A look back at the who did and said what in Week 2 of the 2012 high school football season.
Compiled by Gary Rogo, Executive Sports Editor of Hearst CT Newspapers, and the Hearst CT Staff.
Bulldozers
-
Trinity Catholic's Shaquan Howsie carries the ball during Saturday's game against New Canaan at Trinity Catholic High School on September 22, 2012. (Lindsay Niegelberg)
John Shannon, Bullard-Havens: Ran for 163 yards and three TDs on just five carries in 47-0 shutout of Wolcott.
- Joe Pacheco, New Fairfield: Rushed for 223 yards and two TDs in a 49-0 shutout of Immaculate.
- James Semonella, Amity: Rushed for 172 yards and two TDs in 58-14 rout of Sheehan. Teammates Dave Attolonio (122 yards, 2 TDs) and Corey Ricks (108 yards 2 TDs) also contributed on the ground.
- Sam Gravitte, Ridgefield: Rushed for three TDs (8, 4 and 3 yards) and caught a 58-yard scoring pass from Connor Rowe in a 41-14 victory over Fairfield Ludlowe.
- Kyle Jordan and Trevon Forney McMahon: Jordan, a senior, rushed for 122 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries in the Senators’ 41-14 dismantling of Harding. Forney, a junior, added touchdown runs of 53 and 21 yards.
- Alex Lockwood, Barlow: Ran for 224 yards and scored on all four of his carries, from 75, 6, 64 and 80 yards, in a 48-20 dismantling of Bethel.
- Cooper Gold, Newtown: Rushed 118 yards and two TDs on 14 carries and caught a pass for another score in a 42-7 rout of Pomperaug.
- Cameron Webb, Stamford: Carried 16 times for 146 yards and two TDs and added a 28-yard TD reception as Black Knights routed Norwalk 48-7.
- Jack Massie and Nick Kelly, Staples: Kelly, who missed the opener with concussion-like symptoms, rushed for two scores and 66 yards on six carries as the Wreckers ran past Central 49-6. Massie ran for scores of 57 and 5 yards.
- Shaquan Howsie, Trinity Catholic: Finished with 139 yards and two TDs on 22 carries in the Crusaders’ 31-28 upset of New Canaan in overtime.
- Sam Breiner, Stratford: Ran for 97 yards in less than three quarters of work in Stratford’s 37-14 win over ND-Fairfield.
- Kory Brown, Brookfield: Ran for a pair of touchdowns in a 33-18 win over Bunnell.
Gunslingers
Jordan Vazzano celebrates after scoring on a 72-yard touchdown run vs. Wilton Saturday. Photo by Autumn Driscoll
Jordan Vazzano celebrates after scoring on a 72-yard touchdown run vs. Wilton Saturday. Photo by Autumn Driscoll
- Jose Melo, Greenwich: Junior completed 13-of-18 passes for 213 yards and three touchdowns in Greenwich’s 48-2 win over Bassick.
- Henry Baldwin, Darien: Threw four TD passes (26, 59 yards, 61 and 67 yards) in 44-21 rout of Warde.
- Jordan Vazzano, St. Joseph: Completed 11 of 18 passes for 181 yards and two TDs and ran 72 yards for another score in 34-0 blanking of Wilton.
- Brad Westmark, Brookfield: Junior lit up Bunnell for 391 yards and two scores on 25-of-35 passing in a decisive 33-18 victory
- Jai’Quan McKnight, Ansonia: Sophomore connected with senior Andrew Matos on three TDs (79, 43 and 24 yards) and ran for a score in a 47-16 victory over Woodland.
- Mark Piccirillo, Shelton: In his first varsity start, completed 14 of 28 passes for 222 yards and two touchdowns in a 31-8 victory over Foran
- Malik Cummings, Masuk: Threw for 289 yards and two TDs in a 41-21 defeat of New Milford.
Gamebreakers
- Tyler Hassett, Weston: Returned an interception 76 yards for a TD; on offense ran 26 yards for a score and threw a 27-yard TD pass in a 32-14 defeat of Oxford.
- Noah Provo, Stratford: Ran 10 yards for the game’s first score, then returned an interception 99 yards for a TD in a 37-14 beating of Notre Dame-Fairfield.
- Thomas Milone, Masuk: Rushed for 103 yards and four TDs and caught five passes for 82 yards and a fifth TD in a 41-21 defeat of New Milford.
- Davell Cotterell, Westhill: 193 yards rushing on 27 carries and 2 TDs, 3 receptions for 34 yards and a TD, and a 62-yard kickoff return in a 37-30 overtime victory over Trumbull. Finished with 339 all-purpose yards. The victory ended a 20-game losing streak and a 39-year winless streak against Trumbull.
- Nick Lombardo, Darien: Caught three passes for 134 yards and two touchdowns in Darien’s rout of Fairfield Warde.
