Archive for the ‘Hartford County’ Category

Coaching carousel update: Woodstock hires, no vacancy at Rockville, six remain

Thursday, May 9, 2013 by:Sean Patrick Bowley
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Round and round the Coaching Carousel goes. When it'll stop, nobody knows (I kill me.)

Round and round the Coaching Carousel goes. When it’ll stop, nobody knows (I kill me.)

It’s been a few weeks since we last checked on the vacancies and — woah — there’s been some movement. y’all.


Second time’s the charm at Woodstock Academy


Woodstock Academy coach Clay Killingsworth.

Woodstock Academy coach Clay Killingsworth (Norwich Bulletin)

A year ago, NFA assistant Clay Killingsworth was passed over at Woodstock Academy for Jesse Pimental. A year later, Pimental had resigned due to family considerations and Killingsworth tried again.

This time, he got the gig. The Norwich Bulletin reported Killingsworth hire back on April 22.
Killingsworth takes over a position once held by his mentor, NFA head coach Jemal Davis.

Killingsworth actually began his coaching career with Davis at Woodstock Academy when the program started eight years ago. This is a homecoming for the 33-year old coach.

“(Davis) said that it was a natural progression and he was excited for me and was ready to see what I could do here,” Killingsworth told The Bulletin.

And so the ECC is now down to just one coaching vacancy: St. Bernard/Norwich Tech.


No Vacancy at Rockville, after all


If you recall our lament about some of the CCC schools living behind some impenetrable anti-internet shield, you will recall we knew very little about an apparent coaching vacancy at Rockville. It existed, yes, because the job was posted.

But — short of actually acting like journalists and actually giving a call to fair Vernon (Why? Because: Vernon, you guys) — we knew precious few details due to the great ‘CCC Firewall.’

Undeterred we kept checking and, lo and behold, this tiny little item from March sprung up from behind the Manchester Journal-Inquirer’s paywall:

Rockville fills 2 jobs

And there it was: Rob Scholtz had been re-hired as the head coach.

Apparently, Scholtz, a 27-year old Enfield corrections officer who graduated from Rockville in 2004, was under an interim tag last year and had to reapply for his job, hence the posting. He’s ready to get back to work:

“I see the toughest of the tough at work, and I don’t want to see our kids go down that path,’’ Scholtz told the J-I. “So I try to keep them headed down the right path, and while we’re at it, let’s win some football games.’’

Scholtz is the second-youngest of the new crop of football coaches. He’s eclipsed only by 26-year old Fitch coach Jordan Panucci.

So there we are. Nothing really new in Rockville.

Meet the new coach / Same as the old coach

We won’t get fooled again.

As for the rest of the vacancies, which topped 24 or 25 at its greatest advance, we are now down to seven openings with about three months to go before the start of fall practices.

NO VACANCY (21)


VACANCY (6)

  • East Haven
  • Notre Dame-Fairfield — We have a call in to AD Rob Bleggi to check on ND’s progress. Incidentally, we still don’t know why Dawon Dicks was let go.
  • Platt Tech
  • St. Bernard/Norwich Tech
  • Wilby
  • Old Saybrook

Connecticut coaching carousel 2013: Here’s where we stand in mid-January [Updated]

Friday, January 18, 2013 by:Sean Patrick Bowley
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***

A small sampling of coaches who will no longer be at their 2012 posts in 2013. Clockwise from top left: Dave Cadelina, John Murphy, Bryan Hocter, Peter Stokes, Chuck Lynch, Craig Bruno

It’s been a crazy, topsy-turvy offseason for high school football programs and coaches. And we’re barely halfway through January.

Big names, small names, big programs, little programs… no one, it seems, is immune from the bug that has plagued our regional coaches’ psyches.

The reasons have varied: Many “want to spend more time with their families,” or just have too much responsibility to keep up with the rigorous demands it takes to be successful. Some were fired, or about to be fired, or thought they might be fired. Others just felt, “it was time.”

Whatever the reason, there are immense vacuums to be filled across our fair state. And they just keep coming.

So with the latest bombshell news of Craig Bruno jumping Bunnell for Naugatuck, we here at football central felt it was time to take stock of what we know and don’t know about the many vacancies across Connecticut.

Let’s recap all of the movement madness, shall we?

Update: We’ve added Wilby, Bacon Academy, East Lyme, Ellington/Somers, Old Saybrook/Westbrook and Woodstock Academy. Whew. Anyone else?

May 21: Cheshire

The first casualty was actually last offseason when longtime Cheshire coach Mark Ecke resigned, apparently under pressure, following an incident at a Glastonbury High School lacrosse game.

The interim coach, Don Drust, got the job full-time on November 30 after coaching the Rams to a 6-4 record.

August 3: Wilby (added)

Just before fall practices began, Pat Russo resigned at Wilby unexpectedly after coaching one season. Russo told the Republican-American that he decided to leave to coach is two sons in youth football.

Gino Capuano, a business teacher at the school, took over as interim coach, saying he hoped “I am the head coach until the day I retire as a teacher.” He guided the Wildcats went 5-5 in the NVL this season.

As of January, Capuano remains the interim coach.

August 24: Naugatuck

Naugatuck lost its head coach Rob Plasky in August stemming from a scheme to get Sacred Heart receiver and then-Boston College commit David Coggins and a few of his teammates to Naugatuck. Assistant Shawn Kuczenski took over as head coach and took the team to a 6-4 record.

The job was posted shortly after the season concluded. (More on this later).

October 3: St. Bernard/Norwich Tech

Just a few weeks into the 2012 season, Scott Cook was told to resign or be fired as head coach at St. Bernard/Norwich Tech, over what Cook said was an incident on a bus the previous year, according to The Day of New London. His players briefly considered walking out of the season in protest, but eventually decided to carry on under interim coach Bob Burnside while Cook’s status upgraded to ‘paid administrative leave.’

