And now the second edition of our weekly REGIONAL high school football rankings. Like the state polls before them, very little movement from the contenders.
Let’s take a look at the big boys of southwestern Connecticut…
NEW CANAAN: [Last week: Defeated Bassick 49-16. Up next: Saturday at Trinity Catholic.]
The words out of New Canaan on Friday was more about Bassick than it was about New Canaan. It went something along the lines of, “Hey, Bassick’s not so bad anymore. They’re on the right path.”
That may be so, but the Lions still have a ways to go. They were significantly overmatched by New Canaan in a 42-16 loss.
This game wasn’t a fair assessment of Bassick’s progress.
It wasn’t a fair assessment of New Canaan’s, either.
Yet, there has been some of chatter on this space about why the six-time state finalist Rams are getting little-to-no love in the state polls. My response is: “We want to pump New Canaan up based on that game? Go away.”
Nevertheless, they’re trending up No. 8 based on their name. We’ll learn a little more about New Canaan and its 2-headed quarterback when it travels to face Trinity Catholic.
(Aside: This was the fourth-straight time New Canaan and Bassick opened the season. Are you kidding? Bassick doesn’t deserve that, nor does it deserve Greenwich in Week 2. Who makes these schedules??? Get it together, FCIAC.
Greenwich looked ripe for the plucking. How wrong we were. The Cards move up from No. 5 to No. 4 [Up next: Friday at Bassick] …Even though it was playing without Peter Gesualdi (ankle injury), Darien dominated Ludlowe. Scary stuff. The Blue Wave move up from No. 6 to No. 4. [Up next: Saturday vs. Warde] …Looks like Masuk’s here to stay after an eye-opening, 47-10 win over Pomperaug. And get used to watching that No. 22 jersey speeding away from you. Moves up two spots to No. 6. [Up next: Friday vs. New Milford]
Norwalk (1-0) gets some love for a decent, if not solid win over Danbury. [Up next: Friday at Stamford.] …We’ve also added Fairfield Prep after it’s dominant victory over Wilbur Cross. [Up next: Friday vs. East Haven] and Wilton for showing some guts in holding off Central. [Up next: Saturday at St. Joseph.]
RIDGEFIELD: [Last week: lost to Greenwich 20-7. Up next: Friday at Ludlowe]
Looks like that high-praise was unjustified. Greenwich beat Ridgefield up front (125 yards rushing yards for Mark Bernstein), and big plays (Jose Melo threw for over 200 yards, a majority to TE Joe Kelly). The Tigers’ offense sputtered early and couldn’t capitalize late in its 20-7 loss.
Troubling, to say the least. So drop them we shall, just not completely. We’re sure to hear from Ridgefield again.
…We’ve also dropped Notre Dame-West Haven after its 44-0 loss to Xavier. [Up next: Friday at Lyman Hall]
Playing without Nick Kelly, who apparently suffered a concussion in the team’s last preseason game vs. Fairfield Prep, Staples found itself in a dogfight with St. Joseph. But the playmakers, specifically James Frusciante, shined through in crunch-time to put the Hogs away. [Up next: Friday vs. Central] …Ansonia destroyed Torrington again. Arkeel Newsome looked in midseason form and, despite a massive turnover of the roster, Ansonia looks like it’s going to be OK. [Up next: Friday vs. Woodland] …West Haven wasted no time showing off vs. Hamden. The best part? They have some players beyond Erv Phillips. [Up next: Friday at Guilford] …Newtown had a 21-0 lead over New Milford as Julian Dunn caught a pair of TD passes from Drew Tarantino. Reports said it probably could have been more had it not been for some penalties. [Up next: Friday vs. Pomperaug]. …St. Joseph impressed the heck out of everyone in its loss to Staples. So the Hogs will stay in “Just missed” for now. [Up next: Saturday vs. Wilton] …Attention: The part of Jawad Chisholm will be played by Bunnell‘s Devante Teel for the rest of this season. They needed those big plays vs. Joe Piatnik and Bethel. [Up next: Friday vs. Brookfield.] …Brookfield needed a late-game big play to hold off Stratford in a back-and-forth affair. Let’s up the scoring dosage vs. Bunnell. [Up next: Friday at Bunnell]. …Shelton had a 16-point lead, lost back Jason Thompson to an injury and fell to pieces vs. Cheshire. They’re 0-1 and drifting close to the cue ball. Looked like the Gales had some quarterback problems, as well. Troubling, but we’ll hold off condemning the Gaels… for now. [Up next: Friday vs. Foran].
