Archive for the ‘FCIAC’ Category

2012 All-FCIAC football teams

Monday, December 10, 2012 by:Sean Patrick Bowley

♦♦♦

The All-FCIAC football teams have been announced. Three Divisions. Three teams and three coaches of the year for each division.

Peter Stokes of Trinity Catholic won FCIAC East Coach of The Year. Marce Petroccio of Staples won FCIAC West Coach of the Year. A.J. Albano of McMahon won FCIAC Central Coach of the Year.

All-FCIAC East

FCIAC East Coach of the Year — Pete Stokes, Trinity Catholic

First Team Offense

Position	Player	School	Height	Weight	Year
QB	Jordan Vazzano	St. Joseph	6’3″	210	11
QB	Vochan Fowler	Bassick	5’11″	170	11
RB	Christian Bognar	Darien	5’10″	190	12
RB	Mike Burns	Wilton	6’0″	170	12
RB	Shaquan Howsie	Trinity Catholic	5’10″	230	12
RB	Nick Lombardo	Darien	5’11″	176	11
WR	Peter Gesualdi	Darien	6’0″	177	12
WR	Grady Lynch	New Canaan	6’1″	175	12
WR	Jake Pelletier	St. Joseph	5’9″	162	12
OL	Nick DelBuono	St. Joseph	5’9″	246	12
OL	Dylan Karnedy	New Canaan	6’1″	211	12
OL	Mike LaSala	Wilton	6’2″	270	12
OL	Colin McKeown	Warde	6’3″	275	11
OL	Rob Roehrich	St. Joseph	6’0″	269	12
PK	John Benalcazar	Trinity Catholic	5’8″	140	12

First Team Defense

Position	Player	School	Height	Weight	Year
DL	Connor Buck	New Canaan	6’5″	244	11
DL	Matt D’Andrea	Darien	6’0″	280	12
DL	Riley Kinahan	Trinity Catholic	5’11″	260	12
DL	Dale Kirkland	Bassick	6’5″	250	12
LB	A.J. Brown	Bassick	6’1″	225	12
LB	Matt Hare	St. Joseph	5’11″	189	12
LB	Cole Harris	New Canaan	6’0″	200	11
LB	Andrew Maley	Darien	5’11″	187	12
LB	Mike Pulaski	St. Joseph	5’10″	209	12
LB	Michael Root	New Canaan	6’4″	215	11
LB	Cody Zaro	Trinity Catholic	5’10″	205	12
DB	Sharon Crowell	Trinity Catholic	5’8″	170	12
DB	Ryan Jacob	Warde	5’10″	175	12
DB	Casey Ouellette	New Canaan	6’0″	170	12
DB	Brett Phillips	Wilton	6’0″	180	11
DB	Ian Vanderhorn	Darien	6’1″	178	12
P	Daly Hebert	Darien	6’0″	166	11

All-FCIAC East Second Team Offense

Position	Player	School	Height	Weight	Year
QB	Henry Baldwin	Darien	6’3″	184	12
QB	Nick Cascione	New Canaan	5’11″	183	11
RB	Sean Brown	Trinity Catholic	6’1″	240	12
RB	Julian Fyffe	Bassick	5’10″	190	11
RB	T.J. Gallagher	Warde	5’11″	175	10
RB	Louis Hagopian	New Canaan	6’0″	172	12
RB	Randy Polonia	Trinity Catholic	6’1″	185	10
WR	Jack Gilio	New Canaan	5’9″	173	11
WR	Mark Hirschbeck	St. Joseph	5’11″	200	11
WR	Weston Wilbur	Wilton	6’5″	185	12
OL	Luis Acosta	Bassick	5’11″	250	12
OL	Bobby Erickson	New Canaan	6’5″	310	12
OL	Joe Fraccaroli	Wilton	6’3″	295	11
OL	Tommy Gasparino	Darien	6’1″	215	11
OL	Steve Hashemi	St. Joseph	6’5″	245	11
OL	Luis MacIntyre	Wilton	6’1″	245	12
OL	Beau Santero	New Canaan	6’4″	235	11
PK	Zach Bruno	New Canaan	6’1″	173	12

All-FCIAC East Second Team Defense

Position	Player	School	Height	Weight	Year
DL	Zach Allen	New Canaan	6’4″	205	10
DL	John Rhudy	New Canaan	6’3″	185	12
DL	Mike Schuchmann	St. Joseph	6’2″	223	11
DL	Graham Thalacker	New Canaan	6’1″	210	12
LB	Matt Brown	Darien	6’2″	192	12
LB	David Deleo	Trinity Catholic	5’10″	190	12
LB	Julian Jean	Bassick	5’9″	165	12
LB	Kurtis Mudre	St. Joseph	6’1″	175	12
LB	Myles Ridder	Darien	5’10″	175	11
DB	Mike DiCosmo	New Canaan	5’9″	147	11
DB	Max Garrett	Warde	6’1″	210	12
DB	Neno Meritt	Trinity Catholic	6’1″	180	11
DB	Lars Pedersen	St. Joseph	5’10″	170	10
DB	Jon Prutting	St. Joseph	5’11″	135	12
DB	Jihad Whitaker	Bassick	6’0″	170	11
DB	Jackson Whiting	Darien	5’11″	178	12
DB	Brian Wiegand	Darien	5’11″	172	12

All-FCIAC East Honorable Mention

Position	Player	School	Height	Weight	Year
WR	Chitunga Chesenga	Bassick	5’10″	165	11
WR	Claude Desir	Bassick	5’9″	155	11
OL	Jean Phillippe	Bassick	5’10″	185	11
DB	Kenney Rene	Bassick	6’0″	175	10
DB	John Reed	Darien	5’11″	175	11
OL	Ben Sickinger	Darien	5’11″	195	12
DL	Peter Baran	New Canaan	5’10″	202	12
QB	Teddy Bossidy	New Canaan	5’10″	175	11
RB	Frank Cognetta	New Canaan	5’9″	185	10
LB	Thomas Costigan	New Canaan	6’1″	185	12
WR	Cole Turpin	New Canaan	5’9″	152	11
OL	Tom Adzima	St. Joseph	6’0″	230	11
OT	Pete Mestre	St. Joseph	6’5″	273	11
WR	Denzel Mozcuva	St. Joseph	6’0″	180	12
DL	Pat Keneally	Trinity Catholic	6’1″	240	12
DL	George Li	Trinity Catholic	6’5″	273	12
QB	Dan O’Leary	Trinity Catholic	6’3″	200	12
OL/DL	Ahmed Hourani	Warde	6’3″	275	11
RB/S	Kerven Jaques	Warde	5’11″	200	12
WR/DE	Brian Kerrigan	Warde	6’5″	220	11
WR/LB	Dan Skelton	Warde	5’10″	190	12
OL/LB	Tom Ward	Warde	5’11″	225	12
LB	Griffin Bender	Wilton	6’0″	185	11
DL	Dan Holland	Wilton	6’0″	215	11
WR	Zack Laurinaitis	Wilton	6’6″	185	11
DB	Andrew Sakamoto	Wilton	5’8″	170	11

All-FCIAC Central

FCIAC Central Coach of the Year — A.J. Albano, McMahon

First Team Offense

Position	Player	School	Height	Weight	Year
QB	Connor Rowe	Ridgefield	6’0″	200	12
QB	Matt White	Ludlowe	5’10″	180	11
RB	Will Bonaparte	Ridgefield	5’10″	185	11
RB	Trevon Forney	McMahon	5’9″	150	11
RB	Kyle Jordan	McMahon	5’11″	190	12
RB	Tomar Joseph	Norwalk	5’7″	220	12
WR	Sam Gravitte	Ridgefield	6’2″	200	12
WR	Jahaad Williams	Harding	5’11″	180	12
TE	Stephan Zadravec	Ludlowe	6’2″	195	11
OL	Andrew Barton	Ridgefield	6’2″	235	12
OL	Rodrigo Denapoli	Stamford	5’9″	240	12
OL	Sam Murphy	Ludlowe	6’6″	255	12
OL	Andrew Rodriguez	McMahon	5’6″	245	12
PK	Nicholas Briganti	McMahon	5’9″	179	12

First Team Defense

Position	Player	School	Height	Weight	Year
DL	Matt Hargrove	McMahon	5’10″	180	11
DL	David Harris	Ludlowe	6’0″	225	11
DL	James Pace	McMahon	6’4″	275	12
LB	Frankie Colandro	Stamford	5’11″	215	12
LB	Kyle Dammayer	Ludlowe	6’2″	175	12
LB	Reggie David	Harding	5’11″	185	11
LB	Danny O’Brien	McMahon	5’6″	180	12
LB	Tristan Opdahl	Norwalk	6’1″	240	12
DB	Mickey Hicks	Ridgefield	5’7″	150	12
DB	Marc Lerebours	Norwalk	5’5″	155	12
DB	Aiden Mauro	Ridgefield	5’8″	170	11
DB	John Pasard	Stamford	5’8″	170	12
DB	Cameron Webb	Stamford	5’8″	180	11
P	Victor D’Ascenzo	Ludlowe	6’0″	175	12

All-FCIAC Central Second Team Offense

Position	Player	School	Height	Weight	Year
QB	Tashaun Ballard	Harding	5’9″	230	12
QB	Ryan Dunn	Ridgefield	5’9″	155	10
RB	Jimmy Gasper	Ludlowe	6’0″	175	11
RB	Christian Ghiorzi	Ludlowe	6’2″	230	10
RB	Stephen Scholz	Ludlowe	6’0″	200	12
RB	D.J. Smith	Harding	5’9″	180	11
WR	Dan Santella	Ludlowe	5’10″	150	12
WR	Dan Silvestri	Ludlowe	5’10″	155	12
TE	John Mullery	Ridgefield	5’8″	175	12
OL	Evan Adams	Norwalk	6’5″	280	10
OL	Lucas Goff	Ridgefield	5’10″	220	11
OL	Danny Medico	McMahon	6’3″	205	12
OL	Jose Rodriguez	McMahon	6’0″	171	12
OL	Andrew Starr	McMahon	6’3″	247	11

All-FCIAC Central Second Team Defense

Position	Player	School	Height	Weight	Year
DL	Jake Garrell	Ludlowe	5’11″	230	11
DL	David Gillette	Stamford	5’10″	225	12
DL	Rich Mathes	Ridgefield	6’1″	195	12
LB	Kyle Cavalea	Ridgefield	5’9″	200	12
LB	Brian Gayle	McMahon	5’6″	160	11
LB	Kenneth Keen	McMahon	5’11″	175	11
LB	Lance Lauture	Norwalk	5’8″	170	12
LB	Chris Mirra	Ridgefield	6’1″	190	12
DB	Jalen Brown	Stamford	5’8″	170	10
DB	Ryan Davis	McMahon	5’6″	127	12
DB	Danny Jahab	Norwalk	5’11″	175	12
DB	Timo Muro	Ridgefield	6’0″	170	12