Athletic director Brendan Case told the Norwich Bulletin he hoped to have a new coach hired within weeks after the season ended. But that was pending a resolution on Cook’s personnel issue, which as of January 18 doesn’t seem to be resolved.

Former Bloomfield/New Britain/New London coach Jack Cochran seemed like he was interested in the job. But earlier this month Cochran told us “right now” he had no plans on coaching in 2013 because he felt it would impede in following his son’s career at UConn.

October 26: Ludlowe

News that Ludlowe coach Matt McCloskey would resign at the end of the season hit the press and is confirmed by athletic director Dave Schulz. The Falcons were 1-5 at the time, having lost 25 of the team’s previous 27 games.

Yet, the Falcons rallied by winning all four of their remaining games to finish 5-5, giving McCloskey a memorable send-off.

Last week Schulz said interviews would being toward the second half of January. No word on who might be the candidates.

November 28: New Milford & Bridgeport Central

This was the first of a few interesting days, regionally.

Two coaches resigned because they felt “It’s time.”

First, Chuck Lynch resigned at New Milford after 10 seasons, saying he was “ready for a new chapter in my life.”

Then came the first first true shock of the 2012-13 offseason, a move that signaled that we were entering new territory: Central coach Dave Cadelina resigned after 16 years.

Cadelina, who took the once-downtrodden program to a pair of FCIAC championship games and two state playoffs during his tenure, said he simply believed he needed to take a break.

“I feel it’s time,” he said. “Throw Excalibur back into the lake, if you will, and let somebody new come on in.”

The Bridgeport board of education had yet to post the position as of last week. Citywide athletic director Neil Kavey said he hoped to get that squared away soon and begin vetting candidates.

As for New Milford, athletic director Lance Pliego said Monday his school has whittled a list of “about 10 worthy candidates,” down to three. But he said he couldn’t offer the job until New Milford’s school budget is hammered out. That could come before the end of January, Pliego said.

Former Masuk coach John Murphy is supposedly one of the school’s prime targets.

December 2: Avon

Avon’s Brett Quinion resigned unexpectedly on December 2, simply saying, “It’s time.”

Quinion had spent 10 years with the program.

Two of his last four years yielded a pair of 10-0 records and a pair state playoff appearances.

December 5: Bacon Academy (added)

Just a month after naming him interim coach when Duane Miranda resigned to take the head coach job at New London, Bacon Academy officially hired Brian Enrique on August 4.

But shortly after the 2012 season ended  a few weeks after the end of the season, the school decided it would re-open the job and asked Enrique to apply again.

Superintendent on Jeff Mathieu told the Norwich Bulletin every coach in the district had to reapply. The difference in this case is that they were advertising the job. “The reason why they are re-opening it is because they hadn’t had a chance to advertise last time and they want to see what the available talent pool is,” he said.

Enrique told The Bulletin he hoped to reclaim the job. “I can only say right now that I absolutely want to coach that group of young men in the offseason and on the football field next fall,” he said.

December 7: Maloney

Bob Zito, who had spent nine seasons as head coach and took the Spartans to the state playoffs in 2007, wasn’t rehired by the Meriden board of education. Zito, who went 46-46-1 overall during his stint there wasn’t exactly pleased with the board’s decision.

“I’m just disappointed with the way the whole thing played out,” Zito told the Record-Journal. “I was there for the kids and I thought I did everything I could for the kids.”

Zito won two state championships while coaching Joe Lato and Steve George at Newtown in the early 1990s and also helped kick-start John Murphy‘s coaching career. Moved on to Stratford (for one season) and Weston before taking over at Maloney in 2004.

December 11: Trinity Catholic & Masuk

Within minutes of each other, two more regional coaches called it quits.

Peter Stokes resigned at Trinity Catholic after guiding the team to its first state playoff berth in 19 years. His vacancy was quickly filled by assistant Don Panapada on January 14.

Minutes after Stokes confirmed he was leaving Trinity, the region was hit with an much larger bombshell (Sorry, Pete):

John Murphy quit at Masuk after 15 seasons, 159 victories and three state championships. “This is what’s best for me and my family,” he said. “I feel like I’ve accomplished everything I can do here.”

Murphy hinted his reasoning as a dissatisfaction with his school’s support of the football program.

The school has yet to conduct interviews, though interested parties include Ridgefield defensive coordinator David Brennen, a Masuk teacher, former Ludlowe coach Mike Forget (now an assistant at Darien), Monroe Lions coach Steve Christy and (maybe) Weston coach Joe Lato.

December 17: Fitch & Rockville

Fitch coach Mike Emery‘s second stint at the school he built into a powerhouse in the late 1990s ended at the team’s postseason banquet.

Emery said his resignation had to do with his duties as an assistant principal.

Up in Vernon, coach and Rockville alumnus Rob Scholtz resigned after just one year.

We actually have no idea exactly when this happened or how or why because Vernon apparently exists in some anti-Internet shield which is impenetrable to anything except short Vernon Patch articles that seem to have stopped covering the team in November.

Go ahead and Google it.

(Aside: What, exactly, do you people read for football news in the CCC?)

Whatever. It’s significantly of our domain and far beyond of the Oort Cloud of our interest. (Google *that!*)

This we do know: The job opened December 17 and closed January 2. Anybody apply?

December 18: Stamford

We were again hit regionally when Bryan Hocter resigned as head coach at Stamford after three seasons. Hocter’s decision came just 30 minutes before a scheduled meeting with athletic director Jim Moriarty.

