Archive for the ‘Hartford County’ Category

2010 Walter Camp All-Connecticut Team

Saturday, January 15, 2011 by:Sean Patrick Bowley
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The 2010 Walter Camp All-Connecticut team was unveiled today at the Walter Camp Football Foundation’s Breakfast of Champions — which honors the four state championship teams from the state — at Anthony’s Ocean View in New Haven.

Masuk coach John Murphy was honored as the Foundation’s Coach of the Year after a 13-0, Class L championship season. Hillhouse’s Tom Dyer and Xavier’s Sean Marinan were finalists.

The state Player of the Year is Masuk junior QB Casey Cochran, who threw for 3,345 yards
and 40 touchdowns for the Class L champions. (Ansonia’s Montrell Dobbs and New Canaan’s Kevin Macari were finalists.)

The lifetime achievement award went to former Hand coach Larry Ciotti, who compiled a 141-42-2 record and won five state championships over 19 seasons.

2010 WALTER CAMP ALL-CONNECTICUT TEAM

OFFENSE
QB: Casey Cochran (Masuk)
RB: Montrell Dobbs (Ansonia), Max DeLorenzo (Berlin), Tyler Girard-Floyd
(Montville)
WR/TE: Alec Pacelli (Daniel Hand), David Coggins (Sacred Heart), Kevin
Macari (New Canaan)
OL: Chris Valenti (Bethel), Conor Hanratty (New Canaan), Aaron Echevarria
(Naugatuck), Dean Tsopanides (Torrington), Matt Digby (Norwich Free
Academy)

DEFENSE
LB: Graham Stewart (Xavier), Rob Gau (Staples), Tyler Matakevich (St.
Joseph), Stephan Dance (New London)
DB: Brian Kelly (Brookfield), Jack DeBiase (Woodland), Anthony Facchini
(Norwich Free Academy), Tariq Odom (Bloomfield)
DL: Tommy Jordan (Ridgefield), Eric Mischke (Xavier), Desmond Gray
(Ledyard), Anthony Sanders (Platt), Charlie Kunze (Darien)

SPECIAL TEAMS
Kicker: Jon Testani (Masuk)
Punter: Mitchell King (Valley Regional)
Returner: James Ward (Wilbur Cross)

State Tournament Central: The CIAC Football Semifinals

Saturday, December 4, 2010 by:Sean Patrick Bowley
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The stars will be out when the CIAC state football semifinals, featuring eight regional teams, commence today at select football stadiums near you. From left to right, Montrell Dobbs of Ansonia, Brian Kelly of Brookfield, Ian Milne of Trumbull, Matt Milano of New Canaan, Tyler Matakevich of St. Joseph, Chris Allam of Darien and Jon Testani of Masuk.

Good morning, afternoon or evening from wherever you are.

Welcome to Tournament Central. Centro del Torneo.

Welcome to our own personal NORAD for the Connecticut high school football world, the place where you can track everything happening in today’s state football semifinal round.

You’re not going to find a better spot to witness all of the action than right here.

Today the hard-working staff of Connecticut Post, Stamford Advocate and Danbury News-Times will be covering six of the regional state semifinal games, complete with stories, photos and videos as the day goes on and complete recaps at the end of the evening.

We’ve been given access to the webcasts from six games by the good folks at Sportingnewsct.com who will be broadcasting the game and Birdseyesports.com, which will be filming them for the CTSN broadcasts later on.
Three of them are live video streams, three more are audio broadcasts. The only games not being broadcast are Trumbull-NFA and Brookfield-New London.

However, you can still follow everything on our weekly live scoring update blog at the bottom of this page.

PREVIEWS

2 PM GAMES

CLASS LL
XAVIER vs. GLASTONBURY
Live video webcast (via sportingnewsct.com and birdseyesports.com)

At Jess Dow Field on the campus of Southern Connecticut State, Boston College commit Graham Stewart and top-ranked and unbeaten Xavier (11-0) look to reach the school’s first state championship game since 2005. Malcom Crossen and Glastonbury (10-1) hopes to spring the upset and reach their second final in three seasons.

Darien's Jake Weil

Masuk's Casey Cochran

CLASS L

MASUK vs. DARIEN
Live video webcast (via sportingnewsct.com and birdseyesports.com)

The SWC Champion Panthers, led by Gatorade Player of the Year Casey Cochran take on the reigning FCIAC champion Blue Wave at Finn Stadium in Shelton. Both teams are looking to make a second state championship game trip in three years.

CLASS M
HILLHOUSE vs. GILBERT/NORTHWESTERN
Live audio webcast (sportingnewsct.com and birdseyesports.com)

Fresh off a 33-30 upset of No. 1 seeded Berlin in the quarterfinals, Taurese Washington and Hillgouse (8-3)  face Bobby Lippincott and playoff newcomer Gilbert/Northwestern of Winsted (9-2) in an unlikely playoff clash at Waterbury’s Municipal Stadium.

Ansonia's Montrell Dobbs

CLASS S
MONTVILLE vs. ANSONIA
Live audio webcast (sportingnewsct.com and birdseyesports.com)

The state’s best two rushing attacks butt heads at Middletown High School. Montrell Dobbs and Arkeel Newsome of Ansonia vs. Tyler Girard-Floyd and Skyler McNair of Montville.

7 PM GAMES

CLASS L
NEW CANAAN vs. HAND
Live video webcast (via sportingnewsct.com and birdseyesports.com)

Kevin Macari and New Canaan vie for their fifth-straight state championship appearance vs. Zach Miller and Hand-Madison at Ken Strong Stadium.

CLASS S
ST. JOSEPH vs. VALLEY REGIONAL/OLD LYME
Live audio webcast (sportingnewsct.com and birdseyesports.com)

St. Joseph QB Joe Della Vecchia and FB/LB Tyler Matakevich look to bring the 8-3 Hogs to a second-consecutive state championship game. They face electric QB Jimmy Fairfield-Sonn and lineman Mitchell King of playoff newcomer Valley Regional/Old Lyme (11-0).

♦♦♦♦

The Trumbull-NFA Class LL semifinal and Brookfield-New London Class M semifinal at Bunnell are not being broadcast online (to the best of our knowledge. If they are let us know).

You can follow all eight games through the live blog window below. Just click on the window to watch updates from both media and fans at the games. The scoring blog will also appear on the same page as any of the broadcasts above.

LIVE SCORING BLOG


CIAC State Football Semifinal Preview & Pick the Winners

Friday, December 3, 2010 by:Sean Patrick Bowley
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Trumbull's Ian Milne (7) carries the ball during the CIAC quarterfinal football game against Conard at Trumbull on Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2010. Photo: Amy Mortensen / Connecticut Post Freelance

SIXTEEN DOWN.

Twelve to go.

We knock off eight more Saturday.

Welcome to the end of the gauntlet portion — two games, four days — of the new and improved CIAC football playoffs. What used to be championship Saturday is now Semifinal Saturday, a week before the big games at the Rent.

But, boy, it feels like a championship atmosphere already.

Below, we take another comprehensive look at the eight semifinal games, a who’s who of 2010 Connecticut high school football.

In Class LL, Glastonbury, fresh off its 7-6 victory over Staples and back in the semifinals for the third straight season, gets the penultimate crack at upending top-seeded and top-ranked Xavier at Jess Dow Field. The only CCC team remaining just might be the best CCC team. Now it takes on the SCC’s best. In the second game, FCIAC runner-up Trumbull takes on ECC unbeaten NFA at Ken Strong Stadium.

In Class L, aka the Dream Semifinal, we have four of the best high school football programs in the state pitted against each other. On one side, we have the Champions Bowl, FCIAC champion Darien vs. SWC champion Masuk. On the other side, The Mirror Bowl: the FCIAC’s version of Daniel Hand vs. the SCC’s version of New Canaan, otherwise known as New Canaan vs. Hand.

In Class M, Hillhouse, still riding high after its 33-30 upset of top-ranked Berlin in the quarterfinals, takes on playoff newbie Gilbert/Northwestern, which surprised some by crushing Plainville in the quarterfinals for its first playoff victory in its first playoff game. On the other side a prime time matchup between playoff veterans New London and Brookfield. NL lost to the SWC’s Bethel in this spot a year ago. Can the SWC make it a double?

And in Class S, we have the ground round between Montville‘s Tyler Girard-Floyd and Ansonia‘s Montrell Dobbs. On the other side, high flyin’ Jimmy Fairfield-Sonn of Valley Regional takes on Della Vecchia’s son of St. Joseph.

Class LL

No. 4 Glastonbury vs. No. 1 Xavier

WHERE — Jess Dow Field, SCSU, New Haven

WHEN — 2 p.m.

ON THE AIR — WELI 960-AM | Sportingnewsct.com

RECORDS – Glastonbury 10-1 (CCC Division I co-champion); Xavier 11-0 (SCC Division I West champion)

ALL-TIME PLAYOFF RECORD (SEMIFINALS) – Glastonbury 5-2 (1-1); Xavier 3-2 (1-2)

HOW THEY GOT HERE — Glastonbury defeated Staples 7-6; Xavier defeated No. 8 West Haven 28-7

PLAYERS TO WATCH — Glastonbury: Sr. QB/FS Corey Santor (1,245 yards 10 TDs passing; 608 yards rushing, 14 TDs.); Sr. RB/DB Malcom Crossen; Sr. LB Kadeem Ward; Xavier: Sr. LB/TE Graham Stewart; Sr. DE Eric Mischke; Sr. FB/LB Mike Mastroianni; Sr. LB Austen Ahern; Jr. WR/CB Ryan Jacobucci; Jr. TE/SS Ryan Murphy.

