Archive for September, 2011

The Preseason Elite 8 for Southwestern Connecticut

Thursday, September 15, 2011 by:Sean Patrick Bowley
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Before any more games get played, we will now unveil the Elite 8.

With so many polls running around out there, these are rankings for Southwestern Connecticut. More specifically, the Hearst Connecticut Media Group’s coverage area. It encompasses the SWC, the FCIAC, the Woodland-and-lower half of the NVL, and the New Haven-and-westward side of the SCC (going far north as Hamden).

So, yeah, don’t scream at us for not ranking Xavier. When it comes to the Elite 8 we’re jingoists. So step back over the line.

We tried to be scientific. We tried our best to base the rankings on knowledge and observation. We looked at what teams bring back, factored in how they performed in preseason scrimmages, calibrated with opinions from coaches and players and other media members, and then went to town.

Or something like that. Honestly, it’s all a crapshoot. Some picks stick, some don’t (Read: Norwalk from a few years ago).

Anyhoo, away we go:

1. MASUK — No explanation necessary (but we’ll do it anyway). Ruthless efficiency on offense and defense. Our only concern is the lines. They’re brand new. And you’ll see a difference without Jon Testani, whose booming kicks and fearless defense and …just about everything he did will be sorely missed. But make no mistake, they’re legit.

2. NEW CANAAN — Lots of people have been down on the Rams on this space. Don’t see it. Even if New Canaan is weaker than last season, the schedule’s light enough that Lou Marinelli’s staff will have NC humming by Week 8 … around the time it plays its first big game.

3. ANSONIA — The whole team is back, except Montrell Dobbs. Arkeel Newsome should full the gap nicely.

4. WEST HAVEN — Probably the third-best team in the SCC after Cheshire and Xavier.

5. HILLHOUSE — Talent abounds, but the defending Class M champs didn’t win a non-Wilbur Cross SCC Division I game last season. Came close, but still went 0-fer against Xavier and Cheshire. Gotta see them do that before they move up. North Haven in the opener is no joke, either.

6. BROOKFIELD – The Bobcats have been touted all offseason as Masuk’s top competition in the SWC. We’ll have to wait for the league title game to get that matchup, unfortunately. Losing Brian Kelly took some of the edge off Brookfield. But we like the guys they have back.

7. BUNNELL – The Dawgs have talent and skill everywhere. They looked good in scrimmages. As quirky and unpredictable as Bunnell can be sometimes, expect big improvements in play. Easily Brookfield’s top competition in the SWC regular season.

8. STAPLES — The Wreckers have overhauled their defense and frontlines. A sophomore starts at QB. Recipe for disaster for most teams. But this is Staples we’re talking about. So we’ll give them the benefit of the doubt.

Others — We’re keeping a wary eye on Darien. Their roster and schedule says mediocre. But we’ve been burned so many times by the Blue Wave, they deserve a mention. …Lots of people are high on Stamford. And the Black Knights will be good. Our only question is which Stamford will show up? The one that beat Trumbull (27-19) last season, or the one that got trounced by Trinity Catholic (42-28)? …Newtown has talent, potential. Last year’s injured starters are back. Worth watching. …Trumbull got lots of votes in the state polls, but let’s be serious. They lost a good chunk of last season’s roster and lots of new guys need to step up and fast. It might might not show in their opener vs. Catholic Memorial (Mass.), but we think the Eagles will be good enough.

What’s your Elite 8?

2011 High School Football Cheat Sheet: The FCIAC

Wednesday, September 14, 2011 by:Sean Patrick Bowley
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New Canaan TE Connor Kilbane

♦♦♦

DEFENDING CHAMPION

DARIEN (11-2, Class L semifinalist)

CHAMPIONSHIP

Friday. Nov. 18 at McDougall Stadium, Trumbull

♦♦♦

TEAM-BY-TEAM PREVIEW CAPSULES

♦♦♦

TOP 5 PLAYERS

♦♦♦

  • MATT MILANO, QB New Canaan – Threw for 3,128 yards and 42 TDs as a junior. Will have to look for other targets now that WR Kevin Macari is now at Georgetown.
  • DON CHERRY, LB/FB, Trumbull – One of Trumbull lone playmakers returning. Made 13 tackles in Class LL title game. Getting DI-AA looks.
  • SHANE NASTAHOWSKI, LB/FB, Greenwich – Greenwich’s hopes begin with the 6-2, 210-pound senior captain.
  • AUSTIN CALITRO, LB/FB, Danbury – 6-2, 220-pound Villanova commit made 75 tackles as a junior. He’s being counted on to lead Hatters on both sides of the ball.
  • MIKE MONEY, OL, Fairfield Warde – Hulking, 6-4, 275-pound lineman is the keystone to the Mustangs’ offensive front and their 2011 hopes.

