Nick Kelly leaps to pick off Darien quarterback Henry Baldwin in the third quarter of Staples' snowly 42-23 win over Darien on Saturday.
Bethel's Brian Birdsell fights through Bunnell tackles during his six-touchdown effort Saturday at DeSantis Field. Bethel defeated Bunnell 56-46.
We asked for an upset last week and we got it, with Bethel’s stunning 56-46 victory over Stratford at Ralph DeSantis Field.
That was the only local surprise. Statewide, we saw both NFA (to Stonington) and New London (to Fitch) catch the upset bug and the state playoff picture looked slightly different than they did just days ago.
Of more immediate concern, the SWC playoff race fell out of focus somewhat with Bunnell’s loss. Now it’s anybody’s ballgame for the right to face Masuk at Bunnell on Nov. 16. (Sorry, kids. it’s true. They’re a lock.).
Staples’ win over Darien put the Wreckers and New Canaan’s win over Wilton put those schools in the drivers’ seat for the FCIAC title game. The NVL’s biggest games are coming up this week. The league’s championship picture should be clear before Week 9.
Hand and Xavier remained unbeaten in the SCC. And everybody’s gearing up for that showdown … Oh, wait.
All and all, it was a pretty crazy week, if not for the games then for the snow that dumped on the region turning a handful of games into snowball fights. I’ve never seen anything like it. And it’s still causing havoc across the region. Many towns are still without power. Some schools have, of course, canceled classes indefinitely. The U.S. government had declared a state of emergency.
It’ll be worth watching how long some of these schools remain closed, and how their teams will be affected in the coming days.
We’ve added a post on this issue and will collect information as is becomes available.
In the meantime, if you can read this, here’s look back at Week 7 and a look ahead to Week 8:
Bulldozers
Lou Fenaroli had another monster game for 6-1 Newtown
- Javon Grey, Notre Dame-WH – 27 carries, 204 yards, four TDs vs. Wilbur Cross
- Arkeel Newsome, Ansonia — 188 yards, 3 TDs on nine carries vs. Crosby
- Brian Birdsell, Bethel – Six touchdown runs vs. Bunnell
- Jack Shaban, Barlow — Ran for 168 yards and 2 TDs on 16 carries vs. Oxford
- Lou Fenaroli, Newtown — 169 yards, 3 TDs, including 95-yard run vs. Brookfield
- James Harrington & Austin Calitro, Danbury — Combined for 263 yards rushing and five TDs vs Trumbull
Gunslingers
- Matt Milano, New Canaan — 19 of 24 for 298 yards and three touchdowns vs. Wilton
- Bryan Castelot, Bunnell – 28 of 50 for 425 yards and six touchdowns in loss to Bethel.
- Connor Rowe, Ridgefield — 20 of 28 for 217 yards and one touchdown vs. McMahon.
- Casey Cochran, Masuk — Threw for 395 yards and five touchdowns vs. New Milford.
Gamebreakers
- Matt Paola, Pomperaug — Tied a state record with a 54-yard field goal vs. record-holder Rico Brogna and Notre Dame-Fairfield
- Joey Zelkowitz, Staples — Ran for 188 yards on 15 carries and scored three TDs (including two from 60 yards out) vs. Darien
- Danny Rogers, Weston — Scored the game-winning TD in Weston’s cluch 16-9 win over New Fairfield
- Barry Boderick, Stamford — Punt return touchdown, TD catch vs. Ludlowe
- Joel Arroyo, Greenwich – Caught two long TD passes from Liam O’Neil in Greenwich’s overwhelming win over Westhill
- Donald Graham, Stratford — Ran for four touchdowns vs. Immaculate
Brick Walls
Ridgefield's Chris Mirra takes down McMahon's Damien Vega in Week 7.
Ridgefield's Chris Mirra takes down McMahon's Damien Vega in Week 7.
- Kevin Kearney, Staples — 18 tackles, pass defensed vs. Darien
- Eddie Kochiss, Shelton – Interception return TD vs. Amity
- Chris Mirra, Ridgefield — Intercepted potential game-winning 2-point conversion vs. McMahon.
- Dylan Leeming, New Canaan — 16 total tackles vs. Wilton
- Brandon Freeman, McMahon — Returned an interception for a TD vs. Ridgefield
- Jack Yule, Pomperaug – 16 tackles vs. Notre Dame-Fairfield
- Shawn Flynn, Masuk — 10 tackles, interception vs. New Milford
- Warde defense — Forced six turnovers, including 2 interceptions apiece from Devon Lofton and Maxx Garrett vs. St. Joseph
- Mike Longo, Greenwich – Returned a fumble 82 yards for a TD vs. Westhill
- Mike Palomba, Trinity Catholic — Interception return TD vs. Bassick
Valiant in Defeat
- Tyler Vallie, Amity – Threw for 131 yards and a TD, rushed for 173 yards and a TD vs. Shelton.
