Archive for October, 2012

FCIAC puts the squeeze on schedule before title game; SWC likely to cancel

Wednesday, October 31, 2012 by:Sean Patrick Bowley
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Because a majority of its schools will be out for the remainder of the week due to the aftereffects of Hurricane Sandy, the FCIAC announced Wednesday it will be rescheduling its Week 8 and Week 9 football games into a 10-day span before Thanksgiving week.

The FCIAC said its Week 8 football games will be played Thursday, Nov. 8. Week 9 will be played Tuesday, Nov. 9.

If necessary, the league title game will be played Saturday, Nov. 17 at Trumbull.

The way things stand now, Staples and Trinity Catholic will qualify for the FCIAC’s annual tilt if they both win out. Greenwich would supplant either team if they win their final two games and if Staples or Trinity Catholic loses.

Trinity (7-0) plays Darien and St. Joseph in its final two regular season games. Staples (6-0) plays at Warde and at Westhill. Greenwich (6-0) finishes at McMahon and vs. Danbury.

Should Trinity Catholic lose, and Staples and Greenwich win, their regular-season Thanksgiving game will serve as FCIAC title game.

Of course, this arrangement will add stress on teams that are likely to qualify for the state playoffs.

In theory, Trinity, Staples or Greenwich could wind up playing seven  games in just 30 days should they reach the state championship in their respective classes.

Petroccio called the scenario “absolutely crazy,” when asked by our own Doug Bonjour.

“We are put in a very, very difficult position,” Petroccio told Bonjour. “But again, it is what it is. We’ve got to do what we’ve got to do.

“We talked to (Staples) AD Marty (Lisevick) and we gave our opinion, but I had no idea they were going this route—none.”

Meanwhile, several SWC teams have already postponed their Week 8 games to the weekend of Nov. 17, including Masuk-Weston, Stratford-New Milford.

Bunnell athletic director Dave Johnson said the league’s ADs are meeting Thursday morning at 10 a.m. to discuss their league playoff situation. “It’s a good possibility that we might just not crown an SWC champion,” he said.

That’s a Wrap! Week 7 plus Week 8 postponements

Wednesday, October 31, 2012 by:Sean Patrick Bowley
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Staples back Joey Zelkowitz

A look at who did and said what during Week 7 of the regional high school football season. Compiled by Gary Rogo and the Hearst CT Sports Staff.

  • John Shannon, Bullard-Havens: Ran for three TDs and 235 yards in a 49-6 rout of Platt Tech. Teammate Chris McNamara also ran for three scores while contributing 130 passing yards and one TD toss.
  • Joey Zelkowitz, Nick Kelly, Staples: Zelkowitz piled up 138 yards and two TDs on 10 carries and caught an 83-yard scoring pass from Jack Massie in a 63-28 rout of Darien. Kelly contributed 138 yards on 10 carries while running for a 1-yard score and catching a 5-yard TD from Massie.
  • Arkeel Newsome, Ansonia: Ran seven times for 146 yards in the first half, including scoring runs of 33 and 22 yards, in a 61-20 demolition of Crosby.
  • Ryan Pearson, Trumbull: Broke off TD runs of 15, 22 and 25 yards in a 28-14 defeat of Danbury.
  • Matt Feigenblat, Shelton: Rushed for 116 yards and three TDs in a 57-30 beating of Hamden.
  • David Attolino, Amity: Rushed for 138 yards — 94 in the second half — and a TD as the Spartans rallied over Fairfield Prep.

GUNSLINGERS

Oxford's Brennen Diaz vs. New Fairfield

  • Brennen Diaz, Oxford: Threw three TD passes to wide receiver Chris Vankamerik in a 22-21 victory over New Fairfield. After their third scoring connection — a 55-yarder with just over a minute left — Diaz threw the winning 2-point conversion pass to Jeff Haney. Diaz to Vankamerik combined for 265 of the QB’s 336 passing yards.
  • Liam O’Neil, Greenwich: Passed for 5 TDs and 215 while running for a sixth score as the Cardinals overpowered Westhill 63-22.
  • Jordan Vazzano, St. Joseph: Passed for three TDs and 230 yards in a 49-6 rout of Fairfield Warde.
  • Jack Shaban, Barlow: Threw two TD passes to Ian Carman and ran 18 yards for a third score as the Falcons (7-0) rallied in the second half for a 48-21 win over New Milford.
  • Brad Westmark, Brookfield: Completed 21 of 33 passes for 291 yards as the Bobcats edged Pomperaug 24-15.
  • Dan O’Leary, Trinity Catholic: Threw four TD passes on10-of-19 passing for 176 yards in a 49-26 victory over Bassick as the Crusaders improved to 7-0.

GAMEBREAKERS

  • Thomas Milone, Masuk: Threw a 70-yard TD pass to Frank Bacarella, caught two scores from Malik Cummings and ran for a fourth score — all in the first half — as the Panthers routed Notre Dame-Fairfield 53-8.
  • Jake Pelletier, St. Joseph: Caught two TD passes (58, 28 yards) and finished with seven receptions for 148 yards.
  • Tyler Hassett, Weston: Hobbling and missing most of the game because of an undisclosed injury, the Trojans’ do-everything star threw three second-half TDs in a 20-15 comeback victory over Stratford. Two of the scoring passes went to Justin Schaffer (41, 46 yards).
  • Tyler Burns, Amity: Sophomore quarterback returned a kickoff 85 yards for a TD and passed 28 yards to Cory Ricks as the Spartans erased a 14-0 deficit to beat Fairfield Prep 24-21.
  • Mike Conlan, Seymour: Scored on runs of 39 and 1 yard and threw a 10-yard TD pass to Christian Thurmond in a 23-14 defeat of Wilby.

