We’re just about to Labor Day, and y’all know what that means: Connecticut is just under two weeks away from actual high school football games. (ugh).
No worries, there will be football played all across the state, just not the kind that counts– unless, of course, you were at Ken Strong Stadium in West Haven Friday night.
I wasn’t. My daily work schedule has been tough on me and I was too beat to make the trek. Plus, I already saw West Haven. I’ll see Ansonia vs. Shelton. No need to go nuts.
However, we had plenty of Twitter reports from the field, Rick Volk was back with a highlight reel, and by all accounts the annual state championship of scrimmages was all Ansonia.
Arkeel Newsome scored two touchdowns ans the Chargers had 14-0 lead at halftime, when the subs typically take over. The Chargers had a pair of touchdowns, picked off a pass and had a field goal attempt blocked.
Westies found success running the ball at times. Ansonia showed an air attack to pair with Newsome.
#cthsfb— CT Football Live (@CTfootballLive) August 31, 2012
Newsome scored his third touchdown in the second half for a 21-0 lead and that was about that.
I’ve seen enough in West Haven chargers looked good.West Haven defense I thought did a decent job, offense needs help
#cthsfb— Vince DellaVolpe (@dellrod33) August 31, 2012
As expected, we saw some usual banter over how seriously the teams took this contest, and how hard they played.
@dellrod33 If Ansonia does well though, all the SCC peeps on SPB blog will claim WH didn’t try. Both teams are going hard— CT Football Live (@CTfootballLive) August 31, 2012
And so Ansonia won Scrimmage Bowl 2012, and there was much rejoicing. It sounds like they’re coming together nicely. We’re sure West Haven will be fine.
Ansonia looked great tonight. WH looked good at times. Both teams still undefeated.
#cthsfb— CT Football Live (@CTfootballLive) August 31, 2012
Ansonia now 1,124-0 against West Haven in preseason scrimmages. Westies have still had some pretty good seasons.
#cthsfb— Ray Curren (@currenscc) September 1, 2012
If you attended the scrimmage, by all means post your thoughts below. But at the end of the day, no matter what your take, they’re still scrimmages.
Alas, it’s the best Connecticut has to offer until Sept. 12.
So, if you’re just itching to see some controlled collisions, here’s the complete statewide scrimmage schedule from now until the start of the regular season.
Saturday, Sept. 1
Lyman Hall at Danbury, Danbury High School Stadium, 10 a.m.
Pomperaug at Amity, William Johnson Football Field at Amity HS, 10 a.m.
Fitch at Middletown, Middletown High School, 10 a.m.
Xavier at Glastonbury, Stadium Field (turf), 10 a.m.
New London at Glastonbury, Stadium Field (turf), 10 a.m.
Old Saybrook/Westbrook at St. Bernard/Norwich Tech, Delaporta Field, 10 a.m.
Iona Prep (NY) at Greenwich, Cardinal Stadium, 10 a.m.
HH Football Jamboree at Hillhouse, Bowen Field, 10 a.m.
Cheney Tech at Coventry/Windham Tech/Bolton, Coventry High School, 10 a.m.
Haddam-Killingworth at Bacon Academy, Football/ Soccer Field, 10 a.m.
Jamboree at New Canaan, Dunning Stadium, 10 a.m.
Shelton at St. Joseph, St. Joseph High School, 10 a.m.
Stonington at RHAM, TBA, 10 a.m.
Torrington at Farmington, Farmington High School, 10 a.m.
East Lyme at North Branford, North Branford High School, 10 a.m.
St. Paul Catholic at Gilbert/NW Regional, Gilbert, 10 a.m.
Woodland at North Haven, Vanacore Field, 10 a.m.
Jamboree at Enfield, Enfield High School turf field, 10 a.m.
East Haven at Hamden Hall/ND Fairfield/East Haven, Hamden Hall, 10:30 a.m.
Hyde Leadership at Hamden, HHS Turf Field, 10:30 a.m.