- Chad Lawrence, Central – Ran for 100 yards and three touchdowns in loss to North Haven.
- Jared Vasquez, Bunnell – 10 catches for 145 yards and three touchdowns vs. Bethel
- Nigel Beckford, Notre Dame-Fairfield — 20 carries, 134 yards, 2 TDs rushing, 98-yard kickoff return TD
- John Prutting, St. Joseph — Interception return TD vs. Warde
- Daron Britt, Law — Caught two touchdown passes in loss to Branford.
- Tahir Manning, West Haven – Caught two TD passes to give West Haven a halftime lead in a loss to Hand
- Taquan Broadway, Harding — 100 yards rushing vs. Norwalk
We’ll close the Top Performers section with a clip of Matt Paola‘s 54-yard field goal against Notre Dame-Fairfield. It tied the state record held by former Watertown star Rico Brogna … who just happened to be standing on the Notre Dame-Fairfield sidelines as the Lancers head coach. Paola and Rico posed for pictures afterward. Nice moment.
“When we were at midfield, I said to the offensive coordinator, `Get your two-point (conversion) play ready.’ ” — McMahon coach A.J. Albano, whose 2-point attempt failed in a 14-13 loss to Ridgefield.
Austin Calitro fends off a Trumbull defender during the Hatters' victory Friday night.
“Looking back now, I guess it was nice having that week off. The kids were fresh, their legs weren’t heavy. They were ready to play today.” — Stamford coach Bryan Hocter
“When we play in a tighter game than this it is really going to do us in,” — New Canaan coach Lou Marinelli on his team’s penalty-filled 28-14 win over Wilton
“We were terrible tonight, absolutely terrible. We have to move on to the next one.” – Trumbull coach Bob Maffei, whose team lost its fourth-straight game, keeping Maffei at 99 career wins.
“We want to go out with a bang and set the tempo for next year. Those guys have to work hard and (if they do) this is what happens.” –Danbury senior FB/LB Austin Calitro after beating Trumbull.
“The upset. It’s a powerful thing that can change your season. It’s one of the best feelings a football player can have.” — Bethel FB/LB Brian Birdsell, whose six touchdown runs toppled Bunnell from the unbeaten ranks.
“No. 36 had a great game for them. He was all over the field,” — Bunnell coach Craig Bruno on Bethel FB/LB Brian Birdsell.
“We knew that tonight was a do-or-die situation for us. But we are going to pick our heads up, keep going and finish the season strong.” — Brookfield coach Rich Angarano on his team’s 41-0 loss to Newtown, which dropped it to 3-4.
Weston's Danny Rogers scores the winning touchdown in the fourth quarter vs. New Fairfield in the snow last week.
“I should have punted. Everyone makes mistakes. We were all fired up and we wanted to end the game right there.” — Weston coach Joe Lato on a fourth-down call that led to New Fairfield’s go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter of Weston’s 16-9 win.“That could have been the greatest third quarter in Staples history.” –Staples coach Marce Petroccio on the Wreckers’ 28-point outburst leading to a 42-23 win over Darien.
“It’s a football players dream to play in the snow. It was awesome.” — Staples RB Joey Zelkowitz.
“I think our kids at the half thought we had the game won, and they are too good an opponent to do that.” — Darien coach Rob Trifone on his team’s 42-23 loss to Staples, in which it held a 17-7 halftime lead.
“That’s our goal right now. It’s really big because none of us have ever been in a playoff game before, in any sport. We can smell it.” — Norwalk QB Delshawn Wilson on the Bears’ shot at breaking a 13-year playoff drought.
A lot of good ones out there this week, most having to do with the blizzard at Staples Field. So we’ve decided to drop this week’s best Tweets into slideshow form
Cheshire (4-3) at Notre Dame-WH (5-2), Friday, 7 – The Class L playoff door is opened just a crack for the Green Knights. They can’t lose again. And it only gets tougher against the cornered animal that is 4-3 Cheshire.- Ansonia (7-0) at Wolcott (6-1), Friday, 7 — They’re calling this an NVL showdown for the Brass Division title and a spot in the NVL title game. Or will it be just another Ansonia showcase. (We’re betting the latter).
- Fairfield Prep (5-2) at Shelton (5-2), Friday, 7 — This game hasn’t meant a thing for years. With both teams clinging to faint playoff hopes, it’s pretty big now.
