For a little while, like the entire first half, the 16th Hall of Fame Football Classic looked all too familiar for Fairfield County: Out of sync and outclassed.
There were high snaps, muffed snaps, bad punts, dropped balls. New Haven struck with game’s first 13 points and kept a-knockin’ at Fairfield County’s doorstep.
But at halftime, somebody must have lit a fire beneath Fairfield County’s rear-ends. The typically lackluster Ralph Desantis Chapter used heavy does of Bunnell, Stamford and McMahon, scored 23 unanswered points and walked off Ken Strong Stadium with a surprising, 23-13 victory.
Stamford’s Barry Boderick lit the fuse with an interception that set up a Matt Paola Field goal. Then the floodgates opened. McMahon’s Damien Vega tossed a short TD pass to Bunnell’s Jawad Chisolm, Bunnell’s J.J. Bivona took an interception 53-yards for the go-ahead touchdown.
And finally, Chisholm does what he did so well while starring for the Bulldogs last year. He outraced Wolcott’s Devante Bonvillian, caught a fly pass from Stamford’s Bryan Boderick and waltzed into the end zone for a back-breaking 71-yard touchdown.
McMahon’s Zack O’Connor and the defense did the rest, smothering New Haven’s offense led by Michael Ecke and Holy Cross’ Dave DiGiorgi. They pitched a shut out the rest of the way to give Fairfield County its first back-to-back victory since the 2001-02 games.
Chisholm was Fairfield County’s Offensive MVP. Bivona took defensive MVP.
Cheshire’s Kyle Pulek kicked a pair of field goals and was named the New Haven County MVP. Ansonia’s Jake Larovera, who led his team’s strong defense in the first-half and blocked a punt, was named defensive MVP.
New Haven leads the all-time series 10-6.
And now the countdown to fall practice begins.
Isn’t Bunnell supposed to be top notch this year if they play defense?
This westchester blog is great – lotta stuff on here.. Even covered the New Canaan 7 on 7 and the Scarsdale team
http://varsityinsider.lohudblogs.com/
Stamford Advocate covered NC’s 7-on-7. http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/sports/article/New-Canaan-Cal-Ripken-team-defeats-Coventry-for-3707522.php (not specifically…. but, really, what do we learn from these?)
T-shirt football. Good exercise in the hot sun. But gridiron prep? Not much.
SPB or anyone, who won the 7-7 tournament at NC on Saturday?
Never mind just saw Iona Prep won, what CT team had the best showing? Thanks for the link Pat
I don’t know if we learn anything – but it’s still an event with a lot of media outlets – not all media outlets – but I like what Ruden did – his blog has a couple videos, seems to get the kids thoughts, and they are just talking – not to up or down from a big win or loss
I am a shaq fan after watching this video! http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=3X-GQ1bH37o
Welp, we covered it for you.
Recap of this tournament held in New Canaan over the weekend:
Iona Prep beat Southington in the final. MSG is airing it in August before camps begin.
The Brooklyn schools can pass, catch and cover with anyone. ALL class. Very impressed. Same goes for Southington and Iona Prep. ALL class.
Sleepy Hollow has the best mascot in the area.
On a somber note – there was a touching tribute to the Scarsdale LB, Tyler Madoff, who as many may have heard, was lost at sea in Hawaii over the 4th of July. Scarsdale played in the tournament and looked real good.
For CT:
Southington’s QB is siiiick. Has the athletic ability, size, technique and arm…CT Player of the Year candidate (JUNIOR?!?!). Southington QB, Stepinac QB, Ketchum QB – all real deals.
The big takeaway is that it’s bad news for the FCIAC…Greenwich is BAA-aack.
SOME OBSERVATIONS WHICH LEAD TO PRE-SEASON PREDICTIONS:
Masuk will re-load this year and not regress. Maybe not with the same firepower, but don’t ever count them out.
Trinity taking steps forward this year.
Warde and Stamford – should be good.
Trumbull & St Joe’s taking leaps forward this year. This’ll be a great T-Giving Game.
Darien – will be in the mix again.
New Canaan too… they had two teams in this, with one team doing well and the other not as much.