Harding at Platt Tech, Platt Tech baseball field, 10:30 a.m.
Stratford at Westhill, Westhill Football Field, 10:30 a.m.
New Milford at Norwich Free Academy, NFA Turf Field, 11 a.m.
Sacred Heart at Watertown, Mills Complex at Watertown High School, 2:30 p.m.
Fall Jamboree – Canton, Vinyl/East Hampton, Morgan at Rocky Hill, Rocky Hill High School, 9 a.m.
Ellington/Somers at Hall, Hall HS Stadium (Turf Field), 9 a.m.
Jamboree at Wilton, Fujitani Field – Turf, 9 a.m.
Jonathan Law at Hall, Hall HS Stadium (Turf Field), 9 a.m.
Ledyard at Daniel Hand, DHHS Turf Field, 9 a.m.
Norwalk at Wilton Jamboree, 9:30 a.m.
Rockville at E.O. Smith, E.O. Smith HS, 9:30 a.m.
Simsbury at Wethersfield, Cottone Field at WHS, 9:30 a.m.
Fairfield Ludlowe at Fairfield Prep, Alumni Field, Fairfield University, 9:30 a.m.
Berlin at Southington, Southington High School, 9:30 a.m.
Monday, Sept. 3
Masuk at Greenwich, Cardinal Stadium, 10 a.m.
Westhill at Seymour, Seymour High Lower Field, 9 a.m.
Ridgefield at Staples, Staples Stadium, 9 a.m.
Cheshire at Staples, Staples Stadium, 9 a.m.
Sheehan at Simsbury, Simsbury High School, 9:30 a.m.
Haddam-Killingworth at Rocky Hill, Rocky Hill High School, 3:30 p.m.
Manchester at Berlin, Sage Park, Berlin, 3:30 p.m.
Platt at Cromwell, Pierson Park, 3:30 p.m.
Prince Tech at Avon, Avon High School, 4 p.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 5
Hopkins School at Valley Regional/Old Lyme, Valley Regional High School, 3:30 p.m.
Hartford Public at South Windsor, South Windsor H.S., 3:45 p.m.
Newtown at Norwalk, Testa Field, NHS, 6 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 6
Enfield at Fermi, Fermi H.S.turf field, 3:45 p.m.
Northwest Catholic at Manchester, MORIARTY FIELD AT MT. NEBO (SPRING ST), 4 p.m.
Bunnell at Wilton, Fujitani Field – Turf, 4 p.m.
West Haven at Bridgeport Central, Kennedy Stadium, 4 p.m.
Harding at New Fairfield, Rebel Stadium, 4:30 p.m.
New Milford at Danbury, Danbury High School Stadium, 5 p.m.
Hamden at Greenwich, Cardinal Stadium, 5 p.m.
Watertown at Bethel, DeSantis Field at Bethel High School, 6 p.m.
Wilbur Cross at Middletown, Middletown High School, 6 p.m.
Oxford at Seymour, Seymour High Main Field, 6 p.m.
Amity at Bloomfield, Bloomfield High School, 6 p.m.
Ansonia at Shelton, Shelton High, 6 p.m.
Naugatuck at Wolcott, Wolcott High School, Monroe Field, 6 p.m.
Waterford at Fitch, Dorr Field, 6:30 p.m.
Branford at Derby, , 7 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 7
Abbott Tech at Immaculate, Immaculate High School, 3:30 p.m.
East Lyme at Bacon Academy, Football/ Soccer Field, 3:30 p.m.
Staples at Fairfield Prep, Alumni Field, Fairfield University, 3:45 p.m.
Killingly at E.O. Smith, E.O. Smith HS, 4 p.m.
Glastonbury at Wethersfield, Cottone Field at WHS, 4 p.m.
Woodland at Bristol Eastern, Bristol Eastern High School, 4 p.m.
Nonnewaug at Housatonic/Wamogo, Housatonic Field, 4:15 p.m.