All-FCIAC Central Honorable Mention

Position	Player	School	Height	Weight	Year
OL	David Hall	Harding	5’11″	190	12
OL	Lou Holiday	Harding	5’10″	250	12
DT	Stephon Ogrinc	Harding	5’11″	255	10
LB	Tyshantae Williams	Harding	5’8″	175	12
OL/DL	Dylan Claiborne	Ludlowe	6’2″	235	12
OL/DL	Alex Gorsuch	Ludlowe	6’3″	230	12
WR/DB	Tommy Howell	Ludlowe	5’10″	170	12
RB/DB	Sal Loris	Ludlowe	5’10″	190	12
QB	Matt Downey	McMahon	5’10″	132	11
LB	Tim Hinton	McMahon	5’11″	170	10
DL	Allan Leonard	McMahon	6’1″	185	11
DB	Kentrell Snider	McMahon	5’7″	150	10
OL	Brendan Hanzlik	Norwalk	5’11″	225	11
OL	Thomas LaRosa	Norwalk	5’10″	265	11
RB/LB	Jim McInerney	Norwalk	5’7″	155	12
TE/DL	Luke Sweeney	Norwalk	6’4″	200	12
RB/LB	Mickey Carbone	Ridgefield	5’10″	168	11
WR/DE	Andrew Chuma	Ridgefield	6’2″	185	11
OL/DL	Tim Cozens	Ridgefield	6’2″	190	12
TE/DE	Victor Fernandez	Ridgefield	5’10″	175	12
FS	Tamarie Sterling	Stamford	5’9″	155	12

All-FCIAC West

First Team Offense

Position	Player	School	Height	Weight	Year
QB	Jack Massie	Staples	6’1″	190	11
QB	Liam O’Neil	Greenwich	6’1″	185	12
RB	Mark Bernstein	Greenwich	5’9″	195	12
RB	Davell Cotterell	Westhill	5’11″	175	12
RB	Alex McMurray	Greenwich	5’11″	175	11
RB	Ryan Pearson	Trumbull	5’11″	205	12
RB	Joe Zelkowitz	Staples	5’10″	175	12
WR	Corey Chaffee	Danbury	5’11″	170	12
WR	Vincent Ferraro	Greenwich	6’1″	170	12
WR	James Frusciante	Staples	6’0″	180	12
WR	Jose Melo	Greenwich	5’11″	175	11
WR	Mike Williams	Trumbull	6’0″	180	12
TE	Joe Kelly	Greenwich	6’2″	215	12
OL	Alex McGee	Greenwich	6’1″	215	12
OL	Will Patrick	Staples	6’3″	280	12
OL	Chris Speer	Staples	6’2″	260	12
OL	Ryan Vaughn	Staples	6’4″	290	12

First Team Defense

Position	Player	School	Height	Weight	Year
DL	Kevin Contreras	Central	5’11″	295	12
DL	Vincent Deramo	Central	6’3″	235	12
DL	Peter Hoets	Staples	6’2″	220	12
DL	Jared Levi	Staples	6’2″	210	12
DL	Andrew Marino	Trumbull	5’11″	240	11
DL	Jack Wynne	Greenwich	6’4″	235	11
LB	Dan Claromi	Greenwich	5’9″	210	12
LB	Ka’ron Danzy	Danbury	5’10″	202	12
LB	Nick Jiminez	Westhill	5’11″	170	12
LB	Ryan Keklik	Trumbull	6’1″	225	12
LB	Lance Lonergan	Staples	6’2″	205	12
DB	Nick Kelly	Staples	6’2″	200	12
DB	Austin Longi	Greenwich	5’8″	150	10
DB	Taylor Olmstead	Greenwich	6’3″	210	12
DB	Sean Remondino	Westhill	5’7″	165	12
P	Yveson Cassamajor	Westhill	6’1″	195	12

FCIAC West Coach of the Year — Marce Petroccio, Staples

All-FCIAC West Second Team Offense

Position	Player	School	Height	Weight	Year
QB	Xavier Hardison	Central	6’0″	195	11
QB	Nick Roberts	Trumbull	6’3″	205	11
RB	Patrick Lesch	Staples	5’10″	170	11
RB	Tim Longo	Westhill	5’9″	165	12
OL	Burim Trdevaj	Staples	5’10″	260	12
OL	Bob Decker	Greenwich	6’1″	235	12
OL	Andrew DelCarmine	Greenwich	6’1″	240	11
OL	Will Polito	Trumbull	6’2″	220	12
OL	Chris Soule	Westhill	5’11″	200	12
OL	Nick Spano	Greenwich	6’1″	240	12
OL	Jason Thach	Danbury	5’11″	230	11
OL	Nick Ward	Staples	6’5″	310	12
PK	Jesse Adleberg	Greenwich	5’8″	160	12

All-FCIAC West Second Team Defense

Position	Player	School	Height	Weight	Year
DL	Patrick Callahan	Greenwich	6’3″	195	12
DL	Moise Francillien	Westhill	6’2″	225	12
DL	Jack Harrington	Greenwich	6’4″	225	11
DL	Deondrick Lavine	Westhill	6’2″	230	12
LB	Brian Book	Staples	6’0″	205	12
LB	C.J. Jones	Westhill	6’0″	215	12
LB	Kevin Kearney	Staples	6’2″	210	12
LB	Andrew Louis	Central	6’0″	205	12
DB	Elijah Duffy	Danbury	5’10″	150	11
DB	Sean Dunster	Greenwich	6’1″	200	12
DB	Mike Longo	Greenwich	5’10″	175	12
DB	Dan Paolino	Trumbull	6’0″	185	12
DB	Nick Pulitano	Greenwich	6’0″	165	12
DB	Greg Strauss	Staples	5’9″	170	12

All-FCIAC West Honorable Mention

Position	Player	School	Height	Weight	Year
OT	Devon Louis	Central	5’11″	315	12
RB	Mykel Morris	Central	5’11″	170	10
DB	Marcus Moss	Central	5’8″	155	12
RB	Keyshaun Thomas	Central	5’9″	160	11
OL	Juwan White	Central	5’9″	290	11
WR	Corey Acosta	Danbury	5’11″	175	12
DL	Marlon Black	Danbury	5’9″	170	11
LB	Eric Henry	Danbury	5’8″	185	10
TE	Tristan Jakobson	Danbury	6’1″	200	11
OL	Andrew Kielty	Danbury	5’9″	220	12
OL	Akim Moffett	Danbury	5’11″	175	11
OL	Andrew DelCarmine	Greenwich	6’1″	240	11
DB	Sam Latto	Greenwich	6’1″	200	12
DL	Rich Eldh	Staples	6’2″	205	12
WR	Will Johnson	Staples	5’8″	170	11
RB	Zach Speranza	Staples	5’9″	170	12
CB	T.J. Hayduk	Trumbull	5’10″	175	11
CB	Liam Moore	Trumbull	6’0″	180	11
DL	Ronnie Griggs	Westhill	6’2″	290	12
LB	Dennis Hart-Lima	Westhill	6’0″	200	11
OL	Mike Vigliotti	Westhill	6’0″	230	12

Semifinal Sunday: NFA wrecks Staples’ mojo, Fairfield County silenced

Sunday, December 2, 2012 by:Sean Patrick Bowley

CLASS LL – NFA 30, STAPLES 28 | XAVIER 30, GLASTONBURY 13
CLASS L — HAND 42, MASUK 23 | WINDSOR 27, NEW CANAAN 21
CLASS M – BERLIN 21, WESTON 7 | HILLHOUSE 48, MONTVILLE 26
CLASS S – ANSONIA 41, HYDE 13 | NORTH BRANFORD 62, WOODLAND 27

Jared Levi and the Wreckers walk solemnly off the Ken Strong Stadium field following their stunning 30-28 loss to NFA in the Class LL semifinals

With big smiles, massive hugs, and emitting a cacophony of whoops and hollers that echoed across the state, the entire football team gathered in the southern end zone of Ken Strong Stadium for a photo. It could have been West Haven in August, gathering for its annual team photo.

But this was December. These were the state playoffs. And the photographers weren’t contracted shutterbugs from the local studio, they were equally happy and proud parents and inquisitive newspaper reporters. This wasn’t West Haven.

This was Norwich Free Academy.

Jubilant. Victorious. Posing below the scoreboard, emblazoned on it, their birthday gift to coach Jemal Davis.

NFA 30, Staples 28.

By all accounts, it was a stunning result.

This was supposed to be one of, if not the best Staples teams in the Marce Petroccio era. It was supposed to be invincible. It was going to take care of these upstarts from way out east and get a championship rematch with mighty Xavier.

Instead, junior back Marcus Outlow, quarterback Matt Paparelli and a massive and determined NFA front held the FCIAC’s best team in check, took command in the second half while Staples wilted with several critical second-half errors.

There was an errant punt that resulted in a safety (and gave NFA the lead for good), an option pitch at the goal line that was batted away and recovered by NFA with 7 minutes remaining and then, just when it looked as if the Wreckers would make a valiant comeback, the punt that fatefully bounced upfield and off a Staples player and recovered by NFA.

Staples’ offense, which didn’t score less than 42 points throughout the entire season yet uncharacteristically committed three turnovers and had just over 100 yards in the second half, never saw the ball again.

Their dreams were crushed.

“It’s awful,” stunned coach Marce Petroccio said. I’m going to try and pick up some of the greatest seniors we’ve ever had at Staples High School. But today was not our day.

“We just found a way to lose.”

NFA’s dreams lives on.

In retrospect, everything we heard about NFA ever since it hammered Stamford 51-0 back in October, and everything we saw from the Newtown game turned out to be spot-on. They were big, they were talented, they were determined.

“We know we can play with anybody,” Davis said.

NFA's Marcus Outlow falls through the Staples defense in a 30-28 upset victory over the Wreckers in the Class LL semifinals (Photo: Mike Ross)

And, my oh my, junior Marcus Outlow is legit.

Outlow has been a key player for NFA since getting significant time on the 2010 semifinal team that lost to Trumbull. This is confirmed: He has “full-ride” offers from Alabama, Oregon, Ohio State… you name it, since impressing a ton of scouts at an NUC combine over the summer. At 5-foot-11, 200 pounds, “he definitely passes the eye test,” said MSG Varsity’s Mike Quick.

But it was quarterback Joey Paparelli, who carried the Wildcats in the second half. He scrambled for first downs. He found receivers, particularly Khaleed Exum-Strong, for third-down conversions. Staples’ strong defense eventually found a way to contain him, giving the offense a chance to rally. But that wasn’t until the Wildcats

had 9-point lead. His long run set up the eventual clinching touchdown late in the third quarter.

“To knock off the No. 1 team, we knew we had it in us,” Paparelli said. “We just went out and got the job done.”