Brookfield and Weston also looked solid and impressed. BFIELD will win more than last year.
Stamford should schedule a game with Cardinal Hayes on their BYE week, they played one of those games that would turn a non-believer in 7on7 to a believer.
Derby has some players, but are relatively young, maybe a year away still.
Thanks RECAP very good info., I am anxious to see how Southington does in year 2 of the Drury era, those guys know how to build a program and Chuck Drury and John Pereira are probably one of the best asst. coaches duos in the state.
RECAP based on what you saw, can Stamford best last year, they lost a lot of players, and is Darien an FCIAC contender as I think them to be? also was Hand there? I saw them on the list a while back
Dudes, can somebody post something or can we start a new thread, I mean I am willing to hear what kids are doing for repetitions on power clean at Staples for crying out loud! ha ha, I need some high school football news man! By the way I passed by Staples last week and checked out the lights, kind of surreal considering how much of a fight it was for them to finally get permission to do so. Does anyone know if they are able to play all their home games under the lights? I remember reading of a limit on events as part of the agreement. I am sure Coach Petroccio would want them post day light savings time when he’s running practice
Perspective you have two options. Get a life. Or, get a friend other than your wife. It’s getting pathetic. Please stop chiming in on areas that you know nothing about. Stick to your ranch in monroe/bethel/southbury/woodbury.
all of you are pathetic… its high school football, let the kids play. you are adults, we all, are adults, we have no reason to be going back and forth on this stuff… ITS FOOTBALL, its FUN, you guys do are NOT scouts and hopefully not coaches or players, therefore you hardly have a reason to comment.
Kittycats25,
Is your team that irrelevant that you come here to make fun of the majority of fans’ home size,income, etc.? Channel your support to the Ridgefield football squad, maybe someday they can actually win an important game. When was the last big win, I don’t follow them ?
They beat a 5-5 Wilbur Cross team in 2009 in a thrilling comeback following an ass-whooping delivered by a very good Staples team. It was a great comeback albeit vs. a mediocre SCC team
They beat Greenwich and Staples in the same season a couple of years ago.. and oh yeah had a pretty good year last year and were 9-1 a couple of years ago as well. . 700 win percentage roughly over the last 10 years- so not bad. Perspective go away- your just an angry parent that only bashes!
Dude, those Staples and Greenwich squads in 2008 were some of their worst teams ever, Darien and NC were the top dogs in the FCIAC that season, and they accounted for two of Ridge’s three losses that year. Hey, I like RHS, but you got idiots on here who try and get personal and make what is supposed to be high school football talk about socio-economics
Wow – nothing new in weeks! I am dying for some HS football news! I’ll even take news on passing league results and lineman challenges. Something…Anything?? What about all the transfers in the NVL? DO any of these kids moving schools have to sit out games per CIAC rules?
UBILLY_ mark it down, Robbie Plasky and Naugy are the UNLV of the NVL like when Tark the Shark was prowling the sidelines munching on that white towel in Vegas.
Coach Plasky had nothing to do with the transfers. They want to play for a proven winner. Who are you to be hating on him or the kids?
Dog, I am not hating, I love it! Naugy gave the league a shot in the arm a few years back when they had transfers and they’re doing the same this year. Personally I think it is good for the league since it isn’t Ansonia and everybody else except maybe HC, since Seymour fell apart and Woods has been just solid! I am not hating I hope Naugy wins the league, I am sick of Ansonia
Good to hear there is a supporter.
Perspective- I have never gotten personal on here and usually make fair comments to all people so dont put me in a group that other people are in who make outrageous comments. Now we are going to start talking about how good teams were on certain years?? Really??
Fball5, close your eyes…
Imagine having a 235 pound wife that owns you.
Being confused about being rich or not
Living in fake fairfield county.