Stratford at Ridgefield, Tiger Hollow Stadium, 5 p.m.
Cromwell at Berlin, Sage Park, Berlin, 5:30 p.m.
Westhill at Jonathan Law, Jonathan Law Field, 6 p.m.
Platt Tech at Fairfield Ludlowe, Taft Field, 6 p.m.
Notre Dame-Fairfield at Morgan, Peters Complex, 6 p.m.
Hall at Guilford, Kavanaugh Turf Field at GHS, 6 p.m.
Windsor at Cheshire, Cheshire High Main Game field, 6 p.m.
Conard at Daniel Hand, DHHS Turf Field, 6 p.m.
Xavier at Stamford, 6 p.m.
Ellington/Somers at Rockville, RHS football field, 6:30 p.m.
North Haven at Notre Dame-West Haven, , 7 p.m.
Old Saybrook/Westbrook at East Haven, East Haven High School, 7 p.m.
Southington at Pomperaug, Sports Complex & Track, 7 p.m.
Griswold at Montville Jamboree, , TBA
Saturday, Sept. 8
Cheney Tech at Tolland, Tolland High School, 10 a.m.
East Catholic at Coventry/Windham Tech/Bolton, Coventry High School, 10 a.m.
Woodstock Academy at St. Bernard/Norwich Tech, Delaporta Field, 11 a.m.
Farmington at Norwich Free Academy, NFA Turf Field, 11 a.m.
Gilbert/NW Regional at Bullard Havens Tech, Bullard Havens Field, 12 p.m.
St. Paul Catholic at Haddam-Killingworth, Haddam Killingworth HS, 1:30 p.m.
Trinity Catholic at Rye Country Day (NY), , 3:30 p.m.
I attended the Ansonia-WH scrimmage and it was a good one. Ansonia was pretty clearly the better team on this night, but ultimately it does not count for anything.
As the tweet above stated, both teams are still undefeated. Both teams are are talented and will have good seasons.
Scrimmages dont mean very much.. Every year people put way too much stock in them as teams often are working plays and personnel vs preparing for teams and running plays for situations.. I love when people say that a team has a dominant scrimmage record over someone.. Complete joke
All I’ve been hearing about the last 2 weeks is all about scrimages..i.e. Don Bosco,Greenwich ..how great that was and how much it means… Southington ,Hand ,New Fairfield,Newtown etc. and read all about thier pre-season so far and all of a sudden just because Ansonia wins against West Haven the boo birds begin to flock…
Who cares about scrimmages?
I love how the Ansonia faithful get so proud after supposedly beating big bad SCC teams in the preseason.
Reality check. Those will be the toughest games Ansonia plays.
Would REALLY love to see Ansonia play a SCC schedule – and in week 7 or 8 – after playing Hand, Xavier and Cheshire in successive weeks play a West Haven or Notre Dame again.
NVL = Non Violent League.
Good for Ansonia – locked up the Class S title already.
Had the score went the other way I could only imagine how telling the scrimmage would have been. Reality, their a good team and will be deserving of of a high ranking. Yes the SCC is better, but this happens to be a team that would be successful playing that schedule…. with a soph at QB.
Correct me if I’m wrong (I totally could be) but if Ansonia competed in the MIGHTY SCC based on it’s enrollment, wouldn’t it only play 3 crossover games per year w/ the likes of Hand/Xavier/West Haven/ND etc.?
How is it that Ansonia does this year after year with less boys in the school than anyone else?West Haven has 5 times the # of boys at least.What do they do different that makes them so successful.I have been wondering this for years!!
No Ansonia person even came on here and said anything about the scrimmage Reality you’re just getting bitter for no reason. Now had ansonia been beaten by WH people would come on here bashing the NVL.
