schedule’s rough, but they might be capable of an upset or two. Central: The Hilltoppers are typically deep with some experience returning. But they’re still looking for some superstars to lead them back to playoff form. Danbury: While underwhelming at times a year ago, the Hatters have a supremely talented backfield in Villanova commit Austin Calitro, and Aaron Dixon. They’ll be tough if the offensive line comes along.
We’re still wondering about how Norwalk will fare under new coach Sean Ireland, or Fairfield Warde, now in Year 3 of the Duncan Della Volpe era (big lineman Mike Money is getting some looks), Trinity Catholic, Wilton and the others.
Who’s going to fall the hardest?
Will celebrations become rare at St. Joseph in 2011?
That’s a hanging curveball:
St. Joseph.
Everybody’s gone from the two-time defending state champion. Everybody… even incumbent QB Joe Burns, who’s ditched the pads for a budding baseball career (with two state championship rings on his fingers, who can blame him?)
It’s a brand new team with an all new cast of characters. No Matakevich, no Joe Della Vecchia, no Pat Mulligan, Quinn Irwin, Sean Chinova, L.J. Hunt…
Oof. We’re sure there are some good players anxious to prove something. But if this team breaks even this year, we’ll be impressed.
The coaching staff knew this was coming. With two new championship banners hanging in the gymnasium, we’re sure they don’t mind too much.
Should we still ‘Fear The Bird?’
Just how long will coach Rich Albonizio and Greenwich stay down?
If you’re most FCIAC teams, yes. Greenwich is Greenwich, even if the mystique has dimmed these last few seasons.
But there’s work to do if the Cards want to get back to the halcyon days of spreading fear and loathing across the FCIAC. Greenwich is coming off a 5-5 season, its worst record in over 40 years.
The Cards do have a few standouts, particularly with linebacker tandem Shane Nastahowski and Kyle Camacho and returning QBs Liam O’Neil (the incumbent) and Chris Daly (the challenger). There were plenty of underclassmen who saw playing time and begrudgingly took their licks last season. Somebody’s bound to make a difference, right?
With some of the contenders falling back a bit, Greenwich is a better bet than most to fill the vacuum. The schedule isn’t overwhelming. We’ll find out plenty about the Cards when they play host to Ridgefield Week 1.
Incidentally, Greenwich has been having problems with toxic fields around the school. Cardinal Stadium is fine, but it might have to be shared. All this and more from Greenwich Time: Greenwich football team opens practice
Hey! My team’s only playing nine games. What gives?
Yeah, bye weeks have been a problem since the league grew to 19 teams in 2005. The problem is compounded when the nine open dates rotate back to the big schools every two years.
The big schools have always found it tougher to fill byes than smaller ones. There aren’t many schools in Connecticut with matching bye weeks and, sometimes, the ones that do aren’t up to the challenge. It forces teams to go out of state or, worse, leave the date unfilled.
Right now, Trumbull (Catholic Memorial, Mass., Week 1), Danbury (at Fitch, Week 2), Westhill (at Franklin, Mass., Week 5), and Central (at North Haven, Week 7) have filled their bye weeks.
That leaves Staples (Week 4), Stamford (Week 6), Greenwich (Week 3), Harding (Week 9) and Norwalk (Week 8 ) still looking for opponents.
Harding might still have a shot to hook up with Bullard-Havens during FCIAC championship week (they’ve done it before).
But the rest probably won’t find games.
There was some chatter that Greenwich might match up with Sacred Heart-Waterbury in Week 3. But the two schools couldn’t work it out.
Staples lined up with Wilbur Cross in Week 4, but the Governors opted to keep the date open and play NFA the week before Thanksgiving.
So there you go.
Speaking of Schedules…
As mentioned, Staples now resides in the FCIAC West along with Stamford, Greenwich, Trumbull, Westhill and Central.
Stamford dropped into Staples’ former spot in the FCIAC Central with Norwalk, McMahon, Ridgefield, Harding and Fairfield Ludlowe.
Also: We understand there is a deal in the works that could match the FCIAC and the SCC together when the state allows an 11-game schedule in 2013 and 2014. That wouldn’t solve the current bye quandary, but it would at least guarantee one bye week filled.
NEXT: THE SWC
should be a good season
danbury rb/pr/kr/cb james harrington also returns,he returned punts for scores against mcmahon and darien to start the season,then sat out rest of year with an injury,kid is a playmaker.
Central at Nort haven should be interesting.North Haven program is on rise after years of mediocrity.
Love that Central and North Haven made that happen. Good for Sagnella and Cadelina.
Interesting and important week 1 matchups in FCIAC! Greenwich vs Ridgefield is a great early gage for both teams, I think Greenwich will bounce back in a big way this year. McMahon at Warde two middle of the road teams looking to break out of the pack. McMahon seems to be bringing back alot of athleticism and speed, while Warde may be a more ground oriented attack with the experienced and good sized offensive line. Last a good matchup in name alone Staples and ST Joes. The Cadets will have a tough year as teams around the league lick their chops for matchup with the back to back champs.