OUTLOOK – Glastonbury out-Stapled Staples in the quarterfinals with strong defense and special teams to squeak into its third straight state semifinal game. The Tomahawks, winners of nine straight, have averaged 37 points during the last eight games of the regular season, but scored just seven in the quarterfinals. Scoring will be a challenge again against Xavier’s notoriously big and physical front, which grinds offenses to a standstill. After several shaky performances Xavier’s offense looks like it’s rounding into form. It’s big, strong and with Mastroianni carrying the ball, near impossible to slow down — that is, unless the Falcons do the honor themselves. Glastonbury’s defense must force the issue and win field position if it wants to spring the upset.

OUR PICK – Xavier 34-13

No. 3 Trumbull vs. No. 2 Norwich Free Academy

WHERE — Ken Strong Stadium, West Haven

WHEN – 2 p.m.

RECORDS – Trumbull 10-2 (FCIAC runner-up); NFA 11-0 (ECC Large champion)

ALL-TIME PLAYOFF RECORD (SEMIFINALS) – Trumbull 6-5 (2-1); NFA 2-2 (1-1)

HOW THEY GOT HERE — Trumbull defeated Conard 27-9; NFA defeated Hall 30-14

PLAYERS TO WATCH – Trumbull: Sr. WR/DB/KR Phil Terio; Sr. QB/DB Ian Milne; Jr. FB/LB Don Cherry; Sr. OL/DL Brian Barnash (6-0, 215); Sr. QB Brian Gallo; Sr. WR/DE Tom Pauciello (6-6, 235); Sr. G/DT Will Testani (5-10, 240); Sr. DT Ryan Monaco (5-11, 212); Sr. DE Bryan DeWalt. NFA: Sr. RB/S Anthony Facchini (1,052 yards rushing); Sr. LB Nick Cipriano; Fresh. RB/DB Marcus Outlow; Jr. QB/DB Erik Washburn; Sr. OL/DL Matthew Digby (6-6, 295); Sr. OL Peter Kelly (6-5, 305)

OUTLOOK — NFA is massive up front and uses the 5-11, 200-pound Facchini as a battering ram… over and over and over. That could pose a problem for the FCIAC runner-up. Though strong up front, Trumbull has had its troubles stopping the run (Conard’s Esposito did put up 190 yards in the quarterfinal loss). Similarly, NFA’s defense hasn’t seen an offense in the ECC like Trumbull’s. When Milne’s at QB (and he played the entire quarterfinal game), he loves to scramble for big yards or make big passes to Terio and Pauciello, a blossoming talent who’s suddenly starting to get big college looks. NFA will likely have to play serious ball control and error-free defense to hold the sometimes erratic Eagles at bay. This match could go either way, Trumbull just might have a few more weapons.

OUR PICK – Trumbull 27-20

♦♦♦♦

Class L

No. 5 Darien at No. 1 Masuk

WHERE – Finn Stadium, Shelton

WHEN — 2 p.m.

ON THE AIR — Sportingnewsct.com

RECORDS – Darien 11-1 (FCIAC Champions); Masuk 11-0 (SWC Champions)

ALL-TIME PLAYOFF RECORD (SEMIFINALS) – Darien 10-6 (5-0); Masuk 9-10 (5-3)

HOW THEY GOT HERE – Darien defeated Wethersfield 31-7; Masuk defeated Bristol Eastern 49-23

PLAYERS TO WATCH — Darien: Sr. LB/FB Jake Weil; Sr. OL/DL Charlie Kunze (8 sacks); Sr. DE Tucker Morehouse (13 sacks); Sr. RB/DB Graham Maybell (532 yards, 5 TD rushing); Sr. QB Chris Allam (1,268 yards passing, 15 TD, 8 INT).  Masuk: Sr. WR/DB/K Jon Testani (5 TDs, 5 FG, 5 INT); Jr. QB Casey Cochran (2,670 yards, 36 TD, 7 INT passing); Jr. RB Colin Markus (1,267 yards rushing, 20 TDs; Sr. WR Tyler Perimenis (644 yards, 9 TDs receiving); Sr. WR/S/KR Joe Diaz; Jr. DB Shawn Flynn; Sr. LB Anthony Calabrese;

OUTLOOK – Part one of the dream semifinal is a matchup of FCIAC and SWC champions. Darien does it with a strong, aggressive defense and a patient offense. Masuk does it with a strong,  aggressive defense and a quick-strike offense. Thanks to injuries and suspensions, coach Rob Trifone says Darien is perhaps 80 percent of its former self. The Wave’s hopes rest on Weil, Morehouse and Kunze to plug the gaps, stop Markus, get pressure on Cochran (he’s been sacked eight times in two games) and force turnovers and keep the high-flying Panthers off the scoreboard. The key will be Darien’s offense. Allam and Blue Wave must find a way to establish themselves early. If Darien gets too far behind, or commits any turnovers, it could be in serious trouble.

OUR PICK — Masuk 31, Darien 16

No. 6 New Canaan vs. No. 3 Hand

WHERE – Ken Strong Stadium, West Haven

WHEN – 7 p.m.

ON THE AIR – WELI 960-AM

RECORDS — New Canaan 10-1 (FCIAC third place), Hand 10-1 (SCC Division I East co-champion)

ALL-TIME PLAYOFF RECORD (SEMIFINALS) — New Canaan 17-4 (8-2); Hand 15-6 (4-0)

PLAYERS TO WATCH — New Canaan: Sr. WR/DB/KR Kevin Macari (954 yards, 15 TDs); Sr. QB Matt Milano (2,576 yards, 36 TD passing); Sr. OL/DL Conor Hanratty; Sr. RB/DB Joe Costigan; Sr. NG Ryan Schullman; Sr. OL/DL Jack Atchue; Hand: Sr. QB Zach Miller (2,245 yards, 18 TD, 4 INT passing; 496 yards rushing); Sr. WR Alec Pacelli (900 yards receiving); Jr. RB Kevin Frey; Sr. RB/LB Michael Leone; Jr. NG Joe Demichele; Sr. LB A.J. Hill.

OUTLOOK – Programs don’t get more similar than these. Both are relatively medium-sized schools from affluent communities who rally around the team. Both have the same championship pedigree (Hand 9 titles, New Canaan 8 ) and have won almost the same number of playoff games. Both run spread offenses, produce system QBs, feature top-flight receivers and have underrated defenses. Both have pride and tradition and feature some of the state’s best coaching minds. But only one can go to Rentschler Field. Flip a coin. Put on a blindfold, throw a dart. We’ll take the four-time defending state champion Rams — who have won 9 straight playoff games and grabbed the second of their trophies at Hand’s expense — in a nailbiter.

OUR PICK – New Canaan 36-34

♦♦♦♦

Class M

No. 8 Hillhouse vs. No. 4 Gilbert/Northwestern

WHERE – Municipal Stadium, Waterbury

WHEN – 2 p.m.

ON THE AIR — Sportingnewsct.com

RECORDS — Hillhouse 8-3 (SCC Division II West runners-up); Gilbert/Northwestern 9-2  (Pequot Uncas runner-up).

ALL-TIME PLAYOFF RECORD (SEMIFINALS) – Hillhouse 7-2 (3-1); Gilbert/Northwestern 1-0 (0-0)

HOW THEY GOT HERE — Hillhouse defeated No. 1 Berlin 33-30; Gilbert/Northwestern defeated Plainville 41-6

PLAYERS TO WATCH – Hillhouse: Fresh. RB Harold Cooper (1,000+ yards rushing); Sr. RB/LB Taurese Washington; Sr. WR/DB/K Steven Dejournett; Sr. OL/DL Tyvon Williams (6-0, 365); Soph. QB Je’Vaughn Moore. Gilbert/Northwestern: Sr. QB Bobby Lippincott; Jr. OL/LB J.P. Dulac (8 sacks); Jr. RB Devon Molway (1,210 yards rushing, 10 TD); Sr. WR/DB Drew McCarthy (5 INT).

OUTLOOK – Two of the best stories in high school football go head-to-head in this clash of cultures. Big city Hillhouse of the mighty SCC and one of the state’s most storied programs, vs. small town Gilbert/Northwestern of Winsted, here in the playoffs for the first time. Both teams love to run and use their athletic quarterbacks to make plays. Both teams play smash-mouth defense. Gilbert has size, but not Hillhouse size. Nor does it have Hillhouse speed. G-N will come in as heavy underdogs. It’ll take an extra-ordinary effort for them to pull the upset.

OUR PICK – Hillhouse 34-14

No. 3 Brookfield vs. No. 2 New London

WHERE — Bulldog Field, Bunnell High School, Stratford

RECORDS – Brookfield 9-2 (SWC third-place); New London 9-2 (ECC Large Division runners-up)

ALL-TIME PLAYOFF RECORD (SEMIFINALS) – Brookfield 8-4 (5-1); New London 8-6 (2-1).

HOW THEY GOT HERE — Brookfield defeated Lyman Hall 50-21; New London defeated Platt 58-14

PLAYERS TO WATCH — Brookfield: Sr. WR/DB Brian Kelly (632 yards, 11 TD; 300 yards rushing 4 TD; 9 INT, 3 defensive TDs); Soph. RB/LB Leaon Gordon (1,234 yards, 15 TD rushing); Soph. QB Boeing Brown (1,219 yards, 17 TD, 3 INT); Sr. TE/LB Shea McGorty (6 sacks); Sr. OL/DL Dion Koumoutseus (6-3, 300); Sr. DB/WR Nick Paez; New London: Sr. QB Josh Clements (1,400 yards, 20 TDs); Jr. RB/LB Kyle McKinnon (1,056 yards rushing, 15 TD); Sr. FB/LB Stefan Dance; Jr. WR/DB Garrick McQueen; Jr. RB/DB Jevon Elmore; Sr. LB Carlos Lozada.