♦♦♦

KEEP AN EYE ON…

♦♦♦

GIL ARAUJO, TE/DE, Norwalk; TAREK BRUCE, LB, Stamford; BRYAN BODERICK, QB, Stamford; ERIC CAMACHO, LB Greenwich; SEAN CARROLL, QB, Wilton; AARON DIXON, RB/DB, Danbury ; PETER GESUALDI, RB, Darien; XAVIER HARDISON, QB, Central; JON HEIL, RB, Staples; SHAQUAN HOWSIE, RB/DB, Trinity Catholic; CHRIS JEROME, RB, McMahon; NICK KELLY, RB, Staples; CONOR KILBANE, TE, New Canaan; SAM GRAVITTE, RB/LB, Ridgefield; KEVIN McDONOUGH, LB, New Canaan; PATRICK NEWTON, WR, New Canaan; EMMANUEL OMARI, LB, Central; MIKE PULASKI, LB, St. Joseph; JOHN TURNER, LB/RB, Ridgefield; DAMIEN VEGA, QB, McMahon; ZACH VOYTEK, OL/DL, Trumbull ; MARKO PIEDMONT, OL/DL, Wilton; BRANDON WILLIAMS, TE/DL, Bassick.

♦♦♦

THE FAVORITE

♦♦♦

  • NEW CANAAN – Returns enough starters, including standout QB Matt Milano and LB Kevin McDonough, to make a run at a fifth title in six championship game appearances.

♦♦♦

5 CONTENDERS

♦♦♦

  • STAPLES – Despite significant losses on defense, the Wreckers have one of the league’s top backfields with Heil and Kelly.
  • TRUMBULL — Two of the league’s top players, Don Cherry and Zach Voytek, lead a young, but confident group anxious to duplicate last year’s success.
  • DARIEN – The names have all graduated, yet the Wave believes it is merely reloading for another title run.
  • STAMFORD – Bryan Boderick and Co. made waves in ’10. Can the Black Knights take the next step?
  • GREENWICH – Shane Nastahowski, Eruc Camacho and the Cards must overcome field issues and short-term loss of QB Liam O’Neil (concussion) to regain their once-dominant form.

♦♦♦

DARK HORSES

♦♦♦

  • FAIRFIELD WARDE – With a strong frontline and some skill returning, Mustangs could surprise.
  • RIDGEFIELD – RBs John Turner, Sam Gravitte and QB Connor Rowe could help Tigers regain the offensive punch lacking last season.
  • McMAHON – Three-year star QB Damien Vega and RB Chris Jerome give the Senators weapons and opponents reason to fear.
  • DANBURY – Austin Calitro and Aaron Dixon are weapons. Their success depends on the Hatters’ defense and the offensive line.
  • CENTRAL – Numbers are down and depth is an issue for the first time in years. It’ll be up to Emmanuel Omari and an experienced defense to lead the Hilltoppers through.

♦♦♦

5 CANT-MISS GAMES

♦♦♦

  • Ridgefield vs. Greenwich at TBA (Week 1: Sept. 15) – Both teams are hoping for better fortunes in 2011. This is the launching pad.
  • Trumbull at Darien (Week 5: Oct. 15) – The first of a three-week, Trumbull-Staples-Darien round-robin that will determine one FCIAC finalist.
  • Staples at Trumbull (Week 6: Oct. 21) – A rematch of the last year’s Week 9 thriller that sent Trumbull to the FCIAC championship game.
  • Darien at Staples (Week 7: Oct. 29) – When the dust settles from this one, we should have a candidate to face New Canaan in the FCIAC title game.
  • New Canaan at Stamford (Week 8: Nov. 4) – Are the Black Knights legit? Here’s where we find out. If anyone’s going to knock NC off its perch, it might be here.

♦♦♦

EXTRA POINTS

♦♦♦

There’s been a minor shakeup of the league structure. Staples moves up to the “large” FCIAC West, taking the place of Stamford which moves into the “medium” FCIAC Central. The changes effect the teams’ base-scheduling. …Bye weeks have rotated back to the nine largest FCIAC schools, though not all have filled their open dates. Trumbull plays Catholic Memorial (Mass.) in Week 1; Danbury is at Fitch in Week 2; Greenwich plays New London at West Haven in Week 3; Westhill plays Franklin (Mass.) in Week 5; Central is at North Haven in Week 7. Staples (Week 4), Stamford (Week 6), Norwalk (Week 8), Harding (Week 9) have not filled the open dates. …Three schools have installed new turf fields, Danbury’s Crotty Stadium, Ridgefield’s Lancaster Field and Stamford’s Boyle Stadium. …Two new coaches join the FCIAC this season, Sean Ireland at Norwalk, Derrick Lewis at Bassick. …New Canaan was ranked No. 15 in MSG Varsity’s tri-state top 25. …Greenwich is in danger of using use of Cardinal Stadium for home games as administrators and town officials wrestle of the severity of toxins found on the high school grounds. An alternate site has been determined. …The FCIAC has agreed to matchup with the SCC when 11-game schedules are allowed in 2013 and 2014, dubbed the “SCC-FCIAC Challenge,” by SCC Commissioner Al Carbone.

♦♦♦

PREDICTIONS

♦♦♦

CHAMPIONSHIP – New Canaan over Staples

PLAYOFF TEAMS – New Canaan (L), Stamford (LL), Staples (LL), Darien (L)

♦♦♦

THE BOTTOM LINE

♦♦♦

Hate to say it, but the FCIAC looks down this season. So many teams lost so many veterans from last year, even the usual suspects look suspect: St. Joseph: gutted. Darien: gutted. Trumbull: gutted. Staples: gutted. And the schools that actually bring back most of their star talent, Stamford, McMahon, Ridgefield, Norwalk, still have to prove they can win consistently before we can take them seriously. The lone exception is New Canaan. It brings back enough vets and has the pedigree to consider them the class of the league. We’d love to see some surprises. And we’re sure a few unknowns are ready to burst on to the scene to make their teams a winner. But in the end the Rams should once again stand the tallest, ready for Masuk on the state stage. After the Rams, it’s a complete mystery.

