Other than losing Ledyard (a 21-14 loser to Windham) and Darien (a 35-28 overtime loser to St. Joseph), and gaining back Berlin and Glastonbury, the only real change in the weekly state media poll were the No. 1 votes. Staples picked up two from Xavier.
It’s of minor importance, but interesting for you poll nuts.
Commence screaming.
NHR Media Top 10
Dropped Out: Ledyard (8), Darien (10).
Other teams receiving votes: New London (3-0), 281; Southington (3-0), 260; Newtown (3-0), 178; North Branford (3-0), 128; Hillhouse (2-1), 98; Middletown (3-0), 94; St. Joseph (2-1), 91; Manchester (3-0), 53; Darien (2-1), Ledyard (2-1) and Norwich Free Academy (3-0), 51; Cromwell (3-0), 30; Farmington (3-0), 22; Trinity Catholic (3-0) and Wolcott (3-0), 16; North Haven (2-1), 9; Fairfield Prep (2-1) and New Canaan (2-1), 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 Poll
Also receiving votes: New London (3-0), 100 points; Tie, Middletown (3-0) and Southington (3-0), 91; Norwich Free Academy (3-0), 71; Hillhouse-New Haven (2-1), 63; St. Joseph-Trumbull (2-1), 46; Tie, Cromwell (3-0) and Newtown (3-0), 24; New Canaan (2-1), 20; Trinity Catholic-Stamford (3-0), 16; Tie, Brookfield (3-0) and Holy Cross-Waterbury (2-1), 14; North Branford (3-0), 12; Manchester (3-0), 10; Derby (2-1), 9; Barlow-Redding (3-0), Darien (2-1), Ledyard (2-1) and Torrington (1-2), 8; Tie, Avon (2-0) and Hartford Capital/Classical/Achievement (3-0), 7.
The following coaches voted: Tom Brockett, Ansonia; Jim Buonocore, Ledyard; Craig Bruno, Bunnell-Stratford; 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.
Got to see Staples obliterate McMahon on MSG which likely, and for good reason, swayed a few votes. Interesting to see that the media has discounted St. Joe’s loss to Staples and ranks them way ahead of undefeated Trinity. Heck, even Darien is ranked ahead of Trinity, which I guess implies they still consider Darien a contender. However, Ridgefield is nowhere to be found, implying they did not consider their loss to Greenwich as being discountable, yet Greenwich is ranked sixth. Go figure as you can’t have it both ways. Lastly, despite their performance against X, Fairfield Prep is not getting much respect just yet. Or maybe I’m reading too much into things(?)
@Honus – So… what should we do? Put Trinity Catholic over St. Joseph? Is that what you’re asking. OK. Fair enough.
Yes, for sure Trinity should be ranked over St Joe for a) beating NC, and b) being undefeated. That doesn’t imply St Joe won’t beat Trinity, only that polls are supposed to reward past results, not predict who should beat who (you can only beat who you play). I also happen to think losing to #6 Greenwich is way more understandable than losing to unranked St Joe, which is why I’d have Ridgefield ranked ahead of Darien (who, if we choose to be forward looking instead, are going to have at least three losses by season’s end). Or do you have a different opinion of what polls are supposed to represent?
@Honus – I don’t vote on past results, although that’s obviously a factor. I vote on who I think are the top 15 teams in the state. I definitely take strength of schedule and team talent and how teams win into account.
I think St Joes will be a huge litmus test for much of the FCIAC. IMO they will beat both NC and TC, and rather easily (by 2 TDs each). Sean may have been right at the beginning of year calling SJ as this year’s “Norwalk”. So professor, what have you learned through week 3?
If Hand this year resembles last year’s edition, I’d put those whippersnappers at #2.
@Weasel – They don’t. They’re good. But it doesn’t have the game breakers like last year’s team.
@SPB, “how teams win” is obviously a function of past performance. Unless you are saying you are judging a team on their *future* strength of schedule (vs. who they’ve already played), or are factoring in your predictions for *future* contests (vs. how the kids performed in games already played), I fail to see what distinction you are making from what I wrote about basing things on the past, not future. BTW, I’m still at a loss why Darien gets so much respect in the polls and Ridgefield is an afterthought.
@Honus – Because they only lost in 2 OTs, probably.
Thanks, SPB,
Yeah, I haven’t seen this year’s DHHS crew, but I watched last year’s edition take out Masukrules in the second half of the L SF. Those Hand kids hit really, really hard and were f-a-s-t.
That game was a shocker, but shouldn’t have been.
How is Greenwich High ranked in either poll?, and who makes their schedule, anyway?…I wish they would just fly under the radar until Thanksgiving Day…They don’t deserve that ranking based on 2 games, and all it does is make those kids ripe for the picking by everyone they play from now on…
I know SPB that you mostly cover the western half of the state, but what have you to say about the SCC? It seems this year that there are a couple of old and obvious contenders (i.e. X, Hand, and West Haven), but not to be over shadowed, which teams do you think will be contenders? I, personally would like to see the results from this week’s competition between New London and North Haven. I was at the North Haven vs. X game, and although NH was outmatched, I was particularly impressed by their ability to move the ball. No, I am not a NH fan or parent. Was it X’s defense being down, or is NH a better team than they are getting credit? If I were to predict a surprise win this week, it would be NH over New London.