BRICK WALLS

  • Shacqueme Rowe, Bullard Havens: Made 16 tackles and had five sacks in win over Platt Tech.
  • Andrew Calzone, Bunnell: Had two interceptions in the Bulldogs’ 52-18 victory over Immaculate, Bunnell’s first win in six games.
  • Jon Prutting, St. Joseph: Returned an interception 33 yards for a score in St. Joseph’s win over Warde.

VALIANT IN DEFEAT

  • Mike Kreiger, Derby: Threw for 328 yards and six touchdowns on 17-of-28 passing but the Red Raiders could not overcome a 39-0 deficit in a 52-44 loss to Torrington.
  • Davell Cotterell, Westhil: Tailback ran for 122 yards and two touchdowns vs. Greenwich.
  • Joe Pacheco, New Fairfield: Ran for 127 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries in New Fairfield’s 22-21 loss to Oxford.
  • Connor Shanahan, New Milford: Threw a pair of touchdown passes to give the Green Wave a 21-13 halftime lead over Barlow in an eventual 48-21 loss.

Amity High School's # 9 Tyler Burns celebrates in the endzone with teammates after a large yardage punt return touchdown on Friday evening against Fairfield Prep. Photo: Mike Ross

“This is a huge step back. We’re all about trying to progress and trying to get better each week… and tonight was a huge step back.”

–Tom Shea, Fairfield Prep coach on his team’s 24-21 loss to Amity.

“He’s doing a great job. The kid makes plays for us. It was a tough game. Our offensive line played great.”

–David Attolino, Amity RB on backup quarterback Tyler Burns, who helped the Spartans direct a 24-21 upset of Fairfield Prep.

Trinity Catholic coach Peter Stokes

“We’ve got Darien coming into our place next week. I hope this hurricane doesn’t hit. We need to get in some work.”

–Trinity Catholic coach Peter Stokes.

“They’re going to go to the playoffs and they’re not just going to get there and be happy. They’re going to go deep in the playoffs. They’re ready for it.”

–Bassick coach Derrick Lewis on Trinity Catholic.

“Without a doubt this is the worst I’ve felt in my 11 years here.”

–Stamford coach Bryan Hocter on his team’s 7-6 loss to Ludlowe.

“I’ve had a good run for five years. This feels great. I went into this game looking as a four-game season. Here’s No. 1. There’s three more wins to come.”

– Fairfield Ludlowe coach Matt McCloskey on his team’s 7-6 victory over Stamford, just hours after he announced his resignation effective at the end of the season.

“We had about 85 turnovers… We’ll take this and run with it.”

–Trumbull coach Bob Maffei

“It was probably my best football moment. I didn’t want to let go of the ball afterwards. It was all for my team.”

–Jeff Haney, Oxford junior fullback on catching the winning 2-point conversion pass vs. New Fairfield

Darien coach Rob Trifone

“In my 34 years, this is the best high school football team I’ve ever seen. We played Masuk in 2010 and we played Hillhouse in the state semifinals back in 2008. This team is bigger and faster collectively than anyone I’ve ever played .”

–Darien coach Rob Trifone after a 63-23 loss to Staples

“The thing we have to do when one is at quarterback, the other one has to be in. I think we’re a better team when both of them are in.”

–New Canaan coach Lou Marinelli on QBs Ted Bossidy and Nick Cascone

“It was great to get back out there. If you go back to last week, I wouldn’t have done anything different because Nick did a great job and deserved to stay in there.”

–Ted Bossidy on returning to play quarterback.

“Coach just called the right plays and the line played unbelievable. The holes were huge and that made it easy.”

–Joey Zelkowitz on Staples’ 63-23 victory over Darien, in which the Wreckers amassed 400 yards at halftime and 723 for the game.

We’re preempting this feature to bring you the latest in postponements. The FCIAC will attempt to get their Week 8 games in as scheduled, but on Monday or later. The SWC is moving games to the week of the championship game, so it looks as if that league will not be crowning an official champion.

The constantly updated CIAC schedule is here.