There had been rumors that Hocter would have been fired at the meeting. Though Moriarty did little to dispel that notion when asked by our own Dave Ruden (“He had 11 years on the staff and three years as head coach and because of inconsistencies in the program he decided to resign,” Moriarty said.), Hocter said he had made his decision to leave a few weeks earlier.

“I didn’t think I was going to get fired,” he said. “They brought up some concerns they had. Halfway through the season I thought it was time to explore other options.”

While Hocter says he hopes to hook on somewhere else, a source has said Darien defensive coordinator Idris Price is applying for the job. We’re not sure when interviews will commence yet.

December 21: East Lyme (added)

We missed this one earlier: Just before Christmas, East Lyme’s Paul Tenaglia resigned because the school wanted to hire a coach within the school system, partially to help boost dwindling numbers. He was offered to stay on as an assistant but decided to leave.

The school reportedly had their sights set on Old Saybrook/Westbrook coach Rudy Bagos, a physical education teacher at East Lyme. Sure enough, East Lyme bagged him on January 10.

January 4: Torrington & Branford

Saying he was burdened by the 45-minute commute and expecting a second child, Dan Dunaj unexpectedly resigned after five relatively successful seasons. He will remain a physical education teacher.

“After 17 years of coaching, taking a break would probably be OK,” he told the Republican-American. “I don’t think I am done altogether, but right now everything is put on hold.”

Also revealed by the Republican-American was a hazing incident involving Torrington’s football players that apparently took place in September. Not much is known of it or how much it could have contributed to Dunaj’s resignation, if at all.

Later that day it was revealed that Mike Tracy had stepped down at Branford after four seasons.

Tracy’s reason, according to the New Haven Register, was to spend more time with his kids.

But we weren’t done quite yet…

January 5: Ellington/Somers (added)

At the team banquet, Ellington/Somers’ successful coach Keith Tautkus resigned after 13 seasons.

Tautkus took the co-op program to its second-consecutive state playoff berth last season, where it was defeated by Weston 29-22 in the Class M quarterfinals.

He leaves with a career record of 84-41.

January 10: Old Saybrook/Westbrook (added)

When Rudy Bagos decided to take the job at East Lyme, Old Saybrook/Westbrook suddenly found itself without a coach.

Old Saybrook/Westbrook was 10-10 under Bagos in two seasons.

January 14: Abbott Tech

Chris Mascolo, who started the Tech school program in 2008, called it quits on Tuesday after five years. Mascolo wanted to focus on continuing his education.

“Abbott Tech gave me an opportunity to be a head coach when nobody else would,” Mascolo said. “…I loved the challenge of coaching at a technical school. For a lot of the kids, it was their first year playing, so it was a challenge for us to get them to love football.”

He certainly did that. After an expected 0-9 start when program’s began its first varsity season in 2010, Mascolo’s team went 6-4 last year.

Athletic director Jon Nadeau said the job is posted and a search will begin immediately.

And, finally…

January 17: Bunnell & Woodstock Academy

Shortly after the New Year, two-time state championship Craig Bruno‘s name came up often with sources while we were attempting to pin down candidates for the Naugatuck coaching job.

Naugatuck’s search, which began in December, quickly narrowed to four candidates: the current interim coach Shawn Kuczenski, Post University offensive coordinator Steve Croce, Woodland offensive coordinator Tim Phipps and  Bruno.

Initial reports said this week Phipps’ appointment was a mere formality. But a day after the announcement was put on hold due to a snow storm, Bruno usurped Phipps and got the job.

Bruno’s move north surprised some. Why leave a good thing at Bunnell, where Bruno had won two state championships and coached at least two NFL caliber players?

“I felt that I’ve accomplished all my goals in a place that I built,” said Bruno, who said living “10 minutes” away in Oxford factored into his decision. “I’m leaving this situation on good terms. I have a lot of great feelings and memories there, but I felt at this point in my life I had to make a change.”

The Bruno news usurped news from way upstate when Woodstock Academy coach Jesse Pimental resigned after one season.

Pimental intended to continue with his second season, but recently he decided coaching put too much strain on his family. “…That was more than I was willing to sacrifice,” he told the Norwich Bulletin.

Woodstock Academy, a Class L school, went 0-10 last year and is 6-34 over the last four seasons while shuffling through three different coaches and petitioning the ECC to play in its small division.

Update: Lewis Mills

Lewis Mills’ school district posted a vacancy for head coach, though it was uncertain when and why.

Present Day

So that’s 17 19 20 23 24 jobs open overall and four filled by mid-January: one by hiring the interim coach, another by promoting in-house, and two by pilfering another school’s coach.

So that’s 19 20 jobs technically open.

Round and round this Merry-Go-Round we go.

When will it stop? No one knows.

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

Sunday, December 2, 2012 by:Sean Patrick Bowley
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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

2012 Class LL state quarterfinal preview capsules

Monday, November 26, 2012 by:Sean Patrick Bowley
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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?

Who will win the Class LL championship?

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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

Class LL QF - Who will win No. 8 West Haven at No. 1 Staples?

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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

Class LL QF - Who will win No. 5 NFA at No. 4 Newtown?

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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

Class LL QF - Who will win No. 7 Glastonbury at No. 2 Southington?

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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

Class LL QF - Who will win No. 6 Greenwich at No. 3 Xavier?

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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

‘About Last Night…’ Week 8: Showdown? Showcase in Ansonia

Saturday, November 3, 2012 by:Sean Patrick Bowley
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♦♦♦


In Football Friday’s only big game played in the region, Ansonia mopped the Jarvis Stadium turf with 7-0 Wolcott in a 41-12 NVL Brass Showdown. Showcase.

Did we really think it would be anything but?

Arkeel Newsome ran for 200 yards, Andrew Matos flexed his big-play muscles and the Ansonia defense stifled Wolcott’s gamebreakers, Mike Nicol, Joe Lynch and Co.

