Holy Cross QB Zach Brown
We’re just wrapping up our last previews for tomorrow’s regional football state championship games.
You can find everything you need here, links, stats AND special video previews (Xavier-Staples will be available tonight):
But, oh yes, one state championship will be decided tonight. It doesn’t include regional teams, but it has potential of being the best of the four state championships.
The Class S title game between Holy Cross and Cromwell.
You can follow all the action here, interactively on the live blog, or you can just watch the CIAC’s Play-by-play update feed from Rentschler Field, or you can visit our friends Remmy and Kyle at the NVL Football Blog, who have been all over this one. Or you can do all three.
No. 2 Holy Cross vs. No. 8 Cromwell
WHEN/WHERE – Rentschler Field, 6:30 p.m.
ON THE AIR – Sportingnewsct.com | WELI 960-AM
TICKETS – $10
COACHES — Holy Cross: Mike Giampetruzzi; Cromwell: Chris Eckert
RECORDS — Holy Cross 11-2 (NVL runners-up); Cromwell (10-2)
HOW THEY GOT HERE – Holy Cross: def. Haddam-Killingworth 42-14, def. Valley Regional 23-14; Cromwell: def. Capital Prep/Classical Magnet 23-14; def. Northwest Catholic 35-19
STATE TITLES – Holy Cross (1): 2006-SS; Cromwell (1): 2008-S
TOP PLAYERS — Holy Cross: Sr. RB/LB Dave DiGiorgi (1,068 yards, 12 TDs); Sr. QB Zach Brown; Sr. LB/OL Anthony Jemele (6-0, 215); Jr. RB/LB Adrian Brown (1,152 yards, 13 TDs); Sr. WR/DB Paul Cotter; Sr. LB Joe Parent; Fresh. WR/DB Isaiah Wright (8 TDs). Cromwell:Sr. QB Anthony Morales (3,365 yards passing, 42 TDs); Derrick Villard (1,964 yards yards, 24 TDs rushing); Sr. WR Michael Antonio (1,291 yards, 18 TDs receiving) Sr. OL/DL Mike Sullivan (18 sacks); Sr. WR/DB/K Brett Director (874 yards, 9 TDs receiving); Sr. LB Ricky Feggins.
WORTH NOTING – Morales is one touchdown pass away from breaking the state’s single-season passing record he shares with New Canaan’s Matt Milano (42), and is 193 passing yards away from breaking former Southington QB Matt Keleher’s single season record of 3,558. …Behind Morales in the air, Villard on the ground Cromwell is the state leader in passing yards and total offense (5,990). …It averages 42.7 points per game, it has scored under that average in two playoff games. …Holy Cross’ only losses this season have both been to Ansonia, 45-13 in the regular season and 33-0 in the NVL title game. …Take away two losses to Ansonia, Holy Cross is 11-0 and has outscored its opponents 363-150, or an average of 33-14.
OUTLOOK — In one of the best matchups of the state championship weekend, the Class S game features offenses on opposite ends of the spectrum. Cromwell has produced the state’s statistically most prolific offense in the state with a spread attack that stretches the field with a deep passing game and selective, but effective running from Villard on the ground. Holy Cross loves to pound away with backs DiGiorgi and Brown, but can pass when necessary with freshman Wright already emerging as a bit-time threat. The Class S championship will come down to defenses and Holy Cross might hold the edge in that department, having allowed just 150 points all season against everybody but Ansonia. But Cromwell’s not exactly a sieve. Sullivan’s 18 sacks lead the state. The offenses should have their way early before defenses take control. Someone’s going to have to make a big play late. Tough matchup to call.
OUR PICK — Cromwell 34, Holy Cross 26
Holy Cross freshman Isaiah Wright has been outstanding this year. If Cromwell contains him today, the Crusaders do not win.
Pretty much. Should be a great game. Looking forward to your updates!
Holy Cross is gonna have their work cut out containing the Cromwell offense. Wright should be up for this one, its gonna be a cold ass night and I can see Wright heating things up on the ground early on. Morales / Villard dynamic duo of endzone experience could be the edge needed to keep this game in Cromwell’s favor.
Cromwell 22 Holy Cross 20: Class S was a mess for most of the year but at least it got the best possible final matchup. Two evenly matched teams with Cromwell pulling it out at the end.
Ansonia 35 Ledyard 6: I’d like to see Ledyard make it close, but I just don’t see it.
Hand 42 New Canaan 21: Similiar to the Masuk game, tight early. But Hand pulls away in the second half.
Xavier 27 Staples 17: More of a defensive game than people will think. But Xavier gets a score late to continue their run.
Wright and Brown will be two of the better athletes in the game. Get them in space.
“The offenses should have their way early before defenses take control.”
So far, I’m nailing this game.
Holy Cross is fortunate to be ahead at the half!
Ah well. I had this game pegged… except for the winning team. 22-3 in the playoffs.
WHAT A GAME
sloppy game (turnovers)but very exciting