NHR Preseason Top 10 Video Adventure: Xavier’s No. 1 again

Wednesday, September 14, 2011 by:Sean Patrick Bowley
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Xavier retains the top spot in the New Haven Register Top 10 poll, which was (kinda) released this morning by the good folks on Sargent Drive.

The higher powers decided this year to unveil grandaddy poll via online video with writer Mike Pucci and editor Mike Wollshlager counting it down for us.

A detailed poll won’t be released until later today because, well, NHR wants you to watch the video. If you want to watch it, click here. But I skimmed through it early this morning so we can skip the pleasantries and dig into dinner.

Once again, it’s a virtual dead heat for No. 1.

Xavier earned 13 first place votes, Masuk took 12. The final point tally was Xavier 724, Masuk 722.

Interestingly, Pucci lets us know that one wise voter had his Top 3 thus: No. 1 Xavier, No. 2 Hand, No. 3 Masuk.

[This space intentionally left blank]

So … anyway, the entire poll goes like this: 1. Xavier; 2. Masuk; 3. New Canaan; 4. Hillhouse; 5. Ansonia; 6. Staples; 7. Hand; 8. New London; 9. West Haven; 10. Trumbull.

Update: Here, finally, is the full monty.

1. Xavier (13-0) (13) 724 1
2. Masuk (13-0) (12) 722 2
3. New Canaan (11-2) 592 3
4. Hillhouse (10-3) 543 6
5. Ansonia (11-2) 503 9
6. Staples (9-2) 433 NR
7. Hand (10-2) 367 8
8. New London (10-3) 311 NR
9. West Haven (8-3) 299 NR
10. Trumbull (11-3) 257 5

Others receiving votes: Cheshire (5-5), 251; Windsor (8-2), 202; North Haven (9-2), 154; Bunnell (7-3), 134; St. Joseph (10-3), 98; Berlin (10-1), 87; Brookfield (9-2), 75; Darien (11-2), 68; Montville (10-2), 63; Greenwich (5-5), 59; Glastonbury (10-2), 51; Valley Regional/Old Lyme (11-1), 47; Southington (8-2), 46; Cromwell (7-4), 39; Norwich Free Academy (11-1), 34; Notre Dame-West Haven (7-3), 32; Shelton (6-4), 29; Middletown (7-3), 25; Conard (8-3), 22; Naugatuck (9-2) and Torrington (7-3), 17; Stamford (6-4), 16; Northwest Catholic (4-6), 11; Bridgeport Central (6-4), 10; Woodland (7-4), 9; Gilbert/Northwestern (9-3), Plainville (8-3), Simsbury (2-8) and Waterford (7-3), 7.
The following voted: Marc Allard, Norwich Bulletin; Bob Barton, New Haven Register; Bill Bloxsom, Hersam-Acorn; Sean Patrick Bowley, Connecticut Post; Don Boyle, Sporting News CT; Jim Bransfield, Middletown Press; Bryant Carpenter, Meriden-Record Journal; George DeMaio, WELI; Mike DiMauro, The Day of New London; Matt Doran, MSG Varsity; Kevin Duffy, Danbury News-Times; Tom Evans, Norwalk Hour; Noah Finz, WTNH-8; Ned Griffen, The Day of New London; John Holt, WFSB-3; Mark Jaffee, Waterbury Republican-American; Ken Lipshez, Patch/West Hartford News; Mike Madera, Elm City Newspapers; Joe Morelli, New Haven Register; Dave Phillips, Shore Line Newspapers; Mike Pucci, New Haven Register; Dave Ruden, Stamford Advocate; Tom Yantz, Hartford Courant; Mike Wollschlager, New Haven Register; Jimmy Zanor, Shore Line Newspapers.

There you have it. Unlike the CSWA, Cheshire’s completely out of this poll (hmmm) and there are a couple of teams I believe should be lower. But it’s preseason, so who cares?

Besides, it’s kickoff night. Seymour vs. O’Brien Tech at Derby.

O’Brien Tech? Yeah. They have a football team! Sounds like it should be an interesting night at DeFilippo Field in Derby.

There’s much more to do in the hours before then to be worrying about polls that really don’t “matter” until December.

On the homefront, we’ve run previews for the SCC, the NVL and the CSC. I’ll have the Southwestern Connecticut Elite 8 for you on Thursday along with the FCIAC previews and we’ll wrap up with the SWC preview on Friday.

Enjoy.

2011 High School Football Cheat Sheet: The Southern Connecticut Conference

Tuesday, September 13, 2011 by:Sean Patrick Bowley
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Shelton quarterback Frank Camerino


♦♦♦

DEFENDING CHAMPIONS

Division I: Xavier (West); Hand (East).

Division II: Lyman Hall (West); North Haven (East)

♦♦♦

Local SCC Preview Capsules

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TOP 5 PLAYERS

♦♦♦

  • HAROLD COOPER, Hillhouse – With 1,376 yards and 15 TDs, sophomore easily is one of the state’s top returning tailbacks.
  • JALON WHITE, RB/DB North Haven – The Indians have strength and skill all over, but White is their go-to guy.
  • RENNICK BRYAN, OL/DL, Hillhouse – Massive, 6-5, 300-pound UConn-bound lineman makes Hillhouse go.
  • JOVAN SANTOS, LB/TE, Xavier – Big TE/LB and UMass commit takes over for Graham Stewart as leader of the Falcons hard-hitting defense.
  • RYAN MURPHY, TE/LB Xavier – Top target and one of the many bruising defenders playing for the defending Class LL champions.