Staples was just as good as NFA, but on this afternoon, in the state playoffs, it had to be perfect. It wasn’t.

Junior Airec Ricks made the biggest play of the game when he batted away an option pitch from Jack Massie at the goal line and recovered by NFA. Later, with Staples in full rally mode, he recovered the punt that bounded up the turf and hit Staples captain Kevin Kearney in the leg.

“You can’t win in a game like this playing the way we played,” stunned Staples coach Marce Petroccio said. “I’m just upset that we waited until today to play the way we did.”

So there will be no rematch. NFA ran out the clock to set up a date with No. 3-seeded Xavier at Rentschler Field. Staples, which has seen more than its share of crushing, state playoff losses of the last six years, goes home empty handed.

“Like I said earlier in the week, we were underestimated because we play in the Eastern Connecticut Conference,” Outlow said. “But people look at it and say, oh your conference is weak, blah, blah, blah. But we just come out here and we try to pursue what our coaches meant for us to do, we came out and we executed as well as we can, and it showed on the scoreboard.”

Their talent and their efforts are now preserved forever, in record books and — more importantly for these players — in photographs. A moment frozen in time.

Fairfield County: Denied.

Michael DiCosmo picks up a fumble that he raced 76 yards for a touchdown with less than a minute remaining vs. Windsor. It turned out to be New Canaan's last gasp in a 27-21 loss.

Super Sunday was not a good day for Fairfield County football teams.

First Staples went down in a gutwrenching finale. Then New Canaan lost its first state semifinal game since 2005.

Those losses erased the last FCIAC teams from state championship contention — something that’s never happened in the 36-year history of the CIAC playoffs.

Weston and Masuk lost.

No one from Shangri La will be playing for a state title.

Just like Staples, New Canaan came oh, so close.

For the second straight season, New Canaan found itself down big. But visions of a season ago began dancing in the Rams’ heads in the fourth quarter. Cole Turpin’s long catch set up a Louis Hagopian touchdown run to cut a 27-7 defcit to 28-14.

Trying to run out the clock, Robert Quinn Fleeting fumbled and Michael DiCosmo returned it 79 yards with just under a minute remaining.

Not again? Nope. Not again. Windsor corralled the onside kick and hung on to win 27-21, ending New Canaan’s string of state championship games at six.

“It just goes to show the game’s never over,” Windsor coach Fleeting said. “The difference from last year is we didn’t panic. The kids have grown up.”

“They’re just a gutsy group of kids,” New Canaan coach Lou Marinelli said. “They never gave up. We didn’t play well. We lost to a better team. They’re a team that deserves to go play in a state championship. We did not play well enough.”

Weston's Zach Cannon attempts to bat the ball away from Berlin's Tyler Bouchard in the Class M semifinals at Bunnell.

Tyler Hassett and Weston played valiantly, but fell to No. 2-seeded Berlin, 21-7.

Down 14-0 after a half, Hassett pulled the Trojans within a touchdown. Later, with the score 21-7, just as the Redcoats appeared they would put it away, Erik Dammen-Brower picked off a pass and was headed for the end zone.

But he was chased down, fumbled the ball back and the Trojans were eventually eliminated. Berlin advances to face No. 4-seeded Hillhouse, a 48-26 winner over Montville, in the state championship. This is Hillhouse’s sixth state championship game in school history.

Little Weston, meanwhile, finishes 9-3, including a state playoff victory. This was their best season in 23 years.

“Our kids fought hard,” Lato said. “I’m proud of their effort.”

“This isn’t the finish line. We want to get here every year. It’s always toughest the first time you do something and now we’ve done this and got this far. The underclassmen gained experience and got to see what it’s like to play in playoff games. I’m really proud of what this team has done for Weston football.”

As for Masuk, they were never in it vs. top-seeded and top-ranked Hand.

Hand took its time getting onto the field, but took very little time dismantling Masuk 42-23.

And this wasn’t even that close. In a heavy fog, Caleb Ewald took a flat pass from Brendan Bilcheck and raced 74 yards for a touchdown on the game’s first play. “They throw a screen, the kid that was supposed to cover it never saw the ball in the air,” Masuk coach John Murphy said. “But they took it to us on both sides of the ball in the first half.”

Hand rolled to a 35-0 halftime lead, piling up over 400 yards of offense to reach its second straight state championship game.

This was Hand coach Steve Filippone’s 200th career victory. “I didn’t win a game,” Filippone said. “I’ve never won a game. … I really take no great satisfaction in it. I take satisfaction in that this team has won 26 games in a row.”

Only some heroics by outstanding senior back Thomas Milone, who returned a free kick for a touchdown, caught a touchdown pass and also had an interception, kept the score from looking too lopsided.

But his career, which included a state championship in 2010, now shifts to baseball season and Hand will face Windsor in the state final.

“I’m proud of my kids,” Murphy said. “After what we lost last year, nobody said they could get back here. I’m proud of them.”

Newsome, Chargers roll into final

Ansonia was our only regional team to reach a state championship game.

As expected, there was no doubts about this one.

Newsome ran for 215 yards and four touchdowns and, in the process broke former Ansonia standout back Alex Thomas’ career state record of 115, as the Chargers reached their third-straight championship game and 27th overall with a 41-13 victory over Hyde. | [CPTV VIDEO]

The Chargers, who have won a state-best 27 consecutive games (Hand has won 26 straight), will play North Branford in the Class S championship.

The T-Birds hammered Woodland 62-27 to reach their first state final since 2001.

S-C-C! S-C-C! S-C-C!

Guess which conference will be playing for three state championships this weekend?

Look no further than Al Carbone’s official Southern Connecticut Conference Twitter account. The Commish’s nimble fingers quickly let everyone know that his league is dominating the proceedings thus far.

Xavier (11-1) will play for its third consecutive Class LL title. Hand (12-0) will play for its second consecutive Class L title. And now, joining the fray, is Hillhouse (10-2), which will be playing for its second Class M title in three years.

After spending the last two championship weekends on the sidelines, the CCC has two representatives. Windsor (11-0) plays Hand in Class L; Berlin (11-1) plays Hillhouse.

The ECC went 1-1 in the semifinals, sending NFA (12-0) to take on Xavier in the Class LL final.

The NVL-Pequot challenge ended 1-1 for each league. Ansonia (13-0), the NVL’s final representative, takes on North Branford (12-0), the Pequot’s last representative.

Overall, the NVL is 3-2 in the state playoffs. The Pequot is 3-3.

And of course, the FCIAC (0-2, 2-5 overall) and the SWC (2-3) will send no state championship representatives.

WATCH the full highlight reel from WFSB’s Friday Night Football crew

Dave Cadelina steps down as Central football coach

Tuesday, November 27, 2012 by:Sean Patrick Bowley

It wasn’t that long ago that Central football was one of Connecticut’s most downtrodden programs.

Then the school hired Dave Cadelina and began one of the great turnarounds in state football history.

Now, after 16 years, 93 victories, a pair of state tournament appearances and two FCIAC championship game appearances, Cadelina has decided to hang up his whistle.

The 47-year coach, who’s came to be known for his flair for drama, using movie themes, quotes and even game-day makeup to help motivate his players, made his decision after several months of mulling it over with his family.

His decision made, Cadelina met with his players this afternoon.

“Feel that it’s time for me to step aside,” said Cadelina, a math teacher at the school. “Throw Excalibur back into the lake if, you will, and open it up for somebody new to come on in.

“Have had nothing but enjoyment being here for 16 years serving players and the community at Central.”

Cadelina, a Bethany native and Amity graduate who was a freshman on the Spartans’ 1979 state championship team, was an assistant coach for nine years, including time spent at Harding under Bob Cole.

When Cadelina took over in 1997, Kennedy Stadium was a dump, Central hadn’t had a winning season in 25 years, nor had it beaten crosstown rival Harding in recent years.

It didn’t take long for Central to smash down barriers.

“My first goal when I got there was beating Harding,” said Cadelina who was 93-71-1 at Central. “I really wanted to help even out that series. We accomplished that goal fairly early.”

Central beat Harding in his first season. It went on to win 15 of 16 meetings, including the last 14 years, under Cadelina’s watch.

“Our next goal was to have a winning season,” he said. “We took care of that too.”

Central went 6-5 in 1999.

In 2004, Cadelina and the Hilltoppers stunned the rest of the FCIAC by going 9-0 in the regular season and reaching the school’s first FCIAC championship game. Central lost to Greenwich 43-27, but also reached the state playoffs. Kennedy Stadium hosted its first state playoff game, but Central got hammered by eventual state champion New Britain, 59-7.

Three years later, Central returned to the state playoffs. But they were defeated twice by Greenwich. First in the season opener, than in the Class LL semifinals.

In 2009, Cadelina had one of his best, most physical teams. The Hilltoppers defeated Greenwich and New Canaan on the way to a second straight FCIAC championship. They led Staples 10-7 with 1:55 remaining, but Brendan Rankowitz broke their hearts with the winning 66-yard touchdown catch-and run.

“I was dying to win that FCIAC championship,” Cadelina said. “We came close.”

That was Central’s last, great team. Though the last three Central teams didn’t win as consistently as Cadelina would have liked, he said his decision to leave had nothing to do with wins and losses.

“Some of my losing years have been the enjoyable,” he said. “I’m 100 pct proud of accomplishments we’ve had at Central in 16 years.”

“But as most coaches will tell you, it’s a year round job and I’ve been thinking long and hard about this. Only the future will tell if this is a good decision. For me and for team, I believe I’m making right one. I will miss it terribly and I have no aspirations on coaching anywhere else but at Central High School. I’m sure it’ll be in good hands.”

2012 Class LL state quarterfinal preview capsules

Monday, November 26, 2012 by:Sean Patrick Bowley

Staples' Joey Zelkowitz vs. Greenwich

Fasten your seatbelts.

This division is L-O-A-D-E-D.

Start off with the two-time defending state champs, the FCIAC champions, the SWC champions, the ECC Large champs, CCC Division I’s best team.

It’s a division so good, one unlucky 10-0 team must hit the road in the state quarterfinals: All the way from Norwich to Newtown.

Foof.

Since losing 42-7 to Xavier in last year’s Class LL final, this has been a season of destiny for Staples. The Wreckers haven’t trailed all season and made mince meat of the FCIAC. They’re stacked with talent up and down the roster. Eight state voters have deemed them the No. 1-ranked team.

They’re aligned for a rematch with Xavier. But first things first: The Wreckers must find a way to halt top tailback Ervin Phillips and West Haven.

The Westies have only lost to two teams this year, 10-0 Hand and Class LL No. 3 seed Xavier.

What do you say about Xavier? They’ve looked vulnerable this year? Have you seen Xavier lately?