OUTLOOK – Brookfield’s Brian Kelly is having one of the best individual seasons in the state this season. The Bobcats are going to need everything from him, Paez and breakout sophomores Brown and Gordon if they want to punch their tickets to Rentschler. The Whalers, who are down at least one key lineman, have equal talent at the skill positions to potentially make this semifinal an offensive showcase. That said, expect for fireworks on defense. From Dance or McKinnon or Elmore for the Whalers, Paez or Gordon from Brookfield. But Kelly might be the difference-maker again.

OUR PICK – Brookfield 36-26

♦♦♦♦

Class S

No. 4 St. Joseph vs. No. 1 Valley Regional/Old Lyme

WHERE – Municipal Stadium, Waterbury

WHEN — 7 p.m.

ON THE AIR — Sportingnewsct.com

RECORDS — St. Joseph 8-3, Valley Regional/Old Lyme 11-0 (Pequot Sassaucus champion)

PLAYOFF RECORD – St. Joseph 11-2 (1-0) Valley Regional/Old Lyme 1-0 (0-0)

HOW THEY GOT HERE – St. Joseph defeated Woodland 48-12; Vally Regional/Old Lyme defeated Sacred Heart 37-24

PLAYERS TO WATCH – St. Joseph: Sr. FB/LB Tyler Matakevich; Sr. QB Joe Della Vecchia (2,658 yards, 30 TD passing, 522 yards rushing, 4 TD); Sr. RB/DB Jerry Kramer; Sr. WR/DB Quinn Irwin; Sr. RB/DB Joe Burns; Sr. WR/DB Pat Mulligan (12 TD); Sr. RB/LB L.J. Hunt (724 yards rushing); Sr. LB Sean Chinova. Valley: Jr. QB Jimmy Fairfield-Sonn (2,420 yards total offense, 27 TD passing, 28 TD rushing; 8 INT); Sr. DE/TE Mitchell King (6-6, 232); Sr. OL/DE Cavan Flynn.

OUTLOOK – It’s been a dream season for coach Tim King and Valley Regional/Old Lyme, who have a sparkplug in Fairfield-Sonn and a big time stopper in Mitchell King (no relation). St. Joseph’s season came thisclose to being a nightmare. But Matakevich returned, Della Vecchia has overcome some injuries and the Hogs are again playing at the championship level predicted in the preseason. Valley’s got size up front and wont be bullied. Sonn-Fairfield is one of the state’s best and more than capable of matching Della Vecchia’s quick strikes, especially against a defense that’s had been shaky until the quarterfinals. And the Valley Regional defense is top-notch. But the Hogs have played these kinds of teams all season. As good as Valley is (and don’t be fooled, it’s excellent), that big-game experience should serve St. Joe well.

OUR PICK – St. Joseph 34, Valley Regional 30

No. 3 Ansonia vs. No. 2 Montville

WHERE — Middletown High School, Middletown

WHEN — 2 p.m.

ON THE AIR — Sportingnewsct.com

RECORDS — Ansonia 10-1 (NVL runner-up); Montville 10-1 (ECC Medium champion)

ALL-TIME PLAYOFF RECORD (SEMIFINALS) — Ansonia 25-13 (8-6); Montville 3-5 (2-1)

HOW THEY GOT HERE – Ansonia defeated Hyde 47-26; Montville defeated Cromwell 55-28.

PLAYERS TO WATCH – Ansonia: Sr. RB Montrell Dobbs (2,744 yards rushing, 37 TDs); Jr. QB Eliot Chudwick (21 TD passing); Fresh. RB/DB Arkeel Newsome (711 yards, 11 TDs rushing); Jr. TE/DE Sean Rowley; Jr. LB Tyler Wood; Soph. WR/DE Andrew Matos. Montville: Sr. RB/LB Tyler Girard-Floyd (1,894 yards, 26 TD rushing); Sr. RB/DB Skyler McNair (648 yards, 10 TD rushing); QB/DB Troy Nunes (879 yards, 11 TD passing); Sr. WR Robert Johnson; Sr. TE/LB Cody Bigelow; Soph. RB/DE Jake Basillica (6-3, 200); Jr. LB/FB Ken Strecker.

OUTLOOK — Ansonia’s Montrell Dobbs is Connecticut’s leading tailback. Led by bruiser Girard-Floyd, Montville’s is Connecticut’s top rushing team (3,149 yards). We’re going out on a limb and say these teams will try to run, run and run. So whose defense is up to the task? Right now, Montville’s D looks the better of the two, having surrendered a 162 points to Ansonia’s 246. The Chargers haven’t allowed less than 20 points in a game since Week 2. As good as Dobbs is, this might be the best defense the Chargers have faced all season. Ansonia’s young D will have to play its best game of the year to stay within striking distance.

OUR PICK – Montville 44, Ansonia 29

Super Tuesday Recap: Contenders, Pretenders Part Ways

Wednesday, December 1, 2010 by:Sean Patrick Bowley
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STATE SEMIFINAL SITES/TIMES
Saturday, Dec. 4
Class LL: Trumbull v. NFA, at West Haven 2 p.m. / Xavier v. Glastonbury at SCSU, 2 p.m.
Class L: Darien v. Masuk, at Shelton, 2 p.m. / New Canaan v. Hand at West Haven, 7 p.m.
Class M: Hillhouse v. Gilbert/NW at Waterbury, 2 p.m.; Brookfield v. New London, at Bunnell 2 p.m.
Class S: Ansonia v. Montville at Middletown, 2 p.m.; St. Joseph vs. Valley Reg/OL, Waterbury, 7 p.m.

Masuk's Jerry Peck (#99) celebrates after the Masuk defense holds the line against Bristol Eastern as Masuk High School challenges Bristol Eastern High School in the Class L state football playoffs on Tuesday, November 30, 2010 at Bunnell High School in Stratford, CT. Photo: Shelley Cryan / Shelley Cryan freelance; CT Post freelance

Staples #30 Matt Yeager, left, and teammate #24 Tyler Jacobs react after losing to Glastonbury, during Class LL quarterfinals in Glastonbury, Conn. on Tuesday November 30, 2010. Staples lost to Glastonbury 7-6. Photo: Christian Abraham / Connecticut Post

The early returns from the first CIAC state quarterfinal football games had just started to hit the Twitter feed on my mobile phone Tuesday night, and it wasn’t looking good for the incumbents.

At McDougall Stadium, Conard took the opening kickoff and scored on just two runs by all-state back Jonathan Esposito. Trumbull was down 7-0 just seconds into the game.

St. Joseph fumbled on its third play of the game at Ludlowe, giving dangerous Jack DeBiase and Woodland the ball inside the Hogs’ 30-yard line.

Casey Cochran fumbled on Masuk’s first drive vs. Bristol Eastern. …Ansonia fumbled the opening kickoff and Hyde scored just seconds later. …Marquan Williams raced 31-yards on a screen pass to put Naugatuck 6-0 up over New Canaan. …Hillhouse recovered an onside kick to start its game vs. Berlin, and  Je’Vaughn Moore cashed in with a short run. …Bristol Eastern answered an easy Masuk score with an even easier one: a 97-yard kickoff return by Taylor Wrice. Dylan Ouelette raced 66 yards just minutes later for a shocking 14-7 Bristol Easternlead.

Trumbull down, Ansonia down, New Canaan down, mighty Berlin and mighty Masuk down?

Well, this is the state playoffs. I remember thinking. These are all good teams. Nothing’s for certain.

Then again, only a few precincts had reported. The rest of the ballots hadn’t been counted and the favorites rapidly fired back: First Trumbull, then St. Joseph, then Ansonia. A little later Masuk and New Canaan.

At the end of the evening normalcy had been restored, save for one or two results. Much of what we thought might happen, did happen.

All of the higher seeds won in Class LL, with fourth-seed (but underdog) Glastonbury eking out a gutsy 7-6 victory over Staples to preserve status quo. All of the favorites (if not the top seeds) won in Class L Masuk, Darien, Hand and New Canaan. All of the top seeds in Class S won, St. Joseph, Ansonia, Montville and Valley Regional/Old Lyme.

The only true upset was in Class M, where Hillhouse held off defending champion Berlin, 33-30. The remaining high seeds — Brookfield, New London and Gilbert/Northwest Regional — however, took care of business. Impressively so.

For those of you keeping score at home (and I know you are), the Connecticut football leagues fared thusly:

ECC 3-0, SWC 2-0, FCIAC 4-1, SCC 3-3 (played two games vs. itself), Pequot 2-2, NVL 1-3 … and the poor ol’ CCC 1-7. (Yikes).

Down here in Shangri-La, our 11 regional and fringe teams went 9-2, with the hyper locals accounting for 7-1. 

We were 3-1 in Class LL, M and S picks and 4-0 in Class L for a respectable 13-3 in the quarterfinal. (Don’t ask about the margins).

A recap, if you will:

Continue reading →

Super Tuesday: State Football Quarterfinal Primer & Live Blog

Tuesday, November 30, 2010 by:Sean Patrick Bowley
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Eight regional teams will begin their journey toward a coveted state football championship when the new CIAC state quarterfinals begin tonight at 6:30 p.m. Clockwise from top-left, Brookfield's Brian Kelly, St. Joseph's Joe Della Vecchia, Ansonia's Montrell Dobbs, New Canaan's Kevin Macari, Staples' Tyler Jacobs, Masuk's Casey Cochran, Trumbull's Phil Terio and Darien's Chris Allam.

Trumbull High School football captains, Mat Lena, Will Testani and Phil Terio, left to right, take the field before a regular season game. Trumbull takes on Conard tonight in the Class LL quarterfinals.

Welcome to Super Tuesday.

32 teams enter.