Don’t get your panties in a bunch, you’re just mad cause you know we’re so good and would pound your overrated division with 25 teams in it to which maybe 3 of them are actually legit. Shut up already, when Reality sets in you’ll realize how much of a clown you are
@JR – 2 crossovers
The division set up in the SCC was established based on performance over a five year period. Hand was a class M school in D1. With that being the case surely Ansonia would be a D1 school.
If Ansonia elected to join SCC Div II, for arguments sake we give them a “first place” schedule… they would get 2 crossovers from Div I… for this cycle Xavier and Hand. Based on records, they would also likely play both North Haven and Hillhouse.
Ansonia could also elect to make Shelton an annual game. The SCC accommodates a lot of rivalry games. If you are a traditionalist, the Chargers could keep Naugy on TG.
Those 5 SCC games would be vastly more interesting than the NVL schedule. Yes, you lose Seymour and Derby, but Shelton and Hillhouse would easily make up for them as rivals.
The SCC admitted an adjunct member in boys ice hockey; the time is ripe! @ SCC Commish if you are out there: Publicly invite Ansonia to join the SCC Div II!
This would be the most exciting development in CT HS football in decades. What is the counter argument? Most of the NVL schools have not beaten Ansonia in decades, many of them have never beaten the Chargers. What is exciting about that?
@ FauxRealism
Because winning sometimes overshadows competition.Why would you play more competitive teams if you consistently get ranked high in the polls and qualify and win many State Titles.In the mid 1970′s Ansonia would play West Haven and Notre Dame in the regular season.I would be surprised if Ansonia was never asked to join the SCC.
Is 14 a real post. “Why would Ansonia play more competitive teams if they consistently get ranked high in polls”. OMG, What football programs gives a crap about polls. Programs and Good Football players doesn’t want to challenge themselves against the best competition in the tiny CT State. Ansonia would be a good fit in the SCC, and they would be a Division I team. Would they go undefeated?, highly doubtful. Most of the time they would make it in the State Playoffs as a 8 seed with 3-4 losses. I would love to see them make the jump, but they would never do it. Stay content with your pipeline of skilled players from Waterbury.
If Ansonia came in the SCC. North Haven would move up. Chargers would play the Small Divison II schedule: Guilford, Hillhouse, Foran, Law, Branford, East Haven, Sheehan, Lyman Hall, Two Division I Cross Overs 1 seeds: Hand and X, and they can keep their Thanksgiving rivalry with Naugy.
Carl, much like a Madison, Monroe, Ridgefield or Cheshire youth program Ansonia teaches them the right way to play the game at a young age. They learn to sell out for their teammates and run through walls for their coaches. You combine that attitude with a superior coaching staff and you get a winning program. Ansonia’s coaches ( all successful coaching staffs ) have the ability to break down their opponent and develop a gameplan. More importantly than knowing what the other team is trying to do they are effective teachers. Their players know where they have to be and their held accountable for their play. If a mistake is made its addressed with real coaching, not some loudmouth yelling at a kid to try harder and having nothing more to add.
@ 15 In the last 10 years,what percentage of the Ansonia games do the starters play the majority of the game ?
The answer to the above question is in direct conflict with your statement “Programs and Good Football players doesn’t want to challenge themselves against the best competition.”
Ansonia – nice job with the post – then you wonder why many posts are anti-Ansonia. To lump everyone together is as bad as saying you get all your talent from other towns. Last time I checked, youth programs in Ansonia were middle of the pack in their respective leagues. Wonder what happens from youth to high school – could it be recruiting, having 15 year old sophomores playing 18 year sophomores or playing in a league with not much competition? Ansonia history is great. Last year was great – as for talking smack about how bad everyone else is in terms of coaching – you obviously may have been one of the people who wished he played or coached – probably loud and obnoxious in the stands – a wannabe.
Lol 3-4 losses in the SCC and an 8 seed is comical! You SCC folks really thing your bum league is something special!?
Was it 2010 when Dobbs was a junior? We had one of the more down Ansonia team in years, a team that lost 3 games in the NVL and we went and played Hillhouse and pounded them 44-14.