Since being down 49-21 to Hillhouse in the fourth quarter in Week 6, the Falcons have scored 170 points, averaging just under two touchdowns in 13 quarters. Worse for this field, they’re healthy. Their starting linebacker unit has returned. Their offense, led by Boston College recruit QB Tim Boyle, is on fire.

The Falcon start off with FCIAC runner-up Greenwich, which is itching to redeem itself after last week’s FCIAC title-game loss.

Let’s not discount QB Stephen Barmore and No. 2-seeded Southington, or their quarterfinal opponent, No. 7 Glastonbury. The Tomahawks were yards away from winning their CCC showdown with the Blue Knights in October only to see an interception eventually turn into the winning touchdown of a 28-21 Southington victory.

The winner of the rematch might get to test Xavier’s championship meddle. Or maybe get an LL heavyweight match with Greenwich.

Perhaps still overlooked despite going 10-0 for the first time in 16 years and winning its first SWC title in 15 years, Newtown is anxious to prove it’s among the elite. Their first game at Blue and Gold Stadium matches up with back Marcus Outlow and unbeaten Norwich Free Academy. Winner gets the Staples-est Haven winner.

We know Newtown would love another chance at Staples after letting slip a 14-0 least in last year’s semifinals.

Most observers like Staples-Xavier II. But anything can happen. This division just might prove it.

What do you think?

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Class LL preview

Previews and predictions by the Hearst CT sports staff: Doug Bonjour: Staples-West Haven; David Fierro: Greenwich-Xavier; Sean Patrick Bowley: Glastonbury-Southington. Stats provided by teams via MaxPreps. Some statistics may not include Thanksgiving Week.

No. 8 West Haven at No. 1 Staples

WHERE – Staples High School, Westport
RECORDS — West Haven 8-2 (SCC Division I East second place); Staples 9-0 (FCIAC champions)
PLAYOFF RECORD — West Haven 6-6; Staples 11-8
LAST APPEARANCE — West Haven 2010 (Lost to Xavier 28-7 in LL quarterfinals); Staples 2011 (Lost to Xavier 42-7 in LL final).
PLAYERS TO WATCH — West Haven: Sr. FB Eddy Williams (855 rushing yards, 16 TD), Jr. RB Ervin Phillips (957 rushing yards, 22 TD), Jr. LB Jesse Ridgway (61 tackles). Staples: Sr. RB/DB Joey Zelkowitz (954 rushing yards, 14 TD), Sr. RB/S Nick Kelly (507 rushing yards, 10 TD), Sr. WR/DB James Frusciante (658 receiving yards, 11 TD), Jr. QB Jack Massie (1,189 passing yards, 12 TD, 549 rushing, 9 TD), Sr. DE Pieter Hoets (73 tackles, 7 sacks), Sr. LB Lance Lonergan (74 tackles, 4 INT, 1.5 sacks).
YOU SHOULD KNOW — The teams last met in 2006 in the semifinals of the Class L state playoffs, a game Staples won 24-7. … West Haven’s two losses this season came against teams with a combined 19-1 record, 21-20 against Daniel Hand and 42-7 against Xavier. … West Haven is averaging 41 points in its eight wins. … Staples leads the state with 52 points a game, and has scored no fewer than 48 points in its nine wins. … Staples is third in the state with 4,573 total yards of offense. … Running back Joey Zelkowitz rushed for a record 317 yards in a 48-20 win over Greenwich in the FCIAC championship game on Thanksgiving. … Staples is fifth in the state in rushing with 3,356 yards. … Offense has allowed just five sacks this season. … Senior linebacker Lance Lonergan has returned three of his four interceptions for touchdowns. … Staples has not trailed at any point this season.
DOUG’S PICK – Staples 31, West Haven 17
SPB’S PICK – Staples 35, West Haven 20

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No. 5 Norwich Free Academy at No. 4 Newtown

POSTPONED TO WEDNESDAY, 6:30
WHERE – Blue and Gold Stadium, Newtown
RECORDS — Norwich Free Academy: 10-0 (ECC Large champions); Newtown: 10-0 (SWC Champions)
PLAYOFF RECORDS – Norwich Free Academy 2-3; Newtown 4-8.
LAST APPEARANCE — Norwich Free Academy: 2010 (lost to Trumbull 21-6 in LL semifinals; Newtown: 2011 (lost to Staples 44-20 in LL semifinals).
PLAYERS TO WATCH – Norwich Free Academy: Sr. QB Joey Paparelli (580 yards, 11 TDs passing; 702 rushing yards, 7 rushing TDs); Jr. RB Marcus Outlow (954 rushing yards, 15 rushing TDs, 2 TD catches); Soph. RB Khaleed Exum-Strong (592 yards, 8 TDs rushing); Sr. WR Ryer Caruso (6 TD catches); Sr. LB Anthony Gomes (6 sacks). Newtown: Jr. QB Andrew Tarantino (98-for-162, 1,675 passing yards, 23 passing TDs, 3 interceptions); Jr. RB Cooper Gold (815 yards, 16 TDs rushing); Soph. WR Julian Dunn (565 yards, 9 TDs receiving); Sr. WR/DB Justin DeVellis (5 TD catches, 4 INTs); Soph. LB Tim Krapf (70 tackles); Sr. OL/DL Pat Thornberg (3.5 sacks); Jr. OL/DL Josh Krapf (3.0 sacks).
YOU SHOULD KNOW – Sr. WR Dan Hebert has been out of action since breaking his arm against Bunnell on Nov. 9. …Newtown won its first SWC championship since 1997 with a 21-14 victory over Masuk. Gold was the MVP with 222 yards rushing and 2 TDs. … Paparelli threw two TD passes to Caruso and Outlow ran for two scores as NFA beat New London on Thanksgiving in the 151st meeting … Both Newtown (Masuk) and NFA (Fitch) have each played just one team that qualified for the state playoffs. … Newtown outscored its opponents 372-106, while NFA out-scored its opponents 393-91. … This is the first time in the brief history of the quarterfinal round that two undefeated teams are meeting … When Newtown won its last state title (1992, Class MM), it was playing in the now-defunct Western Connecticut Conference, its mascot was the Indians and Blue and Gold Stadium was still named after Olympic gold medalist Bruce Jenner.
RICH’S PICK — NFA 28, Newtown 21
SPB’S PICK – Newtown 21, NFA 14

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No. 7 Glastonbury at No. 2 Southington

POSTPONED TO WEDNESDAY, 6:30 p.m.
WHERE — Fontana Field, Southington
RECORDS — Glastonbury 9-1 (CCC Division I East champion); Southington 10-0 (Division I West champion)
PLAYOFF RECORD — Glastonbury 5-4; Southington 5-6
LAST APPEARANCE — Glastonbury 2011 (lost to Xavier 34-6 in LL quarterfinals); Southington: 2007 (lost to Shelton in 21-19 in Class LL semifinals)
PLAYERS TO WATCH — Glastonbury: Sr. QB/WR Ben Berey; Jr. QB Jalen Ollie; Sr. DE/TE Joshua Hill; Sr. OL/DE Matthew Hill; Sr. RB/DB Charles Wooding; Sr. RB/DB Tyler Janssen; Southington: Jr. QB Stephen Barmore (1,819 yards, 18 TDs passing; 325 yards, 10 TDs rushing); Jr. RB Jarrid Grimmett (646 yards, 9 TDs rushing); Sr. Anthony Bonefant (40 catches, 610 yards, 5 TDs); Jr. WR Corbin Garry (33 catches, 598 yards, 6 TD); Jr. DE Zach Maxwell (8 sacks); Sr. LB Justin Rose (8.4 tackles/gm); Sr. LB Nick Spitz (8.7 tackles/gm)
YOU SHOULD KNOW – This is a rematch of an Oct. 20 game, won by Southington 28-21 on Grimmett’s TD run with 34 seconds remaining. … is Glastonbury’s fifth straight state play playoffs. …This is Southington’s first state playoff appearance since losing to Shelton in the 2007 LL semifinals. …This is the second time these programs have met in the state playoffs. Glastonbury defeated Southington to win the 1984 LL title. …Southington coach Mike Drury is a Bristol native and the son of former Pomperaug championship coach Chuck Drury, who is an assistant on the staff. …Ollie is the son of UConn men’s basketball coach Kevin Ollie. …Southington has allowed just 98 points, the sixth least in the state and second-least for an LL school (behind NFA’s 91). Both teams average approximately 35 points per game. ….This is Southington’s second game on its new turf field.
SPB’S PICK – Southington 34, Glastonbury 21

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No. 6 Greenwich at No. 3 Xavier

POSTPONED TO WEDNESDAY, 6:30
WHERE — Palmer Field, Middletown
ON THE AIR — CPTV Sports (check local listings) | WGCH 1490-AM
RECORDS — Greenwich 8-1 (FCIAC runners-up); Xavier (SCC Division I West champions)
PLAYOFF RECORD — Xavier 8-4; Greenwich 16-5
LAST APPEARANCE — Xavier: 2011 (defeated Staples, 42-7, in LL finals); Greenwich: 2007 (beat Shelton, 28-14, in LL final)
PLAYERS TO WATCH — Greenwich: Sr. RB Alex McMurray (628 yards, 17 TDs rushing, 3 TDs receiving); Sr. QB Liam O’Neil (1,134 yards, 17 TDs); Sr. TE/DE Joe Kelly (24 receptions, 602 yards, 12 TDs); Sr. FS/WR Taylor Olmstead; Sr. DL Alex McGee (team-high 8 sacks); Sr. RB/LB Mark Bernstein (483 yards, 7 TDs); Sr. WR Vincent Ferraro (23 receptions, 492 yards, 5 TDs); Xavier: Sr. RB/DB DeAngelo Berry (1,275 yards, 27 TDs); Sr. QB Tim Boyle (1,612 yards, 15 TDs); Sr. WR/DB Kris Luster (47 receptions, 930 yards, 6 TDs); Jr. RB/DB Andrew Meoli (304 yards, 4 TDs); Sr. LB Max Tylki (6-1, 207); Sr. LB Charlton Ortega; Jr. DB/WR Nate Gonzalez (64 tackles, 6 INT); Sr. OL/LB Matt Manzione (62 tackles); Jr. ILB Derek Jones (5-10, 207)
YOU SHOULD KNOW — Greenwich and Xavier are facing each other in the postseason for the first time since the Cardinals beat the Falcons, 24-8, in the Class LL semifinals. … Two-time defending Class LL champion Xavier is 22-1 in its last 23 games, its only loss coming to Daniel Hand last month. … Boyle will play at Boston College next year. … Greenwich has won seven state championships, its most recent coming in 2007. … Xavier has captured five state titles. … The Cardinals are averaging 46 points per game, while the Falcons are scoring 44 points per contest. … Boyle and Berry are ranked among the top 20 in the state in passing and rushing, respectively. … Greenwich is 16-3 the last two seasons with two of the losses coming against Staples in the FCIAC championship game. … Berry has rushed for more than 200 yards in a game twice so far this season and has had three or more touchdowns in all but two games. … The teams representing the SCC have fared well in the state tournament recently. Xavier and Hand won their respective class titles a year ago, Xavier and Hillhouse won in 2010, while Cheshire and Notre Dame-West Haven claimed state titles in 2009.
SPB’S PICK — Xavier 48, Greenwich 28

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Finally, we talked state playoffs on the Laxworm High School Football show on Sunday. Hear Kyle Brennan of Re-Am, Ned Griffen of The Day and myself break it all down. Special guest was coach Rob Fleeting of Windsor.