Bragging about a town you couldnt afford
Now open them and thank god you arent perspective.
haha hey tiger I thought we were done, btw you lie moron, if you live where you say you do, your kid would’ve went to East Ridge, so how would you know what my wife looks like for all I know your a heffer, keep talking s#+&t- last I checked aren’t Weston and Easton/Redding in the SWC, don’t think too many people would consider those communities to be fake Fairfield County! You FC softies talk alotta smack because you hide behind lawyers and litigation, never had to fight for anything in your life
You’ve never heard of a divorce then huh? Oh well, you will. Or you should. I’ve fought plenty. Trust me. You on the other hand have no fight (i can tell by your postings). Stop getting so heated about your wife. I am just assuming she is one of the monsters that i see leaving the school. Judging by your infuriated nature, I was right.
Leave my town alone. Stay out. Get out. Im happy you’re gone. You make my property value go down. Don’t need renters here. Stay in Monroe.
What is important here is that this post is staying on topic and not getting weird at all.
You know what I am going to digress at this point and if you would like to speculate, fabricate, imagine, slander etc. my residence, family etc. that is your choice sir. I would prefer at this point to confine my comments to high school football.
SPB -Can you moderate these comments? Let’s stay on topic – HS football.
I have been working upstate and talking some CCC fooball:
Windsor looks great coming into the season, still do not know how they lost to NC last year. CCC will have a bunch of weak teams so Windsor will grab playoff points and have a high seed. Berlin will once again use solid fundamentals and have a run at Class M. Glastonbury always a threat with a solid team in LL. Have not seen or heard much on the rest of the league, which I think is overall too big for its own good. (Too many poor teams bring its better teams down as they are seldom battle tested.)
UBilly I appreciate the CCC talk, I have Windsor only behind Staples in the state preseason, I heard good things about Southington (espacially their QB), and I think Glastonbury is a top ten team if their new coach is at all competent. I think that league is better in 2012 than its been it at least 5 or 6 years.
I’m not paying attention. Working on preseason slideshows, compiling a list of top players to watch.
Got a pretty good list of 30 local and maybe another 15 statewide, but mostly are skill guys.
Any can’t miss guys I should include?
Perspective and Tigers25
- Outsider looking in –
- Tigers25 you’re a total douchebag
- Perspective – you fell into his trap
This isn’t Jerry Springer as much as you may want it to be. Facts – Ridgefield has “struggled” to win the big game when it counts as of recently… However they put up fantastic records year in and year out. in 2008, Staples and Greenwich were both sub-par, so you can’t count those as “BIG” get over the hump wins for the Tigers Program. This year – with Connor Rowe they have a legitimate chance to be contenders, again – the game for them is Greenwich – 1st game of the year, statement game. If they win their schedule favors them for a possible FCIAC berth if they can run the table, especially because Staples and Darien play each other, and they will have beaten Greenwich. Should be interesting. Ridgefield is a contender, they usually are.
SPB,
SWC- You prob have the obvious..best 3 players in that league will be Brown, Qb Brookfield..Hebert- WR/DB Newtown, and Milone WR/DB..Masuk..I think Newtown will dominate the league this year with Cochran gone, Brookfield/Pomp wil be their closest competition, especially if Brown has a huge bounceback year..
I’ve got a handle on the usual suspects. Looking for the diamonds in the rough
Whopper16 from what I hear Brown was tossed out of the New Canaan passing league game because he refused to play WR and isnt even the the best QB on his own team? How is he possibly one of the top 3 players?
The QB from Bunnell is way better then Brown,and for that matter the QB’s from New Miford and Newtown are better. I am so sick and tired of hearing of how good that kid is. He has not a single offer from any school in the country and yet his name is all over the internet because his Dad calls the paper and writes his own media updates.
What is trumbull ranked there a huge SLEEPER
Diamonds in the rough? hmmmmm, O’Connor from Ansonia plays his heart out, Dylan McCallister from Pompy will be asked to shoulder a large offensive load on what I fear could be the weakest PHS team in years, unless the excellent sophomore class makes an immediate impact. SPB these Newtown sophomores are the stuff of legend from what I have heard, I am sure some will emerge as the season begins
Can anyone answer this for me? Ive trying to follow him. But is montrell dobbs not even going to college? Ive heard that through the grapevine. It’ll be sad if he can’t play. How many more great athletes are we going to have not succeed out of ansonia. I feel like it is becoming a waste of time for colleges to recruit our players. We could make a NFL team out of guys who didnt make it academically.