16 leave.

Tonight, the CIAC football state quarterfinals kick off across the state at 6:30.

Regionally, we have nine (or so) lucky qualifiers — shown above — Brookfield takes on Lyman Hall in Class M; St. Joseph hosts Woodland at Ludlowe,  Ansonia hosts Hyde in Class S; New Canaan is at Naugatuck, Darien is at Wethersfield and Masuk hosts Bristol Eastern at Bunnell in Class L. Staples is at Glastonbury, Trumbull hosts Conard and West Haven tangles with No. 1 Xavier in Class LL.

Here’s the full schedule (based on the bracket), and some corresponding stories to whet your playoff palate:

First, our humble state playoff previews (and some pretty silly picks, I’m told).

Now the schedule with news from the front

CLASS LL

CLASS L

CLASS M

CLASS S

LIVE UPDATES

Doesn’t look to be a ton of radio and internet radio coverage this fine Super Tuesday, save for “The Coach” George DeMaio on WELI 960-AM from the West Haven-Xavier game. They’ll be getting updates from all over the state from their correspondents, so they’re worth a listen.

But of course, we’re running our live high school playoff blog below, which should get you updates from everywhere.

Just quick note on the live blog: It’s a feed connected to Twitter that searches the term #ctfb. If you want to send updates, just sign up to Twitter and you can send updates from your phone by adding #ctfb to your Tweet. If on this live blog, you don’t see a score you’re looking for, you can scroll up to find the last update on your game.

We’ll add video, stories and commentary here as soon as the games are over.

Enjoy the games.

Brave New World: CIAC Quarterfinal Previews (Class M & S)

Monday, November 29, 2010 by:Sean Patrick Bowley
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We press on with the final two classes of the CIAC state quarterfinal draw.

In Class M, which has strengthened considerably in recent weeks, we have a defending state champ vs. a young but talented SCC Division II power.

We have a pair of playoff babies in Plainville and Gilbert/Northwestern, who have played in a grand total of one playoff game in their histories. Plainville might be the feel-good story of the tournament. Having gone 1-19 in its two previous seasons, they’re in the playoffs with a new coach. They go into the tournament, however, without their starting QB.

On the other side of the draw, we have Brookfield, an SWC power just two years removed from a state title taking on Lyman Hall, SCC school making its second playoff trip, but still hobbled somewhat by the absence of three key players. Finally, we have a CCC upstart in Platt vs. an ECC power in New London that is only three years removed from its title.

Class S looks weaker than previously thought a few weeks ago, with many of the teams backing into the tournament draw. Hyde takes a three-game losing streak into its game with Ansonia, the state’s all-time leader in playoff appearances. The Chargers looked dominant throughout before getting bumped off by Naugatuck on Thanksgiving.

We have Sacred Heart, the state’s only 6-4 team to make the field, but on that’s led by the best passing duo in the state. The Hearts, making their first playoff appearance in 22 years takes on one of the surprise teams of the tournament, Valley Regional/Old Lyme — dominant at 10-0 and having the best season in school history.

We have both of last year’s Class SS finalists, Montville and St. Joseph in the draw. Montville, playing as well as anyone in the state, takes on Cromwell. St. Joseph, out of the FCIAC, hobbles into its state quarterfinal to take on Jack DeBiase and Woodland.

Again, read the synopsis, make your pick and add your comments on who you think will advance to Saturday’s semifinals.

Class M

No. 8 Hillhouse at No. 1 Berlin

WHERE — Sage Park, Berlin
RECORDS — Hillhouse 7-3 (SCC Division II West runners-up); Berlin 10-0 (CCC Division III champion)
PLAYOFF RECORD — Hillhouse 6-2; Berlin: 3-12
LAST APPEARANCE – Hillhouse: 2008 (lost to Darien in Class MM semifinals 35-32); Berlin: 2009 (defeated Bethel 46-6 in Class M championship).
PLAYERS TO WATCH –Hillhouse: Fresh. RB Harold Cooper (1,000+ yards rushing); Sr. RB/LB Taurese Washington; Sr. WR/DB/K Steven Dejournett; Sr. OL/DL Tyvon Williams (6-0, 365); Soph. QB Je’Vaughn Moore. Berlin: Sr. RB/LB Max DeLorenzo (1,174 yards rushing, 18 TD); Sr. LB Mason Powers (6-2, 210); Sr. OL/DL Joe Dellaquila (6-3, 220)
KEY STATS – All-state back Max DeLorenzo is committed to UConn. …Berlin averages 40 points (5th best in the state) and allows just over 11 per game. It’s closest victory was 12-6 over Bloomfield. The Redcoats have won 12-straight dating to last year’s playoffs. …Hillhouse is playing in its second state playoff under coach Tom Dyer. Hillhouse has won 2 state titles and is 5-2 in the state playoffs since 2002. …The Academics have won three straight since a 9-6 loss to No. 1 Xavier.
THE PICK – Berlin 35-14

No. 5 Plainville at No. 4 Gilbert/Northwestern

WHERE – Robert H. Frost Complex, Torrington High School
RECORDS – Plainville 8-2 (CCC Division IV co-champions), Gilbert/Northwestern 8-2  (Pequot Uncas runner-up).
PLAYOFF RECORD – Plainville 0-1; Gilbert/Northwestern 0-0
LAST APPEARANCE — Plainville: 1997 (lost to Platt 18-11 in 1997 Class M semifinals). Gilbert/Northwestern: First appearance.
PLAYERS TO WATCH –Plainville: Sr. OL/DE Kevin Spence (6-0, 200); Jr. RB Adam Foster; Jr. FB/DE Chris Kuzia; Sr. FB/LB/QB Ross Zettergren; Sr. OL/DL Leon Stefanski; Gilbert/Northwestern: Jr. OL/LB J.P. Dulac (8 sacks); Jr. RB Devon Molway (1,210 yards rushing, 10 TD); Sr. WR/DB Drew McCarthy (5 INT).
THINGS TO KNOW – Neither team has ever won a playoff game. …Plainville coach Chris Ferrell is in his first year. Plainville was 0-10 and gave up 397 yards last season. This season, Plainville has allowed just 121.  …Plainville won seven straight at midseason, including its first home win in three years, before a Thanksgiving loss to Northwest Catholic.  …Plainville lost QB Tony Lopizzo for the season with a knee injury suffered in that game. …Gilbert has rushed for 2,082 yards and 23 TDs this season and has registered 33 sacks, second-best recorded in the state behind Masuk. The Yellowjackets have also made 13 interceptions.
THE PICK – Gilbert/Northwestern 28, Plainville 7

No. 6 Lyman Hall at No. 3 Brookfield

WHERE – Brookfield High School Stadium Field
RECORDS – Lyman Hall 7-3 (SCC Division II West runners-up), Brookfield 8-2 (SWC third-place)
PLAYOFF RECORD – Lyman Hall 1-0; Brookfield 7-4
LAST APPEARANCE — Lyman Hall: 1985 (defeated Middletown 28-18 in Class M championship); Brookfield: 2008 (defeated Ledyard 16-14 in Class M championship).
PLAYERS TO WATCH – Lyman Hall: Jr. RB Joe Desandre (1,114 yards, 13 TD rushing); Sr. RB/DB Zac Falconeri (1,1138 yards, 18 TD); Sr. QB/CB Kyle Upton; Sr. RB/LB Billy Graeb Brookfield: Sr. WR/DB Brian Kelly (19 catches, 542 yards, 10 TD; 300 yards rushing 4 TD; 9 INT, 3 defensive TDs); Soph. RB/LB Leaon Gordon (1,161 yards, 14 TD rushing); Soph. QB Boeing Brown (1,057 yards 15 TD); Sr. TE/LB Shea McGorty (6 sacks); Sr. OL/DL Dion Koumoutseus (6-3, 300); Sr. DB/WR Nick Paez.
THINGS TO KNOW – Brookfield is making its fifth state playoff appearance under coach Rich Angarano. …Brookfield’s Brown took over as the starter after a week 1 loss to Newtown. …Brookfield is recorded as the No. 10 rushing offense in the state with 2,570 yards …Brookfield has won seven straight since a 49-7 loss to Masuk, scoring more than 40 points in four of those games. ..Gordon has run for over 200 yards in his last two games. …Desandre and Falconeri are only the second pair in school history to rush for over 1,000 yards in the same season. …Lyman hall won six straight games at midseason, including a 28-20 victory over fellow Class M playoff team Hillhouse. …Three Lyman Hall players were suspended 10 days for violation of school policy the day before Thanksgiving.
THE PICK – Brookfield 28-14

No. 7 Platt at No. 2 New London

WHERE – Canamella Field, New London
RECORDS – New London 8-2 (ECC Large Division runners-up); Platt 8-2 (CCC Division III third-place).
PLAYOFF RECORD – New London 7-6; Platt 1-3
LAST APPEARANCE — New London: 2009 (lost to Bethel 42-6 in Class M semifinals); Platt: 2004 (lost to Branford 54-14 in Class MM semifinal).
PLAYERS TO WATCH – Platt: Sr. RB/LB Henry Jackson (623 yards, 8 TDs rushing); Jr. QB/CB John Marks (1,625 yards, 13 TD passing); Kahari Davis; Sr. OL/DL Anthony Sanders; New London: Sr. QB Josh Clements (1,400 yards, 20 TDs); Jr. RB/LB Kyle McKinnon (900 yards rushing, 13 TD); Sr. FB/LB Stefan Dance; Sr. WR/DB Garrick McQueen; Sr. LB Carlos Lozada.
THINGS TO KNOW – Platt is ranked No. 20 in passing offense. …Platt’s only losses were to Division III rivals Bristol Eastern (28-20) and Berlin (45-14). …New London averages 32 points per game, and just 11 points per game. …The Whalers won eight straight during the season, its only losses were to Montville in the season opener and NFA on Thanksgiving.
THE PICK – New London 49-6