To be one the one to commence the screaming, I would like to say that X’s lost votes are silly. Yes, they did give up 14 points this past week to Prep. But to keep things in perspective, didn’t Prep come away with a win during their pre-season game scrimmage versus Staples? I know, I know, it was a scrimmage. This being confirmed, would a team of poor quality ever have a final score ahead of a #1 team (regardless of the fact that 2′s and 3′s were given playing time)? I don’t think so. My personal opinion? Prep is far better than everyone is giving them credit. And by extension, X should be given credit for besting a solid Prep team in dominant fashion. This all being said, I will not say that X is as dominant as they were last year. Obviously they have chinks in the armor. But their armor is still the stoutest in the state. I am eagerly awaiting week 5 when the Falcons play host to the Daniel Hand Tigers. That game, most certainly, will be the game that determines the opinions of everyone.
@ACoach – We talk SCC here.
I grew up in it. …Xavier (seen em), Hand (seen em), West Haven (seen em) and Hillhouse (seen em) are among the best in the league. North Haven’s solid. Fairfield Prep (seen em), Cheshire (seen), Shelton (seen), Amity (seen) are decent. NDWH is OK. It kind of drops off from there.
@FootballCoach – I put absolutely no stock in the results Fairfield Prep-Staples scrimmage, I was there for the first quarter when they started fudging with the starters. I really don’t put stock any scrimmage for that matter now that the season is underway. The only thing the Prep-Staples scrimmage proved is that Prep was going to be better.
@honus – Polls by their nature do not go solely by games previously played. The fact that most of the teams in the poll will not play each other indicates that polls are speculative. Polls ideally are done by people who SEE lots of games and actually have some perspective on the teams. I saw Xavier play last year and absolutely KNEW that no other team in the state (Hand might have battled) could have hung with them. That comes from perspective. I was shocked that Darien was in the top ten earlier this year and correctly predicted that St. Joe’s would take them to the wire. So enjoy TC’s season. If they are undefeated after 8 games and are not getting any love, then start worrying about it. The only poll that counts is the last one. Until then, just enjoy the games!
Note: The following comments are respectfully written but with a wee bit of sarcasim.
Sean, we out here in the hinterlands love you. That being said, when did you see this year’s Hand team play? Yale camp or one or two qtrs. of the Hillhouse game before you ran off to an “important” NVL, SWC or FCIAC game? You have to pay more attention to what’s happening in SCC land and not cow tow to your supposed CT Post circulation. Can’t you split yourself like superman? Unfortunately, your indepth knowledge of HS football teams stops in West Haven. I know gas prices are up but doesn’t your editor reimburse your mileage? Last I looked there are still CT Post newpaper boxes in every SCC town. Remember you work for the CT Post and no longer the Bpt. Post! I don’t want to take you to the wood shed but your football reporting is regional but your paper is State wide. We that live in New Haven and east get tired of hearing about just Ansonia, Masuk, NC, Greenwich, etc. You have a great column but you need to expand and seek the bright lights of Broadway!
Yes, Hand no longer has the game breakers of Vitelli or Frey, as well as Dimechele on defense. As always, they reload. Unbeknowst to you, they have just as much talent (maybe more) on this year’s team than last year’s team and they all have a full year plus of championship starting experience. O,Toole and Rogers at RB have break away ability and are a better combo then just Frey. Anderson and Ewald at TE/WR not as flashy as Vitelli but they are this year’s go to guys. Bilcheck at QB and Sullivan in Wildcat, can manage the spread offense just as effectively as Foye, but can pick up 100+ yards per game with their legs. Foye could not and would not run. Bilcheck and Sullivan are a 3rd or 4th down and long defensive coach’s nightmare. Hand coaches prefer a QB that can run. The KO and P return team of Sullivan and Ewald are two of the best in the State. They were great last year and are getting it done again this year. The defense has Walsh and Gerson back; two of the best defensive players in the State hands down and add to that a swarming secondary led by Tucero. Look what the db’s did to your beloved Masuk last year. They are all back minus two and with experience to boot. Add to that some of the best unknown O and D lineman in the State i.e Padelli, Staples and Wivell. I bet you could not name one of Hand’s lineman except Gerson? They never get the recognition of X or Ansonia lineman but they do their job quietly under the media radar. Hand plays as a TEAM and does not get the noteriety because they are far enough out of CT High School Football’s coverage. You seem to pay more attention to New Milford, New Fairfield and Brookfield when in reality you are a lot closer to Madison than you realize. As of late,the quality of the top tier teams (top 5-7) in the SCC are far superior to those in the FCIAC (excepting Staples)and cannot even be compared to any of the SWC teams (excepting Ansonia). I keep hearing about Milone and Masuk. Is this the same Milone that did not score and had minimal yardage in the semis last year against Hand. I think the Masuk receiviers are still picking themselves up off the turf. Milone is a good player in a poor conference. There are many Milones in the SCC. They just do not get the press. I am sure the only time Hand will be mentioned will be two weeks from now when they play X at Palmer Field for the fictional State number one ranking. Every HS writer in CT and maybe NE will be in attendance to cover either the “Middletown Massacre” or “Lightening Strikes Twice (just ask Masuk). I hope my constructive comments have lit a fire under you (or pissed you off) and you will go Broadway instead of Main Street.
Correction to prior Comment: SWC (Excepting Masuk, maybe), NVL (Excepting Ansonia).
Hey Danny, let it go. Your beef is with your paper covering your area. Your guys get plenty of coverage and loads of respect. Anyone who knows anything follows how your team is doing. Now you want SPB to climb up your butt and stay there. Keep winning and stop crying. By the way this was all said with tongue in cheek. Oh yeah you do know that Ansonia is in the NVL.