CTFB12..
I get that you don’t like the coverage he gets, but to say he is not the best QB on his team is ridiculous. I didnt hear the NC passing league “story”. so I assume that is anther anti Boeing hate-tale. Great article about him in this weeks Housatonic Times. Written by John Torsiello, says Boeing has his pick of the top colleges nationwide. Still in the running are Wisconsin, TCU, UCF, and NC State. No doubt he will get an offer soon..
Lets just let the players, teams, and their numbers do the talking..lets see how the season plays out..but make no mistake, #13 wil be under center for the Bobcats this year, and I believe they will have another big year..and he will be playing big time D1 next year.
He’s not even close to Cochran or Milano – the two top quarterbacks in the state the past two years. If he goes Division 1 – it’s a total bust and Social Media did it for him.
He may go Division 1, but he will never, ever, play.
http://www.maxpreps.com/athletes/T_01PEIkME6RoOCVNHFrqg/football-fall-11/stats-boeing-brown.htm
those stats are terrible for a “Division 1 Quarterback”
And if that story is true, which I heard it was. What kind of LEADER walks out on his own team, especially the quarterback, I’m sure his team really wants to play for him right about now. College coaches will eat that right up. Sorry, he’s not very good – at all. He’s not even in the top 5 best quarterbacks in the state for 2012.
One more time black and gold TRUMBULL TRUMBULL
Whopper I have seen Brookfield play in their own 7on7 and at NewCanaan. I am telling you that the other kid is better. He gets rid of the ball faster,reads coverage better,and the other players respond to him better.
The story of the NC tourney is absolutely true,and he was actually thrown off the team,but was let back on. I have said it before he may be a great kid BUT his father has done him a injustice but over hyping him. The other poster was correct by saying that if he does it was because of the social media not talent. The kid has gone to EVERY camp you could name and has nothing to show for it. I know coaches from Wisconsin and they aren’t even interested.
My top 5 QB’s for 2012
1. Grant Heyman–Suffield that is committed to Miami
2. Tim Boyle–Xavier- committed to BC
3. Steven Barmore–Southington
4. Kellen Croce–Gunnery
5. Connor Rowe–Ridgefield
CTFB 12- you made a good list, but I believe you are short-changing Boeing, but no sense arguing and making this tedious. I am done, lets let their playing doing the talking for the players.
Pat M.. curious, who are the 5 QB’s that you say are better?
Hopefully the Bobcats have a great season and get back to the class M playoffs..with Boeing leading the way and leading them through the SWC.
Quick: Everybody name their Top 20 REGIONAL football players (wanna see if I miss anyone). annnnnnd Go!
Well – I don’t include the Prep schools, but only because I know nothing about their teams, schedules, etc… I just know that it’s very top heavy, a few good players can reallllly hide the bad players – the level of football top to bottom can’t compete with CIAC schedules for the most part.
My top 5 CIAC Quarterbacks, in no specific order… Liam O’Neil from Greenwich, Henry Baldwin from Darien, Connor Rowe from Ridgefield, Steven Barmore from Southington – only a junior, throws a great ball, I think he’s the real deal, and lastly but again in no specific order the Bunnel QB Bryan Castelot. Not trying to spark debate, sorry if I left your son off – my rankings are biased to the kids I’ve seen play. I do think Liam O’Neil is heavily underrated.
Jack Massie from Staples proved it as a sophomore he can win games, still doesn’t make my top 5 but definitely deserves a mention. I haven’t seen the Xavier QB play – so only because I haven’t seen him am I leaving him off – sorry to all Xavier fans, not basing things off things I haven’t seen. Fleeting from windsor also deserves a mention, still not sold though to put him in the top 5, and haven’t seen him play either.
That’s all I can think of – again before this starts a riot – it’s completely off the top of my head – once the season is underway and more names pop up I’m sure things will change.