♦♦♦♦

Class S

No. 8 Sacred Heart at No. 1 Valley Regional/Old Lyme

WHERE – Valley Regional High School, Deep River
RECORDS – Sacred Heart 6-4; Valley Regional/Old Lyme 10-0 (Pequot Sassaucus champion)
PLAYOFF RECORD – Sacred Heart 1-2; Valley Regional/Old Lyme 0-0.
LAST APPEARANCE — Sacred Heart: 1991 (lost to Stonington in Class SS championship); Valley Regional/Old Lyme: First appearance.
PLAYERS TO WATCH – Sacred Heart: Soph. WR/DB David Coggins (78 catches, 1,417 yards, 9 TDs; Sr. QB Rohan Ifill (2,607 yards, 24 TD, 14 INT); Valley: Jr. QB Jimmy Fairfield-Sonn (2,262 yards total offense, 24 TD passing, 26 TD rushing); Sr. DE/TE Mitchell King (6-6, 232); Sr. OL/DE Cavan Flynn.
THINGS TO KNOW– Sacred Heart’s Coggins and Ifill form the top passing-catching combo in the state. Both are No. 1 in their respective categories. …Ifill is No. 1 in the state in total offense. …Coggins, considered one of the top sophomore talents in the country, is back from a 1-game suspension for fighting during a Week 9 win over Woodland. …Fairfield-Sonn, a converted wide receiver, is No. 9 in total offense. …King has offers from Tulae and Temple, and receiving interest from several other Division I schools. …Valley Regional has allowed just 55 points this season, lowest total in the state, and is ranked No. 10 in total offense. …Sacred Heart has allowed 28 points per game while scoring 31 points per game.
THE PICK – Sacred Heart 36, Valley Regional/Old Lyme 34

No. 5 Woodland at No. 4 St. Joseph

WHERE – Taft Field at Fairfield Ludlowe
RECORDS – Woodland 7-3, St. Joseph 7-3
PLAYOFF RECORD – Woodland 4-1; St. Joseph 10-2
LAST APPEARANCE — Woodland: 2007 (lost to Seymour 46-28 in Class SS semifinal); St. Joseph: 2009 (defeated Montville 14-3 in Class SS championship).
PLAYERS TO WATCH — Woodland: Sr. QB/DB Jack DeBiase (6 INT; 1,384 yards, 13 TD rushing; 819 yards passing); Jr. OL/DL Zack Plourde; Jr. DL Jeff Holder; Sr. TE/LB Zach Happy; Sr. RB/DB Jake Pinhoe;  St. Joseph: Sr. FB/LB Tyler Matakevich; Sr. QB Joe Della Vecchia (2,395 yards, 27 TD passing, 522 yards rushing, 4 TD); Sr. WR/DB Quinn Irwin; Sr. RB/DB Joe Burns; Sr. WR/DB Pat Mulligan (12 TD); Sr. RB/LB L.J. Hunt (724 yards rushing); Sr. LB Sean Chinova.
THINGS TO KNOW – Woodland is No. 7 in the state in rushing offense, with 2,669 yards per game. …DeBiase converted from tailback to quarterback this season and is No. 11 in total offense. …St. Joseph is no. 7 in total offense, but allows 25 points per game. …Della Vecchia is questionable with an ankle injury suffered in the Thanksgiving finale vs. Trumbull, as are two linemen. …Matakevich, an all-state pick as a junior, missed the first five games of the season with a broken foot. St. Joseph is 4-1 with him in the lineup. …St. Joseph’s losses were to Wilton, Darien and Trumbull. …Woodland’s losses were to Ansonia, Wolcott and  Sacred Heart. …Both teams claim a victory over Class L combatants New Canaan (St. Joseph) and Naugatuck (Woodland). …St. Joseph is 3-0 over NVL teams in the last two years, including a 57-7 victory over Holy Cross in last year’s semifinals.
THE PICK – St. Joseph 34-20

No. 6 Hyde at No. 3 Ansonia

WHERE — Jarvis Stadium at Nolan Field, Ansonia
RECORDS – Hyde 7-3 (Pequot Sassaucus fourth-place), Ansonia 9-1 (NVL runners-up)
PLAYOFF RECORD – Hyde 8-3; Ansonia 24-13
LAST APPEARANCE — Hyde: 2009 (defeated Northwesth Catholic 21-0 in Class S championship); Ansonia: 2009 (lost to Northwest Catholic 24-0 in Class S semifinal).
PLAYERS TO WATCH — Hyde: Jr. OL/DL Robert Fairweather (9 sacks); Sr. OL/LB Marquis Lee; Jr. QB/S James Baker-Howard; Soph. RB Gary Ormond; Jr. RB/LB Devan Dolphin. Ansonia: Sr. RB Montrell Dobbs (2,397 yards, 26 TD rushing); Jr. QB Eliot Chudwick (21 TD passing); Fresh. RB/DB Arkeel Newsome (661 yards, 10 TDs rushing); Jr. TE/DE Sean Rowley; Jr. LB Tyler Wood; Soph. WR/DE Andrew Matos.
THINGS TO KNOW – Hyde, the defending class champion, started the season 7-0, but enters the playoffs on a three-game losing streak. …it scored just 20 points combined in the three losses. …Overall, Hyde has scored just 164 points (16.4 average), worst of any playoff team. …Ansonia won nine straight before losing the season final to Naugatuck. …Dobbs is the state’s leading rusher, leading scorer (21 ppg), and the team’s only senior. …He has rushed for over 300 yards four times, and over 200 yards seven times. …Ansonia is No. 2 in rushing offense (behind Montville) and No. 5 in total offense. …It allows 22.0 points per game.
THE PICK – Ansonia 40-6

No. 7 Cromwell at No. 2 Montville

WHERE – Montville High School Turf Field
RECORDS – Cromwell 7-3, Montville 9-1
PLAYOFF RECORD — Cromwell 4-4; Montville 2-5
LAST APPEARANCE — Cromwell: 2008 (defeated Ansonia 14-12 in Class S championship); Montville: 2009 (lost to St. Joseph 14-3 in Class SS championship).
PLAYERS TO WATCH –Cromwell: Jr. QB Anthony Morales; Jr. WR/DB Brett Director; Sr. WR/DB Lorenzo Hart;  Montville: Sr. RB/LB Tyler Girard-Floyd (1,575 yards, 22 TD rushing); Sr. RB/DB Skyler McNair (548 yards, 7 TD rushing); QB/DB Troy Nunes (879 yards, 11 TD passing); Sr. TE/LB Cody Bigelow; Sr. RB/DE Elijah Brown; Jr. LB Ken Strecker.
THINGS TO KNOW – Montville has the No. 1-ranked recorded rushing offense in the state (3,149 yards, 41 TDs) and the No. 3 scoring offense in the state behind Masuk and New Canaan. …The Indians’ only loss was 24-14 to Fitch in Week 3. …Cromwell coach Lou Bronk is in his first season. He took over for Sal Morello, who started the program 10 years ago and won a state championship before taking over at Middletown this summer. …Cromwell opened the season 0-2, but has won seven of eight games. …It’s only other loss was 29-28 to Haddam-Killingworth in OT two weeks ago.
THE PICK – Montville 42-13

Brave New World: CIAC Quarterfinal Previews (Class LL & L)

Monday, November 29, 2010 by:Sean Patrick Bowley
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Yes! Finally, we have ourselves, in my humble estimation, a legit playoff season in Connecticut high school football. The pairings have been set, the hype is just starting to boil to the surface.

It’s time to see who the best teams in the state really are.

It’s time to start the new and improved CIAC Football State Playoffs. The playoffs we’ve been pining for in this space for the better part of three years. And now it’s here.

So we’ll kick off this brave new world with our first batch of preview and pick-the-winners segments. We’ve scoured the newspapers, stat machines and websites (and our own brains) and have given you what we believe are pretty comprehensive looks at each of the state playoff pairings. But, if anything’s amiss, I’m sure you’ll let us know.

We start with Class LL and L, the best two of the bunch. Quite a few intriguing matchups, too.

In Class LL we have an SCC rematch in the 1/8. We have the FCIAC-CCC Challenge in the 6/3 and 4/5 and then the ECC’s best vs the CCC Division II’s second-best in the 2/7.

In Class L, another clash of SCCs and old Hammonasset foes at the Surf Club, mighty Masuk vs. unheralded Eastern at Bunnell, limping Darien vs. first-timer Wethersfield, and FCIAC power vs. NVL champ (in perhaps, the most intriguing game of the night).

We throw our picks into the ring this time. But don’t let us sway you, vote for who you think will win.

All games start 6:30 p.m.