@Dannny – I saw them vs. Hillhouse. The good 2 quarters, not the bad one when they suddenly couldn’t go anywhere until making the QB switch. They’re good. I have Hand in Top 5. They have two all-state defensive players, but on offense don’t have as many gamebreakers from a year ago. Doesn’t mean the guys they have now are no good (I like Anderson a lot), but they don’t have as many Vitales or Foyes running around. They just don’t. That’s a fact..
I grew up in the SCC. Spent 4 years covering it exclusively. I live in the immediate New Haven area. I’ve seen all of the good teams in the league play, already. Attention: paid.
My papers aren’t statewide. They’re Fairfield County and half of New Haven. That’s who we cover. That’s the majority of my audience. I live in New Haven, but I’m not going to Madison over any of my regional teams unless a) they play one of my regional teams. b) it really, really merits it. I get gas mileage, so those weekly trips from New Haven to Danbury — while tedious and exhausting — pay off in the long run.
I don’t “beloved” anyone. They are all my children. There are just some I cover more than others (in my area) because, well, they’re good teams and people want to know more about the good teams. If I write a Hand article, then a Masuk article, which one do you think would get more pageviews and sell more newspapers down here? Follow the money. Yet, even at this point, I could name more guys on Hand than Masuk, whom I haven’t even seen play yet (outside of a scrimmage, when they beat up Shelton).
Milone is not a good player, he’s an outstanding player. There are NOT many Milones in the SCC. If he played there, he’d be the best receiver by a Madison mile. You’re out of your miiiiind. As a senior, the kid is an absolute freak. He’s easily one of the top 10 players in the state. Easily.
Good day, sir…
I said GOOD DAY!
PS > Nothing ever gets me mad. Welcome! Read, react, write! Come back often!
How much more self serving can Danny Hanny get? Whine all you want to the New Haven Register – that’s your local paper!!! Hand is an excellent team and program – enough said. You are physically located on the east side of New Haven. Get a map. New Haven Register. Get it?!
@Danny Hanny Fan:
I saw the Hand/West Haven game too…it’s just one game, but they are not as good as last years team. They may win it all, but they are not as good. Milone is an ANIMAL. Easily one of the best players in the State. This coming from a Shelton guy.
@SPB:
“So shines a good deed in a weary world”…lol…
@Ax – Charlie! My boy, you’ve WON!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLFo-idElMI
(That’s also ‘The Merchant of Venice, Act 5, Scene I)
Joe, read the correction. Yes, they are all his children but Ansonia gets more of his attention because they are good.
Sean,its sounds like I pissed you off. Touch a sensitive nerve? Did I insult one of your SW CT children? Never the intention. Be a big boy and accept constructive criticism. I was trying to help you. If you are using business as a means check for your column, then change the name of your blog to SW CT HS Football. Business is a poor excuse. If you write a damn good column (which you do) then you shouldn’t have to worry about appeasing your local fans but seek instead to grow and find new friends that appreciate good sports writing. We follow you already. There are more of us out there. Thats business growth. Take the editorial constraints off and grow, man. If not, then have CT Post remove their boxes at every train station and on Main Street on the shoreline. Following the money is a poor excuse.
Hand is a different animal on offense this year than last. It reflects more their strengths than their weaknesses. They can pass effectively and run. Its a balanced offense. If you had paid more attention last year, then just the palyoffs, it was more pass than run. Foye could not run. Depended soley on Frey, and O’Toole as a backup to do the running and their Thunder and Ligthening on short yardage/goal line. Different this year. The coaches have more weapons this year.
At Hillhouse Hand’ starting QB taken out as a injury precaution. They need for the long haul. You saw what he could do in the first half. I think Andre Andreson and him collided and Andreson got the worst of it though. Andreson taken out three more times and finally went out for good. Hand’s QB returned. Hand knocked out Cooper with injury and their starting QB as well. Wildcat was working so you adjust. The game was not that close. You circumvented the Milone issue. He may be an outstanding player for SWC but even with Cochran he did nothing in the semis against a better and more talented SCC team. If I recall, he was shut down. Look at the stats. Explain your reasoning? You can’t just rely on SWC play. Yes, I would love to have him on Hand but he would be part of the team and not THE team! NUFF SAID! GOOD DAY!
@Danny – Just because you say I’m mad, doesn’t make me mad.
You must be new here: I never get mad. Hurl all the bias accusations you want. I’ll respond because, hey, come back. Often.
But you truly are lost. I work for a company that wants to make money. We serve the loyal readers of Fairfield County and Western New Haven Counties.
For exclusive Hand cheerleading coverage, I direct you to the Shoreline Times and/or Shore Publishing. No offense, brother Jimmy.
I didn’t circumvent the Milone issue. He isn’t great because he plays in the SWC, that’s a dumb statement. He’s great because he’s great. I defy you to find a coach who says otherwise. You won’t because they won’t.
If you want to talk about why he wasn’t great in the semifinals it’s because he wasn’t the featured guy and Hand did an amazing job in pass coverage.
I mean, he caught eight passes for 68 yards, he had seven tackles and intercepted Foye in the first half. He wasn’t invisible.
Hillhouse’s Harold Copper is a great back, but just because he didn’t play great against Hand doesn’t change the fact that he’s great. It’s a team game. Takes more than one guy to win.
Name one receiver in the SCC better than Milone. I have an idea, but I want to confirm where you’re coming from.
