NB Fall Teams Return to the Fields with High Hopes

Though summer may still be in the air, North Branford High School's fall teams are out in full force, getting ready for their season-openers, which are next week. The football team looks to turn things around after a sub-.500 year, the boys' soccer team is still aiming for the postseason despite graduating a wealth of talent, and the field hockey squad returns with a strong work ethic and experience.

Football

Mark Basil returns in his eighth season at the head of the North Branford football team with high hopes for 2010 if the T-Birds can remain injury-free. After graduating just eight-six starters-from last year's 4-6 team, Basil returns a solid core this year, led by senior captains Joe Perez, John Hart, Sal Varca, and Anthony Vorio.

All four captains bring a good deal of experience and talent. Perez, the team's quarterback who also plays defensive back, totaled 776 passing yards for 11 TDs and 462 rushing yards for four scores in 2009. Hart (OG/LB) led the team in tackles with 81, while Varca (RB/LB) had 576 rushing yards and five touchdowns. Vorio (SE/DB) was an All-League selection last year with 32 receptions for 376 yards and six touchdowns.

"Perez is deceptive, Varca is a bruiser, and Vorio is explosive and exciting," said Basil.

Basil's roster goes deeper than his captains as he notes defense as the team's biggest strength. Other seniors expected to contribute are Paul Perrotti (DE/OT), who should be a "major force"; Jason Carolla (DT/OT), who "packs a lot of power and is tough"; Rob Caron (RB/LB), an "explosive runner"; and Dan Esposito (RB/SS), a "solid two-way player and exceptional athlete"; Cameron Smith (SE/FS), who "can make big plays"; Matt Melillo (DT/OG), a "strong special team leader"; Jack White (DE/C), a "heads-up player"; and Kevin Whalen (RB/SS), a "playmaker" who returns after sitting out last year with an ACL injury.

Other leaders in the senior class include Ray Wilson (C/DT), Rob Picone (DT/OT), Jess Defrancesco (SE/DB), AJ Iurteri (SE/DB), RJ Hart (SE/DE), Mike Beavis, and Ryan Manceri. Juniors expected to contribute are Anthony Franco (LB), Corey Onofrio (RB), Damoy Hunter (DT), Eric Berlepsche (OG), Steve Saunders (OG), and Christian Perrotti (RB).

North Branford opens the 2010 season with a home game against Enfield on Thursday, Sept. 16 at 6:30 p.m. Other key matchups this season include Valley Regional (Oct. 15), Cromwell (Oct. 23), Coginchaug (Nov. 19), and Hyde (Nov. 24).

Boys' Soccer

After losing nine of 11 starters from a very strong 2009 team, Coach Cliff Yerkes knows that returning to the state tournament would be a "terrific accomplishment" as the 2010 boys' soccer squad is young and inexperienced. Despite all the youth, making the postseason is still the T-Birds' top priority.

This season's team is captained by Nick Balzano, Mike Reilly, and Mike Mercier. Yerkes will also be counting on Andrew Fuller, who was a starter on last year's team that went to the Shoreline Conference finals and made it to the second round of states.

"Nick has great stamina and fitness level," said Yerkes, who is assisted by Bill Wallach and Luke Gagliardi. "Mike Reilly plays a good long ball and is intelligent. Mike Mercier is a great athlete with good speed and a goal-scorer. Andrew is a good athlete and he's fast."

The T-Birds open the season on Wednesday, Sept. 15 as they host Westbrook under the lights at 6:30 p.m.

Field Hockey

Coach Babby Nuhn is excited about this year's edition of the North Branford field hockey team with goals of being a contender in both the Shoreline Conference and state tournaments.

"This is the best-prepared team I have coached in recent years and the eight seniors are so focused, organized, determined, and very positive about their senior season," said Nuhn, who enters her 37th year at the head of the team and is assisted by Lori Connelly and Tony Torino.

All eight seniors attended a field hockey camp in Pennsylvania over the summer with nine other teammates. They also participated in a conditioning program with Mike Mezerewski over the summer.

"They have a passion for the sport and it truly shows-they inspire me," said Nuhn. "It is their unbelievably positive attitude and genuine work ethics that separates this team from past years. As senior leaders, they have established an excellent foundation for this season."

Michelle Caprio, Jacquelyn Ferraro, and Kirsten Kilburn will captain the team with Victoria Bozzuto (defense), Rachel Corso (GK), Molly Deegan (offensive wing), Kaitlyn Stobierski (link), and Kristen Sullivan (defense) rounding out the senior class. Other players to watch are Meagan Halligan, Bailey McGinnis, Rachel Robertson, and Lisa Sagnella.

Nuhn plans to use the team's opener at home against Branford on Tuesday, Sept. 14 at 3:45 p.m. as a barometer for how the T-Birds should fare this season.

Season previews will continue in next week's edition of The Sound.