Ansonia's Arkeel Newsome (left) and Holy Cross' Isaiah Wright

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DEFENDING CHAMPION
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ANSONIA (14-0, Class M Champion)

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CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
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Nov. 15 at Municipal Stadium, Waterbury

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Local NVL Preview Capsules

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TOP 5 PLAYERS TO WATCH
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• ARKEEL NEWSOME, RB/DB, Ansonia – The unstoppable back put up insane numbers that drew national attention in Ansonia’s record-breaking 14-0 state championship season and will, once again, be Ansonia’s focus, and the focus of every NVL opponent. Can he replicate his 3,763 yards with a revamped line? [Related: A quick look at speedy Arkeel Newsome]
• DAVID COGGINS, WR/DB, Sacred Heart – Outside of committing to Boston College in June, the last year hasn’t been kind to the All-American receiver. He missed 2011 with a broken ankle and is caught in a transfer controversy that may cost him a portion of his senior year.
• ANTHONY SCIRPO, WR/DB, Woodland – The versatile senior is a force on offense, defense and special teams. Caught 41 passes for 581 yards and 8 TDs, made 46 tackles and had three interceptions. He’ll be the Hawks’ focal point as Woodland returns to its spread offense roots.
• LOGAN MARCHI, QB, St. Paul – No NVL quarterback put up numbers like Marchi, who threw for 2,400 yards and 24 touchdowns as a sophomore. Then again, St. Paul constantly played from behind during last year’s 1-9 season. Don’t be fooled, he has the respect of the NVL. [Related: Marchi keeps getting better]
• ISAIAH WRIGHT, WR/DB – This year’s NVL super sophomore award goes to Wright, who stood out amid a cache of stars on last year’s state championship team. Caught 25 passes for 463 yards and three TDs on offense, and had seven interceptions, 12 pass defenses and 31 tackles.

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KEEP AN EYE ON…
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ANDREW MATOS, WR/DB, Ansonia; DILLON McMAHON, WR/DB, Derby; ADRIAN BROWN, RB, Holy Cross; MIKE NICOL, QB, Wolcott; ANDREW KALACH, DE/OL, Watertown; RAESHAUN FINNEY, WR/DB, Ansonia; JOAN TORIBIO, RB/DB, Torrington; GEORGE SMITH, OL/DL, Holy Cross; PHIL BRESSON, LB, Torrington; TANNER KINGSLEY, QB, Woodland; MICK PERNELL, WR/DB/K, Naugatuck; JOE LYNCH, RB/LB, Wolcott; TOM RINALDI, TE, Holy Cross; ERIC COLLODEL, DL, Woodland; HEZEKIAH DUNCAN, LB, Ansonia; ZACH McNUTT, OL, Torrington; MIKE CONLAN, QB/DB/WR, Seymour; RYAN O’CONNOR, LB, Ansonia; MICHAEL KREIGER, QB, Derby; JH’MEL TRAMMELL, OL/DL, Ansonia; JON MITCHELL, WR, Watertown; DEVON WATKINS, DL, Naugatuck; RAHMI ROUNTREE, WR, Woodland; P.J. BRADSHAW, WR/DB, Crosby; JAI’QUAN McKNIGHT, QB, Ansonia; TYRAE SMALL, RB/DB, Derby.

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THE FAVORITE
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ANSONIA – Who were you expecting? Yes, the studs on the offensive line have almost all been replaced. The defensive stars are gone. Presumptive QB Tyler Lester is out for at least half the season with a leg injury. But good ol’ No. 2, Arkeel Newsome, still looks out for Ansonia. There are also a few diamonds just waiting to shine. The NVL is Ansonia’s until proven otherwise.

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THE CONTENDERS
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• HOLY CROSS – Yeah, the Crusaders suffered significant graduation losses. But the defending Class S champs still should be considered No. 2 in the league thanks to returners Wright and Brown. Winning any kind of title beyond the Copper Division just got tougher. Not only is Ansonia staring Holy Cross down in the NVL, but now the Chargers stand in their way of a Class S repeat.
• WOODLAND — Kingsley and Scirpo are form one of the league’s most lethal combos. The Hawks have enough returning starters to make a serious run at Holy Cross’ position atop the Copper Division.
• TORRINGTON – Brenden Lytton is gone, and so are all the yards and touchdowns Torrington leaned on last year. But a good portion of this team returns, maybe enough push the Raiders further up the standings. We’ll find out early.
• WOLCOTT — Nicol is one of the league’s best quarterbacks and the Eagles return 14 starters from last year’s team, which won the first playoff game in school history. They have the unenviable task of over taking out Ansonia in the Brass Division. Good luck with that. Another playoff berth in Class M isn’t unimaginable.

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DARK HORSES
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• WATERTOWN — This might be a stretch, but 15 starters return, and basketball star Jon Mitchell has joined the team. There just might be enough pieces to challenge Wolcott for No. 2 in the Brass. The Indians’ victory over rival Torrington on Thanksgiving showed it was good enough to win a big game. Now it must take the next step and win games consistently.
• DERBY – The Red Raiders are small, lack depth and have a new quarterback. But coach George French believes Michael Kreiger is up to the challenge. McMahon is a threat any time he has the ball and the Raiders are hoping RB Tyrae Small plays bigger than his name. Defense is a key to the season.
• NAUGATUCK – With all the troubles surrounding the football program, are this year’s players ready to compete? Suddenly the Greyhounds have a new coach and are relatively young compared to the rest of the Copper Division heavyweights. Just getting over .500 might be a tall order.

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5 CAN’T-MISS GAMES
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• Holy Cross at Torrington (Week 3, Sept. 28) – Brown and Wright personally offset a 300-yard rushing day by Brenden Lytton with three second-half touchdowns after a two-hour rain delay to lift Holy Cross 19-12 last year. Brown and Wright are back for the crucial Copper Division rematch.
• Ansonia at Holy Cross (Week 4, Oct. 5) – If things go like they did last year, get used to this matchup in 2012. The teams could meet again in the NVL championship and/or the Class S playoffs. This is where we see how the Crusaders truly stack up against their arch-nemesis. Ansonia crushed Holy Cross in both meetings last year.
• Woodland at Torrington (Week 6, Oct. 19) – This is the first of three huge Copper Division games for t