@SPB:
Timeless…
After this weekend NC will be back in the poll…
Sean, I am sure you have seen the NVL video of the last year’s semi final Hand vs. Masuk. Show me on the video where Milone showed up on offense. He played well on defense but their offense stalled in the second half, Milone included (they didn’t score one point) and Cochran threw to him quite often. He was no wheres to be found but on the ground! The video speaks for itself. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nfB15E_AwY
Just like Rogers was All-State at Weston (Class S) he is just one of the regular guys on Hand. Milone would be no different. Come play with the big dogs in the SCC and see the difference. A great player in one league is a different animal in a tougher more challenging league. Stats are only what you want to make them. It shows in the video. Alligator arms! One league makes you look great while another will expose your true abilities. You have to admit that the SCC is far superior than the SWC, NVL or FCIAC. So don’t defend your backyard for business purposes. I am just stating facts. The video doesn’s lie.
SPB I think Danny is right. Hand would probably beat most of the other teams you cover, so you just probably just cover Hand exclusively. Makes sense to me.
Personally, I like this video better http://bcove.me/c3j5b8x1. it speaks to me.
And if you’re trying to say Milone is not a great high school football player now, understand this: You are in a microscopic minority.
Danny I am sooooo glad you came here to talk about how much better the SCC is than all the other leagues. We have had NEVER had that perspective here before. You have opened my eyes. Thank you.
Danny – you are talking about SCC D1, which everyone on planet earth CT agrees is (most years) about as tough as it gets. Preaching to the converted here. How bout them Easties and those brutally tough football factories in Milford? Do we get to just disregard them while you cite Immaculate and Wilby as doormats for Masuk and Ansonia?
@Ribbs – Yes, you’re probably correct.
In fact, here’s my revised Elite 8:
1. Hand
2. Hand
3. Hand
4. Hand
5. Hand
6. Hand
7. Hand
8. Hand
JUST MISSED – Your sad, sad, sad high school football programs. Oh, and Xavier, too. Hand would have beat you the last two seasons if given the chance.
Easy DHanny Fan, the SCC is very good from the middle up and have the top teams in the state, but SPB has a coverage area which makes sense as to why he isnt at Hand more often. Milone is a top player in the state, if not the best and would make any team much better. He was held in check last year against Hand and that is credit to the Hand team. I do agree that if Masuk played in the FCIAC or SCC, he wouldnt stand out like he does in the SWC as you need players all around you to compete in those two leagues. In the SWC, you dont have to have a great team to win, you just have to have one or two stars and ok support surrounding them. Newtown has Hebert and ok players and Masuk has Milone and ok players. They will play for the championship “again” with the same results as Milone is just that much better than Hebert and both supporting players are equal. Murphy will outcoach Newtown and so on. How do you think Newtown or Masuk would fair in the FCIAC or SCC? .500? .600?
@FCIAC Lives – .500? You’re must be joking.
He may be but you can’t take a player in one league and expect him to perform as well in a much better and more physical league. I will end it here by agreeing that I would love to have him on Hand but he would never get the attention he got or is now getting. That’s because you would never write about him. Thats why Hand will continue to fly under the media radar until playoff time. Loved your video as well. Two great teams. Great Game. The battle tested team won due to the difference in their league play. Brother, I will keep reading your column no matter what others may say about my opinion. It’s what makes your blog fun to read.
@Danny – Hand flying under the radar? They’re No. 3 in the state.
And the SWC has nothing to do with how good Milone is. Nothing. He would be a great player on any team, worthy of as much attention as he’s getting right now. We would write about him because he’s a Division I baseball player with blazing speed and — yes — one of the top receivers in the state.
Guys … these videos and views are so LAST YEAR. Let’s see some video from THIS YEAR before we start this war of words. Third party accounts tell us Hand is not as good as last year, let’s see some video from THIS YEAR. Hand seemed to have been hiding all scrimmage season and the results thus far don’t scream “dominate” like LAST YEAR. And are Xavier and Hand really the best teams in the state THIS YEAR ? … the SCC may be resting on its laurels. Friends from Prep tell me the X-men are not to be feared THIS YEAR … for the last 46 minutes Prep played them virtually even-up (yes, Prep) … Xavier’s defense isn’t shutdown. Hand and Xavier were no doubt the best two teams in the state LAST YEAR, but each graduated a bunch of the best HS football players seen in years. So let’s see THIS YEAR’s crop. Show us the film! Anybody?
@JB – Yeah… I have Prep-Xavier, Hand-Hillhouse, Brookfield-Bunnell, St. Joseph-Darien, Ansonia-Derby, Ridgefield-Stamford… all ready to be edited. Just no time… I’ll attempt to get to it before Thursday.
Lots of players have access to Hudl, which I wish could be embedded. If anyone wants to send over embed codes…
HAND SHOULD BE HIGHER
@Nostrand – Guess a few years out of High school have dulled MasukRules
@Danny why dont you tell your fellow hand team to stop using steroids and such before a state semi final game
Here we go again JB. You have to be the biggest X hater of all time. Were u at the game? At no time was X threatened. I was the first one to say X is not the same team as last year (maybe the best team this state has seen in 20 years) but Prep wasn’t in the game. They scored on one drive only because of 4 X penalties and one long screen pass which then X responded in about a minute. Prep is better and still lost by 20+. if they played 10 times they might be within 20 once but lost by 40 probably 7-8 times. And no disprect intended to Prep just facts.