Class LL

No. 8 West Haven at No. 1 Xavier

WHERE – Palmer Field, Middletown
ON THE AIR – WELI 960-AM, Hamden/New Haven; CNX Radio, 1710-AM, Middletown
RECORDS — West Haven 8-2 (SCC Division I East co-champion), Xavier 10-0 (SCC Division I West champion).
ALL-TIME PLAYOFF RECORD – Xavier 2-2; West Haven 6-5
LAST APPEARANCE – Xavier: 2009 (lost to Staples 31-28 in Class LL semifinals); West Haven: 2006 (lost to Staples 28-7 in Class L semifinals).
PLAYERS TO WATCH – West Haven: Sr. WR Tremayne Barnes, Sr. RB Kevin Philips; Fresh. RB Ervin Philips; Sr. QB Nick Nieves. Xavier: Sr. LB/TE Graham Stewart; Sr. DE Eric Mischke; Sr. FB/LB Mike Mastroianni; Sr. LB Austen Ahern.
YOU SHOULD KNOW– Xavier defeated West Haven 42-28 in Week 9, a game in-which West Haven led 28-27 late in the third quarter. …Xavier has allowed the 5th least points in the state (87).  …Stewart is verbally committed to Boston College. …Behind the Philips brothers, West Haven averages 31 points scored. But they also allow an average of 20 points a game on defense. …WH coach Ed McCarthy has won 301 games, most active and No. 2 all-time in Connecticut. …Xavier has been ranked No. 1 in the NHR media poll for 10 consecutive weeks.
OUR PICK — Xavier 34, West Haven 20

No. 5 Staples at No. 4 Glastonbury

WHERE – Tomahawk Field, Glastonbury
ON THE AIR – WWPT 90.3, Westport (Wreckers Radio)
RECORDS — Staples 9-1, Glastonbury 9-1 (CCC Division I co-champion)
ALL-TIME PLAYOFF RECORD – Staples 9-6, Glastonbury 4-2
LAST APPEARANCE — Staples: 2009 (lost to Cheshire 28-21 OT in Class LL title game); Glastonbury: 2009 (lost to Cheshire 21-9 in Class LL semifinals).
PLAYERS TO WATCH — Staples: Jr. QB/RB/DB Tyler Jacobs (915 yards, 11 TD rushing, 7 interceptions); Sr. LB/FB Rob Gau (83 tackles, 3 interceptions); Sr. TE/DL Pat Murray (11 sacks, 4 TDs); Sr. LB/TE Chris Coyne. Glastonbury: Sr. QB/FS Corey Santor (1,245 yards 10 TDs passing; 608 yards rushing, 14 TDs.); Sr. RB/DB Malcom Crossen; Sr. LB Kadeem Ward.
YOU SHOULD KNOW– Both teams average approximately 31 points per game. …Staples allows 10 points per game, Glastonbury 14. …This is Glastonbury’s third straight trip to the playoffs under coach Peter Pfeffer. They won the 2008 Class LL title. …Glastonbury’s only loss was 33-14 to Southington in Week 2. …Staples was 8-0 before falling to Trumbull, 15-13. …Staples QB Chet Pajolek‘s season ended with an ACL injury in a Week 8 win over Ludlowe. Freshman Jack Massie (320 yds, 3 TD, 1 INT) has been the primary QB, though Jacobs runs the offense out of the wildcat.  …Murray and Coyne are both committed to Yale.
OUR PICK — Staples 34-14

No. 6 Conard at No. 3 Trumbull

WHERE – McDougall Stadium, Trumbull
RECORDS – Trumbull 9-2 (FCIAC runners-up); Conard 8-2 (CCC Division II champion)
ALL-TIME PLAYOFF RECORD — Conard 0-3; Trumbull 5-5
LAST APPEARANCE — Conard 2009 (lost to Notre Dame-WH 42-14 in Class L semifinals); Trumbull 2005 (lost to Xavier 21-7 in Class LL semifinals).
PLAYERS TO WATCH – Conard: Sr. RB/LB Jon Esposito; Sr. QB Reid Gustafson; Sr. OL/DL Kevin Fisher. Trumbull: Sr. WR/DB/KR Phil Terio; Sr. QB/DB Ian Milne; Sr. FB/LB Don Cherry; Sr. OL/DL Bryan Barnash; Sr. WR/DB Tom Pauciello.
YOU SHOULD KNOW– Esposito is Conard’s all-time leading rusher with 4,381 yards. He has run for over 200 yards in Conard’s last three games, including a 258-yard performance in a 47-7 victory in the season finale. …Conard’s losses this season were 33-20 to fellow LL qualifier Glastonbury and 10-9 vs. Class L qualifier Wethersfield. …Trumbull lost the FCIAC Championship to Darien 17-7. It’s only regular-season loss was 27-19 to Stamford. …The Eagles tend to rotate between QBs Milne and Sr. Brian Gallo.
OUR PICK — Trumbull 34-7

No. 7 Hall at No. 2 Norwich Free Academy

WHERE – NFA Sports Complex & Artificial Turf Field, Norwich
RECORDS – Hall 8-2 (CCC Division II runner-up), NFA 10-0 (ECC Large champion)
ALL-TIME PLAYOFF RECORD — Hall 0-3; NFA 1-2
LAST APPEARANCE — Hall: 1986 (lost to West Haven 35-18 in Class L championship); NFA: 2002 (lost to West Haven 47-26 in Class LL semifinals).
PLAYERS TO WATCH – Hall: Sr. QB Riley Carroll (2,150 yards, 23 TDs, 6 INT passing); Sr. LB Justin Sundstrom (11 tackles/gm); Sr. LB Kevin Farrah (8 tackles/gm); NFA: Sr. RB/S Anthony Facchini (1,052 yards rushing); Sr. LB Nick Cipriano; Fresh. RB/DB Marcus Outlow.
YOU SHOULD KNOW – Behind Carroll, Hall has the fifth-best recorded passing offense in the state with 216 yards per game. . …Hall started the season 8-0, but has now lost two straight 27-24 to Windsor in OT, 41-0 vs. Conard in the season finale. …NFA is the 12th-best scoring offense in the state with 35.7 points per game. It has posted shutouts in three of its last four games. …Facchini, who has played the second half of the season with a broken hand, ran for a career-best 215 yards in a 20-14 regular-season finale victory over New London.
OUR PICK — NFA 34- 0

♦♦♦♦

Class L

No. 8 Bristol Eastern at No. 1 Masuk

WHERE – Bulldog Field, Bunnell High School, Stratford
RECORDS — Bristol Eastern 9-1 (CCC Division III runners-up), Masuk 10-0 (SWC Champions)
ALL-TIME PLAYOFF RECORD – Bristol Eastern 1-1; Masuk 8-10
LAST APPEARANCE – Bristol Eastern: 2007 (lost to Berlin 36-28 in Class M semifinals). Masuk 2009 (defeated Newington 56-13 in Class L championship).
PLAYERS TO WATCH — Bristol Eastern: Sr. RB Dylon Ouellette (1,284 yds, 18 TDs rushing); Sr. QB Mat Yopp (800 yards, 9 TDs passing); Sr. OL/DL Steven Julius; Sr. RB/LB John Chiaradio. Masuk: Sr. WR/DB/K Jon Testani (5 TDs, 5 FG, 5 INT); Jr. QB Casey Cochran (2,474 yards, 35 TD, 7 INT passing); Jr. RB Colin Markus (999 yards rushing, 16 TDs; Sr. WR Tyler Perimenis (615 yards, 8 TDs receiving); Sr. WR/S/KR Joe Diaz; Jr. DB Shawn Flynn; Sr. LB Anthony Calabrese.
YOU SHOULD KNOW – Masuk is undefeated for the first time since 2003. It has defeated its 10 opponents by an average score of 50-6, best margin in the state. … Masuk has the fourth-best recorded offense in the state, with 393 yards per game. …Cochran is No. 2 on the state’s passing list.  …Masuk has scored the most points 498 and allowed the second-least points in the state (63) and leads the state with 36 sacks. …Bristol Eastern averages 36 points per game and allows 17 points per game. …Eastern’s 355 points scores is the school’s most for a single season. Ouellette is No. 8 on the all time school rushing list. …Eastern’s only loss was 40-24 to Berlin.
OUR PICK — Masuk 49-7

No. 5 Darien at No. 4 Wethersfield

WHERE – Cottone Field, Wethersfield
RECORDS — Darien 10-1 (FCIAC champions); Wethersfield (CCC Division IV champions)
ALL-TIME PLAYOFF RECORD – Darien 9-6; Wethersfield: 0-0
LAST APPEARANCE – Darien: 2008 (lost to New Canaan 26-7 in Class MM championship); Wethersfield: First appearance
PLAYERS TO WATCH — Darien: Sr. LB/FB Jake Weil; Sr. OL/DL Charlie Kunze (8 sacks); Sr. DE Tucker Morehouse (13 sacks); Sr. RB/DB Graham Maybell (532 yards, 5 TD rushing); Sr. QB Chris Allam (1,268 yards passing, 15 TD, 8 INT). Wethersfield: Sr. LB/RB Chris Lesure (888 yards, 15 TDs, 8 sacks ); Sr. QB/DB Steve Vasquez (946 yards passing, 9 TD; 981 yards rushing, 14 TD); Sr. WR/DB Eric Melendy; Soph. LB Devon Henry.
YOU SHOULD KNOW – Darien won the FCIAC for the first time in 12 years. …5 players, including two starters were suspended for the remainder of the season after a vandalism incident at New Canaan’s field the day before Thanksgiving. …Darien was 10-0 before losing the Thanksgiving Day game to New Canaan 42-14. The Blue Wave had allowed just 80 points to that point. …Kunze, all-state as a junior, left the game with a high ankle sprain and is questionable, as is DB Will Weinstock. …Wethersfield’s Vaszquez is listed No. 17 in total offense in the state.
OUR PICK — Darien 24-7