Listen to internet radio with Laxworm Radio X High School on Blog Talk Radio

2012 Class L state quarterfinal preview capsules

Monday, November 26, 2012 by:Sean Patrick Bowley

Masuk's Thomas Milone

Can anyone beat No. 1?

Matt Walsh, Peter Gerson and the unbeaten defending Class L champion Hand Tigers are back for another run at a glorious 10th state championship. And as of now they’re the favorites to win it all again. After all, they come from the mighty Southern Connecticut Conference and toppled two-time defending Class LL champ Xavier back on Oct. 12.

So who’s going to do what Xavier couldn’t?

How about Windsor?

The talented, high-flying Warriors bring one of the state’s best quarterbacks in Robert Quinn Fleeting and twin monsters Lance and Cole Ormsby. Windsor, which knocked off Notre Dame-West Haven and had New Canaan down before the Rams rallied late and broke Windsor’s heart on a last-second field goal.

Coach Rob Fleeting, the QB’s father, said the team has taken that loss, rededicated themselves and learned from their mistakes. They’re a solid choice to reach the final and take a shot at the champs. (We interviewed Fleeting on the Laxworm High School Football show last Sunday. Listen below.)

Masuk, fresh off its first SWC regular season loss in four seasons, will have to regroup fast to take on talented Middletown and coach Sal Morello. The Panthers had their way with everyone in the league until Newtown. Were some cracks exposed?

And, returning to the state playoffs for the eighth consecutive year is New Canaan. The Rams, suffered their first Thanksgiving loss in nine years and haven’t been as dominant as season’s past. They get to play Avon, a relatively unknown Pequot squad up in Simsbury.

Mike Emery is back in the playoffs with Fitch for the first time since the state championship coach returned. Platt is armed with Justin Potts, but is burdened with a trip to the Surf Club in late November. Good luck.

In the end, Windsor and Hand seem headed for a collision course. But this field has just enough talented teams, don’t be surprised to see a surprise team emerge from the wreckage of a few upsets.

Maybe.

What do you think?

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Class L previews

Previews and predictions by the Hearst Connecticut sports staff: Sean Patrick Bowley: Platt-Hand; Fitch-Windsor; Mike Cardillo: Masuk-Middletown; Dave Ruden: New Canaan-Avon.

All games at 6:30 p.m.

No. 8 Platt at No. 1 Hand

POSTPONED TO WEDNESDAY, 6:30 p.m.
WHERE – The Surf Club, Madison
RECORDS — Platt: 8-2 (CCC Division III East champions); Hand: 10-0 (SCC Division I East champions)
PLAYOFF RECORD — Platt: 1-4; Hand: 18-7
LAST APPEARANCE — Platt 2010 (lost to New London 53-14 in M quarterfinals); Hand 2012 (defeated New Canaan 34-10 in L championship)
PLAYERS TO WATCH — Platt: Sr. RB Justin Potts (1,466 yards, 22 TD rushing; 3 TDs receiving); Jr. QB Anton McBride (1,069 yards, 7 TDs, 6 INT); Jr. LB Jason Nelson (10 tackles/gm); Jr. TE/LB Scott Dargan; Hand: Sr. FB/LB Matt Walsh (10 TDs); Sr. DL Peter Gerson; Sr. WR Kyle Anderson (467 yards, 4 TD receiving; Sr. WR Caleb Ewald (519 yards, 5 TD receiving; Sr. QB Brendan Bilcheck (1,493 yards 13 TD, 10 INT; 488 yards, 8 TD rushing); Sr. SS Alex Tuccero.
YOU SHOULD KNOW – Hand has completed the eighth unbeaten regular season in school history with back-to-back 10-0 seasons. …It is riding a 23-game win streak, second only to Ansonia (25) in Connecticut. …Hand’s Walsh is a UConn recruit and has run for 10 TDs this year. …Gerson will play at Yale. …Platt’s Potts is among the top 10 rushers in the state …Including a 34-14 win over then-unbeaten Berlin, Platt has won six straight since a 48-8 loss to Rocky Hill. …It has outscored its opponents by an average of 36-17. …Hand has outscored its opponents by an average of 36-15. …Hand has been ranked the No. 1 team since defeating then-No. 1 Xavier 40-20 on Oct. 12.
SPB’S PICK — Hand 48, Platt 16

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No. 5 Middletown vs. No. 4 Masuk

POSTPONED TO WEDNESDAY, 6:30 p.m.
WHERE — Bulldog Field (Bunnell), Stratford
RECORDS – Middletown 8-2; Masuk 9-1
PLAYOFF RECORD – Middletown: 3-3; Masuk: 13-11
LAST APPEARANCE — Middletown: 2009 (0-1, Lost in Class MM semifinals to New Canaan, 28-0); Masuk: 2011 (1-1, Lost in Class L semifinal to Hand, 35-14)
PLAYERS TO WATCH – Middletown: Soph. QB Dario Highsmith; Sr. WR/RB Jha’Kur West; Jr. K Van Uk; Sr. WR Otto Marcello; Masuk: Sr. WR/RB/DB Thomas Milone (2,200 total yards, 36 TDs); Sr. RB Frank Bacarella (13 TDs); Sr. QB Malik Cummings (19 TDs, 4 INTs); Sr. DE Brad Swain; Sr. DB Kyle Fontneau; Sr. DL Bryan Monaco.
YOU SHOULD KNOW — Both teams enter the playoffs off a defeat. … Middletown’s two losses are at the hands of Class L No. 2 seed Windsor and Class LL No. 3 seed Xavier, the latter on Thanksgiving. … Masuk’s lone defeat came on Thanksgiving Eve to undefeated Class LL No. 4 seed Newtown in the SWC championship game. … Middletown’s defense has allowed 124 points, but 81 of those came in the losses to Windsor and Xavier. … The Blue Dragons use a trio of running backs (Shaiquan Turner, Yaamal Jackson and Isaiah Thompkins) and their quarterback, Dario Highsmith, can run and throw. … Masuk’s offense has scored over 40 points in all its victories. … Milone has literally done it all for the Panthers — running, catching, returning, even throwing on occasion. He’ll need to be at his best for Masuk to make the semifinals for the third straight season. … Masuk is 1-0 at Bulldog Field this year, defeating Barlow 42-23 on Nov. 10. … Cummings picked up an ankle injury in the win over Barlow. He didn’t play the next week in a 49-0 win over Weston and returned against Newtown and threw a pair of interceptions.
MIKE’S PICK – Middletown 31, Masuk 21
SPB’S PICK — Masuk 35, Middletown 21

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No. 6 New Canaan vs. No. 3 Avon

POSTPONED TO WEDNESDAY, 6:30
WHERE – Simsbury High School
RECORDS — New Canaan: 8-2 (FCIAC East second place); Avon: 10-0 (Pequot Uncas champions)
PLAYOFF RECORD — New Canaan: 20-6; Avon: 0-2
LAST APPEARANCE –New Canaan: 2011 (0-1, lost to Daniel Hand 34-10 in Class L final); Avon: 2009 (0-1, lost to Berlin 35-28 in Class L semifinals).
PLAYERS TO WATCH — New Canaan: Jr. QB/RB Nick Cacione (1,093 yards passing, 5 TDs; 711 yards rushing, 8 TDs); Teddy Bossidy Jr. QB/RB (619 yards passing, 7 TDs; 358 yards rushing, 3 TDs); Sr. WR Grady Lynch (29 catches, 299 yards, 5 TDs); Jr. DB Cole Harris (111 tackles, 2 interceptions); Jr. LB Michael Root (65 tackles); So. LB Zach Allen (55 tackles, 6 sacks); Avon: Sr. RB Colin Moore (2,003 yards, 29 TDs); Jr. QB Noah Hahn (652 yards, 6 TDs); Jr. LB Jimmy Murphy (123 tackles, 7 sacks); Sr. LB Joe Murphy (111 tackles).
YOU SHOULD KNOW – New Canaan has played in six straight state championship games, but has lost two in a row after winning four straight. … The Rams head into the state tournament off a regular-season loss for the first time in 11 years. … Root has been the impact player he was expected to be on defense since returning in midseason from an injury. … New Canaan has more yards on the ground (1,942) than through the air (1,720) for the first time since adopting the spread offense seven years ago. … Avon and New Canaan are meeting for the first time. Avon has not played an FCIAC school since 1962. …Avon averages 261 rushing yards and 66 passing per game. …Avon has allowed just 96 points, sixth least in the state. Its closest win was 14-7 over Class M playoff participant Ellington/Somers. …Moore is just one of a handful of 2,000-yard rushers.
DAVE’S PICK — New Canaan 28, Avon 14.
SPB’S PICK – New Canaan 35, Avon 14

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No. 7 Fitch at No. 2 Windsor

POSTPONED TO WEDNESDAY, 6:30 p.m.
WHERE – Jack O’Brien Stadium, Windsor
RECORDS — Fitch 8-2 (ECC Large, second place); Windsor 9-0 (CCC Division II West champions)
PLAYOFF RECORD — Fitch: 7-4; Windsor: 2-4
LAST APPEARANCE — Fitch: 2005 (lost to Staples 27-21 in L semifinals); Windsor: 2011 (lost to New Canaan 27-24 in L semifinals)
PLAYERS TO WATCH — Fitch: Jr. QB Devante Anderson (6-5, 200); Sr. RB/DB Saffwan Davis; Jr. RB/DB Robert Johnson; Jr. OL/DL Lester Smith (5-10, 230); Windsor: Sr. QB Robert Quinn Fleeting (2,125 yards, 27 TDs, 3 INT passing; 545 yards, 7 TDs rushing); Sr. RB Devonte Dillon (579 yards, 3 TD rushing); Jr. RB Jalen Berry (496 yards, 7 TD rushing); Sr. WR Ryhieme Moore (771 yards, 8 TD receiving); Sr. LB Cole Ormsby (14 sacks; Sr. LB Lance Ormsby.
YOU SHOULD KNOW – This is Fitch’s first state playoff appearance since 2005, the first since coach Mike Emery’s return to coach the Falcons in 2008. …In his first stint, from 1992-2003, Emery won six playoff games, two state titles and the state’s No. 1 ranking in 2000. …The Falcons average 40 points per game, the ninth-best in the state. …Windsor allows just 8 points per game, the second-least in Connecticut. …Fleeting is the son of coach Rob Fleeting. …The Windsor averages 476 yards per game. This is its second-consecutive unbeaten regular season. Windsor has won 20 of its last 21 games.
SPB’S PICK — Windsor 37, Fitch 21

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Listen to internet radio with Laxworm Radio X High School on Blog Talk Radio

Bridgeport to NVL? City public schools in preliminary talks to join Valley league

Monday, November 26, 2012 by:Sean Patrick Bowley

High school conference realignment has suddenly kicked into high gear.

