Staples quarterback Brandon Pacilio is in New York right now, having the ankle he broke in Saturday’s 40-0 win over Warren Harding examined by the Jets’ team doctor. In a best-case scenario, Pacilio, a senior, could return in four weeks.
Right now the 6-0 Wreckers are standing confidently behind Pacilio’s backup, Keith Gelman, who they believe will prove to be an effective relief pitcher who can close out a game, or in this case a season.
Gelman is a senior who has been playing on special teams.
“He’s been waiting a long time for this opportunity,” Staples coach Marce Petroccio said. “He worked hard in the offseason. He has an opportunity and he’s excited to take advantage of it.”
Pacilio was injured early in the second quarter on the Presidents’ muddy field, with Staples out in front, 7-0, at the time.
“He was running with the ball and a kid fell on his leg,” Petroccio said. “It’s hard to see on film. I don’t think the field conditions helped, but I don’t think you can say they contributed to it. It’s just a shame for a kid who has worked this hard as a captain and done so much for the program.”
The Wreckers have taken the right mental approach to the situation. They are rallying around Gelman rather than acting like their season has been endangered.
“In a sense this has brought us together,” Petroccio said. “This is a really close team, and Brandon is going to meet with Keith and tutor him.”
Don’t think for a second that the Wreckers’ championship hopes have ended. There does not appear to be an overly dominant team in the league, they have a strong defense, and while you never look past any opponent, with Ludlowe, Wilton and Trumbull on tap the next three weeks, Gelman should have the chance to get proper seasoning before the Thanksgiving Day game with Greenwich, which could have considerable postseason implications, perhaps even for the FCIAC championship.
I thought this kid was a senior last year?
Comment by wonderment — October 26th, 2009 @ 2:49 pm
Seems to me that you have Staples already beating Ludlowe and Trumbull. You seem so confident that those games are just tune ups for the backup QB. I’d be careful with those predictions.
Comment by Bill — October 26th, 2009 @ 3:54 pm
Just meant that if Staples plays its game it should win the next three and Gelman will not be going up against a Greenwich or New Canaan or even Trumbull the first two weeks.
Comment by Dave Ruden — October 26th, 2009 @ 4:07 pm
Staples’ D will shutout their next three opponents. They’re pretty nasty.
Comment by tpl — October 26th, 2009 @ 8:40 pm
altho im pulling for central to sneak in,i think its gonna be ncanaan vs staples for the fciac championship.Im not mad at this because these 2 teams dont play during the season,so thats a good thing.I think staples will win their next 3(trumbull game probably by a field goal),the greenwich game could go either way.If i remeber correct the last time a big player went down for staples was jimmy hughes,and to this day i still cant belive shelton was 16-17 points better than them.
Comment by the ruler — October 27th, 2009 @ 1:33 am
i believe that staples will win the next 3, although i believe that ludlowe will give them a run for their money in that game. i dont think trumbull is very good, i guess their defense is ok until they play against someone with an offense but staples will shut them down. i see it being Staples vs. an undefeated NC team. weather will be the deciding factor for that game given those two always play eachother very tough. NC will win 35-21. Staples will then lose to greewich and Marce will begin his excuses speech in which he whines for 4 to five weeks about the reason they lost and how no one respects staples…all in all it should be a great time. if nothing else it will give us all alot to write about!
Comment by prophet — October 27th, 2009 @ 10:05 am
The last time that Staples relied on its offense was when Hughes was a senior. Defense is their montra and always has been.
Greenwich can spoil the whole party with a win over NC. Then you won’t have two unbeaten teams playing for the FCIAC tittle. Just imagine going into that game you would have the states #I team against #3 if NC beats Greeenwich and Central.
Put it to rest, Ludlowe will not beat Staples. Ludlowe has not won a meaningful game since the early sixties.
Ridgefield has a great schedule this year. It’s not their fault that everyone on their schedule is down. ditto Staples.
Dave, Does Central have control of their own destiny in the FCIACS?
