OK, so we’ve been busy lately. Busy trying to scrape together every last bit of information to cram into our official high school football previews which will begin next week. I’ve been running around getting personal video interviews with a majority of our 50 schools, trying to somehow cut them all together with video previews — complete with highlights and outlooks, etc.
So after a trip to see the Trumbull schools yesterday, I hightailed it to Shelton for the annual Valley throw-down with Ansonia. I somehow managed to get lost in the Trumbull back roads (don’t ask) so I missed the fireworks of the first few seconds: back-to-back kickoff returns to start a scrimmage that ultimately ended with Shelton ahead 28-27 at halftime (and ended the varsity portion of the game). I also missed a long Shelton touchdown pass and some other big plays. Just shaking off the preseason jitters.
So consider this a pretty poor representation of last night’s scrimmage at Finn Stadium. Whatever. It’s only a scrimmage and we’re only days away from getting real highlights.
Quick thoughts: These teams need to shore up their defenses quick. Ansonia’s gotta work on the turnovers.
We have one or two or three more scrimmages today before we hunker down and get ready for opening night on Wednesday.
Stay tuned.
Sloppy performances by both squads on defense and special teams.
Just watched the shelton/ansonia scrimmage. Either Shelton is really good or Ansonia is just that bad and slow this year. My question is, will shelton win the SCC?
SPB, just so those who did not attend are aware (regarding the scores you missed)…
#30 for Shelton returned the opening kickoff roughly 85 yards down the Ansonia sideline for the TD. Ansonia then responded with a kickoff return for TD of its own when Arkeel Newsome took the kick roughly 87 yards for the score. Ansonia then went up when Newsome scored on a screen pass on 4th down (~15yds). Score was 13-7, Ansonia, at that point.
Shelton responded with a fake-dive, where the QB pulled-it-back and tossed the ball over the middle JUST out of the reach of the Ansonia freshman DB (starting in place of Newsome at cornerback), McKnight. 14-13, Shelton. Shelton then kicked a short squib kick–which they recovered! Scored again. Ansonia responded with a short TD run by Newsome.
#30 for Shelton took a jet sweep down the Shelton sideline for their final score. Meanwhile, Tyler Lester (another Ansonia QB), took a wildcat snap and ran down the Shelton sideline and into the end zone for Ansonia’s fourth TD.
No defense whatsoever.
Not sure Shelton spent to much time preparing. For the I offense since no one on their SCC schedule runs it. Impressed with #30Shelton he out ran Ansonia secondary on sweep.
@Real Deal-Too answer your question about Shelton winning the SCC?That will not happen as there is a team from Middletown out there that is the real deal.Alot has got to go right for the Gaels to get to 7 or 8 wins.I was also at the scrimmage and dont worry charger fans the NVL season is right around the corner.I see them going 10-0 in the league and playing for a M championship.There is no St.Joes out there or even a team with a spread offense so they should match up with anyone.As for the team speed they are not that slow and as a matter of fact the Waterbury transfers are very quick.
I posted this on another thread. The kid #30 (Connor O’Brien I’m pretty sure) has amazing speed and some great moves. Very explosive. A couple of Dads that I know said that he is a lacrosse player that has not even played football the last couple of seasons. That is a pleasant surprise for Shelton since they lost Karcher. He looks like a clone, playing tailback, returning kicks, catching passes from the slot and playing Backer on D. One dad said that he was holding for field goals and extra points too until they made him the starter at Tail. My guess from watching the game is that he had about 150 yards rushing, at least one catch, a 85 yard kick off return, 2 TD’s and a couple of nice tackles on D. Not a bad half against a good tem like Ansonia.
I hate scrimmages and never put to much emphasis on them but if anyone could report how Stamford does vs Xavier it would be apppreciated. Many folks hyping SHS which I just don’t believe. Heard it to many times !!
I’ll be there Brian.
Does any one know the final score of this game?
if shelton wins scc with that defense they ought to give the coach a speacial award.