Central, Bassick and Harding are in preliminary talks to jump from the FCIAC to the NVL, officials on both sides of the aisle confirmed to Hearst Connecticut Newspapers today.

The three city public schools, who have been members of the FCIAC since 1993, met with officials from the NVL last week. Talks are still in the very early stages and no formal invitation has been offered.

“There’s been no application, we had a conversation with them,” said NVL president Tom Pompei, who is the athletic director at Naugatuck High School. “They just wanted to have an initial conversation about the league. It was brief and didn’t go very far.”

This is the second time in as many weeks that the NVL has been a player in potntial realignment. Last week, Oxford’s Board of Education voted to ask for admittance into the league and sources have Hearst CT the NVL is interested in adding the school.

Central and Harding were actually charter members of the NVL in 1931, according to Joe Palladino of the Republican-American.

New citywide athletic director Neil Karvey told our own Dave Ruden it was still very early in the process. He added that improving his school’s competitiveness in sports is the driving force behind the move.

“If they think we’re a good fit there, we would be interested in making a proposal. We’re still gauging local interest here.”

Count Bassick football coach Derrick Lewis as a huge proponent of the move.

“At my school, only sport that wins is boys basketball. everything else loses. We are in a perennial losing situation against teams that have more money and better resources,” he said. “We don’t have what the rest of the county has and we’re getting our teeth kicked in. You want to see us compete, not just in football, but possibly compete better in the other sports, the girls sports. I think it’ll bring morale of schools up and keeps kids on teams and off the streets.

“I’m hoping, for the betterment of our city, if the kids our city more interested in athletics I think we should do it. I’m going to support this move.”

Read the whole story from Dave Ruden here.

From my perspective, though initially shocked at the idea. But on a quick second glance this move would be great for Bridgeport and good for the NVL. From a demographic perspective, as Lewis eluded to, the city schools have much more in common in terms of money and resources with Waterbury and the other NVL schools than it does with the Gold Coast towns of New Canaan, Greenwich, Fairfield and Westport.

A Bridgeport-NVL merger would create a mega boys basketball conference. And other sports, including football, would be more competitive against the three Waterbury schools public schools and several other NVL communities.

Finally, it would solve the 7-year unbalanced scheduling problems in FCIAC football. The league would contract to 16 teams, eliminating its rotating bye week and allowing it to revert back to two divisions to compete for an FCIAC title.

That’s a Wrap! Thanksgiving 2012

Saturday, November 24, 2012 by:Sean Patrick Bowley

A look as who did what on Thanksgiving Week 2012. Compiled by executive sports editor Gary Rogo and the Hearst CT sports staff.

BULLDOZERS

Joey Zelkowitz, Staples: Ran for FCIAC-title game record 317 yards on 20 carries and scored three TDs, as Wreckers won the league championship for second straight year.

John Shannon, Bullard-Havens: Helped the Tigers finish off an 8-2 regular season with 274 yards and five TDs on 23 carries in a 49-24 defeat of Bassick.

Cooper Gold, Newtown: Torched two-time defending league champion Masuk for 222 yards and a pair of touchdowns to propel the Nighthawks to a 21-14 victory in the SWC championship game.

Andrew Louis, Central: Gained 100 yards and scored three TDs on 11 carries as Hilltoppers hung on to beat Harding 30-22.

Arkeel Newsome, Ansonia: Ran for four TDs and caught a 9-yard pass from Jai’Quan McKnight for a fifth score in 48-27 victory over Naugatuck.

Collin Cioffi, New Fairfield: Stepping in for an absent Joe Pacheco, junior finished with 205 yards from scrimmage and a TD in 31-13 pasting of New Milford.

Sam Gravitte, Ridgefield: Ran for 158 yards and three TDs in 42-6 rout of Danbury.

Shaquan Howsie and Shawn Brown, Trinity Catholic: Howsie ran for 155 yards and a pair of scores while Brown added 131 rushing yards with three TDs, including one on a 76-yard pass from Danny O’Leary, as the Crusaders clinched a Class S playoff berth with a 42-32 defeat of Wilton.

Davell Cotterell, Westhill: Workhorse carried 32 times for 195 yards and one TD as the Vikings subdued city rival Stamford 20-6.

Kyle Jordan, McMahon: Broke free after slow start for 130 yards and TD runs of 20 and 61 yards.

GAMEBREAKERS

Connor Cadrin, Foran: Scored five TDs, two on passes from Jake Kasuba, two on runs and one on a 66-yard kickoff return in a 56-29 defeat of Law. For good measure, he intercepted a pair of passes and forced a fumble.

Joe Piatnik, Bethel: Quarterback ran for 249 yards and three TDs on 25 carries and threw scoring passes of 39, 68 and 25 yards in a 48-28 defeat of Brookfield.

Nick Lombardo, Darien: Caught TD passes of 35, 30 and 30 yards from Henry Baldwin as the Blue Wave beat New Canaan for the first time since 2001.

Terrence N’dabian, Bunnell: Insertion of senior as starting QB turned the pass-happy Bulldogs into an option team. Responded with 224 rushing yards and two TDs on 30 carries. He also threw a TD pass and returned an interception 70 yards for a score.

Justin Schaffer, Weston: Ran for a touchdown and caught the winning TD pass in Weston’s state-tournament clinching victory over Barlow.

GUNSLINGERS

Jordan Vazzano, St. Joseph: Sophomore threw for 212 yards and four touchdowns as the Cadets clinched a state playoff berth with a 55-20 victory over Trumbull.

Jake Kasuba, Foran: Sophomore finished with 257 yards passes and four TD tosses, two each to Connor Cadrin and Nick Weissauer.

Tanner Kingsley, Woodland: Set a state record with 615 passing yards while throwing for eight TDs in a 62-26 rout of Seymour.

Tyler Hassett, Weston: Threw for 126 yards and two TDs in 21-14 victory over Barlow, earning the Trojans their first state playoff berth in 23 years.

Jai’Quan McKnight, Ansonia: Soph had TD runs of 65 and 59 yards in win over Naugatuck and added a TD pass to Arkeel Newsome.

Mark Piccirillo, Shelton: Soph threw a 38-yard TD pass to Kyle Drost, capping a four-play, 72-yard game-winning drive in 27-21 victory over Derby. Finished with 126 yards on 8-of-16 passing and 111 yards rushing and two TDs on 14 carries.

Brennen Diaz, Oxford: Completed 10-of-16 passes for 197 yards and two TDs — both to Chris Vankamerik — in 42-22 beating of Pomperaug. Capped effort with a late interception.`

BRICK WALLS

Kyle Dammeyer, Jimmy Gasper and Benjamin Brzoski, Fairfield Ludlowe: Dammeyer recovered fumble and had 1 1/2 sacks in 31-13 victory over Fairfield Warde as the Falcons won their last four games to finish 5-5. Gasper blocked a punt and recovered the ball in the end zone for a touchdown. Brzoski scooped up a Warde fumble and went 92 yards for a TD.

William Kelly, Notre Dame-Fairfield: Blocked a punt and returned it five yards for a score in Lancers’ 26-22 victory over Immaculate.

Justin DeVellis, Newtown: Picked off a pass to seal Newtown’s SWC Championship victory over Masuk.

Jack Hamilton, Weston: Made several late stops, including a batted down pass on 4th down to preserve Weston’s state playoff clinching victory over Barlow.

VALIANT IN DEFEAT

Marc Cesare, Trumbull: 137 yards rushing and two TDs in loss to St. Joseph

D.J. Smith, Harding: Went 74 yards for a TD on the Presidents’ first play and finished with 197 yards on 13 carries, scoring a second time on a 51-yard run in the third quarter.

Thomas Milone, Masuk: 165 yards of total offense and two TDs and an interception in a 21-14 loss to Newtown in the SWC championship game.

Alex McMurray, Greenwich: Scored three TDs on runs of 6, 1 and 4 yards in 48-30 loss to Staples in the FCIAC championship game.

Thanksgiving Football 2012: Tuesday and Wednesday’s game-by-game previews (and pick the winners!)

Tuesday, November 20, 2012 by:Sean Patrick Bowley

Masuk (left) and Newtown knock heads in last year's SWC Championship game at Blue & Gold Stadium. One year later, they'll do it all over again -- same time, same place -- Wednesday night.

It’s that time of year again… the Greatest Sporting Day of the Year in Connecticut.

Rivalry Week. Thanksgiving Week.

A day where every game means something — be it pride, a winning season, a .500 season, precious playoff points, bragging rights — and it’s played in front of, most likely, your largest crowd of the year.

For most of you seniors, it’s your last game. Go out in a blaze of glory.

For a few others, it’s an unofficial playoff game. You win or go home.

And for a select precious few, it’s the start of what you hope to be a glorious championship season.

And for everybody, it’s time to tell us who’s going to win the games.

Pretty straightforward. Just read the preview, and pick ‘em. (Most of the statistics provided are via teams on Maxpreps.com, many teams do not provide statistics.)

Look here all of THURSDAY morning’s games.

For complete state playoff scenarios, give the Mad Playoff Scientist a visit. He’s got all the goods for you:

CLASS LL | CLASS L | CLASS M | CLASS S

To get you started, we’ve published previews for Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s games. The full Thursday breakdown will be published before noon on Tuesday.

Here we go…

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Tuesday Night

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Bullard-Havens at Bassick

WHERE/WHEN – Kennedy Stadium, Bridgeport, 6 p.m.
RECORDS — Bullard-Havens 7-2, Bassick 1-8
T-DAY SERIES — Bullard-Havens 5-2
LAST YEAR — Bullard-Havens 20-0
KEY STATS — Bullard-Havens has allowed just 99 points all year in the CSC, Bassick has allowed 3 1/2 times that amount in the FCIAC. …Bassick QB Vochan Fowler is 4th among reported FCIAC passing and rushing leaders. He has thrown for 1,107 yards and 7 TDs, run for 831 yards and 7 TDs. …Behind John Shannon’s 1,143 rushing yards, Bullard-Havens averages almost 300 rushing yards per game. …Tech sophomore Chris McNamara has accounted for 500 yards of total offense and 6 TDs since taking over for injured QB Equan Brooks vs. Capital Prep on Nov. 10. …After a 5-0 start, Bullard-Havens is 2-2 in its last four games. …The Tigers average 38 points per game, Bassick averages 16.9.
AT STAKE — A shot a qualifying for the Class M playoffs for Bullard-Havens. The Tigers need to win and get some help. Bragging rights.