♦♦♦

KEEP AN EYE ON…

♦♦♦

MATT ASPINWALL, QB, Foran; AMHIR BESS, RB, Notre Dame-WH; TIM BOYLE, QB, Xavier; FRANK CAMERINO, QB, Shelton; PAT D’AMATO, QB/WR, Xavier;  JOE DEMICHELE, OT/DT, Hand; JOE DESANDRE, RB/S, Lyman Hall; CONNOR FALAGUERRA, WR/DB, Law; BILLY GANNON, QB, Sheehan; SEBASTIAN LITTLE, WR/DB, Cheshire; SEAN MARINAN, OL/DL, Xavier; JOE McBRIDE, RB, Fairfield Prep; Je’VAUGHN MOORE, QB/DB, Hillhouse; MIKE MASTROIANNI, RB/DB, Xavier; NICK NIEVES, QB, West Haven; CONNOR O’BRIEN, RB, Shelton; SPENCER OAKES, TE, North Haven; JOE ORTOLI, OL/DL, Shelton; ERVIN PHILLIPS, RB/DB, West Haven; ANDREW SAVENELLI, OL/DL, North Haven; JAKE SCINTO, WR/DB, Cheshire; ANDREW SILEO, HB, Foran; TYLER VALLIE, WB Amity; NICK VITALE, WR, Hand; BILLY WEYRAUCH, RB, Cheshire; AUSTIN WEZENSKI, OL/DL Xavier; MARK ZURLIS, TE/LB, North Haven.

♦♦♦

THE FAVORITES

♦♦♦

  • SCC Division I: XAVIER – Despite suffering a few major stars, the reigning No. 1 Falcons are big, bad and loaded with college talent.
  • SCC Division II: HILLHOUSE – Surprised everyone by winning a state championship with a freshman RB and sophomore QB. Everyone’s back for a shot at a repeat.

♦♦♦

5 CONTENDERS

♦♦♦

  • CHESHIRE (Division 1) – A massive senior class of 28 returns with talent and experience across the starting lineup. No doubt, Xavier’s top competition for a Class LL title.
  • WEST HAVEN (D1) – Strong front lines and stars Phillips and Nieves return for another playoff run. Xavier remains in the Westies’ way. They might be a year away.
  • SHELTON (D1) – Veteran offensive and defensive line is in place for returning QB Camerino and newcomer O’Brien. If Cheshire or West Haven can’t knock Xavier off, maybe these guys can.
  • NORTH HAVEN (D2) – Senior stars abound and expectations are high on the Indians making a second-straight playoff run in Class L. Hand remains their white whale.
  • HAND (D1) – Star talent graduated at QB and WR, but “New Canaan East” typically has talent and depth to make up the difference quickly.

♦♦♦

DARK HORSES

♦♦♦

  • FORAN (D2) – Aspinwall spent a season running the offense. The Lions have weapons at receiver and tailback. The O-Line returns four starters… Hmm.
  • LYMAN HALL (D2) – The Trojans were a playoff team in 2010. One DeSandre returns, but will that be enough?

♦♦♦

5 CAN’T MISS GAMES

♦♦♦

  • North Haven at Hillhouse (Week 1, Sept. 15) – This is the Daytona 500 for SCC Division II: A Super Bowl-caliber game at the beginning of the season.
  • Cheshire at Xavier (Week 3, Sept. 30) – This year’s SCC Division I showdown also takes place early. Big game with huge Class LL playoff ramifications.
  • Cheshire at West Haven (Week 6, Oct. 21) – Loser is going to have trouble reaching the Class LL playoffs.
  • Hillhouse at Xavier (Week 7, Oct. 28) – Hillhouse narrowly missed upsetting the Falcons at Bowen Field. They’ll get another crack, only this time in enemy territory.
  • Xavier at West Haven (Week 9, Nov. 11) – The Ken Strong Stadium clash should have an impact on the Class LL race. How much depends on the previous eight weeks. The  Westies had their chances in two meetings at Palmer Field.

♦♦♦

EXTRA POINTS

♦♦♦

Cheshire will be playing at least two games at neutral sites while a new turf field is completed at the Maclary Complex. The Rams kick off vs. Hamden at East Haven High School this week and will play Hand at Meriden’s Falcon Field in Week 4. Cheshire is expected to return to Maclary on Oct. 14 vs. Wilbur Cross. …Due to flooding, Palmer Field in Middletown, site of Week 1’s clash between Xavier and Notre Dame-WH had been under water for all of last week. Coaches and administrators are hoping it will recede in time to play Friday’s game. If not, it’s likely the game will be played at Middletown High. …The same teams have bye dates as last season, including the four-team Division II East schools. Lyman Hall plays Wilby (Week 1); Fairfield Prep plays Griswold (Week 2); Law plays at Woodland (Week 3); East Haven hosts Platt Tech (Week 6); North Haven hosts Bridgeport Central (Week 7); and Branford hosts Ledyard, Wilbur Cross plays Norwich Free Academy, Foran plays Stonington, Sheehan is at East Lyme in Week 10. …The league has agreed to match up with the FCIAC  (dubbed the “SCC-FCIAC Challenge” by SCC Commissioner Al Carbone) to fill 11-game schedules in 2013 and 2014.