- Woodland (5-2) at Holy Cross (6-1), Friday, 7 – Holy Cross can basically wrap up the
BrassCopper Division (I always get those division titles mixed) with a title here. Might want DiGiorgi for this one. - Seymour (5-2) at Derby (2-5), Friday, 7 — Seymour’s not quite out of the Class S playoff race yet. They’ll need to win out. And, hey, this is a nice rivalry game.
- Bethel (5-2) at Newtown (6-1), Friday, 7 – Amazing what an upset can do. In addition to giving their playoff hopes a boost, Bethel dropped some intrigue into the SWC championship race. It won’t mean much if they can’t solve Lou Fenaroli and Newtown. That 41-0 win over Brookfield was frightening.
- Pomperaug (6-1) at Masuk (7-0), Friday, 7 — Finally! A Game! A game for Masuk. Its road to a second straight title finally starts climbing up hill after two months in perpetual 50-point hell. This is their first game against a winning team. Masuk should be ready. It’s been practicing seven weeks for this. Whaddya got Pomperaug? Your season begins or ends here.
- Central (2-5) at Trumbull (2-4), Friday, 7 — The two Greater Bridgeport powers are down on their luck. I saw one Central player Tweet that a win here would make their season. I’m sure Trumbull feels the same.
- New Canaan (7-0) at Stamford (4-2), Saturday,
1:305 p.m. – Moved from Friday (time changed), New Canaan has few hurdles left on the way to the FCIAC title game. The Boderick Brothers and Stamford are dangerous. But so is New Canaan QB Matt Milano. - McMahon at Greenwich, Saturday, 2 – This game’s of minor intrigue only because of McMahon’s shown it’s capable of knocking off the superpowers, it just hasn’t done it yet. Greenwich has a good shot at reaching state playoffs for the first time since 2007 and an outside shot at the FCIAC final. Game on.
- Weston at Notre Dame-Fairfield, Saturday, 2:45 – Every game’s a big game for Weston from here on. They’re in the running for a Class S playoff but still have to play Masuk. So they’d better enjoy this ride, regardless of what happens next week.
OKAY SPB – Gonna put you on the spot, and anyone else that wants to answer…
You are the Athletic Director at a brand new high school -
Give me a list of your top 5 candidates you’d want as your head coach, and your list of your top 5 Offensive Coordinators, and Defensive Coordinators, you’d want to hire. Current Head Coaches cannot be mentioned as coordinators –
Who are you taking?
Fairfield Prep (5-2) at Shelton (5-2). Is the biggest game of the week.
Oh, jeez.
A) You’re gonna get me in trouble. B) This is tough, especially offensive coordinators. I’m wracking my brains and most of the guys I’d pick are already head coaches.
Lemme get back…
If The New London Day’s blog is accurate those 12/3 semifinal sites suck. 7 games all at the same time (2pm) and the sites are worse. Not one of them in an FCIAC boundary which is BS. The CIAC loves keeping things up there way no matter the sport. Only West HAven High has a 6pm game.
Finals are 12/9 at 6:30pm and 3 on the 10th at 10:30, 1:30, and 4:30? Only 3 hours in between and no night game. Masuk games take 3 hours themselves nevermind trophy ceremonies afterwards. Obviously they think its to cold to play at night that time of year.
Yes, that’s correct —
From the CIAC:
2011-12 Tournament Dates:
Quarter-final games will be held on Tuesday evening, November 29, 2011 – 6:30 p.m. — at the site of the higher ranked team providing they meet minimum field requirements.
Semi-final games will be held on Saturday, December 3, 2011 at the following neutral sites:
Middletown HS (one game at 2:00)
Cheshire HS (one game at 2:00)
Bunnell HS (one game at 2:00)
Sheehan HS (one game at 2:00)
East Haven HS (one game at 2:00)
Falcon Field, Meriden (one game at 2:00)
West Haven HS (two games at 2:00 and 6:00)
Final games will be held on Friday-Saturday, December 9-10, 2011 – Rentschler Field (One game on Friday evening / Three games on Saturday, times TBA)
Obviously I am FCIAC biased, and I’m sure the masterminds of the CIAC have done this out with scientific equations to decide on the sites…
I have never been to Middletown, I have enver been to Sheehan, East Haven, Falcon Field (Meridan). I know that Bunnell is an okay stadium, as is Chesire, and of course West Haven – those are all good semi final sites.
But you’re telling me that Staples, Darien, New Canaan, Greenwich, Ridgefield, Trumbull, Stamford, Wilton… And I’m sure I;m missing a few but the FCIAC has some of the BEST facilities in the state – and the CIAC just doesn’t use them – to far south I guess…
Yeah those are some pretty terrible sites. East Haven will have to host a Class S game because their bleachers don’t hold many and Rt. 80 is murder if there is gaemday traffic (not that East Haven ever has to worry about that). Falcon Field is a good facility, but the parking is atrocious. I know the CIAC wants to use turf, but why not Ansonia? Plenty of parking, relatively central location, right off the highway, ample bleachers (at least for home team). Also, Brian is right- put a game in Fairfield County. Most of those fields are more than receptive to large crowds.