Granted, the 20-6 halftime score was Ansonia’s closest of the year. Wolcott’s good enough. It wasn’t going to lay down. This was a 13-6 game in the second quarter.

But after Ansonia took a 14-0 lead on its first two possessions, the general feeling on the sidelines was, ‘This game’s over.’

Took another quarter and change to make sure, but yes… yes it was.

And so Ansonia is your NVL Brass Division Champions (yeay!) and will play in the NVL title game for the umpteenth season.

They await the winner of the Holy Cross-Woodland game tonight.

ELSEWHERE, the only other big result of the night was that Platt-Meriden ‘upset’ No. 10 Berlin pretty handily in a game that has significant CIAC playoff ramifications. Justin Potts ran for 202 yards as Platt (6-2) scored 27 unanswered points and moved to No. 9 in Class L. Berlin (7-1) dropped to No. 4 in Class M.

Here’s Mr. Polecat’s view of the events at Sage Park.

Glastonbury won, Windsor won, Manchester won. Ledyard won. NFA won. …All’s well.

Hillhouse also mopped up Lyman Hall in the SCC’s only game.

Real strange not seeing any Fairfield County games played. We’ll get one tonight when Shelton hosts Xavier (and that really isn’t a Fairfield County game), but that’s it.

Friday Results

  • CCC: Glastonbury 47, South Windsor 0 | E.O. Smith 40, Fermi 26 | Windsor 49, Maloney 7 | Plainville 41, Rockville 12 |  Platt 34, Berlin 14 | East Hartford 35, Conard 29 | Manchester 32, New Britain 8 | Rocky Hill 55, Bristol Central 21
  • CSC: Capital Prep 42, Cheney Tech 0 | Prince Tech 36, Putnam/Tourtellotte/Ellis Tech 14
  • ECC: Ledyard 47, Bacon Academy 7 | Killingly 66, St. Bernard/Norwich Tech 36 |  Norwich Free Academy 40, Griswold 14
  • NVL: Ansonia 41, Wolcott 12 | Wilby 46, Crosby 14
  • PEQUOT: Hyde Leadership 56, East Hampton/Vinal Tech 6 |  Canton 42, Stafford/East Windsor 22 | Avon 26, Enfield 6
  • SCC: Hillhouse 46, Lyman Hall 0

Saturday Schedule

  • SCC: Wilbur Cross at West Haven, 6:00 p.m.| Xavier at Shelton, 7:00 p.m.|  East Haven at Cheshire, 6:30 p.m.
  • NVL: Torrington at Kennedy, 11:00 a.m. | Sacred Heart at St. Paul Catholic, 5:00 p.m. | Holy Cross at Woodland, 6:00 p.m. | Watertown at Naugatuck, 7:00 p.m.
  • CSC: Abbott Tech at Whitney Tech, 1:00 p.m. | Platt Tech at Wilcox Tech, 6:00 p.m.
  • CCC: Southington at Simsbury, 4:00 p.m. | Wethersfield at RHAM, 2:15 p.m. | Bulkeley at Hartford Public, 6:30 p.m. | Middletown at Farmington, 6:00 p.m. | Bloomfield at Weaver, 2:00 p.m. | Newington at Hall, 2:00 p.m. | Bristol Eastern at Northwest Catholic, 3:00 p.m. | East Catholic at Tolland, 3:00 p.m.
  • ECC: Fitch at New London, 7 p.m. | Montville at Stonington, 2 p.m.
  • PEQUOT: North Branford at Coginchaug, 2:00 p.m. | Valley Regional/Old Lyme at Lewis Mills, 3:30 p.m. | SMSA/University at Windsor Locks/Suffield/East Granby, 1:30 p.m. | Coventry/Windham Tech/Bolton at Housatonic/Wamogo, 2:00 p.m. | Gilbert/NW Regional at Granby Memorial, 2:00 p.m.

Week 5 Primer and Live Updates: The Storm Arrives

Friday, October 12, 2012 by:Sean Patrick Bowley
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…

It’s judgement night in the SCC: Hand and Xavier will kick off in the Rumble at Palmer Field. Hillhouse and North Haven tangle in the fray at Vanacore Field. Fairfield Prep takes on Cheshire in the fight at the Maclary Complex.

There’s so much to say, so much to talk about. Elsewhere Liam O’Neil is back at quarterback for Greenwich as the Cardinals take on Ludlowe. Joe Pacheco and New Fairfield head into the Panthers’ den of Benedict Field in Monroe. Barlow’s looking to go 5-0. And Trinity Catholic hopes to keep its state playoff drive intact when it hosts rival Stamford on Saturday at an Alumni Field that should be packed with alumni.

Ooooh, baby. Can you feel it in the air?

We’re almost halfway through the 2012 season. It’s Week 5.

Buckle up.

Welcome to football central, where you can get all the info you you need as we begin this pivotal week of games.

Here we go.

The Nuts & Bolts of Week 5

On The Air

Live Update Blog

We start tonight: Holy Cross vs. Cromwell in Class S title game

Friday, December 9, 2011 by:Sean Patrick Bowley
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Holy Cross QB Zach Brown

We’re just wrapping up our last previews for tomorrow’s regional football state championship games.

You can find everything you need here, links, stats AND special video previews (Xavier-Staples will be available tonight):

But, oh yes, one state championship will be decided tonight. It doesn’t include regional teams, but it has potential of being the best of the four state championships.

The Class S title game between Holy Cross and Cromwell.

You can follow all the action here, interactively on the live blog, or you can just watch the CIAC’s Play-by-play update feed from Rentschler Field, or you can visit our friends Remmy and Kyle at the NVL Football Blog, who have been all over this one. Or you can do all three.