Here’s the list of regional list games being postponed:

FCIAC (pushing Week 8 to Nov. 8, Week 9 to Nov. 13)

  • Darien at Trinity Catholic, Sunday, 1 p.m.
  • Wilton at Westhill, ppd. to Thursday, Nov. 8, TBA
  • Harding vs. Ridgefield, ppd. to Thursday, Nov. 8, TBA

NVL

  • Ansonia at Wolcott, Friday, 7 p.m.
  • Naugatuck at Watertown, ppd. to Saturday, 7 p.m.
  • Derby at Seymour, ppd. to Monday, 6 p.m.
  • Woodland at Holy Cross, ppd. to Saturday, 6

SCC

  • Hand at Notre Dame-WH, ppd. to Nov. 15, 5 p.m.
  • Xavier at Shelton, ppd to Saturday, 7 p.m.
  • Branford at Fairfield Prep ppd to Thursday, Nov. 15 at TBA
  • Law at Guilford ppd. to Sunday, Nov. 11 at TBA
  • North Haven at Foran, ppd. to Sunday, TBA

SWC

  • New Milford at Stratford, ppd to Nov. 17 at 1 p.m.
  • Bethel at Notre Dame-Fairfield, ppd. to TBA
  • Masuk at Weston, ppd. to TBA

CCC

  • Southington at Simsbury, ppd to Saturday, 4
  • Bloomfield at Weaver, ppd to Saturday, 2
  • Middletown at Farmington, ppd. to Saturday, 6

ECC

  • Fitch at New London, ppd to Saturday, 7
  • Waterford at Windham ppd to Saturday, 4

After Sandy: Where we stand…

Tuesday, October 30, 2012 by:Sean Patrick Bowley
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Understanding most of us will be digging through the mess left by Hurricane Sandy and that most don’t have power, we are going to attempt to get as much information as possible about the status of school and this week’s games.

I’m assuming there will be a ton of postponements since many towns won’t be allowing practice for at least a few days.

So or those of you on the blog somehow, if you have any information about your school’s status and the status of your games, please post below.

Team Hearst will be making calls as soon as our staff is assembled.

Stay safe everyone. We’ll piece this together in the coming days.

Update: While suspending the postseason for all of its sports, the FCIAC also announced that it is considering whether to move this week’s football games to the weekend of Nov. 17, which is when it typically plays its annual championship game.

The league said it will discuss options on how to proceed on Wednesday, Oct. 31.

Update: Trinity has announced its game vs. Darien will now be played Sunday at 1 p.m. Guess they really, really don’t want the FCIAC to cancel the title game.

Update: A few school districts have canceled classes for the remainder of the week, including Norwalk, Weston and Ridgefield. Many other school districts have canceled classes through Wednesday.

The CIAC has pushed its postseason up approximately one week.

-SPB

State Polls Week 8: Hurricane Edition (Updated)

Monday, October 29, 2012 by:Sean Patrick Bowley
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Greetings from high school football central’s emergency bunker. We have printed our essential high school football files, grabbed our kerosene lamps, our battery-powered radios and headed deep into cover as this monster drives deep into Shangri La.

The good folks at The Day of New London, who work out of a region hit with some of Hurricane Sandy’s worst wind and storm surges, scraped together their Top 10 Poll.

The New Haven Register poll was released Tuesday afternoon.

New Haven Register Top 10


Other teams receiving votes: Berlin (7-0), 267; Glastonbury (6-1), 210; Norwich Free Academy (7-0), 185; North Branford (6-0), 173; Hillhouse (5-2), 118; Middletown (6-1), 112; Trinity Catholic (7-0), 101; New Canaan (6-1), 38; Hyde (7-0), 24; Wolcott (7-0), 20; Woodland (5-1), 17; Farmington (6-1), 7.
The following voted:  Marc Allard, Norwich Bulletin; Bob Barton, New Haven Register; Bill Bloxsom, Hersam-Acorn; Sean Patrick Bowley, Connecticut Post; Don Boyle, Sporting News CT; Jim Bransfield, Middletown Press; Kyle Brennan, Waterbury Republican-American; Chris Brodeur, Danbury News-Times; Bryant Carpenter, Meriden-Record Journal; George DeMaio, WELI; Mike DiMauro, The Day of New London; Matt Doran, MSG Varsity; Tom Evans, Norwalk Hour; Noah Finz, WTNH-8; Ned Griffen, The Day of New London; John Holt, WFSB-3; Mark Jaffee, Waterbury Republican-American; Ken Lipshez, West Hartford News/New Britain City Journal; Mike Madera, Elm City Newspapers; Joe Morelli, New Haven Register; Dave Phillips, Shore Line Newspapers; Mike Pucci, New Haven Register; Dave Ruden, Stamford Advocate; Tom Yantz, Hartford Courant; Mike Wollschlager, New Haven Register; Jimmy Zanor, Shore Line Newspapers.

The Day Coaches Top 10


Also receiving votes: Newtown (7-0), 102 points; Glastonbury (6-1), 94; Norwich Free Academy (7-0), 88; Trinity Catholic-Stamford (7-0), 79; Tie, Hillhouse-New Haven (5-2) and Middletown (6-1), 76; New Canaan (6-1), 41; North Branford (6-0), 36; Avon (7-0), 31; Wolcott (7-0), 28; Barlow-Redding (7-0), 22; Tie, Farmington (6-1) and Woodland-Beacon Falls (5-1), 8.
The following coaches voted: Tom Brockett, Ansonia; Jim Buonocore, Ledyard; Craig Bruno, Bunnell-Stratford; Dave Cadelina, Bridgeport Central; Steve Filippone, Hand-Madison; Rob Fleeting, Windsor; Tanner Grove, Montville; Jude Kelly, St. Paul-Bristol; Tim King, Valley Regional-Deep River; Sean Marinan, Xavier-Middletown; John Murphy, Masuk-Monroe; Marce Petroccio, Staples-Westport; Bob Zito, Maloney-Meriden.