No. 6 New Canaan at No. 3 Naugatuck

WHERE – Naugatuck High School
RECORDS – New Canaan 9-1, Naugatuck 9-1 (NVL Champions)
ALL-TIME PLAYOFF RECORD – New Canaan 16-4; Naugautck 2-2
LAST APPEARANCE – New Canaan: 2009 (defeated East Lyme 28-0 in Class MM championship); Naugatuck: 2001 (lost to Greenwich 33-7 in Class LL semifinals).
PLAYERS TO WATCH — New Canaan: Sr. WR/DB/KR Kevin Macari (36 catches, 768 yards, 15 TDs); Sr. QB Matt Milano (2,322 yards, 33 TD, 11 TD passing); Sr. OL/DL Conor Hanratty; Sr. RB/DB Joe Costigan; Sr. NG Ryan Schullman; Sr. OL/DL Jack Atchue. Naugatuck: Sr. QB Erich Broadrick (1,136 yards, 15 TD passing); Jr. RB/LB Jake Yourison (453 yards, 3TD rushing); Sr. WR/DB Tyler Conklin; Sr. OT/DT Aaron Echevarria (6-5, 270).
YOU SHOULD KNOW– Naugatuck is making its first state playoff appearance since 2001. This is its first time hosting a state final. …New Canaan has won four straight state championships (all in Class MM, all with a different quarterback) and making its sixth straight appearance in the state playoffs. New Canaan has won 8-straight state playoff games dating back to 2006. It’s last loss was to East Lyme, 20-14 in the 2005 Class MM semifinals. …Milano has thrown for over 200 yards seven times and over 300 twice. …Naugatuck upset Ansonia to win its first NVL title and return to the state playoffs for the first time in eight years.  …Broadrick threw for 301 yards and 5 TDs. Echevarria had four sacks. …New Canaan’s only loss was a 28-27 loss to St. Joseph; Naugatuck fell to Woodland 25-6.
OUR PICK — New Canaan 42, Naugatuck 20

No. 7 North Haven at No. 3 Hand

WHERE – The Surf Club, Madison
RECORDS — North Haven 9-1 (SCC Division II East champions), Hand 9-1 (SCC Division I East co-champions)
ALL-TIME PLAYOFF RECORD — North Haven 0-1; Hand 14-6
LAST APPEARANCE – North Haven: 2007 (lost to Hand 35-7 in Class MM semifinals); Hand: 2007 (lost to New Canaan 34-30 in MM championship).
PLAYERS TO WATCH – North Haven: Sr. FB/LB Chris Matteis (856 yards, 12 TDs rushing, 77 tackles; Soph. RB/DB Jalon White (836 yards, 11 TD; Jr. QB Joe Schwab (554 yards, 6 TD passing; 500 yards, 6 TD rushing); Jr. TE/LB Mark Zurlis (10 tackles/gm); Sr. TE/LB Brandon McLane. Hand: Sr. QB Zach Miller (2,007 yards, 17 TD, 4 INT passing; 496 yards rushing); Sr. WR Alec Pacelli (44 catches, 852 yards receiving); Jr. RB Kevin Frey; Sr. RB/LB Michael Leone; Jr. NG Joe Demichele; Sr. LB A.J. Hill.
YOU SHOULD KNOW — North Haven has amassed 2,857 yards rushing and 35 TDs, the fourth-best rushing offense in the state. …Its 3,592 yards of total offense is 11th best in the state. …The Indians have won nine-straight games, including a 20-17 victory over Notre Dame-WH. …Former SCC Hammonasset rivals, North Haven hasn’t beaten Hand since 2001 (0-4). …Hand has the sixth-rated passing offense in the state. Millerhas thrown for over 200 yards in eight games. …Hand has never lost an early-round playoff game (5-0 in semifinals). …Its only loss was 38-14 to Notre Dame-WH.
OUR PICK — Hand 28, North Haven 21

THANKSGIVING DAY SCORING BLOG – Scores & Playoff News

Thursday, November 25, 2010 by:Sean Patrick Bowley
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Extra! Extra! Get all your live scoring updates, and playoff point updates, right here.

It’s all hands on deck for the staff of Hearst-Connecticut Newspapers — the Connecticut Post, the Danbury News-Times, the Stamford Advocate and Greenwich Time. We’ll be at nearly every single game in the Southwest Connecticut region for our biggest live scoring blog of the season.

If you’re at home, just click the window below to follow along on everything that’s happening across the state: who’s scoring, who’s winning, whose playoff hopes are alive, whose playoff dreams are dead — from 7 a.m. until closing time when all the points are tabulated and all the playoff teams are accounted for. While your Turkey bakes, just click the window below, sit back and enjoy.

Look below for the internet and radio broadcast schedules.

PLAYOFF SCENARIOS

CLASS LL

  • They’re IN: Xavier (9-0, most likely the No. 1 seed with a victory over Middletown); Norwich Free Academy (9-0, most likely the No. 2 seed with victory over New London); Trumbull (9-2, has clinched a home game awaiting seeding); Glastonbury (9-1 – has also clinched a home game, likely the 3 or 4 seed); Conard (8-2, will finish anywhere between 5 and 8.)
  • Must Win: Southington (8-1 – a win and D.J. and the Blue Knights will be the No. 5 seed, a loss and they’ll be praying West Haven or Newtown doesn’t catch them on bonuses); Staples (8-1, a win and they’ll be the No. 6 seed; a loss and they’re almost toast).
  • Pray: Hall (8-2, looking for bonus help to capture the last spot). Newtown (8-2, needs Brookfield and New Fairfield to win, West Haven to lose to sneak in. A Staples loss would help, too). Pomperaug (needs Bethel and Notre Dame-Fairfield to win to have any shot). West Haven (must win and have Southington lose, Amity, Wilbur Cross to win.

CLASS L

  • They’re IN: Masuk (10-0 – the top seed); Darien (10-0 – must win to secure the No. 2 seed, can fall as far as No. 8). Hand (9-1, likely the No. 3 seed. Could get 2 if Darien loses).
  • Must win: Wethersfield (8-1 – a loss and they’re in serious trouble); Naugatuck (8-1 – a loss and they’re out); North Haven (8-1 – a loss and they’re out); Maloney (8-1 – a loss and they’re out); New Canaan (8-1 – a loss and they’re out).
  • Pray: Bristol Eastern (8-1 – a win and then one of the remaining contenders to lose to have a shot, preferably Maloney); Windsor (8-2 – Two teams ahead to lose, or all of its bonuses to outpoint Eastern). Avon (8-2 – needs two or three ahead to lose). Middletown (7-2 – win and a miracle).

CLASS M

  • They’re IN: Berlin (10-0 – most likely the top seed); New London (8-1 – most likely No. 2); Plainville (7-2).
  • Must win: Brookfield (7-2 – actually, they can get in with a loss but only if a few behind it lose. Clinches home game with a win.); Coventry/Windham Tech (7-2 – in with a win); Gilbert/Northwestern (7-2 – in with a win); Lyman Hall (7-2 – in with a win); Platt (7-2 – in with a win).
  • Pray: Hillhouse (6-3 – must win and get at least one above to lose, preferably Platt); Putnam/Tourellotte/Ellis Tech (6-3 – win and at least 2 above to lose); Waterford (6-3 – win and at least three above to lose). Everyone else needs a miracle.

CLASS S

  • They’re IN: Valley Regional (10-0 – No. 2 seed unless Ansonia loses, then No. 1); Ansonia (9-0 – top seed with win over Naugatuck); Montville (8-1 – most likely the No. 3 seed); St. Joseph (7-3 – can still get a home game if enough bonuses come in); Woodland (7-3 – slight chance at a home game); Hyde (7-3 – locked in as the No. 6 seed); Cromwell (7-3 – locked in as the No. 7 seed).
  • Pray: Coginchaug (7-3) and Sacred Heart (6-4) It comes down to Sacred Heart bonus points. If the Hearts can get THREE of the following teams to win, they’re in: Torrington, Crosby, St. Paul, Derby. If they get two, it’ll go to tiebreakers (SH trails right now). If just one, Coginchaug will advance.

BROADCAST SCHEDULES

New Canaan at Darien, 10:30 a.m. — MSG Varsity-Connecticut

  • For those of you who have Cablevision, the mothership high school sports network will be broadcasting live from the scene at Darien High School. Mike Quick and the gang will have all the info you need. But the guys might need help deciphering the state playoff points, so look for a special guest at halftime.

Naugatuck at Ansonia, 10:30 a.m. — WELI 960-AM and WATR 1320-AM

  • On WELI is “The Coach” George DeMaio‘s famous Thanksgiving Extravaganza. He and his crew will broadcast the game and, afterward, friends Steve Kirck, The Day of New London‘s Ned Griffen and other special guests will stay on the air until every playoff team is accounted for. Frankly, it doesn’t get any better than right here.
  • Bob Sagendorf and Steve Gesseck of WATR are the best local game broadcasters in all of Connecticut. Sagendorf was a longtime ESPN employee and Gesseck knows the NVL better than anyone. Die-hard NVL fans must listen to their broadcast.

McMahon at Norwalk, 10:30 a.m. – WSTC 1400-AM / WNLK 1350-AM

  • Matt Levine and his crew have seen just about every FCIAC team this season. So who better to give you the inside look at the Norwalk city title and coach Pete Tucci‘s final game? They do a great job getting as much information as possible for listeners.

Staples at Greenwich, 10 a.m. — WGCH 1490-AM | WWPT 90.3 (Wreckers Radio) Live video feed

  • Veteran Rob Adams and the WGCH gang will be broadcasting the game. They know everything you need to know about this matchup, this rivalry, and the state implications surrounding it.
  • The Student station at Staples High School do a fantastic job. Do yourself a favor and check these up-comers out. If you must watch this live, this is the place to go.

The 60th Green Bowl: Notre Dame-WH at Hamden, 10:30 a.m. — SportingnewsCT.com OR GoGreenKnights.com (live video feed)

  • Steve Kirck and veteran broadcaster Don Boyle have done every Notre Dame game this season. If you bleed green and gold and can’t make it to the game, there’s no where else to go.

Xavier vs. Middletown (at Wesleyan), 10 a.m. – CNX Radio 1710-AM

CIAC fines Southington, puts football team on probation

Thursday, November 18, 2010 by:Sean Patrick Bowley
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Southington coach D.J. Hernandez

The CIAC board of control has spoken.