♦♦♦

PREDICTIONS

♦♦♦

  • Champions: Division I West: Xavier; Division I East: Cheshire; Division II West: Hillhouse; Division II East: North Haven
  • Playoff Teams: Xavier (LL); Cheshire (LL); Hillhouse (M); North Haven (L); West Haven (LL)

♦♦♦

THE BOTTOM LINE

♦♦♦

Don’t listen to the folks down Fairfield County way. This is the best league in the state. It’s the SEC of Connecticut high school football. Two defending state champions — Hillhouse and Xavier — are poised to do it all over again and the contenders, Cheshire, West Haven and Hand, would smash through most other leagues. Even Division II, long the punching bag of its bigger brothers, has several playoff/state title contenders in North Haven and Hillhouse. North Haven, remember, upset Notre Dame last season en route to the Class L playoffs. Hillhouse came within fingertips of knocking off Xavier. Foran also looks to be on the rise. Back in the mighty SCC-I, Xavier may be king of the hill, but we’re certain the Falcons will be in a dogfight every week … maybe even more so than last year, if that’s possible. Don’t be shocked to see the league pick up a couple more state champions come December.

2011 High School Football Cheat Sheet: The Naugatuck Valley League

Tuesday, September 13, 2011 by:Sean Patrick Bowley
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Ansonia's Arkeel Newsome

♦♦♦

DEFENDING CHAMPION

NAUGATUCK (9-2, Class L quarterfinalist)

CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

Nov. 17 at Municipal Stadium, Waterbury

♦♦♦

Local NVL Preview Capsules

♦♦♦

TOP 5 PLAYERS

♦♦♦

  • ARKEEL NEWSOME, RB/DB, Ansonia – The heir apparent to Montrell Dobbs chipped in with 800 yards and 12 TDs last season.
  • BRENDEN LYTTON, RB/DB, Torrington – One of the state’s best tailbacks after rushing for 2,502 yards and 29 touchdowns, including a state record nine touchdowns vs Wilby last season. gives the Raiders high hopes.
  • RAY KRIEGER, QB/DB, Derby – Threw for 1,939 yards and 21 TDs in coach George French’s spread. But his favorite target, Jake Tomczak, was lost to an ACL tear.
  • JAKE YOURISON, RB/LB, Naugatuck – With the graduation of QB Erich Broadrick, the Greyhounds’ rest their hopes on the versatile back to produce.
  • MATT ZACCAGNINI, RB/LB, Woodland – Same goes for the heir to graduated playmaker Jack DeBiase. Ran for 406 yards and 5 TDs last season.

♦♦♦

KEEP AN EYE ON…

♦♦♦

TIM ADANTI, TE/DE, Derby; DEVANTE BONVILLIAN, RB/DB, Wolcott; DEMETRIUS DAILEY, CB, Torrington; DWAYNE ELLIS, WR/DB, Sacred Heart; DAVID DIGIORGI, RB, Holy Cross; TOM GENDREAU, OL/LB, Woodland; LUKE GRABOWSKI, QB, Seymour; ANDREW MATOS, WR/DB, Ansonia; MIKE GIUGNO, OL/DL, Naugatuck; JUSTIN GONZALEZ, WR/DB, St. Paul; ZACH PLOURDE FB/LB, Woodland; DYLAN SADICK, OL, Seymour; TYLER WOOD, OL/LB, Ansonia; JEFF HOLDER, OL/DL, Torrington; TYLER WILLIAMS, OL, Ansonia.

♦♦♦

5 CAN’T-MISS GAMES

♦♦♦

  • Torrington at Ansonia (Week 1, Sept. 15) – The boys at the NVL Blog have been pumping up this “non-league” clach since it was scheduled. Are the Raiders worth of their preseason praise? Contenders usually go to Jarvis Stadium to die.
  • Ansonia at Derby (Week 3, Sept. 30) – Derby lost a heartbreaker last season at Jarvis Stadium. The Red Raiders only shot at a Brass Division title starts here.
  • Torrington at Holy Cross (Week 3, Sept. 30) – The Copper Division is expected to be a dog fight between four teams. These two are at the top of the list.
  • Woodland at Naugatuck (Week 7, Oct. 28) – Sandwiched around dates with Torrington and Holy Cross, this is the height of a brutal three-game stretch for the Hawks and Greyhounds. The Hawks were Naugy’s only blemish last season.
  • Naugatuck at Ansonia (Week 10, Nov. 24) – The granddaddy of Thanksgiving Day games, the Greyhounds famously upset Ansonia to win the NVL championship and punch their ticket to the playoffs. Payback time.