@Danny – Guys that talk this much smack can’t just bail out on a conversation. You have dissed the FCIAC at every turn. You even sited a scrimmage as to why Staples doesn’t belong in the top 10 ranking. That was very amusing. So you’re all riled up that Hand is being unfairly ranked at # 3 after 3 games of the 2012 season. Who cares about anything other than this year anyway. I suspect the players and coaches are just fine with where they are ranked because there are plenty of games to right this terrible injustice. By the way, yep I’m a FCIAC guy, I think #1 and #2 are fairly ranked. X deserves #1 until they loose and Staples deserves #2 by bringing back 80% of a team that made it to the LL Finals last year and by throttling the first 3 opponents this year. I could go on and on about Staples players but the first thing that program will teach you is to not care about personal accolades so there will be none here. Loosen up Danny, the season is young and there is much to prove.
oh boy
SPB, I was asking everyone out that not saying I agree they would only go .500. I think they go .750 which isn’t good enough to make states as opposed to going .900 or 1.000 which they always seem to do in the SWC. I am a big Murphy fan and believe he is one of the best coaches around and with Milone on his team, he finds the best way to utilize him. Not many coaches can or will do that. However, I dont think Newtown would be .500 in either other league at least this year.
We played Hand and Gerson is the best defensive player I have seen in the last 10 years. Hand vs Xaiver will be a great game too close to call. I still think E. Phillips is the best skill player in the state.
RAY’s “oh boy” sounds ominous. I sense the wheels are turning . . .
Brookfield will surprise the SWC again…
@Xhs – Come on, we don’t hate the Xavier program. It has to be one of the best in the state … well coached, kids play hard and fair. If you follow CT football, you have the highest regard for the Xavier football program. But just because its Xavier, shouldn’t automatically make them voted #1 in the state every year. Last year’s team was #1. This year’s team is almost a complete reload and may be drafting off last year’ accolades. Just need to be convinced this year’s Xavier is #1 … could be so, but last year’s squad would have shutdown Prep to no gain, let alone no points. Just reporting what I hear, wasn’t there.
Thanks, Sean for the film when ready. Could be very revealing.
@JB – Trying man… trying. My day is one task after another.
Here are the teams that could be voted No. 1 and I would have no problem with it: Xavier, Staples, Ansonia … Hand.
Good thing this year it will be settled on the field with Xavier/ hand and maybe a Xavier/staples game. Just wish some how you could throw Ansonia into the mix. SPB I’ve never seen ansonia play (since I’ve played them 30 years ago ) and yes I can figure out MXR who you are cause you were around then, how does Berry compare to the Ansonia kid? I know he hasn’t had the opportunity but from what I read they are pretty similar in skill set and speed. Is the Ansonia kid that much better?
@Xhs – also, if you go back to my posts from the 2010 and 2011 seasons you will see I was one of Xaviers’ biggest supporter for #1. Took a lot of heat, especially in 2010, from the downstate crowd for supporting your team at every turn versus Masuk’s claim to be #1. Why? Because of that shutdown defense. Was so impressed from film and opponents (like Prep) would use words like “wow” or “unbelieveable” to describe how good that defense was. So show me that shutdown defense on film, win us over with performance on the field this year. The last two years are gone.
Xavier’s defense is not nearly as dominant as last year
Did Dannyfan really suggest that SPB doesn’t see enough high school football games? Seriously? This from a guy who clearly sees one team week in and week out? (Yes – this is an unfair assumption). How is the Shoreline paper’s coverage of Ansonia and Windsor this week, danny boy? Has the New Haven Register sent a guy up to check out Glastonbury this week? No? Why? Maybe because it’s outside of their circulation!! SPB’s full time job is with a newspaper that covers Ffld County and a little bit of NH county. He graciously recently expanded his previews to include SCC schools – which have 3 or 4 of the best teams in the state. Did the NH Register preview any games outside of its coverage area this week? Did The Day? Shockingly, The Day covers New London and Ledyard. Hand is an outstanding program – certainly not lacking in respect around the state. THEY ARE NUMBER 3!!! And nobody in the state comes close to covering HS Fball like SPB on here. Man! You make me sound like Sean’s Mom! Oh and Sean, be sure to wash your hands before dinner, dear. Hehe.
@JB — for the little it is worth, I vouch for you bona fides for the last two years. And I accept your point that the current X team has to prove itself on the field and as yet has not lived up to the extremely high defensive standards of the last two years. We are only three games in, and I don’t think that is enough of a sample to be crowning anyone yet. As Xhs points out, unlike the X-Masuk debate that had everyone so worked up for two years, this one will be settled on the field before we are through.
@Xhs — that is the right time frame for me, but I don’t remember ever playing Ansonia. We did scrimmage Derby, my Junior year I think. We must have been staggered a couple of years.
These comments are so funny I don’t usually go on this site every once in a while I like to check it out I love that Sean speaks the truth about each conference. As for the guy talking about Hand get over it buddy. You beat Masuk last year big deal and Milone maybe he did not have his best game its all good we are talking about this year. I am sure Hand is going to have a great season with outstanding players on it as for your rude comments about Milone Jealousy will get you know where Milone is an outstanding player exactly what they say a FREAK he is the best of the best just like at every football program there is always one player to stand out each year guess its Milone’s time to shine I wish all these kids that dedicate there time and lives to High School Football Good Luck This Year especially that freak from Monroe and that team from Madison called Hand good luck to you as well
As a Staples fan who went to the state finals last year: I bow to X and Hand. Until I see my Fciac teams beat a top SCC team, I will continue to bow to X and Hand. That night last year at UCONN left me emotionally scarred.
Hey Sean: is maybe Frusciante at Staples as good as Milone at Masuk?
Nice to see some SCC guys on our blog. Spices it up and proves that Sean runs the best HS blog in the state by far!
Hand might beat Xavier and Xavier may beat staples LL then Ansonia should rank number one after windsor plays hand for L.
top ten ,only 3 SCC ? not very dominating,a few years ago NVL had a #1 and #3 but no one bragged about that, HC should have been #2.