Sunday Crunch: The Storm before the Storm

Sunday, October 28, 2012 by:Sean Patrick Bowley
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Staples' James Frusciante attempts to catch a pass over Darien's Brian Weigand in Staples 63-28 victory Saturday.

It was exactly one year ago when snowpocalypse belted our region on a football Saturday morning. I was in Westport at the time, where Darien held a 17-7 halftime lead over Staples.

We all remember what happened next: Big flakes, a snowstorm and then an avalanche of 28 third-quarter points from Staples in an eventual 42-23 victory.

Staples grew a few inches that snowy, October day. It grew from an unknown into a legit FCIAC contender. The Wreckers, mostly juniors a year ago, transformed into an FCIAC champion and a state championship participant.

As we all knew at the time, this group was a year away.

And on Saturday, they too another step toward greatness. Just two days before another freak storm was about the hammer the region, Staples slammed Darien with a hurricane of its own.

Staples was flawless in rolling up 400 yards in the first half in an eventual 63-28 bludgeoning.

Ned Griffen at Polecat HQ had the Wreckers for 723 total yards.

That’s a school record.

Insane.

Last year, the Wreckers came from behind to win five games. This year, aside from their opening 42-28 victory over St. Joseph, they’ve essentially removed all doubt before halftime.

As always, the Wreckers have ripped through the FCIAC this season with exceptional offensive balance. Four players have each amassed over 300 yards rushing this season. Joey Zelkowitz and Nick Kelly did the honors on Saturday, each running 10 times for 138 yards in the Wreckers’ spread option.

And with big, dominating, exhilarating, overwhelming victories, comes the inevitable transfer of praise.

“In my 34 years, this is the best high school football team I’ve ever seen,” a shell-shocked Darien coach Rob Trifone told our own Doug Bonjour. “We played Masuk back in 2010 and we played Hillhouse in the state semifinals, and they were some phenomenal team back in 2008. This team is bigger and faster collectively than anyone I’ve ever played.”

Hyperbole from an awestruck vanquished foe? Perhaps. Trifone’s been known for it.

Regardless of whether you subscribe to those sentiments, Staples has gone beyond establishing clearly one of the top teams in the state. As of right now, the Wreckers are looking like the favorite in a Class LL field that got turned on its head with Fairfield Prep and Ridgefield losing on Friday.

As for its more immediate goals, Staples finishes with (and is favored to beat) Fairfield Warde and Westhill to clinch its spot in the FCIAC Championship game. Should Staples continue its torrid course, the only thing left is determining who will face them.

Will it be a rematch with Greenwich? The Cardinals certainly looked the part by dismantling Westhill 63-22 on Saturday. The Cardinals face upset-minded McMahon and then wrap the FCIAC regular season against Danbury.

Or will it be (gasp!) Trinity Catholic? The Crusaders wiped out Bassick and now dive right into the defining moment of their 2012 season: Back-to-back games vs. Darien and St. Joseph.

Should Trinity Catholic beat Darien, its finale vs. St. Joseph will decide when/where the FCIAC championship will be played. Another Trinity Catholic win, and it’ll be the Crusaders vs. Wreckers at Trumbull for the prize. A Trinity loss, and we will once again hone our focus on Thanksgiving: Cardinals vs. Wreckers.

The latest standings are above, right. Top two teams in average points reach the FCIAC championship. The only possible way New Canaan squeaks in is if they win out and both Greenwich and Trinity lose at least once (to force a three-way tie), or twice.

Oxford's Chris Vankamerik eyes a touchdown pass as New Fairfield's Collin Cioffi gives chase during first half action on Saturday Photo: Mike Ross

Meanwhile, in the SWC, things got busy.

There was excruciating drama Saturday afternoon, where Weston and Oxford won two thrilling games thanks to some late heroics by their do-it-all quarterbacks.

Tyler Hassett, still hobbling from a groin injury suffered against New Fairfield, came off the bench to lead the Trojans past Stratford with a 46-yard touchdown pass to Justin Schaffer with 29 seconds remaining. Weston 20, Stratford 15.

Up in Oxford, Brennen Diaz orchestrated a late-game comeback over Joe Pacheco and New Fairfield. Just when all seemed lost, he hit Chris Vankamerik with a 55-yard touchdown pass with a minute remaining and then found Jeff Haney for the winning 2-point conversion. Oxford 22, New Fairfield 21.

Both games were huge in terms of state playoffs. With Masuk looming, the Trojans needed to win to keep their Class M hopes kicking. They’ll need to win at least two more games and finish 8-2 to get into decent position. Any more losses, and they’ll be scrambling.

As for Oxford, is there any hope in Class S? The Wolverines are sitting at 5-2, but all the way back in 15th place. They’ll have to win out — Bunnell, Stratford, Pomperaug — and pray enough happens.

As far as the SWC Championship is concerned, it’s a three-horse race between favorites Masuk (Weston, Barlow remaining) and Newtown (Immaculate, Bunnell remaining). Barlow is statistically in the race, but must win out.

And that means beating Brookfield and Masuk, back-to-back.

Lots of luck, gentlemen.

Elsewhere on Saturday:

Of all the teams to show the CSC how it’s done against invincible Prince Tech, about ’bout them Abbott Tech Wolverines? That’s the way it’s done. Wow.