- Nick Biasetti and Boeing Brown, Brookfield: Biasetti, a junior, caught 8 passes for 143 yards, and Brown, a converted quarterback, chipped in with seven catches for 121 yards and one score in the victory over Bunnell.
- Joe Kelly, Greenwich: Senior tight end had three receptions for 86 yards, including touchdown catches of 40 and 41 yards for the Cardinals, who beat Bassick, 48-2
- John Benalcazer, Trinity Catholic: Kicked a game-winning 21-yard in the Crusaders’ upset of New Canaan, 28 years to the day of Trinity’s last victory over the Rams.
Brick Walls
- Malik Whittaker, McMahon: Junior cornerback scored on a 36-yard interception return in a 41-14 rout of Harding. On offense he carried five times for 57 yards and a touchdown.
- Austin Gomar, Weston: Keep Oxford off-stride with two second-half sacks, forcing a fumble in a 32-14 victory.
- Sergio Colon, Stratford: Had two interceptions in the Red Devils’ win over ND-Fairfield.
- Tyrae Small, Derby: Blocked an extra-point kick to help preserve Red Raiders’ 21-20 victory over Naugatuck. Also intercepted a pass.
- Casey Burdick, Brookfield — Intercepted two passes in Brookfield’s 33-18 win over bunnell.
Valiant in defeat
- Jack Barfuss, New Canaan: Caught TD passes of 28, 29 and 18 yards in 31-28 overtime loss to Trinity Catholic.
- Quentin Brunetti, Trumbull: Quarterback completed 17 of 37 passes for 227 yards and 2 TDs in 37-30 overtime loss to Westhill.
- Andrew Calzone, Bunnell – Caught a pair of touchdown passes in Bunnell’s loss to Brookfield
- Joe Piantik, Bethel – Ran for a 50-yard score and threw for two more in a 48-20 loss to Barlow.
“…There are ghosts here. Maybe we stirred them a little bit.”
Trinity Catholic coach Peter Stokes on beating New Canaan 31-28 in overtime.
“If words could explain it I would tell you…”
Shaquan Howsie on the feeling of beating New Canaan for first time in 28 years.
“I learned a long time ago that you have to go to your players, not your playbook. So we came in with a good game plan: Give the ball to No. 7.”
Westhill coach Frank Marcucio on his team’s 37-30 OT win over Trumbull, and tailback Dave Cotterell
Stamford's Cameron Webb carries the ball during Friday's game against Norwalk High School at Stamford High School on September 21, 2012. Photo: Lindsay Niegelberg / Stamford Advocate
Stamford's Cameron Webb carries the ball during Friday's game against Norwalk High School at Stamford High School on September 21, 2012. Photo: Lindsay Niegelberg / Stamford Advocate
“Everything just clicked together. I dedicate my performance to Marcus.”
–Stamford back Cameron Webb on his team’s 47-7 rout of Norwalk.
“That was an old-fashioned there boys.”
Norwalk coach Sean Ireland, omitting a few words in describing his team’s loss to Stamford.
“The kid can sling it, huh?”
Brookfield coach Rich Angarano on quarterback Brad Westmark, who was 25-of-35 for 391 yards and three touchdowns in an eye-opening win over Bunnell
“This means we’re back.”
Brookfield captain Tom Salvatore on a 33-18 win over Bunnell
“This isn’t the old Abbott Tech anymore. We’re a good team and we’re looking for Ws.”
Abbott Tech quarterback Greg Ramos after a 28-26 overtime loss to 2011 playoff team Cheney Tech
“I feel I’m starting to get the hang of it. I just felt comfortable back there. Making the proper reads and making the proper passes.”
Ansonia quarterback Jai’Quan Knight in an understatement after torching Woodland on 8-of-9 passing for 216 yards and three touchdowns in a 47-16 victory.
FCIAC
- Stamford at Ridgefield, Friday, 7 – So Stamford wants to be a player, huh? Maybe they should beat up on someone of their caliber? Seriously, suddenly this is a big game.
- St. Joseph at Darien, Saturday, 1:30 – If St. Joseph really is legit, it can muddle the FCIAC championship race with a victory here. Darien has mowed down two Fairfield teams and the Hogs flexed their biceps by dismantling Wilton. Get your tickets now.
- McMahon at Staples, Friday, 7 — Both teams are 2-0, but just how far apart are they? This was a barn-burner last season. McMahon’s two-headed running attack of Trey Forney and Kyle Jordan vs. the Staples chimera: Frusciante, Kelly, Zelkowitz and Massie (among others).
SWC
- Newtown at Stratford, Friday, 7 – Newtown found its new tailback and seems to have rounded into form with a dominant victory over Pomperaug. Now the Hawks just need to get Danny Hebert involved. Stratford wants to prove it’s for real.