How’s 340 and 240 a tie???
@anotherfan – it’s not. I neglected to change the rankings from last week.
correction…324&340
NP Sean,thought there may be a new type of numbers system ,heck, the politicions have their own…
@Xhs – sorry for my post under the Xavier-Prep film thread … you will not like the analysis or conclusion. I don’t hate Xavier, so please don’t go viral on me. But to be #1 you need to show #1 and compared to last year, this year’s X-squad may not deserve its ranking.
JB, X is #1 until somebody knocks them off. They are big, fast and physical and have one of the best RB and QB combon in the state. That is a great combination that not many schools have. Hand, Ansonia and Staples may be the only HSs that can compare with them,but that is it. Nobody else from NVL, FCIAC, SCC and especially the SWC can even compete with these teams.
Milone reminds me of CJ Costabile from New Fairfield (SWC brethren). Awesome atheletes who choose to play high school football because it’s the best game on earth. Costabile had a great career at Duke highlighted with his NCAA/game winning goal in OT: Milone’s future may be just as bright.
i cant believe people are trying to knock milone…look at what he even did as a sophomore, he tore it up in the state championship game! who cares he didnt dominate hand last year, not every great player is going to have an amazing game, every game. the swc is not as bad as everyone acts. they only think that because the bad teams in the conference are very bad. can’t wait for the interconference scheduling next year so the swc can prove its worth.
bigmac, what interconference schedule next year? SWC vs NVL? 2nd worst conference in CT vs worst conference? At least Masuk schedules FCIAC teams for scrimmages in the preseason so they get a taste of the big boys unlike most SWC teams.
All this bashing makes me so mad its all about the rankings when in fact it should be about the high school football players doing what they love play football these boys need support not negative comments from people how about all the conference are good all the players do there best how about let them just play next time you write something try to be positive these are just 17-18 year old boys we are talking about.
Does anyone have regular and post-season game record of FCIAC vs. SWC match-ups in the past 10 years? I’d really like to see how the two leagues have fared against each other – in recent years. Has the SWC been hammered that badly? I’ve heard that the SWC has been at least respectable.
@Notfromridgefield – i don’t have last 10 years or the hard numbers, but since 2005, SWC has won something like 15 of 26 games, including Bunnell’s 2006 Class L title over Staples and Masuk over Darien and New Canaan in 2010. I know SWC has won more.
@FCIAC Lives…if you think the swc and the nvl are the two worst conferences in CT high school football then you need to go out and watch some games in the Peguot and Constitution conferences. Obviously they have some solid teams at the top but the bottom of those two conferences is not even close to the level played in the swc or nvl.
Thanks Sean. Hard to believe with all the SWC-bashing on here. I thought it was at least competitive. I guess, in this case, facts are an inconvenient reality.
@NotfromRidgefield – My opinions changed forever when I watched the 2006 Class L final. That Staples team was supposed to crush Bunnell.
It’s all about teams. A good team is usually a good team.
As far as bashing the SWC goes, it’s an age old debate that people from the FCIAC continue to exploit to boost their own ego, as if FCIAC football is some unattainable level that the SWC could never reach.. That’s not true one bit. Time and again the SWC’s best have proved on the field they’re better than what some egotistical hard heads from the FCIAC make it out to be. Newtown wouldn’t go .500 in the FCIAC? Lmao! That must be a joke.. Unfortunately, this can never be proven on the field, bringing me to my next point.. What would possess @FCIAC Lives to make that statement? You must have some personal agenda against the program/town. Pathetic. Unlike other teams that have supporters who constantly fill up these blogs, Newtown doesn’t. Therefore I’ve taken it upon myself to stand up for the blatant disrespect some have displayed towards my town.. Haaaaaaa
SPB – you stand corrected. Staples lost to Steve Smith in 2006 – he was a freak in that game. He really did single handedly win that game for Bunnell.
@PatPatriot – He was wearing a Bunnell uniform, was’t he? Same uniform he was wearing when Stratford beat him 40-8 just two weeks prior.
It takes a team.
I’m an FCIAC guy. If all goes the way it should it will be Staples and Greenwich for the FCIAC on Thanksgiving. Staples is getting a lot of praise early and rightfully so. Greenwich got stuck with a crappy schedule this 2 year period. Although some of the teams they played last year are actually getting wins this year. I’m looking for a battle on Thanksgiving. Greenwich is better than people think. They have a lot of good athletes. I saw them beat Masuk in a preseason scrimmage and I didn’t really notice the receiver that everyone is talking about. I’m not trying to disrespect him. Masuk looked good but it was a good tough scrimmage and Greenwich played tough. Staples shouldn’t count their cardinals before they hatch!
@Hasbeen – the Masuk receiver that you are talking about is the guy that ran for an 80 yard touchdown on the 1st play from scrimmage. He was used sparingly after that and was easily the best athlete on the field – no disrespect to Greenwich or the other Masuk players. I, too, was at the scrimmage and to say that “Greenwich beat Masuk” and drawing a conclusion from it – is a stretch. Yes, it was a good, competitive scrimmage – that’s it. As for Greenwich’s chances against Staples, the team that I watched will have a real, tough time with Staples. Staples is the class of Fairfield County this year.
@PatPatriot – who did Staples lose to in 2007 state play-offs? Steve Smith?
Sean, I fully agree with you. There is alot of good football played in Fairfield County and the conference doesn’t matter. Both leagues have solid programs, good teams and not so good teams. Stop the league bashing – it’s pure nonsense.