Anyway, here are your Saturday results and game story links.

Now we wait for the real storm…

Saturday’s High School Football Roundup

‘About Last Night…’: FRIGHT NIGHT!

Friday, October 26, 2012 by:Sean Patrick Bowley
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♦♦♦

The insanity started early Friday, with Hillhouse laying the wood to former No. 1 Xavier, 49-21 with mere seconds gone in the fourth quarter.

Read that again: 49-21!

And you bet the snark was a-flyin from these fingers.

Yea, that score was nutty. But it was nothing compared to what happened next.

Xavier must have finally got off the bus and replaced those imposters in black. It was 49-28… then 49-35…

Then 49-42.

Hillhouse, which had smacked mighty Xavier around for a little over three quarters, suddenly looked as if it had never seen a football before.

What was going on here?

Xavier coach Sean Marinan had a theory: “We have all of these big kids, these 300-pound linemen and they weren’t hitting anybody,” he said. “I was screaming at them: Go out there and HIT somebody.”

Like switch, they did. The pendulum had swung — violently — back the other way.

Suddenly, Hillhouse was reeling. It couldn’t move the chains as effortlessly as it once had. Yet the Academics received one, last chance to run out the clock. If they allowed Xavier to get the ball back, there was never any doubt Xavier would score.

Well, Hillhouse fumbled a snap that leaped out of quarterback Je’Vaughn Moore’s reach. Chidi Broderick recovered and Xavier was business on the 27-yard line.

Just a few plays later, DeAngelo Berry scored on a short run. Marinan raised two fingers in the air.

“We had the momentum on our side,” he said later. “There was no doubt we were going for two.”

Berry was barely touched on his way to the end zone for the 2-point conversion. Xavier 50, Hillhouse 49, 50 seconds remaining (see video, top).

Sure, Xavier had to stop Hillhouse one more time. But, again, there was never any doubt. Xavier, which was playing without standout linebackers Max Tylki and Carlos Ortega and, later, lost linebacker McNeil Finnegan, had gone from the funeral parlor to dancin’ on Broadway. Hillhouse had no chance. Moore’s 4th-down pass was batted away by Max Shumann (video above).

Xavier 50, Hillhouse 49: Final.

Game of the Year, easily.

It tied the state record for biggest comeback. You had to see it to believe it.

“I’m glad you guys finally got angry,” Marinan told his team. A few of them were in tears. But these tears never felt so good. “I can’t tell you how proud I am.”

Count the rest of us blown away.

And this continued throughout a wild, wild, wild Friday night that saw upsets and near-upsets galore. Some teams survived. Some didn’t.

Amity smacked Fairfield Prep 24-21, putting the Jesuits’ once-certain playoff hopes in jeopardy.

The Jesuits weren’t alone. Ridgefield joined Prep’s misery after a 22-14 upset loss to McMahon.

Derby was behind Torrington 39-0 in the first half, yet almost pulled off an even more incredible comeback than Xavier. Derby rallied to within one score twice in the second half — 45-37 and then 52-44 before Torrington recovered an onside kick with a half minute remaining.

Even Ludlowe, which just hours before learned that its coach, Matt McCloskey, would step down after the season, reared and bit Stamford 7-6.

Insanity.

Oh, but there’s SO MUCH MORE to go. A majority of the teams in Shangri-La play Saturday. Staples-Darien is our headliner, but — based on Friday night’s results? — who the heck knows what’ll happen.

Here are your Friday night results. Read all the stories on the High School Football page.

  • Friday night’s high school football roundup
  • FCIAC: Fairfield Ludlowe 7, Stamford 6 | McMahon 22, Ridgefield 14 | Trinity Catholic 49, Bassick 26 | Trumbull 28, Danbury 14
  • NVL: Ansonia 61, Crosby 20 | Seymour 23, Wilby 14 | Wolcott 28, Watertown 14 | Holy Cross 52, Sacred Heart 20 | Woodland 56, Naugatuck 30 | Torrington 52, Derby 44
  • SCC: Notre Dame-West Haven 53, Wilbur Cross 12 | West Haven 43, Cheshire 20 | Amity 24, Fairfield Prep 21 | Shelton 57, Hamden 30 | Sheehan 48, East Haven 6 | SCC: Guilford 41, Branford 14 | Jonathan Law 35, Lyman Hall 34 | Xavier 50, Hillhouse 49 | Hand 24, North Haven 7
  • SWC: Brookfield 24, Pomperaug 15 | Newtown 37, Bethel 14
  • CCC: Glastonbury 47, East Hartford 6 | Simsbury 21, New Britain 12 | Wethersfield 43, Bulkeley 8 | Bristol Eastern 40, Maloney 13 | Middletown 49, Bristol Central 0 | Windsor 34, Farmington 14 | Berlin 34, Plainville 14 | Rocky Hill 42, Weaver 0 | Platt 45, Bloomfield 20
  • CSC: Capital Prep 56, Wilcox Tech 8
  • ECC: Ledyard 26, Montville 21 | Plainfield 29, Killingly 8 | Stonington 28, Griswold 7 | Fitch 56, Windham 46 | Waterford 41, St. Bernard/Norwich Tech 7
  • PEQUOT: East Hampton/Vinal Tech 26, Lewis Mills 0 | Haddam-Killingworth 20, Morgan 7

Full schedule here

Week 7 Primer and Live Updates – SPB Blog visits CPTV’s GameTime (video)

Friday, October 26, 2012 by:Sean Patrick Bowley
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♦♦♦

So if any of you caught CPTV Sports’ GameTime show with John Holt and Joe Zone on Thursday night, you might have seen the guys interviewing a dashing young man about what’s what through six weeks of the 2012 high school football season.