♦♦♦

EXTRA POINTS

♦♦♦

For the first time in 25 years, Ansonia will be competing in the Class M Division alongside such favorites as New London, Hillhouse and Brookfield. …Higher enrollment forced Derby to ditch its four-year co-op with O’Brien Tech. The school is competing as a singular entity for the first time since 2006. Derby/O’Brien Tech was 15-26 during the run, which includes two seasons in the SCC. Derby has dropped to Class S from Class M as a result. …The league’s overall talent took a hit when star receivers Jake Tomczak (Derby) and David Coggins (Sacred Heart) suffered season-ending injuries in the first week of preseason practice. Tomczak led Derby/O’Brien Tech in receiving last season; Coggins was the Connecticut’s leading receiver and a MaxPreps.com National Top Sophomore last season with 1,417 yards and 9 TDs. …After some confusion last season,  NVL has changed its criteria for determining division winners. Head-to-head results are now the first tiebreaker instead of overall record. …The NVL allows one week for scheduling non-conference games, although some league teams still pair up. This year’s Week 1 “non-conference” games between league schools are: Ansonia-Torrington; Crosby-Holy Cross; Kennedy-Wolcott. Outside of the NVL, Watertown at Montville; Seymour vs. O’Brien Tech (at Derby); Naugatuck at East Longmeadow (Mass.); Wilby at Lyman Hall. Other non-league matchups are Woodland-Jonathan Law (Week 3), and St. Paul vs. Hamden Hall (which doesn’t count toward CIAC playoff points since Hamden Hall isn’t a CIAC member school) and Derby-Shelton on Thanksgiving. Sacred Heart is the only NVL school not playing a 10th game.

♦♦♦

PREDICTIONS

♦♦♦

CHAMPIONSHIP — Ansonia over Holy Cross

PLAYOFF TEAMS – Ansonia (M); Holy Cross (S); Torrington (L).

♦♦♦

THE BOTTOM LINE

♦♦♦

As much as we’ve been intrigued by some of the hype surrounding Brenden Lytton and Torrington (especially from the folks at the NVL Blog), let’s be honest: this is Ansonia’s league to lose. The Chargers bring back everybody except UConn commit Montrell Dobbs (now starring at Milford Academy). But his backup, Arkeel Newsome, is more than ready to carry the load. The Chargers aren’t quite Masuk-dominant, but in the NVL they’re in a class above anyone else and have their sights on bigger goals — like competing with the likes of Hillhouse, Brookfield and/or New London in their new home in Class M.  The remaining 13 teams are fighting for Ansonia’s table scraps. But don’t fret, NVL fans. After the Chargers, the league is wide open, especially in the Copper Division where Torrington, Holy Cross, Naugatuck and Woodland will duke it out. That race should provide plenty of intrigue for players and fans. Just don’t expect the last team standing to get anywhere.

Thanks to Remmy and Kyle of the NVL Blog for helping this poor reporter tackle this league’s preview. Their collective knowledge of the Route 8 corridor is without peer.


CSWA Preseason Poll: Masuk, Xavier (almost) in a dead heat for No. 1

Monday, September 12, 2011 by:Sean Patrick Bowley
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Xavier won the top spot in the CSWA Preseason Football Poll by one point over Masuk.

The Connecticut Sports Writers Alliance preseason poll was released Tuesday night and, surprise, surprise: It’s a virtual dead heat for No. 1.

Both Masuk and Xavier received 15 first-place votes each.

The defending Class LL champions, juuuuuust narrowly edged the defending Class L champions for No. 1.

By. One. Point.

(This means one of these fair voters voted Masuk No. 3.)

It should be noted that the CSWA pollsters from last year were the only ones who selected Masuk as No. 1 out of the three state polls issued. Both NHR and Day Coaches had Xavier winning the mythical title last year.

Class L finalist New Canaan chimes in a distant No. 3. Class M champion Hillhouse at No. 4, Class S runner-up Ansonia is at No. 5, Class LL runner-up Trumbull is 6. New London, the Class M runners-up, chimes in at No. 8.

Only St. Joseph, last year’s Class S champion, failed to crack the Top 10. The Cadets — who lost all but two starters — are ranked No. 16.

CONNECTICUT SPORTS WRITERS ALLIANCE (Preseason)

Rank Team (1st place) 2010
Record		 Pts 2010
Rank
1. Xavier (15) 13-0 434 2
2. Masuk (15) 13-0 433 1
3. New Canaan 11-2 339 4
4. Hillhouse 10-3 308 6
5. Ansonia 11-2 289 7
6. Trumbull 11-2 187 5
7. Staples 9-2 176 NR
8. New London 10-3 170 10
9. Hand 10-2 161 9
10. Cheshire 5-5 139 NR

Also Receiving Votes: Windsor 8-2 133; West Haven 8-3 114; Glastonbury 10-2 69; North Haven 9-2 67; Brookfield 9-3 64; St. Joseph 10-3 61; Berlin 10-1 53; Bunnell 7-3 47; Darien 10-2 40; Montville 10-2 40; Greenwich 5-5 32; Southington 8-2 31; Torrington 7-3 30; Valley Regional/Old Lyme 11-1 27; Norwich Free Academy 11-1 23; Ledyard 7-3 19; Pomperaug 8-2 14; Notre Dame-West Haven 7-3 13; Northwest Catholic 4-6 12; Stamford 6-4 11; Naugatuck 9-2 10; Conard 8-3 9; Middletown 7-3 9; Cromwell 7-4 8; Shelton 6-4 7; Avon 8-2 6; Hyde Leadership 7-4 4; Fairfield Warde 5-5 2; Hall 8-3 2; Fitch 6-4 1; Gilbert/NW Regional 9-3 1; Maloney 8-2 1; Newtown 8-2 1; Plainville 8-3 1; Ridgefield 7-3 1; Waterford 7-3 1