State Champ predictions: LL Greenwich, L Hand, Masuk, Windsor, M Hillhouse, S St. Joes
I meant Ansonia for class s.
notfromridgefield, there is good football being played, but it is in southern Fairfield. After Newtown vs Brookfield, Newtown has 5 cakewalk games until Masuk against M/S teams. Not bashing, but just stating some facts. FCIAC and SCC have some poor teams also, but the L/LL teams typically only play them once or twice a season in the SCC and FCIAC is pretty darn good all around with a couple of bottom feeders. SWC is weak no matter how you look at it with a couple of good teams each season.
notfrom (#79) – relax, it was a comment aimed at recognizing how well the kid played in the game not a back handed slap at Bunnell or any league.
@whopper Jr III – and afer week 1 and before Thanksgiving, Greenwich plays which powerhouse teams? Stop it.
Hey Bubba#81….Try picking one state champ in the L
85. Greenwich plays 7 class LL teams for the rest of their schedule while Masuk plays 1 S, 4 M, 1 L and 1 LL along with Newtown playing 3 S, 2 M and 2 L teams. Are you really trying to make a point that playing Class S and M teams are tougher than playing 7 Class LL teams? Ludlowe, Danbury and the bottom teams in the FCIAC would have a field day playing the Class S and M teams in the SWC. My point is though Masuk and Newtown are tops in the SWC,it would be a different story in the FCIAC. They would still be good but would be challenged most weeks unlike every 4 weeks in the SWC.
What records do you see Greenwich and Masuk finishing with under their current schedules, and if they flipped schedules?
Greenwich:
Wins Over: Ridgefield (LL-2w), Bassick (L-0w)
Games Remaining: 10/5 v.Trumbull (LL-1w), 10/12 @Fairfield Ludlowe (LL-0w), 10/20 v.Bridgeport Central (LL-0w), 10/27 @Westhill (LL-2w), 11/2 @Brien McMahon (LL-2w), 11/9 v.Danbury (LL-2w), 11/22 v.Staples (LL-3w)
Masuk:
Wins Over: Pomperaug (L-0w), New Milford (LL-0w), Immaculate (S-0w)
Games Remaining: 10/5 @Bunnell (L-1w), 10/12 v.New Fairfield (M-2w), 10/19 @Brookfield (M-3w), 10/27 @Notre Dame-Fairfield (S-0w), 11/3 @Weston (M-3w), 11/9 v.Joel Barlow (M-3w), 11/21 @Newtown (LL-3w)
Greenwich may not be truely tested until Staples so I would say they do not lose until then. If they switched, I would say Newtown would be a test by still beat them by 2 TDs – I have seen both and I am not a Cardinals guy. As for Masuk, Brookfield could be tough but don’t see them winning as I think Brookfield is not as good as everyone thinks – so them against Stratford. They will probably beat Newtown but in a close game only because the best player on the field is Milone is the best player. I also think Masuk is tougher mentally as they have been through some of the expectations where now Newtown has a lot to prove. As for Masuk in FCIAC, I would say Staples would win but they could run the table with some tough games at McMahon, Danbury and Central. In the end, I think Masuk is well coached as is Greenwhich. They both have atheletes and depth. I guess another way to ask it – if you had to pick whose schedule to play which is easier? I think while it is not a huge difference, Masuk’s is softer based on school size and history but some of the SWC teams have good teams. I would pick Greenwhich this year in terms of a head-to-head match. Good luck to both teams.
87 – keep trying to make yourself feel good. I’ve seen alot of these teams play and there is a difference between the “LL”s that your talking about and the SWC’s smaller schools. Bassick against ND Fairfield. Harding against Immaculate. Ludlowe against New Fairfield. Westhill or Trunbull against Barlow. Danbury or Norwalk against Weston. Are you joking?! SWC wins or competes well in every match up listed. Sean – time for you to put your stanp on this. I’m done with this subject.
@notfromridgefield – You’re doing just fine.
Paul: I can’t flat out pick my team, I’m afraid I might jinx em, and I have alot of respect for all the top teams in L.
@90 – that is one great argument for the strength of the SWC … “my weaklings are almost as good as your weaklings”. The point is who does the SWC match up against the likes of Greenwich, Staples, New Canaan, Darien, St Joes, Ridgefield, Trinity Catholic, McMahon and Warde. Only Masuk can consistently compete at that level. Please don’t say Newtown … they get blasted every year in the playoffs by whatever SCC or FCIAC team they face. Sometimes Bunnell and Pomp can compete at that level, but not this year (or most years for that matter).
Notfromridgefield, thanks now I do remember th Masuk receiver. He as fast but like you said he was used sparingly.
JB – you sound sooooo silly. See Point #70, case closed.
@95 – 12 of those 15 wins were by Masuk. What are you talking about? See post 93. Yes, Bunnell can bring it some years, but the rest of your conference is a no show.
From the CIAC website, 2002-2011 season (10 yrs):
LL/L/MM – State Playoff appearences:
FCIAC – 38
SWC – 15 (Masuk 11 of 15)
@95 – show me the exact 15 SWC wins you are talking about over the past 10 years. I don’t see that record in the CIAC website data for the playoffs. I am new to the CT football, but was there regular season match-ups between the SWC and FCIAC I am missing?
From the CIAC website, wins from the LL/L/MM playoffs for 2002-2011: SWC 4 – FCIAC 6
JB, my friend, again, see Point #70 and please refer your Q’s to Sean – he has the supporting data. We’ve wasted enough energy on this topic.
@99 – No need to waste Sean’s time, for anyone that would like to know the playoff facts – the CIAC website has tons of data back to 1997: http://ciacsports.com/site/?page_id=952
I can’t believe the FCIAC has gone from debating its as good as the SCC to defending itself against the SWC. YIKES….