And after Wolcott’s QB extraordinaire Mike Nicol left the set with coach Jason Pace, it was suddenly my turn to jump in the hot seat.

The guys and I glazed over some Masuk and Newtown in the SWC, Staples in the FCIAC and who I’m voting No. 1 in the weekly state polls. We also [GASP!] talked about the recent breakage of the ‘Score Management’ policy by NFA coach Jemal Davis.

I know, I know. We’re sick of that last part. New Canaan coach Lou Marinelli has reiterated his stand on the topic. Some people even want guys like me to drop the subject entirely. (Hint: I cannot. Will not.)

Anyway, I love the GameTime show, which appears on CPTV Sports (check local listings). It was a lot of fun I appreciate the guys for having me. Nobody in TV land covers Connecticut high school football like John and Joe. You can catch them on CPTV and every Friday with their Friday Night Football show on WFSB-3.

Onward to Week 7:

Weekly Previews/Stories

The Live Blog

The Guide to Week 7′s Games

Thursday, October 25, 2012 by:Sean Patrick Bowley
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♦♦♦

SPB’s Elite 8: Week 7

Wednesday, October 24, 2012 by:Sean Patrick Bowley
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Movement, lots of movement in ye olde Elite 8. Let’s hop to it:

TRINITY CATHOLIC (6-0, This week: at Bassick, Friday, 7)

After six weeks, a victory over New Canaan, and rapidly improving ever since, it’s time to give the Crusaders their due. Sorry, coach Stokes. We’ve ignored the Crusaders long enough. They don’t blow you away with their offensive innovations, but they do blow you a way with brute strength from a variety of different sources, not just standout tailback Shaquan Howsie.

Y’know… how football is meant to be played.

ST. JOSEPH (4-2, This week: vs. Fairfield Warde, Saturday, 2)

The Hogs lived up to their hype for a half, and then came out looking like Cadets in the second half. They took their foot off the pedal, and basically flubbed their way to a 27-21 loss. A playoff berth is not lost, far from it. But their margin of error just got a lot smaller. QB Jordan Vazzano should return vs. Warde.

FAIRFIELD PREP (5-1, This week: at Amity, Friday, 7)

Maybe not enough credit has been given to Hamden for showing up and giving the Jesuits their best game of the year against a fellow Division I school. The Dragons, who’ve been left for dead, deserve applause for making this excitement. Still, Fairfield Prep has routed stronger football teams. The experience will do them good, but last week’s 27-20 win sends up warning signs of midseason fatigue.

They should win their final three games — Amity, Branford and rival Notre Dame-WH — before Thanksgiving. But nothing’s a given.

STAPLES (5-0; This week: vs. Darien, Saturday, 1:30)

When this team is on, it’s incredible. Trumbull had no chance. Now comes one of their biggest tests of the season before Thanksgiving: Darien.

ANSONIA (6-0; This week: at Crosby, Friday, 7)

Arkeel Newsome returned and the Chargers crushed Watertown. Good luck with that, Crosby. One week until Mike Nicol and Wolcott comes to town.

GREENWICH (5-0; This week: at Westhill, Saturday, 1:30)

Like Staples, the Cardinals haven’t played a close game since Week 1. Every game story reads like they’re in training camp. Now comes Davell Cotterell and upstart Westhill. Do the Vikings have any shot against this FCIAC juggernaut?

MASUK (6-0; This week: at Notre Dame-Fairfield, Saturday, noon)

Thomas Milone and Co. turned it on in the second half to brush back a modest challenge from Brookfield. They travel to Notre Dame for what should be another Masuk-style barnburner. After that, the team will play two of the league’s best small school teams — Weston and Barlow — before the SWC Championship.

WEST HAVEN (5-1; This week: vs. Cheshire, Friday, 7)

The Westies gave No. 1 Hand their best shot and almost won, only to see a bold 2-point conversion throw slip through their grasp. With one loss in the books, it’s only going to get tougher to claim a spot in the Class LL playoffs. Cheshire’s no slouch and, two weeks later, West Haven has to go to Palmer Field before a showdown with Fairfield Prep.

NEWTOWN (6-0; This week: vs. Bethel, Friday, 7)

The Hawks swept Notre Dame-Fairfield away. They wrap up their regular season with Bethel, Immaculate and Bunnell, teams that have just three wins between them. We’ll go out on a limb and say Newtown, now No. 10 in the statewide rankings, will win out and play in the SWC title game for the third consecutive year.

NEW CANAAN (5-1; This week: vs. Wilton, Saturday, 2)

By no means were the Rams perfect vs. St. Joseph, and this isn’t a vintage New Canaan squad, but that was a season-defining victory last week. New Canaan won on sheer determination. They’re back on-target to make a push for the Class L playoffs.