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♦♦♦

Thanksgiving Eve

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Oxford at Pomperaug

WHERE/WHEN – Edward Arum Athletic Complex, Southbury, 7 p.m.
RECORDS — Oxford 7-2, Pomperaug 4-5
T-DAY SERIES — Pomperaug 4-0
LAST YEAR — Pomperaug 10-7
KEY STATS — At 7-2, Oxford is having its finest season since its varsity program began in 2008. Seven wins is a school record and the the school’s first winning season. …Pomperaug is trying to avoid its first losing season since going 4-6 in 1995. The last time Pomperaug was 5-5 was in 2005. …Oxford QB Brennan Diaz is No. 9 in the SWC in total yards with 1,746 and has accounted for 10 TDs. Teammate Chris Vankamerik leads SWC in receiving yards with 903 and 9 TDs. …Pomperaug averages 21.8 points per game and has won two straight. Senior RB Dylan McAllister is the grandson of former Ansonia coach Bill McAllister.
AT STAKE — A (razor-slim) shot at the school’s first state playoff berth for Oxford. A three-game win streak and a 5-5 season for Pomperaug.

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Ridgefield at Danbury

WHERE/WHEN – Crotty Field at Clapboard Ridge, Danbury, 6 p.m.
RECORDS — Ridgefield 7-2, Danbury 2-7
T-DAY SERIES — Ridgefield 7-3
LAST YEAR — Ridgefield 56-14
KEY STATS — Danbury has lost six straight games since beating Central 36-30 on Nov. 29. The Hatters have been outscored …Elijah Duffy has played quarterback the last three weeks due to injury to starter Anferny Ith. …Ridgefield’s Connor Rowe is ranked No. 3 among FCIAC passers with 1,216 yards. He leads the Tigers in total yards with 219 yards per game… Rowe and LB Andrew Barton are committed to Bryant. …Sr. WR/RB Sam Gravitte has scored 20 touchdowns, Aiden Mauro has made 7 interceptions. …Danbury hasn’t won in Thanksgiving series since 2007.
AT STAKE — An outside shot at a state playoff berth for Ridgefield (the Tigers need Prep to beat West Haven and then major bonus help). Danbury’s third victory.

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Woodland at Seymour

WHERE/WHEN– Woodland Football Field, Beacon Falls, 6 p.m.
RECORDS — Woodland 6-4, Seymour 5-4
T-DAY SERIES — Seymour 6-4
LAST YEAR — Woodland 28-7
KEY STATS — Tanner Kingsley is one of the NVL’s elite passers. He’s thrown for over 2,000 yards and 34 touchdowns against just seven interceptions. Anthony Scirpo is his top target with 45 catches for 624 yards and 15 TDs, followed by Brian Reiss (40 catches, 6 TDs) and Ramhil Rountree (34 catches, 87 TDs). …QB Mike Conlon leads Seymour, averaging 134 total yards per game. RB Jim Vartelas lead team in rushing and scoring. …Woodland averages 383 total yards a game, Seymour 274. …Seymour hasn’t had a winning season since its last playoff appearance in 2008. …The Hawks lost last week’s NVL title game to Ansonia, 56-26.
AT STAKE — A Class S playoff spot for Woodland. A win and some help get Hawks into the field. Seymour’s first winning season under coach Tom Lennon. Bragging rights.

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Notre Dame-Fairfield at Immaculate

WHERE/WHEN – Westside Athletic Complex, WCSU, 7 p.m.
RECORDS — Notre Dame 0-9, Immaculate 0-9
T-DAY SERIES — Notre Dame 11-5
LAST YEAR — Notre Dame 57-16
KEY STATS — Notre Dame hasn’t won since edging Immaculate a year ago. The Lancers have lost nine straight. Immaculate has lost 35 straight games dating back to 2009, when it beat Barlow 28-21 on Oct. 10 of that year. It hasn’t defeated Notre Dame since a 22-18 victory in 2008.
AT STAKE — First win of the season for either team.

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Stratford at Bunnell

WHERE/WHEN– Bulldog Field, Bunnell High School, Stratford, 7 p.m.
RECORDS — Stratford 2-6, Bunnell 2-6
ALL-TIME SERIES — Bunnell 36-20
LAST YEAR — Bunnell 50-19
KEY STATS — Bunnell has won five straight in the series and 11 of the last 12 dating back to 2000. Stratford’s only win during that stretch was a 40-8 victory in 2006. …Bunnell quarterback Bryan Castelot has thrown for 1,600 yards and 14 TDs vs. 14 interceptions. Teammate Devante Teel has 676 receiving yards and 6 TDs. …Bunnell has allowed 35.7 points per game, while scoring just an average of 24.3 points. …Stratford averages 23.3 points per game and allows almost 30 per game.
AT STAKE — The Manning E. Harvey Trophy; Bunnell’s sixth straight series win. Stratford’s first win since 2007. Bragging rights.

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St. Joseph at Trumbull

WHERE/WHEN– McDougall Stadium, Trumbull, 7 p.m.
RECORDS — Trumbull 4-5 5-4, St. Joseph 7-2
T-DAY SERIES — Trumbull 21-6
LAST YEAR — St. Joseph 35-24
KEY STATS — Trumbull has dominated the series, but St. Joseph has won three of the last five meetings. …QB Jordan Vazzano is second in the FCIAC in passing with 1,804 yards and 23 TDs against 9 interceptions. …13 TD throws have gone to leading receiver Jake Pelletier. …St. Joseph averages 39 points per game, giving up an average of 18. …Trumbull has been outscored by opponents by an average score of 36-26. Its 325 points allowed is the second-worst in the FCIAC. …Trumbull earned a fifth victory with Westhill’s forfeit.
AT STAKE — A Class M playoff spot and possible home quarterfinal for St. Joseph. The Hogs must win to clinch their third playoff berth in four years. The Jerry McDougall Thanksgiving Trophy. Bragging rights.

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SWC CHAMPIONSHIP

Masuk at Newtown

WHERE/WHEN– Blue and Gold Stadium, Newtown, 7 p.m.
RECORDS — Newtown 9-0, Masuk 9-0
T-DAY SERIES — Masuk 9-6-1
LAST YEAR — Masuk 46-7
KEY STATS — Masuk the No. 6-ranked team in the state, outgains Newtown in total yards per game 515-327. It also averages more points: 49-38. …Newtown, the No. 10-ranked team in the state, is undefeated heading into Thanksgiving for the first time since 1996, when it eventually lost in the Class LL semifinals. Masuk coach John Murphy was in his final year an assistant on that team, coached by Bob Zito. …Masuk’s Thomas Milone, a UConn baseball commit, has amassed over 1,600 yards of total offense and is tied for third in state with 29 TDs. …Masuk QB Malik Cummings has thrown for 1,800 yards and 19 TDs vs. just two interceptions. …Masuk is No. 1 in the state in total offense with 500 yards per game. …Newtown QB Drew Tarantino has thrown for 1,387 yards and 19 TDs vs. just two interceptions… Cooper Gold has run for 727 of Newtown’s 1,534 rush yards. …Soph. WR Julian Dunn leads the team with 515 yards and 8 TDs. …Senior WR/DB Dan Hebert was lost for the season with a broken arm vs. Bunnell two weeks ago. …Masuk has won two straight since Newtown’s 2009 upset that knocked Masuk out of the playoffs.
AT STAKE — The SWC Championship: Newtown’s first since 1997; Third-consecutive for Masuk. Class LL seeding for Newtown: Hawks can get a home game with victcory. Class L seeding for Masuk: a win gives Panthers a ‘home’ game and the No. 3 seed.

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‘About Last Night…’ Week 10 Friday: Down goes Pacheco, in goes New Canaan

Saturday, November 17, 2012 by:Sean Patrick Bowley

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New Canaan QB Nick Cascione drives the ball to the end zone for a touchdown, during boys football action against Trumbull in Trumbull, Conn. on Friday November 16, 2012. Photo: Christian Abraham

We don’t root for teams here at Hearst Football HQ. We root for stories.

And late in this nutty 2012 high school football season, we were really pulling for New Fairfield to reach the state playoffs.

Why? Because the Rebels’ sterling back Joe Pacheco is a great story.

We won’t get into the specifics, we’ll save it for later. Let’s just say we love to see young men rise above their challenges. Pacheco is one of those players.

Alas, the road to redemption remains fraught with disappointments and Pacheco, who came out of nowhere to establish himself as one of the state’s best tailbacks, and New Fairfield won’t be making postseason plans this year.

This time it was Pomperaug which came out of nowhere.

The Panthers, who have struggled all season, rode a pair of touchdown runs by Dylan McAllister to take down New Fairfield with a thorough 18-6 victory at Arum Field in Southbury.

New Fairfield was felled, not just by McAllister, but by its own doing: five turnovers in all.

“I’m sure when we look at the film it’s going to make us sick, but we have to bounce back,” New Fairfield coach Anthony Fata said. “The kids have played too darn tough all year to let this one bother them but it’s going to, because we knew what we had riding on this game.”

So while we bid farewell to Pacheco (we hardly knew ye), we give a hardy ‘Welcome Back’ to Pomperaug. Despite all of its trials, including a nightmarish start vs. SWC championship participants, Masuk and Newtown, Pomperaug is one victory over Oxford away from finishing the season 5-5.

“It feels great. And we want to keep the momentum going into next week and hopefully take it to Oxford as well,” McAllister said.

One story ends, now will another begin?

Crazy eight for New Canaan

Here’s a story that never seems to end: New Canaan’s run of state playoff excellence.

We used to marvel at the Rams’ run of four-straight state championships. Then we stood agape at their six-consecutive appearances as a finalist, even in the new and improved, four-class state playoff format.

Will we stand in awe again?It’s a distinct possibility.

In a game and a place that typically gives them trouble, New Canaan hammered Trumbull 49-7 to clinch a spot the state playoffs for the eighth consecutive year.

In the upper CIAC divisions, that’s rare.

It looked like New Canaan of playoffs past against Trumbull. With quarterback Nick Cascone leading the way, New Canaan amassed 565 total yards, 333 on the ground, and 28 first downs. The defense held Trumbull to just over a C-note.

“I never expected this,” coach Lou Marinelli said.

“We heard that Trumbull said they looking forward to playing us up here. They were happy we were coming. I guess they’re happy we’re leaving now.”

Now they’re Class L’s problem.

The way things are shaking out in that division, the Rams probably won’t have enough to get a home playoff game. They will likely get a No. 5 seed with a victory over Darien. A Masuk win over Newtown would reward New Canaan with a trip to Avon or (slightly less likely) Masuk.