Give me a break you have 20 teams in your league and 2 of them are good. On top of it your league is such a joke hand and Xavier didn’t even play!! When you know both are the two beat teams in the league.
You guys got 1500 kids in your schools compared to
Ansonia’s 500 and we’d still beat you down. Stop coddling your kids you bums
Any knowledgable football fan in CT can’t dispute the historical success and heritage of the Ansonia. Hats off to them. It’s a shame that we don’t get to see them play in a more competitive conference or at least an occasion game on their schedule versus — example, Greenwich, Hand, Masuk, Glastonbury, Xavier, or others.
I think most CT HS football fans know that Ansonia has a powerhouse program and is unbelievably successful considering that they have a very small HS population to draw from. I think that they unfortunately do not get to play the best competition due to the NVL making it difficult in the past to play teams outside the league.
Ansonia would be a top team in any league, but the thing to consider is that the wear and tear of playing in a better league would affect the overall success of the wins/losses each year. I think people enjoy picking on Ansonia b/c they get tired of the Ansonia “no respect” crazy posts blasting the better conferences and successes of other teams.
@ 20
In regards to “20 teams in your league and 2 of them are good”
2009 State Final Poll
1} Notre Dame
2} Cheshire
2011 State Final Poll
1}Xavier
2}Hand
Also when the playoffs were only 2 teams and then 4 teams many SCC teams knocked each other out of the playoffs picture during regular season play.
SPB I know you’re busy but can you please let me know how Ridge fared vs. Staples and Chehsire? Thanks for your coverage, I am sure you’re already getting the video ready
Don’t expect any scrimmage videos from me. I know you all love them but I’m so swamped and need to focus on previews and other stuff. We have the ones that are being posted on YouTube, so at least there’s that.
I’ve been taking videos of some plays, but mostly my video stuff has been one-on-one video interviews. Trying to do something for next week.
-sp
HS FB Fan, i think the post is as truthful as it gets. What you failed to include in your post is that Ansonias youth programs have been successful in the past. Ansonia Pop Warner sent a few teams to the National championships and have more then their share of State titles at that level. They made the jump to AYF 5 years ago and many of the kids still go play Pop Warner for other towns. Ansonia AYF is in its infancy and is still breaking in its coaches. Their starting to enjoy success there too.
I’m obnoxious, but your the one spitting hate. You know where you can go, bud.
The debate as to how Ansonia would fare in a stronger conference gets ridiculous, as it based completely on conjecture.
Would the Chargers, with less depth some years than larger schools, get worn down if they had 4 or 5 consecutive games, let’s say, against quality, physical opponents? Possibly.
But Ansonia has had three-game-in-nine day stretches (starting with Naugy on Thanksgiving Day,and then entering the playoffs)a number of times over the years and come through just fine.
And if Ansonia whips ND-West Haven, West Haven, and Shelton in the preseason (the ONLY time they can be assessed lining up against SCC teams), it wouldn’t be the same outcome if they played the same teams deeper in the regular season? There is nothing to suggest otherwise except speculation.
Or you could look at their overall record vs Shelton. I’m not saying every year they would have the same record in the SCC as they do In the NVL. It’s ridiculous to argue the strength of the NVL vs SCC or FCIAC. Although in past decades I could argue that the NVL was as tough as any in the state. I do believe a good Ansonia team, past and present, would still contend for a league title.
@#9 Carl….When they don’t have enough pieces in the puzzle they dip into Waterbury,Derby ect for help…..LOL!!!!
The puzzle pieces were there before Newsome joined the team. The real LOL is that they would of won just as many games last year without Newsome. They’re more then a one man band. There’s a few really talented teams out there this year and this Ansonia team is one of them.
Ansonia – your comments warranted a statement of fact something that somehow you left out of your post. As for your last comment, Newsome is not needed to win – I am sure there are 100s of other schools that would take him – send him over so we can see how well you play with just Ansonia kids.