Comment by jjs — October 27th, 2009 @ 11:06 am
to follow up on Dave Rudens “Big Game” Coach poll,how about a poll about the greatest game played in this decade?..I would say 2005 Staples @ NC ,where Staples stunned Dunning Field and a community in a game dubbed “The Silence of the Rams”..Staples shocked the NC faithfull w/ 3 TD s in the 4th qtr,including a 40 yd TD at the horn to win 28-24…..That was a great HS game w/ 2 coaches matching wits in a close game…can anyone think of a better game,they were talking about this one on WFAN,for days..btw Mr.Prophet Staples doesn`t “play NC tough”,they beat NC on a regular basis…!
Comment by clyde — October 27th, 2009 @ 1:32 pm
Friday night may prove to be wicked for Staples. If Ludlowe can put some points up early it will be interesting to see how Staples handles it. But that’s a big if. Ludlowe plays way to conservative.
Comment by The Poet — October 27th, 2009 @ 5:52 pm
Prophetless – your a joke. Go back to your 8mm and convince yourself Stepkovich was over the line…
Comment by PatPatriot — October 27th, 2009 @ 9:03 pm
PatPatriot it is clear on any film 8mm or HD (by the way 16mm is the clearest film ever made to this day, even clearer then HD) that Stepkovich was over the line. But hey you guys one the game and congrats to you. all i know is that i am not a joke, and so far everything i have said this year has come true. go back in the posts and i am the one who said greenwich was going to lose to central. now i am saying that staples is going to lose to both ludlowe and trumbull. bottom line is this, NC is the best team around for the past few years, you can argue the fact but its futile. the only joke around is the patriots and the fact that they are going to get smoked in the first round of the playoffs.
Comment by prophet — October 28th, 2009 @ 10:27 am
he was over the line Patriot
Comment by kleve — October 28th, 2009 @ 10:36 am
JLS,
I’m working on a big project and haven’t been able to figure out whether Central can get it by winning out, though a win over New Canaan would put it in a great position. The Greenwich-New Canaan game next week will play a big role in helping to clear things up.
Also, I appreciate everyone taking the time to comment on the blog. For those who don’t know, I have to approve every comment. I don’t like to be a censor, but I’m also not going to let this devolve into a forum for hurling insults back and forth, so please let yourself be heard in an appropriate manner.
Thanks
Comment by Dave Ruden — October 28th, 2009 @ 1:43 pm
Prophet,
How about a little wager? If Ludlow wins I stop posting on this site. If Staples wins, you stop. Pretty simple.
Just let me know if we’re on.
Comment by PatPatriot — October 29th, 2009 @ 12:45 pm
look forward to seeing the prophet at the FFLD county football dinner tonight. We can all enjoy an evening of complete nonsense. What fun is there if we can laugh at these posts.
Comment by honest abe — October 29th, 2009 @ 1:09 pm
now pat patriot, as a gambling am like i am, i have always found that the underdog gets odds on his bet. it is clear to me as a betting man that i would be insane to take a bet with no upside to it. plus i quite enjoy your postings. therefore as part of our wager i rather after i win that you end every post with “all hail the wise prophet” if i lose and you wish me to stop posting i will stop(and by stop i mean begin under a different name) either way its your bet to make. the odds makers would put staples at what 3-1?
Comment by prophet — October 29th, 2009 @ 8:11 pm
honest abe…the scary part is we are probably sitting at the same table tonight…although i hate going to bridgeport the food should be excellent…i wonder if anyone is going to slip up and give away their secret identity
Comment by prophet — October 29th, 2009 @ 8:12 pm
Clyde,
That Staples-New Canaan game was possibly the most exciting hugh school game i have ever seen. New Canaan was stunned!!
However, Staples was five touchdowns better than New Canan talent wise and the Rams almost upset the Wreckers. NC lost four or five games that year.
Comment by jjs — November 1st, 2009 @ 8:17 pm