Week 3 New London vs Greenwich at neutral site
Didn’t notice New London matched up with Greenwich, too… hmmm
I think this is going to be a down year a bit for the FCIAC. With of course the exception of New Canaan. The Rams will be a force, should win the FCIAC title and probably go on to a rematch with Masuk at Rentschler.
Staples is my pick to be the second best team. Massie looked good when he played last year and getting Kelly back is a huge plus.
Darien and Trumbull will probably be ok. But I think both of them are a year away.
I’m not ready to throw St. Joes to the side yet, but to expect them to repeat the last two seasons would be impossible.
Danbury is my pick for a darkhorse. They always have some great athletes on the field. One of these years its going to come together. I’m hearing a lot about both McMahon and Stamford. But don’t know much about them.
How about New London and Greenwich at Ken Strong Stadium on Saturday at i pm.
i dont see new canaan as the top team in the fciac this year. they lost the great wideout and the big lineman to graduation and i think that the wr made the qb look a lot better then he actually is. i foresee trumbull being top dawg in the fcaic this year, Don Cherry is a beast and the trumbull offense has been clicking as of late. look for trumbull to knock new canaan off its high horse. i dont think new canaan is going to beat stamford to be honest.
whadda bout them tigers up in ridgefield, its my opinion that people are sleeping on junior Connor Rowe, their Qb, in addition to him they return about 17 starters including the junior class and sophomore classes that finished undefeated on the freshman level, and aside from Jordan and a few others, have all their skill kids and impact players back on both sides of the ball
lets get serious now perspective nobody is sleeping the the tigers…probably because we never were awake for them. they are not close to a top tier team yet. as a matter of fact they have not be able to win the games that count for the past two seasons with arguably the best teams they have had in a while
NC is, top to bottom, stronger than last year. Trumbull likely won’t be in the same ballpark.
Stamford is, IMO, the wild card. Tough to see them “pulling a Central,” but their schedule sets up nicely for a 6-0 open – with a one-off, AT HOME, against the Rams for a spot in the FCIAC Championship. Very easy to see them making the state playoffs this year.
Also will be curious to see whether Warde and/or Ridgefield are players. Isn’t this supposed to be the Tigers’ year?
what happened to st. joes?
@ Pockel, to ur point on ridge, u have some valid opinions, but it wasnt until last season that trumbull, a huge school with tremendous tradition, began to emerge from several seasons of mediocrity to play for the fciac and LL championships so why cant ridge? aSIDE FROM c
@perspective, i am not sure if ridgefield can produce success or not. My opinion is simply that if they could not do it for the past 2 seasons, when they had better teams then they do this year, then they will not be able to produce this season. i could be wrong, but i feel the coaching is 2nd or 3rd tier compared to a staples or new canaan and i feel the talent pool is great in pop warner and fizzles out at the high school. look, if new canaan can hang with people every year with sub-par athletes comparatively then there should be no reason that other schools cant be more competitive. at the end of the day you live and die with your coaching, and i believe ridgefield cant succeed because their coaching is sub-par.
Regards to the article
“Who’s best team in the FCIAC”
I guess that Killinger Kid #79 on New Canaan, The only third year starter on the team still won’t get respect. What did this kid do Sooooo wrong that people won’t give give him the acknowledgement? O well talk is cheap. Heard he’s the only one on the team with a ring. Didn’t get that by standing on the sidelines. SPB love your site but there are other important kids on the field other then the popular vote. No disrespect
@MP2 – This is a synopsis, not a preview. I can’t name everybody on the team. I went with those familiar to me. There are whole teams that didn’t get mentioned.
If I understand this correctly This New Canaan team has only lost 1 Game as a team in 9 years. Apparently when this group of kids began 9 years ago in the FCFL they never lost a game in 6 years (under the command of Bob Brainerd) until there freshman year when they lost to Norwalk by 1 Point. After that some kids moved up to JV some sophomore and Killinger went on to Play Varsity. Now there all back together. Don’t know this as Fact but it sounds like a good story
No Way in hell Stamford gets to 6-0. They are hyped every as a sleeper and every year they put u asleep by week 2. Their schedule is easy but they will always self destruct in most games. I see them the normal 5-5 maybe 6-4. Greenwich still not that good. Talent the last few years just not their like the past. Ridgefield stinks. 9 cupcakes a year and one loss in the only game they need to have. Darien,Joes,THS all take a step back. NC vs masuk part 2 should happen. NC is better on the lines this year but not at skilled positions. Staples will always be ok but they are not great either. FCIAC is down year I think.
Good decision by the Warde coach. Now watch New Canaan and Darien put 50 on them just to show that they can.
@The Dude – good decision by the Warde Coach? What are you referring too? I’m interested…
@MP2 – i think you have a love fest with kalin killinger – wah wah, he’s not a captain, wah wah he gets no respect…. WAH WAH he’s a lineman!!! He’s not big enough to be considered a top tier Division 1 recruit, so he’s not going to get press like Hanratty or Jordan!! It’s just the way it is!!! Also kevin mcdonough started in the state championship game as a sophomore, so he has a ring. ALSO ask 1 kid on New Canaan if 1 kid wins championships, ask anyone on any team in america if 1 kid wins championships… keep it down, the kid is an absolute animal, and a great success story, don’t force the issue, his time will come.