Voters: Brian Barreto (NVL Blog), Bob Barton (CT H.S. Football Record Book), Bill Bloxsom (Hersam Acorn), Don Boyle (Sporting News CT), Kyle Brennan (Waterbury Republican), Johnny Burnham (Bristol Press), George DeMaio (WELI Radio), Gerry deSimas (Collinsville Publishing Co.), Bill Donovan (WXLM 980 AM), Ted Glanzer (The Granbys Patch), John Goralski (Southington Observer), Dave Greenleaf (CCC website), Mike Guerrera (Southington Citizen), John Holt (WFSB Channel 3), Larry Kelley (Niantic Patch), Bob Lazzari (Valley Times), Greg Lederer (Cheshire Herald), Ken Lipshez (Farmington/W. Hartford Patch), Robert Mayer (Berlin/Plainville/Southington Citizen), Eric Montgomery (Minuteman Newspapers), Sean Patrick Bowley (Connecticut Post), Dave Phillips (Shoreline Newspapers), Mike Pucci (New Haven Register), Paul Rosano (Meriden Record-Journal), Dave Ruden (Stamford Advocate), Mike Suppe (Hersam Acorn Newspapers), Peter Vander Veer (Elm City Newspapers), Tom Yantz (Hartford Courant), Rich Zalusky (Willimantic Chronicle), Jimmy Zanor (Shore Line Times).

Quick thoughts: Cheshire not getting as much love as I’ve given them, but they’re in the top 10. Windsor’s just out of the poll, but they’re a team to watch. We see few crazy entries at the bottom of the “others receiving,” but that’s to be expected in preseason polls, I guess.

Otherwise, on first glance, it looks reasonably good. Really a toss-up for No. 1 in my estimation — and I’ve already seen both teams live.

Your thoughts, please.

Yes, we have Stamford and Xavier highlights

Saturday, September 10, 2011 by:Sean Patrick Bowley
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Stamford's Chandler Foster in Friday's scrimmage vs. Xavier.

Two of the most discussed high school football teams this offseason squared off Friday night at beautiful Boyle (soon-to-be-renamed Robustelli) Stadium in downtown Stamford.

One, the prime dark horse candidate in the FCIAC. The other… well, the other needs no introduction.

We caught the Black Knights take on the defending Class LL state champion and reigning No. 1 team in our last high school football scrimmage of the preseason.

Quick things to look for: 1. It may not translate well on video, but Xavier’s huuuge. Maybe bigger than last year’s team> Could be. 2. Stamford strictly passed during the scrimmage. The Knights move the ball well in spots, but like so many other Xavier opponents, they just couldn’t punch it in. A fumble and, later, an interception by Xavier’s Ryan Murphy killed their momentum. 3. Xavier’s offense might have some more weapons than last year (back DeAngelo Berry, for one). And though it passed often, rotating QBs Pat D’Amato and junior Tim Boyle, the Falcons still can pound the ball. Mike Mastroianni (no number) breaks off a few huge runs and scores twice. 4. Stamford’s defense, dwarfed by the Falcon’s front line, played well. It had a goal line stand to preserve a 7-0 halftime deficit. 5. Xavier’s offense shot it itself in the foot with some big penalties and drops that thwarted drives. Sounds familiar. 6. The final varsity score after three quarters was Xavier 21, Stamford 0.

Stamford players: Bryan Boderick (4), Barry Boderick (17), Tarek Bruce (5), Frankie Colandro (44), Chandler Foster (13), Carlos Martinez (15). Xavier players: D’Amato (16), Boyle (7), Mastroianni (no number), Ryan Murphy (18), Jovan Santos (31), Sean Marinan (80).

As we’ve mentioned before, everybody (including us) has been talking up Stamford as a potential contender in the FCIAC. Enough veterans are there, the schedule is favorable and the team showed plenty of potential last year in finishing 6-4, including an upset of Class LL runner-up Trumbull at midseason.

Seven starters are back on defense, led by LB Tarek Bruce and Frankie Colandro and Chandler Foster. The offense is full of playmakers, QB Bryan Boderick, his twin brother and receiver Barry Boderick, WRs Carlos Martinez and Jake Demetros. There are some injuries to heal, and coach Bryan Hochter says depth is more of an issue than he’d like. The lines have potential.

The Black Knights still must learn how to win, but the pieces are here.

Xavier is Xavier. Despite significant losses, particularly on defense, the Falcons will likely be the No. 1 team to start 2011. It is senior-dominated with QB Pat D’Amato, TE/LB Jovan Santos, OL Austin Wezenski and OL/DL Sean Marinan and TE/LB Ryan Murphy. RB Mike Mastrioanni and DB Ryan Jacobucci. At least six players have college offers or have committed.

Santos just committed to UMass and D’Amato just committed to Stony Brook this week. “I guess they just wanted the get it over with before the season,” Marinan said.

Junior QB Tim Boyle, who’ll be splitting time at the position with D’Amato, already has offers from Syracuse and Boston College.

Anyhoo, they’re loaded.

Are they No. 1? We’ve now seen both Masuk and Xavier in scrimmages and the same differences that applied last season are there. Xavier’s bigger, brawnier. Looks like a small college team. Masuk’s quicker, can throw ridiculously well and has many more weapons. Both defenses are aggressive and intimidating. Masuk might be the more proficient of the two. Xavier’s road is an SCC minefield, Masuk misses two of the SWC’s top teams.

You make the call.