“Reports said it probably could have been more had it not been for some penalties”.. SPB, I can see where you may have gotten that given the twitter followers for Newtown, but you could just as easily state that “it could have been less if not for NM turnovers.” I was at that game. Newtown got a pick in their territory, had a nice drive for a TD (Dunn inexplicably left all alone) and then NM fumbled ensuing kick-off, giving Newtwon the ball at about their own 20…one or two plays later it was Dunn all alone again. 14 Newtown pts in a couple of minutes. One other drive for TD all game and thats it vs NM. NM did score on a long drive aided by 2 personal fouls against Newtown, that is true. My point; Brookfield put 40+ on NM last year..Time will tell certainly, its only been one game, but I do not think Newtown will dominate lesser teams like they did last year, they will have to grind without Fenaroli. Brookfield has a great match up this week with Bunnell, hopefully make a believer out of you, and maybe replace Newtwon in your rankings before too long.
Yes. That and another source. I don’t have any first-hand info on the game since we didn’t cover it.
Whopper16-Enough with Brookfield. They are average
just speaking with the parents of the Newtown players and all said the same thing, Newtown looked sloppy. What was expected to be a 35 point victory as it is every year, turned into a “we aren’t as good as some sports writers” think we are. I agree 16, Newtown will beat the lower class teams but it will really be interesting to see what they do against Pomperaug compared to how Masuk manhandled them. I am surprised that Newtown is ranked in the top 10 but I am sure that is not from knowing the team.
From what I can gather, New Milford did a good job keeping that game close after Newtown took a 21-0 lead.
Watch some of the MSG replays of the FCIAC games last night – have the following observations:
SHS did not even have Kelly or Zelkowitz (leg cramps) in the backfield when they scored those 35 points to put SJ away. I find that remarkable against a good SJ defense and very scary when you think what will happen when they are both back and full speed. Frusciante was phenominal and a bunch of other guys stepped-up as well. SHS needs to develop their new punter/kicker and also work on kick coverage – SJ’s average starting field position was about the 45. Despite having to defend a short field, the SHS defense looked solid holding a potent SJ passing attack to just 14 points before the SHS offense exploded.
SJ is vastly improved from last year and is going to turn some heads with that passing game – QB has a strong arm, huge OL gave great protection and Pelletier made some awesome catches. SJ is a season away from contending … they need to develop the run game to rely less on the pass and grow their young defense (especially the Sheehan/Grasso DB slots). SJ will give the rest of the FCIAC fits as they develop … great coaching and a program that will be all NC and Darien can handle this season. Wouldn’t shock me if SJ takes both to the wire.
GHS looked strong early and took RHS by surprise. That trick play was classic Albonizio and perfectly timed. Defense looked stronger than expected given all the studs GHS graduated last year at LB and DL. GHS has the easiest schedule in the FCIAC – don’t see anyone giving them a good battle before league title game.
It will be very interesting to see if NC can go undefeated to get into the mix for the FCIAC … Bassick is not a good test and TC should only be a bit tougher … we will likley have to wait until mid-season to find out about NC’s reload. Darien looked kind of sloppy in the MSG replay … Ludlowe has made no improvement from last year’s 0-10 so nothing was learned from this game. On paper, Darien should be like last year … but Wilton and SJ will test that before the showdown with Staples.
JB every year the NC doubters come out waiting for this to be “the year” you can say ah ha told you so…not going to happen this team is stacked.