Thanks Pat..good list, all very good players…can’t wait for the season to get started..it will be good to look back at these predictions come December…
I see more SCC than the any other league, so like Pat I am not under-rating others, just putting down those that I have seen or spoken to coaches that I trust. In the SCC watch out for Boyle from Xavier, and a Junior QB from Guilford, Joe Nault, should be much improved based on 7 on 7 and simply growing up. In CCC watch both the Southington QB Barmore and Windsor QB.
Boyle is the best qb in the state hands down. Fciac has some serious qb talent also in Baldwin, Rowe (according to his twitter hes committed to Bryant), and O’neil. Also saw the southington kid at NC he should have a breakout season. Fleeting and Tarentino (newtown) both deserve a mention as well.
Hi everybody it that time again youth football teams in towns every where fill the fields. Grass banged from cleats on the side walk outside the gym lockers at High Schools all across CT. When the heat breaks the smell of football will be in the air. Sports are better then a calanders. I just wanted to remind everybody of a little town that has been to the states 2 of the last 3 years. With a great Coaching staff the turn out for Bethel Football has been enormous. The team is young but very athletic. Two juniors to watch Joey Piatnik and Cal Daniels. The team will be lead by Third year starter #51 Peter Serencsics. As Ansonia Blogs said after the states He is the Real Deal. #51 should definitely be on the top 20 list.
Big D… agree with all you have to say about Bethel, very gutsy team, very well coached. But the heart and soul of that team was the QB Schmidt, who has departed for West Point. Will be very interesting to see how Bethel does without #5…he was some kind of player..Brookfield glad they don’t have to face him anymore..
Are you guys basing your QB picks from 7 on7?
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/story/2012-04-25/luck-griffin-tannehill-texas-7-on-7/54542400/1
Only my judgement of the Southington QB is based from 7 on 7, but if you saw him, you’d know he has the potential to be the real deal.
For all of the 7 on 7 haters out there, yes, you’re right, it’s not football – but read that article. Thoughts?
There is so much more to winning a football game than 7-on-7 can demonstrate. The most important position on offense is not QB. Give me 5 studs up front any day. Xavier’s dominance last year was that OL. Awesome. Boyle has a great arm but he will need time to execute. Hand will be all over him like flies on stuff this year. Shelton same.
IMO start this analysis in the OL/DL trenches and LBs. State championships come from a great OL and tough overall D. This ain’t flag football. See what Hand did to both Masuk and NC last year? Throwing 60 times a game isn’t an on-purpose strategy and won’t win any championships.
@ SPB heres a diamond in the rough for ya, new milford’s sr starting running back alex kyprianou. about 5-11 220, benched 300 kids like newtowns rb from last year lou fenaroli
JB is right on the money. You need the horses up front. You can have average running backs and QB. Give them a great O line and they will play above average
Of course anyone who knows football knows this. But I find that too many people think they know football but don’t realize how important the linemen are.
Obviously lineman are a big part… but 7 on 7′s play such a big role these days. Are the both of you saying that teams should just do camps and not 7 on 7?
I’m saying that it’s not fair to judge a team based on 7 on 7. It’s unrealistic… But come the season, those timing routes pay off. Winning or losing a 7 on 7 means nothing, we know that. But it’s better than teams sitting at home doing nada in the summer… no?
JB and Hasbeen many props! We all look at the skill guys and forget no one runs, throws or catches if the LINE does not do its job. You mentioned Xavier’s line, and I think part of the reason we all talked about Newsome so much is Ansonia had a massive and skilled line do a great job for him. Same with Hand, the QB and RB both played the best they had ever played, but behind a line that gave them the time and the holes. AND all three teams had stingy defenses that included excellent D-line play and Linebackers.
7-on-7 is good for working on QB/WR timing, so I agree it is helpful and definitely better than sitting at home. College camps are the only real chance for the OL/DL/LBs/RBs to get position specific training in the off-season. Also, there are big man combines in the spring that prospects attend which are good.
My only point is you have to bring that altogether in well executed plays with full contact to have any idea of who is the best. Some guys do great in T-shirt camps but can’t deliver in game situations … the “intangibles” of playing the real game and the ability to execute the details are often as important as raw talent demonstrated in any specific camp drill or passing league. For me, I can’t wait for the kids to strap it on and show us what they’ve got … 33 days and counting.