Only if Middletown beats Xavier would the Rams really fall to No. 6. Either way, Hand would likely loom in the semifinals. A loss to Darien would likely send them to see Windsor, their buddies from last year’s wild semifinal won by New Canaan on a field goal.

Wrapping the Region

We’ve just about wrapped up Week 10. Just two games on the docket today. Stratford hosts New Milford at BRAND NEW PENDERS FIELD. And Oxford plays Bunnell.

McMahon whupped up on Stamford thanks to a 281-yard, 4 touchdown rushing day. McMahon is 5-4 heading into Thanksgiving, looking for a winning season. …Darien beat Bassick to keep its slim, slim playoff hopes alive. …Much was made of Wilton being down to 27 players, but the Warriors still defeated Warde 14-0.

Here’s the full schedule for the final day of Week 10.

Then it’s Turkey time.

The Redcoats are coming, and other playoff musings

Berlin (8-1) earned the second spot in Class M when a few bonus games broke its way Friday night, leaving six more spots that will be decided on Thanksgiving Week.

CLASS LL boils down to this: Glastonbury’s a lock to join the field if Hartford Public loses to Windsor, or if it just wins. That leaves one spot, which West Haven will corral by beating Fairfield Prep on Thanksgiving.

The only way Ridgefield can swipe the spot is if Fairfield Prep beats West Haven. That would put the Tigers in direct competition with Fairfield Prep.

Conservatively, Ridgefield will get to at least 1,000 points, meaning Prep will need most of its four bonus games. They’ll be rooting for Cheshire, Hamden, Shelton and Wilbur Cross.

If everything goes according to conservative estimates, you’re looking at a possible field of: 8. West Haven at No. 1 Staples; No. 7 Newtown at Southington; No. 6 Glastonbury at No. 3 Xavier; No. 5 Greenwich at No. 4 NFA.

As discussed, CLASS L is set except for the final spot. Platt can clinch that by beating Maloney on Thanksgiving. If there’s an upset in Meriden, Farmington’s in line to grab it. Darien and North Haven are longshots.

Conservatively, that field will look like this: No. 8 Platt at No. 1 Hand; No. 7 Middletown at No. 2 Windsor; No. 6 Fitch at No. 3 Masuk; No. 5 New Canaan at No. 4 Avon.

CLASS M (as always) stands for ‘Mess.’ But not as much this year if the top teams keep winning.

Berlin and Wolcott are in. Ellington/Somers (two games remaining), Barlow, Hillhouse, St. Joseph and New London are all in with victories. Ellington should fulfill that destiny. So should Hillhouse (unless Wilbur Cross shows up, as it usually does, in the Elm City Bowl). So should St. Joseph, but, again despite Trumbull’s struggles, that game isn’t a gimme.

New London plays unbeaten NFA, so that’s uncertain at this point. Barlow faces Weston in a virtual win-or-go-home clash, and the odds increased in Weston’s favor with shifty Barlow QB Jack Shaban out due to a shoulder injury.

Waiting in line is Montville, Bullard-Havens, Weston, Coventry/Windham Tech/Bolton and Ledyard. All of these teams will be in a good place with victories and losses by those further up the leaderboard.

We won’t even begin to make predictions for this class, it’s too close to call.

And, finally, CLASS S, as we’ve outline hinges on a couple of key games.

First, Ansonia is in and will get the top seed by beating Naugatuck. Capital Prep/Classical will get a home game by beating Prince Tech. Hyde must beat 1-7 Nonnewaug Saturday to get in. Thanksgiving rival North Branford must beat winless Lewis Mills (done and done). Their Thanksgiving game is for a home playoff game somewhere else.

Rocky Hill is in with a victory over Northwest Catholic. It’ll probably still get in with a loss. Prince Tech has enough points that it could lose and still qualify.

Trinity Catholic will get in with a victory over Wilton.

That would leave one spot open for Woodland to clinch with a victory over Seymour. A Northwest Catholic victory over Rocky Hill would complicate things.

The Hawks would be in a footrace for bonus points with both schools for the last possible spot.

Stonington will need to win and get help, like NWC and/or Woodland and/or Trinity Catholic to lose.

The rest of the teams, Derby, Oxford, Holy Cross and Canton are begging for all of those teams to lose.

Again, not going to predict an order. The race is too close to call.

Onward…

‘About Last Night’ Week 10 Thursday: Deja Vu all over again

Friday, November 16, 2012 by:Sean Patrick Bowley

♦♦♦

Greenwich players celebrate a recovered fumble in their 54-8 FCIAC and state playoff-clinching victory over Danbury Thursday. The Cards will face Staples for the FCIAC championship on Thanksgiving.

Through rain, snow, gale-force winds, hurricanes/superstorms, Nor’easters, you name it we’ve been through it this high school football season. We’ve also seen the attack of the creatures from the pits, those typically downtrodden clubs who suddenly rose from the wreckage of it all to produce some memorable moments this year.

Barlow, Trinity Catholic, Weston, Westhill, Derby, Oxford, New Fairfield…

But in the end, the more things changed around here, they all wound up the same.

It’s Greenwich vs. Staples in the FCIAC championship.

Ansonia's Arkeel Newsome drags Woodland defenders on his way to 222 rushing yards and four TDs in the NVL Championship game Thursday night. Newsome won his second title game MVP award.

It’s Masuk vs. Newtown for the SWC title.

Ansonia won the NVL championship behind some guy named Arkeel Newsome.

Rinse.

Repeat.

Anybody remember how we fretted about how our poor local leagues would somehow fit in enough games on the off-chance Trinity Catholic or Barlow earned the right to play for league titles.

How naive we all were.

Not only are the same teams lining up for league championships, they’ve all clinched playoff berths as well.

Greenwich flirted with ‘Score Management’ while hammering Danbury, 53-8.

Staples overwhelmed Westhill 49-7.

Like Newtown and Masuk before them, Greenwich and Staples have both clinched playoff berths. The FCIAC and SWC title games are for seeding purposes only.

[Here's the latest from Matt Fischer's H.A.L. Supercomputer playoff calculations] In addition to Greenwich and Staples in Class LL, Fitch (8-1) clinched a Class L playoff berth, leaving two spots in both playoff classes. See ‘The Clinch’ graphic, below.

Meanwhile, our small-school underdogs and heroes are fading fast.

St. Joseph's defense swarms over Trinity Catholic's Randy Polonia in their 49-14 victory Thursday night. St. Joseph kept its Class M playoff dreams alive in Class M, while Trinity Catholic must beat Wilton on Thanksgiving to grab a berth in Class S.

Trinity Catholic has now lost two straight since beginning the season 7-0. The Crusaders were hammered by determined St. Joseph, 49-14, and now must (m-u-s-t) beat Wilton to reach the state playoffs for the first time since the 1993 championship season.

St. Joseph, meanwhile, stayed in the Class M playoff race with this eye-opening effort (600 yard of offense!). The Hogs must beat Trumbull to qualify in a Class M field that would be pretty upset to see them there. (Unless I’m Hillhouse, I wouldn’t want to play the Hogs).

Weston was no match for determined Masuk, losing 49-0 and dropping below the fold of Class M.

Barlow, the Trojans’ Thanksgiving Day rival, fared better Thursday night. Alex Lockwood ran for 175 yards and a pair of scores as Barlow knocked off Brookfield 29-22 to keep its dreams of a first state playoff berth alive.

But the Falcons (8-1) remain in a precarious spot, especially now that we understand sterling junior quarterback Jack Shaban is lost for the remainder of the season thanks to a shoulder injury suffered in last week’s loss to Masuk.

Both teams must win on Thanksgiving Day or their playoff goose is cooked.

Two teams enter. One team leaves.

Forget Greenwich-Staples. Masuk-Newtown.

Barl0w-Weston IS the biggest Thanksgiving Day game in Shangri-La.

(Does this game have a name? Somebody come up with one quick.)

Beyond the region, Platt Tech couldn’t do a favor for teams like Woodland, Derby, Oxford, even Trinity or themselves. They had a 14-12 lead, but lost to Prince Tech, further tightening the Class S playoff race.

Fairfield Prep set up a big Thanksgiving Day showdown with West Haven by beating up on Branford. The Jesuits snapped a 2-game skid. …Ludlowe (Ludlowe!) won its third straight game by nipping Norwalk 21-20. The Falcons haven’t lost since coach Matt McCloskey announced he’d be resigning at the end of the season. Master Motivator. …McCloskey’s old haunt, Jonathan Law, buried Plainville 60-27.

Read all about those games in the regional roundup.

Oh, by the way New Fairfield fans! Your Rebels, who play Pomperaug tonight and finishe with New Milford, remains very much alive and kicking in Class M. Could we possibly see Joe Pacheco in the playoffs? Two wins, and enough help from above (the standings, and the clouds) could make that a reality.

Finally, we leave you with the NVL Championship. Arkeel Newsome is back, baby, and the Chargers warmed up for their Thanksgiving Day clash with Naugatuck with a 56-26 victory over Woodland. Newsome, who’s been injured for a majority of the year, looked like his old self, chugging 222 yards and scoring four times to win the MVP award and Ansonia the title for the second straight season.

With Newsome back and the rest of the gang making their usual plays, Ansonia is just chugging along as normal.

It is the first and only team to reach 10-0 (this doesn’t count in the playoff standings, though, kids). They’ll host a state quarterfinal game. They’re the favorites to win it all in Class S.

Life’s pretty good in Ansonia, eh?

Onward…

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Archive for the ‘FCIAC’ Category

All-FCIAC East

All-FCIAC Central

All-FCIAC West

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Fairfield County: Denied.

Newsome, Chargers roll into final

S-C-C! S-C-C! S-C-C!

WATCH the full highlight reel from WFSB’s Friday Night Football crew

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Class LL preview

No. 8 West Haven at No. 1 Staples

No. 5 Norwich Free Academy at No. 4 Newtown

No. 7 Glastonbury at No. 2 Southington

No. 6 Greenwich at No. 3 Xavier

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Class L previews

No. 8 Platt at No. 1 Hand

No. 5 Middletown vs. No. 4 Masuk

No. 6 New Canaan vs. No. 3 Avon

No. 7 Fitch at No. 2 Windsor

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GAMEBREAKERS

GUNSLINGERS

BRICK WALLS

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CLASS LL | CLASS L | CLASS M | CLASS S

♦♦♦

Tuesday Night

♦♦♦

Bullard-Havens at Bassick

♦♦♦

Thanksgiving Eve

♦♦♦

Oxford at Pomperaug

Ridgefield at Danbury

Woodland at Seymour

Notre Dame-Fairfield at Immaculate

Stratford at Bunnell

St. Joseph at Trumbull

Masuk at Newtown

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Crazy eight for New Canaan

Wrapping the Region

The Redcoats are coming, and other playoff musings

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