@ 30
See now this is were many people roll their eyes.Not saying this is not true but how could any team lose a player with half of Newsome’s stats and win just as many games ??What kind of statement does this make:
1}Lack of competitive games for Ansonia in NVL or Class S ?
2}Another running back could also break State Records playing for Ansonia ?
3}Ansonia is just that good and cannot find many teams that can defeat them ?
Just so u all know the Brian that is posting on this thread is not the usual Brian who roots for GHS but hates no one LOL
All this Ansonia talk and we have not heard from Ray Brown. I hope your OK Ray. Checked the NVL blog and no posts from”wags” his valley name either.
@Dave K….What is the story in Gael land this year?I saw them vs Masuk and they are not a typical Shelton team at all…Very small on both sides of the ball and very limited speed.Rumor has it this group is not committed to the program….Is Coach Roy in serious trouble here?Please advise…..
@ Paul
The Shelton O line is certainly an issue. I believe they have the skilled players (qb, RB, te,wr) but thus far having trouble running plays with no blocking. Some of the coaching decisions raise questions also. Against St Joe’s they had a first and goal from the five and ran out of he spread and lost yardage. On defense they only rush three guys and give qb all day to find receivers. St Joe’s went 70 yards in 49 seconds before half and gaels never got a hand on St Joe’s qb.
As far as commitment goes I wouldn’t know. Maybe pay to play is taking its toll on the program.
From the outside looking in with regard to Shelton, what I have heard from those in the know is that both the coaches and players commitment to the off-season strength and conditioning program is not what it once was, perhaps in some way attributable to the smallish lineman.
Saw Newtown/Norwalk today. Norwalk was up 19-7 before the JV came in. Surprised at how good Norwalk looked, their two running backs (32 and 12) were some horses. Newtown’s only TD came on a fumble recovery in the end zone. Newtown didn’t look great but didn’t look at full strength. I’m pretty sure Hebert didn’t play.
Amazing what happens when SWC plays FCIAC? Hebert did play in the first half. Norwalk is very young this season also so watch out in the future. They will finish middle of the pack in the fciac which would be first in NVL or SWC.
Walk,that was such a stupid ignorant comment you just made. Yeah Masuk and Ansonia wouldn’t tune up Norwalk ok keep dreaming
Ok, my bad! 2nd in the SWC or NVL
@Walk – stop lying. Hebert did not play (sideline wearing a t-shirt the whole scrimmage), along with another player. It was a scrimmage!!!!!
Suprising that Shelton did not handle SJ better. Heard that Barlow basically matched TDs with them and ran the ball with relative ease against a very young SJ defense. Last year’s senior class for SJ was small in numbers, but they were tough/defense-minded guys that were the only core starters (x-Pulaski) remaining from that State title team. SJ’s offense is capable, but Shelton must be in severe transition mode to give up that many points.
Regarding Norwalk / Newtown … that result does not surprise me at all. Norwalk is now a very well coached program under Ireland and it has a huge talent pool to reload from. Newtown will sorely miss Fenaroli and his OL classmates … IMO, Newtown at times may struggle this year as a result, especially if Hebert is not full strength. Sitting on the sidelines in a T-shirt isn’t usually a good sign.
I was at the Shelton Scrimmage. Shelton looked ok. Ansonia threw the ball around effectively, more throwing than running, not usual for them. Arkeel did not play, not even suited up. Yes his play does make a difference, he is an exceptional back. McKnight can run well also, but looks like he is being throttled a bit. They only played 1 half with varsity, second half with JVs. So scrimmages are finally over, we can get to the real games.
Go Lavender! Go Blue! Go Chargers!
@27 ansonia didnt “whip” notre dame it was one to one when the starters came out and after first ten play set didnt really do too much on offense
#35 – coach Roy isn’t in serious trouble – he just needs to surround himslef with football people – not his pals. Strength and conditioning used to be a given for the Gaels.
i agree with Lock