No. 2 Holy Cross vs. No. 8 Cromwell

WHEN/WHERE – Rentschler Field, 6:30 p.m.
ON THE AIR – Sportingnewsct.com | WELI 960-AM
TICKETS – $10
COACHES — Holy Cross: Mike Giampetruzzi; Cromwell: Chris Eckert
RECORDS — Holy Cross 11-2 (NVL runners-up); Cromwell (10-2)
HOW THEY GOT HERE – Holy Cross: def. Haddam-Killingworth 42-14, def. Valley Regional 23-14; Cromwell: def. Capital Prep/Classical Magnet 23-14; def. Northwest Catholic 35-19
STATE TITLES – Holy Cross (1): 2006-SS; Cromwell (1): 2008-S
TOP PLAYERS — Holy Cross: Sr. RB/LB Dave DiGiorgi (1,068 yards, 12 TDs); Sr. QB Zach Brown; Sr. LB/OL Anthony Jemele (6-0, 215); Jr. RB/LB Adrian Brown (1,152 yards, 13 TDs); Sr. WR/DB Paul Cotter; Sr. LB Joe Parent; Fresh. WR/DB Isaiah Wright (8 TDs). Cromwell:Sr. QB Anthony Morales (3,365 yards passing, 42 TDs); Derrick Villard (1,964 yards yards, 24 TDs rushing); Sr. WR Michael Antonio (1,291 yards, 18 TDs receiving) Sr. OL/DL Mike Sullivan (18 sacks); Sr. WR/DB/K Brett Director (874 yards, 9 TDs receiving); Sr. LB Ricky Feggins.
WORTH NOTING – Morales is one touchdown pass away from breaking the state’s single-season passing record he shares with New Canaan’s Matt Milano (42), and is 193 passing yards away from breaking former Southington QB Matt Keleher’s single season record of 3,558. …Behind Morales in the air, Villard on the ground Cromwell is the state leader in passing yards and total offense (5,990). …It averages 42.7 points per game, it has scored under that average in two playoff games. …Holy Cross’ only losses this season have both been to Ansonia, 45-13 in the regular season and 33-0 in the NVL title game. …Take away two losses to Ansonia, Holy Cross is 11-0 and has outscored its opponents 363-150, or an average of 33-14.
OUTLOOK — In one of the best matchups of the state championship weekend, the Class S game features offenses on opposite ends of the spectrum. Cromwell has produced the state’s statistically most prolific offense in the state with a spread attack that stretches the field with a deep passing game and selective, but effective running from Villard on the ground. Holy Cross loves to pound away with backs DiGiorgi and Brown, but can pass when necessary with freshman Wright already emerging as a bit-time threat. The Class S championship will come down to defenses and Holy Cross might hold the edge in that department, having allowed just 150 points all season against everybody but Ansonia. But Cromwell’s not exactly a sieve. Sullivan’s 18 sacks lead the state. The offenses should have their way early before defenses take control. Someone’s going to have to make a big play late. Tough matchup to call.
OUR PICK — Cromwell 34, Holy Cross 26

Thanksgiving Eve Primer and Live Scoring Blog

Wednesday, November 23, 2011 by:Sean Patrick Bowley
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Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to the greatest 24-hours of the Connecticut sports calendar.

Tomorrow, thousands of Nutmeg state residents will get up, rub the sleep out of their eyes, grab a cup of coffee or some breakfast and head over to their favorite Thanksgiving Day rivalry game.

It is a day where records are thrown out. Where everybody is undefeated. And a day where memories that will live eternity are created.

It is a day where advanced algebra becomes a pastime as everybody tries to figure out who is in, and who is out of the state playoffs.

But first, we start with the Wednesday night appetizers and there are plenty of these to whet your Thanksgiving Day appetite.

Here’s the regional schedule for Wednesday night:

SWC Championship Masuk at Newtown, 7 p.m. [Preview video above] | Danbury at Ridgefield, 7 p.m. | Abbott Tech at Wilcox Tech (Falcon Field, Meriden), 6 p.m.  | Woodland at Seymour, 6 p.m.

There are also a few big games going on around the state, many with playoff implications.

Here’s what to look for

CLASS LL: Ridgefield needs to beat Danbury to get into position for a possible playoff berth in Class LL. Also huge tonight is Glastonbury’s game vs. Simsbury. Like Ridgefield, the Tomahawks need to win to get into position. Glastonbury is also counting on tonight’s New Britain-Berlin game. A New Britain win is a must if Glastonbury wants to reach its max of 112.0. A Berlin victory might cook the Tomahawks if Ridgefield also wins.

CLASS L: Tolland plays E.O. Smith in a key game for North Haven and Notre Dame-WH in the Class L race. A Tolland win would significantly decrease Farmington’s chances to qualify for the field with a victory, meaning North Haven and Notre Dame’s chances will drastically improve with victories.

Of course, Masuk needs to beat Newtown tonight to clinch a spot in the field. While a loss won’t quite kill Masuk, the Panthers will certainly take to the road for the playoffs.

CLASS S: Valley Regional (9-0) has already clinched in Class S, but their game vs. Haddam-Killingworth (7-2) tonight is massive for Weston’s Class S playoff hopes. As is Cromwell (7-2) vs. Coginchaug (6-3). A win by either Valley or Coginchaug or both will open the door wider for the Trojans. They’ll still be looking for bonus help, but without of those game, the field will be nearly complete and Weston’s hopes will be all but snuffed. Bloomfield is also looking for the same help.

Don’t expect much movement in Class M since all of the key games are on Thanksgiving.

Here’s the statewide Thanksgiving Week schedule

To follow along on all the action, click the window below. It is a live Twitter feed from all across the state.