MINIMUM REQUIRED STANDARDS FOR ALL PLAYOFF SITES:
1) Site has adequate permanent lights or portable that meets minimum standards*.
a. The lighting system shall adequately cover and illuminate the entire playing field, end zones, and
sideline areas. A level of 30 foot candles, although not mandated, is a desired illumination
standard for the playing area.
b. The lighting system poles shall be of such height that punted, kicked or thrown balls shall remain
visible to players, coaches, and officials at all times.
c. Lighting systems should be of such quality that the integrity and quality of CIAC football playoff
and championship caliber games shall not be compromised.
d. The CIAC Football Committee reserves the right to make a final decision on whether or not a
specific facility’s lighting system is appropriate for use in a CIAC football playoff game.
Note: Schools that intend to use portable lighting for the championship semi-finals must seek approval from the
tournament director to assure the lights meet minimum standards. BEGINNING IN 2012 ONLY SCHOOLS
WITH PERMANENT LIGHTING WILL BE ALLOWED TO HOST A HOME TOURNAMENT GAME.
2) Site is enclosed and capable of charging and controlling admission.
3) Site has adequate seating (minimum of 1,000)
4) Site has adequate parking.
5) Field is in good condition, is properly lined, and meets NFHS standards.
6) Site has a visible, working scoreboard and clock.
7) Site has a press box large enough to accommodate timer, announcer, and spotters and camera persons
from both coaching staffs.
8) Site has locker rooms that are available to both teams and officials before, during and after games.
9) Site has adequate public restroom facilities.
10) Site has a working public address system.
Not all schools make their field available for the CIAC to use.
That may well be the case. Shelton has been used the past two years but the new sod on the baseball field precludes the ability to get cars or equipment to the press box for the media.
What a cute trick by the CIAC….they put their most important priority as #2 to disguise their true intentions. I think it’s pretty obvious that being able to control and charge admission is #1 in their minds, regardless of the field conditions.
What happened to SCSU or CCSU or Municipal or Trumbull. Those college campuses can’t be any more $$ than the “Rent” to rent. Also, why is it ok to have 2 teams freeze at night but not 8 if u did 4 double headers and not one? It tells me that a NC/Masuk or NC/Hand or Hand/Masuk or Staples/xavier is going solo at 6pm.
@8. Thanks for this…but even a small fry like Weston meets these requirements. How can no FCIAC school be a host site????? It’s caca de toro if you ask me…
If they put a class S or class M semi-final at 6 p.m. I’ll throw up.
Wondering what an O-Line needs to do to qualify for a “Brick Wall” or something along those lines?? If ya’ll were watching the same game as I did it seemed to me that the Staples offensive line dominated the 2nd half and had A LOT to do with those 4 TDs in one quarter of play. I had predicted in one of the previous blogs that this game would be won in the trenches and it was. The holes were gigantic and it was fun to watch.
@Gibby – Good point. Though I’d call an O-Line a “Bulldozer.”
And if you want to talk about O-Lines. Howabout Bethel’s? Red Sea-worthy.
Staples is a great team – but I wasn’t as impressed with their O-Line as I was unimpressed with Darien’s D-Line – or their whole team in general – it looked as if once the snow fell, the Darien players wanted out, and fast.
Take nothing away from Staples they were very impressive
Snowdreams – That’s the beauty of sports since there are a few ways to look at things but I’m almost positive that each and every Darien player would not place an ounce of blame on the snow. I know Coach T didn’t use that as an excuse. It was a flat out walloping on an over confident team that was winning at halftime and it appeared to me that the O-Line was a big part in all that.
@Gibby + @Snowdreams – Watching the Staples game on MSG was an eye opener. They did a good job of showing the holes by the O-line and emphasizing how important downfield blocking by the receivers was in turning a long gainer into a TD. Slow a few plays down and watch the blocking schemes. Staples throws the kitchen sink at you so you never know what to expect, which is why their coaching staff gets the praise it does. I think Darien’s D-line is fine. Sometimes you tip your cap to the other guys.
Masuk is a joke. Prep Vs Shelton should be an interesting game.
no elite 8?
Patience! Busy day yesterday. It’ll be out around lunchtime
@ Honus – Tell it like it is! I failed to mention the great downfield blocking by the receivers. That was also fun to watch and shows the determination Staples has.
Prep is going to get smoked!!!