@Pat Mcgroin – The Dude is referring to the post on Twitter (feed on right) from @PickensFCSports, who said this:
My response on Twitter was:
Pickens replied:
I’ll add that I love Della Volpe’s thoughts on his schedule. If you want to be big, you’ve gotta think big. We shall see.
I believe it was posted by Pat Pickens in the Fairfield Citizen (and SPB’s twitter) that Della Volpe is only worried about Ridgefield and Mcmahon on his schedule. Which also includes the aforementioned Darien and New Canaan
@Pat Mcgroin Ok let me start by saying I’m not crying, I’m standing up for what I think is right. Someone needs to stand up for what is right, weather you think its right or not that’s your opinion. You’re absolutely right NO one kid wins Championships tell that to Masuck. Look at this blog site it’s almost about them and there quarterback. I can only imagine the other players parents on that team are saying. NO Disrespect SPB you’re just keeping us informed. We need to give other top players there due that all I’m doing. I think I know this kid a little better then you. He’s not an animal He’s a BEAST don’t get it wrong that’s what he been called since the 6 grade. A animal will attack if felt threaten, a beast will attack cause it’s in his blood. Look at his father not a big guy but nobody I would mess with. Please STOP saying “great success story” there’s no story, talk to him and he’ll tell you he just doing his job. I do know that if this kid was caught out in California in a strip club when he was supposes to be at a 7 on 7 camps or up on the ridge drinking and smoking his father would kill him. I’m not going to keep it down and I’m not force the issue. I’m giving the kid his due. Don’t like it? Don’t thred back! As far as “his time will come” it’s hear, it’s now. Please don’t hate, it’s makes us all look bad!!!! Good luck to all teams. Much Love
PS: Go CL&P
In all due respect MP2, Cochran is getting all the hype because he is the best quarterback the state has seen since Orlovsky.
im so confused….who is Kalin Killinger? He plays for New Canaan? What position? I dont understand why we are singling “kids” out. If they were to read this it would probably make them feel pretty bad about all this. Why dont we stick to making generizations and attacking coaches instead of arguing about children. Really childish. If the Killinger kid is that good then we will see his name towards of the end of the year when the all-state honors are posted and we find out what kids are going to 1-A programs. Until then i think we need to calm down a little. MP2 what you are doing is kind of immature and unnecessary….what you should do is go and be a man and take up your issues with Lou Marinelli, the head coach at New Canaan. Perhaps he will have an answer for you about the kid. Until then stop posting silly comments anonymously on blogs. Give us your real name and i will go to to Lou personally for you.
Killinger sounds like a good player that can really help the rams once again this season. He also sounds like a kid that doesnt need the media attenion nor should he. Let’s be honest though all kids wouldnt mind a minute in the limelight. It’s good people are talking about this kid, but let’s not let it be at the expense of his teammates. Hope he has a good future. As for the rams my son is on an FCIAC team who I will keep under the radar so I’ll wish them good health and low victories haha.
Three of the top players in the state reside on the same team this year: Cochran,Markus,Milone. Cochran gets most of the clippings and rightly so, one of the best QB’s in state history. With this in mind, the opponent that builds a game plan to stop Cochran will get derailed by Markus and Milone. Ask Bunnell about their three man front last year, believe that Markus had about 300 yards on the ground.
Masuk will be scored upon, but you might have to put up 7 TD’s a game just to stay in the game. Masuk has two challenges this year. They need to win out because of the weak schedule and if they do so, will probably draw the top seed in the state semi’s because they can’t accrue a lot of points due to the schedule.
Scrimmage yesterday at Southington – Berlin is a very scrappy team. Impressed with their QB #11 who put the ball on the money and can move around in the pocket. Not as impressed with Southington, looks like Coach Drury has some work to do there. Defense was out of synch, offense did not show continuity. After a shaky start against Berlin D, Cochran came out and absolutely torched the secondary of these two teams. Masuk defense looks susceptible.
what does st.joes have this year? have the hoggie bloggers taking the year off?
Anyone heard who has a strong freshmen program in the SCC?
Ray – unfortunately it looks like even the SJ blog base was hit hard by graduation. They expect a bad year. In the NVL that would put them at 8 wins, but in the FCIAC they’ll need to scrap for 4-5 wins.
The FCIAC is a lot weaker than in most years.
The FCIAC might stink this year. Darien,Trumbull,Central, and Joes will not be as good. Greenwich has hit a lull in talent the past few years and Ridgfield stinks from the point of they never win a big game and every year they only have one on the schedule. It looks like NC and Staples will vie for the crown and even those 2 are weaker than normal. SHS could be dangerous in the league but they are not a state contender at all. The SCC rules the roost this I think with xavier,cheshire,west haven and Shelton.
On another note, what has happended to New Britain? They were so good with all the illegal recruits and 50 coaches housing them. The state playoffs will be awful this year. To many top heavy teams in each division making that first round tough to watch.
the state is a lot weaker then in most years. when teams like masuk and new canaan can dominate entire conferences it shows that there is lots of parity. everyone thinks football was better back when they played. its just different now.