@Jay – They should be stacked. They get enough practice time…
@Jay – NC will have its chance to prove it come midseason – Norwalk/SJ/Wilton/Stamford – all in a row will be no picnic. Big, fast, physical (but also inexperieinced) teams out to make a name for themselves. It is there measure of success to equal NC, so a month of top form from your juniors will be needed.
Norwalk looks like it could be underrated – Ireland is a strong coach and has that program on the rise. The match-up with Stamford this weekend will be telling for both.
@SPB no doubt on the practice time comment – I hate that HS sports are going year round…the days of 3 sports are going away…NC and many others are way over the top on the year round focus / practice
@Jb – agree no cake walk there which also says their schedule aint that easy as some have said
@jay – not to what I was referring, but yea ok. That, too!
Agreed with JB, if New Canaan survives their mid-season schedule without a loss, I’ll believe. Not quite sold, but like @Jay says – we doubt every year, but somehow they pull it together. Does anyone have an easier 8 game run than Greenwich? Wow, just took a look and I’m shocked. St Joes needs to beat Wilton, handily, to prove that they are ready. They look good and it wouldn’t surpise many. Should be a huge crowd for that one. Staples will not lose in regular season – too much of EVERYTHING. Ridgefield? Not sure what to say about Ridgefield.
Over to the SWC, Newtown should roll over Pompy. If this game is close, Newtown will have real problems against Brookfield, Bethel, Bunnell and Masuk. Brookfield vs. Bunnell is intriguing – what do you think Whopper Jr.? I’ll also be interested to see if New Milford can present a challenge to Masuk. I don’t think so, but some pre-season and early season hype, indicate that some rays of hope exist. Barlow vs. Bethel will about “old school” football – nod to Bethel.
Upset of the week – how about North Haven over Xavier? If the game wasn’t at Palmer Field, I’d be more comfortable with it. It’ll be a great game, anyway.
How did NC look in scrimmages Jay? I am curious, I am not willing to count them out but they won’t go anywhere in states with the type of competition that will present itself in class L, I mean hey they’re not Ridgefield, who never lives up to the hype, NC has delivered time and again, but please forgive those of us on here who are skeptical of NC’s power this year, they have been absolutely gutted of talent in the past few years
NC’s JR class is very very good. How quickly those kids get up to speed will determine how long their season goes. The departed 2011 and 2012 SR classes were very good. Lou & Co have the O down and will score heck they practice 11 months of the year they should be good…D coaches will get it going too…winning programs create a mental edge in tough games…see last year Windsor game….
Scrimmages were up and down but Lou always plays everyone in those games
I think Bunnell wins easy this week brookfield does not have enough speed to keep up.
SPB, what were you referring to on the NC practice comment?
Masuk is back this year with a very good chance of going undefeated in the swc. A grown up national champion AYF Monroe Lions is what the Masuk Panthers are made out of. Some might say Milone Panthers after the show he put on last friday nite at home in Monroe. Five touchdowns is just what you would expect from him with his many talents. I can wait to see what New Milford brings in this friday nite to stop the madness. Its still early in the season but the Masuk Panthers are my #1 team in R-MAC Fantastic Four followed by #2/Ansonia #3/Staples #4/Greenwich.
@R-MAC – We like thinking outside the box and taking chances. Not so sure about this, but at least it’s different.
What Nation Champion AYF team. They played water down weak teams. Do you honestly think that that tournament had the best teams from Texas, Florida, and CA.!!!
R-Mac must be Steve Christie in hiding….Talking about 6th grade youth football and making a video on how to beat your opponent by 50 points……C’Mon Man……
Baron is back – The jealous Monroe parent.
I can’t beleive they didn’t let you hold the chains !!
who’s steve christie? scott’s dad?
R-Mac no disrespect to Masuk, but Ansonia would handle them, and I would give an edge to both Staples and Greenwich as well, easy, we will see, this is Pompy’s worst edition since 1998!
@perspective ansonia doesnt play anyone either masuk would give them a great game and may win by a field goal or touchdown no stopping milone and company
Yea and you’d stop Newsome right?
look who he plays right?
who does masuk play?
Pompy – not a parent but someone who know that program VERY VERY much!!!