You can listen to George DeMaio‘s Thanksgiving Eve Extravaganza – Live reports and updates from Wednesday night’s games – WELI 960-AM. He’ll be in the studio getting Wednesday night updates from his cadre of correspondents all across the area.

And, of course, follow all the scoring action on the live blog below.

If you’re at a game, and want to participate in the live blog, just get a Twitter account and send updates from your game through your mobile phone. Remember to add #ctfb to the end of your Tweets to have your update show up on this space.

Our HUGE Thanksgiving Day live blog will begin tomorrow at 7 a.m. Thanks and enjoy the games.

It’s a Wrap Week 7: The Snow Days of Autumn

Monday, October 31, 2011 by:Sean Patrick Bowley
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Nick Kelly leaps to pick off Darien quarterback Henry Baldwin in the third quarter of Staples' snowly 42-23 win over Darien on Saturday.

Bethel's Brian Birdsell fights through Bunnell tackles during his six-touchdown effort Saturday at DeSantis Field. Bethel defeated Bunnell 56-46.

We asked for an upset last week and we got it, with Bethel’s stunning 56-46 victory over Stratford at Ralph DeSantis Field.

That was the only local surprise. Statewide, we saw both NFA (to Stonington) and New London (to Fitch) catch the upset bug and the state playoff picture looked slightly different than they did just days ago.

Of more immediate concern, the SWC playoff race fell out of focus somewhat with Bunnell’s loss. Now it’s anybody’s ballgame for the right to face Masuk at Bunnell on Nov. 16. (Sorry, kids. it’s true. They’re a lock.).

Staples’ win over Darien put the Wreckers and New Canaan’s win over Wilton put those schools in the drivers’ seat for the FCIAC title game. The NVL’s biggest games are coming up this week. The league’s championship picture should be clear before Week 9.

Hand and Xavier remained unbeaten in the SCC. And everybody’s gearing up for that showdown … Oh, wait.

All and all, it was a pretty crazy week, if not for the games then for the snow that dumped on the region turning a handful of games into snowball fights. I’ve never seen anything like it. And it’s still causing havoc across the region. Many towns are still without power. Some schools have, of course, canceled classes indefinitely. The U.S. government had declared a state of emergency.

It’ll be worth watching how long some of these schools remain closed, and how their teams will be affected in the coming days.

We’ve added a post on this issue and will collect information as is becomes available.

In the meantime, if you can read this, here’s look back at Week 7 and a look ahead to Week 8:

Bulldozers

Lou Fenaroli had another monster game for 6-1 Newtown

  • Javon Grey, Notre Dame-WH – 27 carries, 204 yards, four TDs vs. Wilbur Cross
  • Arkeel Newsome, Ansonia — 188 yards, 3 TDs on nine carries vs. Crosby
  • Brian Birdsell, Bethel – Six touchdown runs vs. Bunnell
  • Jack Shaban, Barlow — Ran for 168 yards and 2 TDs on 16 carries vs. Oxford
  • Lou Fenaroli, Newtown — 169 yards, 3 TDs, including 95-yard run vs. Brookfield
  • James Harrington & Austin Calitro, Danbury — Combined for 263 yards rushing and five TDs vs Trumbull

Gunslingers

  • Matt Milano, New Canaan — 19 of 24 for 298 yards and three touchdowns vs. Wilton
  • Bryan Castelot, Bunnell – 28 of 50 for 425 yards and six touchdowns in loss to Bethel.
  • Connor Rowe, Ridgefield — 20 of 28 for 217 yards and one touchdown vs. McMahon.
  • Casey Cochran, Masuk — Threw for 395 yards and five touchdowns vs. New Milford.

Gamebreakers

  • Matt Paola, Pomperaug — Tied a state record with a 54-yard field goal vs. record-holder Rico Brogna and Notre Dame-Fairfield
  • Joey Zelkowitz, Staples — Ran for 188 yards on 15 carries and scored three TDs (including two from 60 yards out) vs. Darien
  • Danny Rogers, Weston — Scored the game-winning TD in Weston’s cluch 16-9 win over New Fairfield
  • Barry Boderick, Stamford — Punt return touchdown, TD catch vs. Ludlowe
  • Joel Arroyo, Greenwich – Caught two long TD passes from Liam O’Neil in Greenwich’s overwhelming win over Westhill
  • Donald Graham, Stratford — Ran for four touchdowns vs. Immaculate

Brick Walls

Ridgefield's Chris Mirra takes down McMahon's Damien Vega in Week 7.

  • Kevin Kearney, Staples — 18 tackles, pass defensed vs. Darien
  • Eddie Kochiss, Shelton – Interception return TD vs. Amity
  • Chris Mirra, Ridgefield — Intercepted potential game-winning 2-point conversion vs. McMahon.
  • Dylan Leeming, New Canaan — 16 total tackles vs. Wilton
  • Brandon Freeman, McMahon — Returned an interception for a TD vs. Ridgefield
  • Jack Yule, Pomperaug – 16 tackles vs. Notre Dame-Fairfield
  • Shawn Flynn, Masuk — 10 tackles, interception vs. New Milford
  • Warde defense — Forced six turnovers, including 2 interceptions apiece from Devon Lofton and Maxx Garrett vs. St. Joseph
  • Mike Longo, Greenwich – Returned a fumble 82 yards for a TD vs. Westhill
  • Mike Palomba, Trinity Catholic — Interception return TD vs. Bassick

Valiant in Defeat

  • Tyler Vallie, Amity – Threw for 131 yards and a TD, rushed for 173 yards and a TD vs. Shelton.
  • Chad Lawrence, Central – Ran for 100 yards and three touchdowns in loss to North Haven.
  • Jared Vasquez, Bunnell – 10 catches for 145 yards and three touchdowns vs. Bethel
  • Nigel Beckford, Notre Dame-Fairfield — 20 carries, 134 yards, 2 TDs rushing, 98-yard kickoff return TD
  • John Prutting, St. Joseph — Interception return TD vs. Warde
  • Daron Britt, Law — Caught two touchdown passes in loss to Branford.
  • Tahir Manning, West Haven – Caught two TD passes to give West Haven a halftime lead in a loss to Hand
  • Taquan Broadway, Harding — 100 yards rushing vs. Norwalk

We’ll close the Top Performers section with a clip of Matt Paola‘s 54-yard field goal against Notre Dame-Fairfield. It tied the state record held by former Watertown star Rico Brogna … who just happened to be standing on the Notre Dame-Fairfield sidelines as the Lancers head coach. Paola and Rico posed for pictures afterward. Nice moment.