RIDGEFIELD (5-1; This week: at McMahon, Friday, 7)

The Tigers just go about their business, beating the teams on their schedule. We suspect they’ll continue to do this until it’s time for the state playoffs.

BARLOW (6-0; This week: vs. New Milford, Saturday, 1)

The Falcons remain one of the region’s best stories. Down by 8 points, they triple-optioned Bunnell to death with 22 fourth-quarter points. This is looking like Barlow’s best team since the 1970s. You heard that right.

That’s a Wrap! Week 6

Monday, October 22, 2012 by:Gary Rogo
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A look at who did and said what during Week 6 of the southwestern Connecticut high school football season. Compiled by executive editor Gary Rogo and the Hearst Connecticut sports staff.

arlow quarterback Jack Shaban escapes the sack from Bunnell’s Kevin Hernandez Friday.

BULLDOZERS

  • Jack Shaban, Barlow: Junior quarterback ran for 135 yards with a touchdown and also threw for a score in the 6-0 Falcons’ 28-14 win over Bunnell.
  • Joe Pacheco, New Fairfield: Ran for 238 yards and four touchdowns in a 35-21 win over Weston.
  • Joe Piatnik, Bethel: Ran for four touchdowns (and passed for another) to lead Bethel past Stratford 49-32.
  • Jim Vartelas, Seymour: Ran for 108 yards and two touchdowns and also caught a touchdown in a win over Crosby.
  • Vochan Fowler, Bassick: Ran for two touchdown, including the game-winner in the fourth to give Bassick its first win of the season in a 14-6 result against Harding.
  • Chris Golger, Fairfield Prep: Ran 50 yards for the winning TD in the fourth quarter as the Jesuits survived Hamden 27-20. Golger also scored on a 7-yard pass from Strecker Backe.
  • Arkeel Newsome, Ansonia: Returned from injury to run for 162 yards and 2 TDs on 10 carries in 49-21 victory over Watertown.
  • Davell Cotterell, Westhill: Ran for 236 yards and two touchdowns on 36 carries in a 24-20 victory over Danbury.

GUNSLINGERS

  • Jake Kasuba, Foran: Threw for 298 yards on 20-for-28 passing, with two touchdowns in the Lions 50-35 win over ND-West Haven. He also ran for 65 yards.
  • Liam O’Neil, Greenwich: Completed 14 of 15 passes for 261 yards and a career-high five touchdowns — all in the first half — in Greenwich’s 56-6 rout of Bridgeport Central. Even more impressive was the fact that he compiled these statistics in the first half, as he did not throw a pass in the second half.
  • Mark Piccirillo, Shelton: Completed 8 of 12 passes for 158 yards and two TDs (35 and 12 yards to Kyle Drost) in a 42-2 rout of Lyman Hall.

GAMEBREAKERS

  • Kyle Jordan, McMahon: Ran for two touchdowns and caught an 86-yard score in a 27-7 win over Fairfield Ludlowe.
  • Will Bonaparte, Ridgefield: Ran for 126 yards with two touchdowns and caught a 52-yard touchdown pass from Connor Rowe in the Tigers’ win over Norwalk.
  • Nick Weissauer, Foran: Caught nine passes for 111 yards and a touchdown in a win over ND-West Haven.
  • Jack Massie, Staples: Junior quarterback completed 10-of-13 passes for 160 yards and two touchdowns in a 57-14 win over Trumbull. He also rushed for 142 yards, with touchdown runs of 76 and 53 yards. Teammate James Frusciante,a senior wide receiver, had five catches for 89 yards and two touchdowns in first half.
  • Thomas Milone, Masuk: Do-everything Panther was a handful for Brookfield, scoring TDs on runs of 20 and 59 yards to put the finishing touches on a 42-14. victory.
  • Marcus Esteves, Oxford: Scored all of Oxford’s touchdowns — three rushing, an interception return — in the Wolverines’ 27-0 win over New Milford.

    • New Canaan's Casey Ouellette drags down St. Joseph's Shane Miller in the Rams' 27-21 victory.

  • Andrew Matos, Ansonia: Caught TD passes of 5 and 48 yards from Jai’Quan McKnight and threw a 72-yard score to Rashaun Finney in a 49-21 rout of Watertown.

BRICK WALLS

  • Brian Wigand, Darien: Returned an interception 42 yards for a touchdown in the Blue Wave’s win over Wilton.
  • Matt Montani, Fairfield Prep: Made a fourth-quarter interception to seal Prep’s 27-20 win over Hamden.
  • Cole Harris, New Canaan: Returned an interception 57 yards for a TD to rally the Rams over St. Joseph 27-21. New Canaan had trailed 21-12 at halftime.

VALIANT IN DEFEAT

  • Devante Teel, Bunnell: Caught touchdowns of 83 and 53 yards in a loss to Barlow.
  • Marc Cesare, Trumbull: Junior returned a kick 90 yards for a touchdown in 57-14 loss to Staples.
  • Jake Pelletier, St. Joseph: Caught six passes for 136 yards vs. New Canaan.

“The guy actually has no class whatsoever. The guy was 100 percent wrong and he knows he’s wrong. The way I took it, I think he was saying [explicative] to the CIAC.”

–Stamford coach Bryan Hocter on NFA coach Jemal Davis after a 51-0 loss that broke the CIAC’s score management policy.