- Weston at Pomperaug, Friday, 7 – Pomperaug’s struggles aside, this would be a pretty big win for Weston, especially when you think of how far it’ll go in getting the Trojans a state playoff berth. Pomperaug would love to build beyond a foundation.
SCC
- Fairfield Prep at Xavier, Friday, 7 – Fairfield Prep’s BACK! …Or is it? It’s more likely the Jesuits will be found flat on their backs at Palmer Field. But who knows for sure…?
- Amity at Shelton, Friday, 7 – These old Housatonic League rivals face off in a “reclamation project” game. They both lost their opening games and then dominated in Week 2. The winner gets to feel a heckuva lot better at 2-1.
- Cheshire at Hand, Friday, 7 – Cheshire’s Don Drust is undefeated as head coach. OK, so he’s only 2-0. But the underdog Rams can go a long way in removing that “interim” tag.
- West Haven at Notre Dame-West Haven, Friday, 7 – The Westies were down 14-0 against Guilford and moved up in the state polls? The Green Knights would love to prove that was a mistake in the annual Battle of West Haven. (We’re sure the West Haven coaches hate having to play at Veterans Field for a second-straight year).
NVL
- Derby at Ansonia, Friday, 7 — Derby is 2-0 and looking good after their solid 21-20 victory over Naugatuck. Asking them to go 3-0 might be a bit too much against their hated rivals, especially the way Ansonia’s playing right now. This will be the 90th meeting between the two schools. Ansonia leads the series 53-28-8.
CSC
- Abbott Tech at Bullard-Havens, Saturday, noon –Abbott Tech’s playing well despite losing in double-overtime to Cheney Tech. Bullard-Havens, meanwhile, looks unstoppable in the CSC.
Nick Lombardo of Darien had another big week for the Wave. 20 yards rushing on 3 carries and a TD and 134 receptions on 3 catches with 2 receiving TDs; he had another 60 yarder brought back by a holding call at the line. Kid’s FAST; ran right by Ludlowe and Wardes’ secondaries. He’s going to be good.
Good enough for us…
Denzel Moscova of SJ had 3 catches for 87 yards and 1 touchdown against Wilton. I think he should be on the list of game breakers.
Ok, I think we’re going to hold off taking further suggestions. Bad precedent to set.
I love how Arkeel runs for 166 and 3 TD’s and nobody is impressed anymore. A kid from any other school does that and he’s immediately on the watch list for All State.
166 yards on 3 carries? That’s soooo 2011, dude
Hey SPB – great work as usual. One suggestion? How about a little more in the Brick Wall section? Defense is half the game, but the majority of top performers are offensive players. How about some props for the D! For example, one of the St. Joe’s linebackers had 15 tackles, including three for loss, and his team shut out their opponent! A New Canaan player had 22 tackles in the loss to Trinity! The stats are on Maxpreps, as I’m sure you are already aware. Thanks again for the great work!
Charting defense for a reporter is hard and, on Friday nights on deadline, not economical. We will make a better attempt.
Just recently on MSG the Staples coach, Marce Petraccio, was interviewed by Mike Quick and was asked if he thought that the Xavier team he lost to in the state finals was the best team he had ever seen in Connecticut. Marce mentioned that he thought Xavier, some of the Cheshire teams and one of the Trumbull as the best he had ever seen. Marce you ommitted one team that is very deserving and a team I feel is the best of all-time. BLOOMFIELD. In the semi-finals and finals of the state tourney they beat Ansonia,56-0 and in the finals they beat New Canaan 56-6. New Canaan beat Greenwich to win the FCIAC and Greenwich went on to win the CLASS LL title. All of the teams Marce had mentioned are all deserving and are truly excellant teams. SPB..Who is the best team you have ever seen in CT>
Best teams? I was in college when Jack had Bloomfield humming. I was in high school and saw first-hand the start of Cheshire’s run in the 1990s run. Xavier last year is probably it. Jack’s New Britain in early 2000s was great. As was Greenwich, Ansonia in 2006-07.
Jeb, that is pretty interesting. I forgot how handily they beat everyone that year
McMahon’s Forney and Jordan are both good backs and they will be alot for Staples to handle. It is a shame McMahon lost their QB to a late cheap hit last week, but that might motivate the Senators even more.
CSC powerhouse Bullards Haven hosting Abbotts Tech in what looks to be a mud bowl brawl in Bridgeport. A-tech is a much improved team overall from previous years. Last week’s game could have went to A-tech but lost in OT in the end, good fighting effort through out the game. Bullard’s been pounding the ball with the help of #32 Shannon and a good size front line leading the way. Bullards D has been doing a good job up to this point, with a standout safety in the secondary #13 McNamara who has been a playmaker so far this season for the Tigers. This game has all the makings of a Techmo ball classic. Saturday afternoon at Bullards Haven. Gotta love that old-style junkyard dogged dirt field in the bowels of Bridgeport. I do !