“When we were at midfield, I said to the offensive coordinator, `Get your two-point (conversion) play ready.’ ” — McMahon coach A.J. Albano, whose 2-point attempt failed in a 14-13 loss to Ridgefield.

Austin Calitro fends off a Trumbull defender during the Hatters' victory Friday night.

“Looking back now, I guess it was nice having that week off. The kids were fresh, their legs weren’t heavy. They were ready to play today.” — Stamford coach Bryan Hocter

“When we play in a tighter game than this it is really going to do us in,”  — New Canaan coach Lou Marinelli on his team’s penalty-filled 28-14 win over Wilton

“We were terrible tonight, absolutely terrible. We have to move on to the next one.” – Trumbull coach Bob Maffei, whose team lost its fourth-straight game, keeping Maffei at 99 career wins.

“We want to go out with a bang and set the tempo for next year. Those guys have to work hard and (if they do) this is what happens.” –Danbury senior FB/LB Austin Calitro after beating Trumbull.

“The upset. It’s a powerful thing that can change your season. It’s one of the best feelings a football player can have.” — Bethel FB/LB Brian Birdsell, whose six touchdown runs toppled Bunnell from the unbeaten ranks.

“No. 36 had a great game for them. He was all over the field,” — Bunnell coach Craig Bruno on Bethel FB/LB Brian Birdsell.

“We knew that tonight was a do-or-die situation for us. But we are going to pick our heads up, keep going and finish the season strong.” — Brookfield coach Rich Angarano on his team’s 41-0 loss to Newtown, which dropped it to 3-4.

Weston's Danny Rogers scores the winning touchdown in the fourth quarter vs. New Fairfield in the snow last week.


“I should have punted. Everyone makes mistakes. We were all fired up and we wanted to end the game right there.” — Weston coach Joe Lato on a fourth-down call that led to New Fairfield’s go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter of Weston’s 16-9 win.

“That could have been the greatest third quarter in Staples history.” –Staples coach Marce Petroccio on the Wreckers’ 28-point outburst leading to a 42-23 win over Darien.

“It’s a football players dream to play in the snow. It was awesome.” — Staples RB Joey Zelkowitz.

“I think our kids at the half thought we had the game won, and they are too good an opponent to do that.” — Darien coach Rob Trifone on his team’s 42-23 loss to Staples, in which it held a 17-7 halftime lead.

“That’s our goal right now. It’s really big because none of us have ever been in a playoff game before, in any sport. We can smell it.” — Norwalk QB Delshawn Wilson on the Bears’ shot at breaking a 13-year playoff drought.

A lot of good ones out there this week, most having to do with the blizzard at Staples Field. So we’ve decided to drop this week’s best Tweets into slideshow form

Here we go:
  • Cheshire (4-3) at Notre Dame-WH (5-2), Friday, 7 – The Class L playoff door is opened just a crack for the Green Knights. They can’t lose again. And it only gets tougher against the cornered animal that is 4-3 Cheshire.
  • Ansonia (7-0) at Wolcott (6-1), Friday, 7 — They’re calling this an NVL showdown for the Brass Division title and a spot in the NVL title game. Or will it be just another Ansonia showcase. (We’re betting the latter).
  • Fairfield Prep (5-2) at Shelton (5-2), Friday, 7 — This game hasn’t meant a thing for years. With both teams clinging to faint playoff hopes, it’s pretty big now.
  • Woodland (5-2) at Holy Cross (6-1), Friday, 7 – Holy Cross can basically wrap up the Brass Copper Division (I always get those division titles mixed) with a title here. Might want DiGiorgi for this one.
  • Seymour (5-2) at Derby (2-5), Friday, 7 — Seymour’s not quite out of the Class S playoff race yet. They’ll need to win out. And, hey, this is a nice rivalry game.
  • Bethel (5-2) at Newtown (6-1), Friday, 7 – Amazing what an upset can do. In addition to giving their playoff hopes a boost, Bethel dropped some intrigue into the SWC championship race. It won’t mean much if they can’t solve Lou Fenaroli and Newtown. That 41-0 win over Brookfield was frightening.
  • Pomperaug (6-1) at Masuk (7-0), Friday, 7 — Finally! A Game! A game for Masuk. Its road to a second straight title finally starts climbing up hill after two months in perpetual 50-point hell. This is their first game against a winning team. Masuk should be ready. It’s been practicing seven weeks for this. Whaddya got Pomperaug? Your season begins or ends here.
  • Central (2-5) at Trumbull (2-4), Friday, 7 — The two Greater Bridgeport powers are down on their luck. I saw one Central player Tweet that a win here would make their season. I’m sure Trumbull feels the same.
  • New Canaan (7-0) at Stamford (4-2), Saturday, 1:30 5 p.m. – Moved from Friday (time changed), New Canaan has few hurdles left on the way to the FCIAC title game. The Boderick Brothers and Stamford are dangerous. But so is New Canaan QB Matt Milano.
  • McMahon at Greenwich, Saturday, 2 – This game’s of minor intrigue only because of McMahon’s shown it’s capable of knocking off the superpowers, it just hasn’t done it yet. Greenwich has a good shot at reaching state playoffs for the first time since 2007 and an outside shot at the FCIAC final. Game on.
  • Weston at Notre Dame-Fairfield, Saturday, 2:45 – Every game’s a big game for Weston from here on. They’re in the running for a Class S playoff but still have to play Masuk. So they’d better enjoy this ride, regardless of what happens next week.