Staples quarterback Jack Massie (center) celebrates at TD with Joey Zelkowitz and James Frusciante during their 57-14 win over Trumbull.

“I honestly don’t know. That’s for them to figure out.”

–Staples quarterback Jack Massie, responding to the question, ‘How do you top Staples’ offense?’ following a 57-14 win over Trumbull.

“Relieved is how I am, we came close to losing this. For some reason we didn’t give them the respect they deserve and we almost paid the ultimate price for it.”

-Fairfield Prep coach Tom Shea, on his team’s 27-20 win over Hamden

“This was about a bunch of kids from the city’s West Side who don’t get a chance to succeed in much, getting to get a win.”

–Bassick coach Derrick Lewis on his team’s 14-6 win over Harding, the Lions’ first win of the season.

“The team had faith in me to try it again. Ryan just threw it up and I knew I could get it. (Cory Chaffee) is a great player but I just came up with it.”

–Westhill’s Yveson Cassamajor, on the 33-yard pass from Ryan Coppola that set up the winning touchdown in Westhill’s 24-20 comeback win over Danbury.

“It’s been a difficult year in that we’re so young and dumb at times. … It just does my heart so good to see this young team getting better every week.”

–New Canaan coach Lou Marinelli on his team’s 27-21 win over St. Joseph

“I’m not quite sure what was going on out there, but we definitely gave one away.”

–St. Joseph coach Joe Della Vecchia

“It’s an art form, maybe a dying art form in football, but an art form when you run it properly.”

–Barlow coach Rob Tynan on his team’s option offense, which has the Falcons 6-0 for the first time since 1974.

“This is a difficult time for us, but we’ll continue to fight to the finish like we always do.”

–Bunnell coach Craig Bruno on his team’s 5-game losing streak.

“He’s a special talent and I’m lucky to have him on my side.”

–New Fairfield coach Anthony Fata on standout tailback Joe Pacheco

“I’m just trying to enjoy every moment with Tyler. He’s a special, special player.”

-Weston coach Joe Lato on QB Tyler Hassett, who played with a nagging injury throughout the Trojans’ 42-21 loss to New Fairfield

“These kids were tired of losing the past three seasons. They want to play football. And they all want to win. This season has been a very great thing.”

–Trinity Catholic coach Peter Stokes on his team’s 6-0 start

FCIAC

Staples (5-0) at Darien (4-2), Saturday, 1:30: Staples continues to use the rest of the FCIAC as sparring partners in preparation for the bigger prize at the end of the season. Will Darien, whose playoff hopes are already on life support, put up any kind of resistance? The good news is Peter Gesualdi is back. The bad news is, Staples has a full head of steam barreling into this matchup.

Greenwich (5-0) at Westhill (4-2), Saturday, 1:30: Westhill’s having a dream season. Davell Cotterell and the Vikings keep finding ways to win and are inching closer to their first winning season in decades. But just how far is the gap between them and the FCIAC’s upper echelon? Lace up. Time to find out.

SWC

Oxford's Marcus Esteves scored four touchdowns in the 4-2 Wolverines' 27-0 win over New Milford. Photo by Michael Duffy

New Fairfield (4-2) at Oxford (4-2), Saturday, noon: Ace back Joe Pacheco and the Rebels are honing in on a fabulous season. They’d love to keep it going in this tough, competitive road game vs. Brennen Diaz and the Wolverines. It’s of minor significance on the state stage, with the winner moderately improving their faint chances. Still, this should be good.

Stratford (2-4) at Weston (5-1), Saturday, 1: It’s Weston’s homecoming, but the Trojans are limping back from their first loss of the season. With Masuk and Barlow still left on the schedule, their Class M playoff hopes depend on this game. Worse, the availability of star quarterback Tyler Hassett is in question after a groin injury suffered vs. New Fairfield. Stratford’s looking for a signature win to propel itself forward. Now’s the time.

SCC

Cheshire (4-2) at West Haven (5-1), Friday, 7 – West Haven’s up against it following its thrilling, but heartbreaking 21-20 loss to No. 1 Hand. With Xavier and Fairfield Prep looming, the Westies can ill afford any more losses in a tight Class LL race. But you knew that.

Fairfield Prep (5-1) at Amity (2-4), Friday, 7 – Fairfield Prep got some needed experience playing a close game. They’d be better off taking care of Amity quickly, resting up and continuing their drive for a Thanksgiving showdown.

Xavier (5-1) at Hillhouse (5-1), Friday, 3 — There’s a reason Hillhouse played Guilford without Harold Cooper: The banged-up standout back needs to be ready to take on the once-jilted, two-time defending Class LL champs. Yes, we all know how close ‘House came two years ago at Bowen…

Hand (6-0) at North Haven (4-2), Friday, 7 – North Haven’s Class L playoff hopes will live/die here. We say die. Valiant effort this year, Indians. (Maybe?)

CSC

Platt Tech (4-1) at Bullard-Havens (5-1), Saturday, noon – Both schools were handed their their first losses of the season and now sit a game behind the teams that beat them: Capital Prep and Prince Tech. The winner of this vastly important rivalry game will have a good grasp on third or second place. Also some state considerations here. Bullard-Havens in M, Platt Tech in Class L…

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