Allright…This is the 102nd comment on this argument…Now the games are on as I write this…I’m listening to the game on the computer, while I watch MLB baseball..Anyway, sounds like GHS defense doesn’t like giving up points…
SPB I think it’s time to show some love for the SCC in your Elite 8. Not only should Prep make it but I see them in the top 5 at least.
xhs – did you really think Shelton was going to give them a good game? Why? Prep is good but they have games coming up that will prove where the are in the pecking order? I like him but I am also not thinking the only football played well is the SCC. With some of the match-ups next week – will see who is still standing -btw never thought Shelton was that good
@Xhs agreed Prep deserves a higher ranking. They play very physical and have that “never give up mentality” they will go far this year any loss will be by a touchdown or less
Shelton is not the typical Shelton this year, but then again Prep is hugely improved. They played Xavier even-up over the final 44 minutes which was even more impressive (watched the film and Prep is for real). Not many teams have had the turnaround in one year like Prep. Still very young but next year they could be the team to beat in LL (could also make states this year if they run the table), guys to watch are their two outstanding D-lineman … #75 Tony Fox (Jr) and #66 Anthony Palazolla (So).
But hard to jump Prep ahead of anyone undefeated in Sean’s elite 8 … question is are they as good as either 1-loss Darien or St Joes. Having watched all three teams this year, I would say Prep has a bit more to prove or the others need to stumble. I think if St Joes stays healthy and beats NC, they have a higher ceiling this year than Prep and more likely in the top-5. Ultimately, though, Prep’s best shot to make a statement for the top-5 is a convincing win over West Haven. That game will be an awesome match-up and we will see if Prep has truly arrived.
JB come on! Prep was never in the game vs. Xavier. A good team yes but come on it wasn’t close! If u were there watching it wasn’t competitive or put it this way the outcome was never questioned never mind in doubt. X went into a shell and kept the clock going. It easily could have been 40 not 20+. shows how dominate X really is. Ask north Haven 49-12 and they r killing everyone. I say X by 21 over Hand this week also.
@Xhs – so why was the 1st team still in and throwing the deep ball in the 4th quarter? That is not like Xavier, with the game “in-hand”. Looked like Prep was stopping the run game pretty good after those first two scores and Xavier needed to come out of that shell it was hiding in with the long ball to put it away. The stats seem to support that view as well – go look at MaxPrep and factor in the break-away runs in the first 4 minutes. Not saying that Prep was ever going to win the game, but it was a lot closer than anyone expected. I think you will have an easier time with Hand than with Prep … hard for me to say that, but could be the case this year. Xavier’s #1 ranking won’t be challenged in the regular season.
St Joes and Darien both win big in blowouts today. Stamford and Danbury are both equal to or better than Shelton this year, so will be a stretch to jump Prep over them into the Elite 8.
@JB – Prep has not won a game against a top level team. Shelton lost to Cheshire! Prep is ranked 14th in LL right now. Total wins by the teams they have beaten…3! Scoring lots of points against bad teams does not make you a top team. I agree they are much improved, but lets hold off on the talk of a top team right now. Their schedule looks very light with only West Haven left to play as a contender in the standings. I do not see Cheshire as being a typical Cheshire team this year either.
Incredible that anyone doesn’t think Milone is awesome. Ever see this kid? The kid would star anywhere. Best athlete on the field. If he played at Aquinas in Ft Lauderdale, think he’d make an impact? He would be awesome. He runs a 4.3 40, is strong, has awesome hands… If Bosco had him drive there everyday, like Steele Divito did from Ridgefield, he’d be an absolute star. At Bosco. Yes. At mighty mighty Bosco. The kid is a simply ridiculous athlete and tough as Hell… So, he wants to play baseball. He’ll be on the White Sox in, oh, 5 yrs or so… so you can all talk about how he wasn’t “all that” as a high school football player when he’s earning millions playing another great sport. I have nothing to do with SWC… I’ve seen all the teams, from all the leagues, play numerous times. Masuk by the way would be 9-1 at worst in the FCIAC… And that’s if Staples was on the schedule. But who’d be the best player and athlete on the field? Milone. Not Frusciante, who is great. He’s not Milone. Masuk would be a beast to beat… Their o line is nasty and big and athletic. They swarm you. I’ve never been to Monroe, no affiliation. This is called a totally objective assessment. Hand is great. Xavier is great. Ansonia is great. Give credit where it’s due and stop with the partisan politics. You sound as stupid as the whack job politicos on both the right and left wings, who disagree with everything the other “side” says simply because the OTHER “party” said it.
Just saying it has been harder to get a read on “greatness” this year versus the last two years. IMO – those 2010&2011 Xavier, Hand and Masuk teams were great. All three programs reloaded this year and from what I have witnessed “greatness” is not the word I would use. Strong contenders, yes, but not a sure-thing like last year. A bunch of teams are on the rise and will surprise folks in states.
One thing is for sure, Milone is a great HS athlete. Maybe Gatorade player of the year if he keeps on this tear and Masuk runs the table to states. Who is a better candidate? Probably Newsome, but his injury seems worse than hoped. Ansonia will win it all even without him, so Ansonia is showing greatness at the small school level for sure.
@ Sean,I say patoto,you say patato,is it Zavier or Eggszavier ,or is it Exzavier,or Exsavier? My friend keeps saying Exzavier,drives me nuts.I think it pronounced “Zavier”
@ 110 nice going …Bravisimo!!JB boo, hiss
@Another Fan – I say Zavier