Weekly Links: Ned talks Xavier, Duffy talks Masuk, IBD talks Boeing and video clips

Tuesday, October 4, 2011 by:Sean Patrick Bowley
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The Day's Ned Griffen (at left, if you didn't know)

The Lonesome Polecat: The Day’s Ned Griffen catches up with Xavier

The hardest working writer in all of football took a trip to Middletown to check the Game of the Year of the Week, Cheshire at Xavier.

Among the discussions, Xavier’s new offensive coordinator and its suddenly not-so-impotent offense. There’s also a note about the last time Greenwich allowed more than 50 points in a game

(Hint: It’s been a long, long time).

Brookfield QB Boeing Brown


School Sports Stars Tackle Recruitment Game Online

Brookfield quarterback Boeing Brown is the cover boy on this article from Investors Business Daily. Yes, IBD.

We’re as shocked as anyone, but the story is definitely apropos. It’s about how recruits use various social media outlets — Facebook, Twitter, what have you — to help boost exposure to college football programs.

Brown has certainly been proactive in that department, perhaps more than any high school football player I’ve ever seen.

ADDED/UPDATED: Berks Catholic cancels Stamford trip… without telling Stamford

Late add from down Stamford-way, the planned Oct. 21 meeting between Stamford and Berks Catholic (Pa.) is apparently off. Berks Catholic booked a home date with Imhotep Charter of Philadelphia that same day. It only came to Stamford coach Bryan Hocter‘s attention because he just happened to randomly check out Berks’ schedule. Stamford AD Pete Samperi got in touch with the Berks Catholic coach, who told Samperi he made informed his principal of the change, but not his athletic director.

Samperi:

“I’m really upset now I was counting on the team as our 10th game. It makes a big deal in the standings, for the whole state, not just us. Now we are basically short a game and I’m waiting to hear from the CIAC what to do.”

The answer is, most likely, nothing. Stamford’s out of luck just two weeks from the scheduled date. It will probably be ruled a no-contest and the Black Knights will be stuck with just nine games.

This comes not long after Trumbull’s out-of-state game with Catholic Memorial (Mass.) was canceled after the lights went out in the second quarter of their Week 1 meeting. That, too, was ruled a no-contest.

Ah, the strange but true stories of bye week. Anybody wanna join the FCIAC as the 20th team? They’ll be your best friend.

Duffy: Masuk No. 2 again

Nothing we didn’t cover here, just a little more in depth from the News-Times’ Kevin Duffy. He starts with a cute story about New Milford coach Chuck Lynch‘s daughter and her take on the SWC juggernaut. He also chimes in on the fickle pollsters.

Around the SWC: Vote for SWC Player of the Week

More Duffy as he takes a closer look at the SWC. You can also vote for your SWC football player of the week.

Newsome wins CTPost Male Athlete of the Week

401 yards rushing, 5 touchdowns? No shock here.

NVL Football Blogguys on Week 4

Kyle and Remmy, your favorite semi-non-newspaper bloggers (semi, because Kyle freelances for the Republican-American) have been posting weekly video previews of the NVL season. If copious amounts of NVL news and analysis isn’t your thing, at least tune in to see what threads our boys are wearing this week. Very chic.

♦♦♦

Video: Fairfield Prep vs. Wilbur Cross and Rich Magdon ceremony

Fairfield Prep’s media department was hard at work this week compiling a video from last weekend’s victory over Wilbur Cross at Alumni Field. Lots of atmosphere captured, particularly the ceremony to honor former coach Rich Magdon for his decades of service to the Fairfield Prep program.

The dedication portion of the video begins at the 4:46 mark.

♦♦♦

Birdseysports Play of the Week

Of friends from Birdseye Sports covered the Darien-St. Joseph game. This week’s highlight is Peter Gesualdi’s acrobatic touchdown leap that gave Darien a 28-7 lead in the second quarter.

Included is yet another catch phrase, Oh my God, I don’t…. Yes! Yes! which, frankly, doesn’t ring as much as ‘Ain’t No Way.’

Keep trying Effusive-Fans-on-BirdsEye-Sports-videos. Keep trying.

♦♦♦

New London at Greenwich… THE MOVIE!

Our coworkers at the Greenwich Time have attempted to get some extra game highlights to help out yours truly. The equipment is limiting, but staff writer Scott Ericson did a fine job of capturing many of the touchdowns in Greenwich’s 51-33 loss to New London. So we helped him out by packaging all the highlights and postgame interviews onto an official video.

And, finally a couple of more football notebooks from elsewhere around the state:

NHR: Sheehan proving its doubters wrong

Despite just 31 players on its roster, Sheehan of Wallingford is 2-1.

ADD: Also curious quote from Woodland coach Tim Shea on about the NVL mindset before the Woodland-Law game.

“All week some of the other NVL coaches were e-mailing me, telling me to show what our league is made of. …”

Really?

Record-Journal’s Tuesday morning quarterback: It’s getting late early for Meriden teams

Story on the struggling Platt and Maloney football teams, plus notes from around here.

Hartford Courant: State and area rankings

The Courant’s state and area rankings. Funny how the state rankings includes just two of their local teams.

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