(Pretty bad) Shelton-Ansonia scrimmage highlights

Friday, September 9, 2011 by:Sean Patrick Bowley
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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.

Let’s play water polo: New Canaan at Brookfield scrimmage

Wednesday, September 7, 2011 by:Sean Patrick Bowley
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Brookfield and New Canaan scrimmage in a downpour at Bobcat Field in Brookfield, Sept. 6, 2011

Count us stunned to hear Brookfield’s scrimmage with New Canaan remained a go as biblical rain swept across Fairfield County Tuesday afternoon. Sure we had to pull the galoshes and umbrellas out, but if they were playing, we were going especially since we were eager to catch Brookfield in action before the start of the season.

Turns out Brookfield might have postponed were it not for the Hurricane/Tropical Storm Irene postponing all of their practices and scrimmages from last week. This was going to be Brookfield’s first time looking at jerseys of another color. They needed the work. New Canaan agreed.

So here we were, swimming in Brookfield. We saw all kinds of havoc: dropped balls, flubbed snaps, major slippage. It might as well have been a water polo scrimmage. So you’ll have to excuse these two teams looking like the football equivalent of the Washington Generals — especially New Canaan, which drove about an hour or so to get there.

You’ll see much more from Brookfield here than the Rams. The most impressive being fullback Tyler Puglisi (47) who bulled through NC’s front lines all evening. RB Leaon Gordon ran well in spots, including a TD that was called back. The Bobcats’ first-team defense, led by LB Joey Acquanita (5), didn’t allow a New Canaan touchdown, made a few sacks and blocked a long field goal attempt.

Though New Canaan’s defense sacked him several times, including three straight during one series, Brookfield junior QB Boeing Brown threw a pair of TDs to TE David Depoi. One was a happy accident, a ball that tipped off one player and happened to bounce right into the hands of Depoi, who raced all the way for the score. “Hey, hook and ladder, right?” Brown joked to his teammates.

The uninspiring NC performance led New Canaan coach Lou Marinelli to quip: “This make you worry about your preseason rankings?”

Eh… maybe. But it’s only a scrimmage.

Catch all of this and more on our soggy highlight reel.

Reel Time: Newtown-Seymour; Masuk-Greenwich game scrimmages

Tuesday, September 6, 2011 by:Sean Patrick Bowley
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Continuing our scrimmage coverage for the week, we present two significant game scrimmages (you know, the one run like actual games): Newtown at Seymour on Friday, Sept. 2. Then Masuk at Greenwich, Monday, Sept. 5.

NEWTOWN AT SEYMOUR
We’ll start with this one first. Played on the practice fields at Seymour high school, Newtown defeated the Wildcats 36-27 (or 5 TDs to 4). Notable was the absence of Seymour QB Luke Grabowski, who was just on his way back from an injury at the time. (He has since returned.) Mike Conlon started and, after a shaky start, the Seymour offense got itself into a groove behind RBs Jon Wilson (21) and Jimmy Vartelas (30).

Senior Greg Frattaroli (13), back from an injury, played QB for Newtown in the first half and threw a couple of TDs. Senior FB Lou Fenaroli (44) scored a touchdown, as did utilityman Dan Hebert (12).

WATCH

MASUK AT GREENWICH
Our second reel is bound to get a bit more attention. Defending Class L champion Masuk took a trip to face Greenwich at Greenwich Central Middle School on Labor Day morning.

This makeshift field was used while Greenwich determines if and when it can use Greenwich’s Cardinal Stadium, whose grounds are contaminated with toxic chemicals. The field is fine, the grounds around the bleachers are not. Greenwich athletic director Gus Lindine said the school has plenty of options if the field has to be changed. “We’ve had a lot of offers. Everybody’s been real nice,” he said, adding that he hoped to know for certain by the end of this week.

Greenwich coach Rich Albonizio might have preferred not playing in front of spectators for this one. Early in the scrimmage the coach stopped action to yell at parents and fans for criticizing the referees. “We’re trying to teach the kids sportsmanship! So we don’t need anybody attacking the officials!”

The clip, which can be seen here, is included in the highlight reel.

Masuk outscored Greenwich 5-1. Tom Milone (22), Colin Markus (28) scored touchdowns. Ryan Norado (17) and Brandon Cusmano (9) made outstanding catches. And we saw for the first time new receiver Jason Piontkowski (86), a transfer from New London (yes, the rumors are true for all those who asked me this week). He caught a few of passes, including one for a touchdown.

Masuk’s defense was fast, aggressive and punishing behind Matt Duignan (50), Pat Tripodi (30) and Shawn Flynn (87). Flynn was a menace all morning. He tipped a pass for an interception, forced a fumble after getting beat deep on another pass and, later, laid out Greenwich QB Liam O’Neil on a run play.

Flynn was penalized for leading with his helmet, one of a few penalties he picked up that morning. (“Yeah, I’ve gotta watch that,” Flynn said.) Greenwich’s players, of course, took exception and the scrimmage got chippy before concluding.

Though it didn’t score much, Greenwich did move the ball with a few big plays. They struggled to stop precision passing from Casey Cochran and running from Markus. We probably didn’t get to see Greenwich’s full potential since it was playing without captains C Will Trepp and RB/LB Shane Nastahowski.

(If you listen real close, you can hear MSG’s Mike Quick offering some commentary on the game. He says the talent invoice is in the mail.)

WATCH

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