The CIAC has fined Southington High School $1,000 and placed the football team on a year’s probation for head coach D.J. Hernandez‘s use of a Manchester playlist against that team in a 28-14 Southington victory on October 22.

In addition, Hernandez will be required to take the Sportsmanship/Ethics Coaching Education Class prior to the start of the 2011 football season. Southington’s probation will last until the end of 2011. The team is not being required to forfeit.

Here’s the full press release from the CIAC.

CHESHIRE, CT (November 18, 2010) – At its meeting today, the CIAC Board of Control addressed information received regarding ethics and sportsmanship concerns resulting from the actions of Southington High School Head Football Coach D.J. Hernandez during his school’s varsity football game against Manchester High School on October 22, 2010.

After reviewing information received from both schools involved the Board ruled that:

  • A) Southington High School will be fined $1000 for violation of the CIAC policies on ethics and sportsmanship;
  • B) Coach Hernandez will be required to take the Sportmanship/Ethics Coaching Education Class prior to the beginning of the 2011 football season;
    C) The Southington High School football program will be put on probation through the end of the 2011 football season.

    • This news, already nationalized on ESPN, hit the back pages of Sports Illustrated this week, with columnist Selena Robers (formerly of the New York Times) pontificating about the issue. She pretty much says the same thing as the Courant’s Jeff Jacobs did a week or so ago and asks why hadn’t the issue been resolved.

    Some people are going to call this a wrist slap (on Twitter today, Jacobs has already said he would have rather seen a forfeit.)

    Others will say it’s fine. The punishment fit the crime. Southington’s investigation says he only did it for four plays, Manchester scored on that same drive anyway and it didn’t have a serious affect on the outcome of the game, etc.

    I’ve been torn on the issue of actual punishment. What D.J. did was wrong, but it was the young coach’s mistake, not his kids. So I really don’t think the CIAC should (or could) have handed down an actual forfeit in this case. Then again, this is an organization that suspends coaches for beating teams by more than 50 points in the name of sportsmanship. A little inconsistency there, no?

    Again, I think the onus falls on the school over sportsmanship and ethics. If Southington really wanted to send a message, to their students and employees, they’re the only ones that could have offered to forfeit. But, of course, there are playoffs to consider…

    ADD: But if you think this kind of stuff (or worse) hasn’t happened anywhere else, then you’re not paying attention. D.J. got caught. And he’s pretty high profile around these parts.

    I’m going to agree with one of my other colleagues, Michael Guerrerra of the Southington Citizen has the best take on this whole thing. This is the best take I’ve seen on this issue.

    That’s it in a nutshell.

    High School Football Polls – Week 10

    Monday, November 15, 2010 by:Sean Patrick Bowley
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    By virtue of its 15-13 victory over Staples Saturday, Trumbull is on the move, all the way up to No. 6. in one of the two media polls. It’s up to No. 8 in the CSWA and only 9 in the coaches. Staples drops to a unanimous 10 in all three.

    Xavier is back to being a unanimous No. 1 among all three polls after its 48-28 victory over West Haven. Masuk had been No. 1 in the CSWA for a few weeks.

    ♦♦♦

    NHR STATE MEDIA POLL

    Team
    Record
    Pts.
    LAST
    1
    Xavier (15)
    9-0
    702
    1
    2
    Masuk (9)
    9-0
    684
    2
    3
    Darien
    9-0
    560
    5
    4
    Berlin
    9-0
    554
    4
    5
    New Canaan
    8-1
    468
    6
    6
    Trumbull
    8-1
    424
    NR
    7
    Ansonia
    9-0
    416
    T7
    8
    Norwich Free Academy
    9-0
    392
    T7
    9
    Hand
    8-1
    364
    9
    10
    Staples
    8-1
    328
    3
    Other teams receiving votes: Glastonbury (8-1), 226; West Haven (7-2), 147; New London (8-1), 128; Naugatuck (8-1), 118; Southington (8-1), 106; Valley Regional/Old Lyme (8-0), 96; St. Joseph (7-2), 84; Montville (8-1), 80; North Haven (8-1), 65; Bristol Eastern (8-1), 53; Notre Dame-West Haven (6-3), 29; Maloney (8-1), 25; Windsor (8-1), 23; Hall (8-1), 16; Newtown (8-1), 9; Hyde (7-1) and Middletown (7-2), 8; Brookfield (7-2), 7.
    The following voted: Marc Allard, Norwich Bulletin; Bob Barton, New Haven Register; Bill Bloxsom, Hersam-Acorn; Sean Patrick Bowley, Connecticut Post; Don Boyle, Sporting News CT; Jim Bransfield, Middletown Press; Bryant Carpenter, Meriden-Record Journal; George DeMaio, WELI; Mike DiMauro, The Day of New London; Matt Doran, Norwalk Hour; Kevin Duffy, Danbury News-Times; Noah Finz, WTNH-8; Ned Griffen, The Day of New London; John Holt, WFSB-3; Mark Jaffee, Waterbury Republican-American; Ken Lipshez, New Britain Herald; Mike Madera, Elm City Newspapers; Joe Morelli, New Haven Register; Dave Phillips, Shoreline Times; Mike Pucci, New Haven Register; Dave Ruden, Stamford Advocate; John Silver, Manchester Journal Inquirer; Tom Yantz, Hartford Courant; Jimmy Zanor, Shore Line Newspapers.

    ♦♦♦

    CSWA STATE MEDIA POLL

    Team
    Record
    Pts.
    LAST
    1
    Xavier (16)
    9-0
    		 422 2
    2
    Masuk (13)
    9-0
    		 415 1
    T3
    Darien
    9-0
    		 350 5
    T3
    Berlin
    9-0
    		 350 4
    5
    Ansonia
    9-0
    		 264 7
    6
    		 New Canaan
    8-1
    		 262 6
    7
    		 Norwich Free Academy
    9-0
    		 248 8
    8
    Trumbull
    8-1
    		 232 NR
    9
    Hand
    8-1
    		 207
    9
    10
    Staples
    8-1
    		 193
    3
    Also Receiving Votes: Glastonbury 8-1 123; Southington 8-1 70; New London 8-1 61; Montville 8-1 55; Valley Regional/Old Lyme 8-0 42; West Haven 7-2 40; Naugatuck 8-1 33; Maloney 8-1 22; St. Joseph 7-2 21; Hall 8-1 15; Hyde Leadership 8-1 15; North Haven 8-1 12; Windsor 7-2 7; Newtown 8-1 6; Cromwell 6-2 5; Bristol Eastern 8-1 4; Notre Dame-West Haven 6-3 3; Middletown 7-2 2; Avon 8-1 1
    The following voted: Marc Allard (Norwich Bulletin), Bob Barton (CT H.S. Football Record Book), Bill Bloxsom (Hersam Acorn), Don Boyle (Sporting News CT), Jim Bransfield (Middletown Press), Kyle Brennan (Waterbury Republican), Ray Curren (Elm City Newspapers), Anthony Della Calce (New Britain Herald), George DeMaio (WELI Radio), Gerry deSimas (Collinsville Publishing Co.), Bill Donovan (WXLM 980 AM), Mark Fijalkowski (CT Sports Network), Tim Gaffney (Litchfield County Sports), Dave Greenleaf (CCC website), Mike Guerrera (Southington Citizen), John Holt (WFSB Channel 3), Larry Kelley (Patch.com), Bob Lazzari (Valley Times), Greg Lederer (Cheshire Herald), Ken Lipshez (New Britain Herald), Sean Patrick Bowley (Connecticut Post), Dave Phillips (Shoreline Times), Pat Pickens (Fairfield Citizen-News), Mike Pucci (New Haven Register), Paul Rosano (Meriden Record-Journal), Dave Ruden (Stamford Advocate), Mike Suppe (Hersam Acorn Newspapers), Tom Yantz (Hartford Courant), Jimmy Zanor (Shore Line Newspapers)

    ♦♦♦

    THE DAY OF NEW LONDON STATE COACHES POLL

    Team
    Record
    Pts.
    LAST
    1
    Xavier (9)
    9-0
    		 382
    1
    2
    Masuk (4)
    9-0
    		 372
    2
    3
    Darien
    9-0
    		 282
    5
    4
    Berlin
    9-0
    		 280
    4
    5
    Ansonia
    		 9-0 241
    6
    6
    		 New Canaan
    8-1
    		 237 9
    7
    		 Norwich Free Academy
    9-0
    		 231 7
    8
    Hand
    		 8-1 228 8
    9
    		 Trumbull
    8-1
    		 208
    NR
    10
    Staples
    8-1
    		 174 3
    Other teams receiving votes: St. Joseph-Trumbull (7-2), 95 points; Glastonbury (8-1), 91; Southington (8-1), 84; New London (8-1), 80; Montville (8-1), 75; North Haven (8-1), 55; Bristol Eastern (8-1), 42; Valley Regional/Old Lyme (8-0), 31; West Haven (7-2), 27; Naugatuck (8-1), 26; Maloney-Meriden (8-1), 25; Wethersfield (8-1), 15; Windsor (7-2), 10; Tie, Hall-West Hartford (8-1) and Notre Dame-West Haven (6-3), 9; Conard-West Hartford (7-2), 7.
    The following voted: Tom Brockett, Ansonia; Jim Buonocore, Ledyard; Dave Cadelina, Bridgeport Central; Chuck Drury, Pomperaug-Southbury; Steve Filippone, Hand-Madison; Tanner Grove, Montville; Jude Kelly, St. Paul-Bristol; Tim King, Valley Regional-Deep River; Sean Marinan, Xavier-Middletown; Sal Morello, Middletown; John Murphy, Masuk-Monroe; Marce Petroccio, Staples-Westport; Bob Zito, Maloney-Meriden.
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