ECC's five future Div. I schools considering 'district football model' with SCC
Five schools comprising the Eastern Connecticut Conference's new "Division I" in 2016 — Norwich Free Academy, New London, Fitch, East Lyme and Ledyard — may be part of the state's first foray into "district model" football scheduling, based on enrollment.
Southern Connecticut Conference commissioner Al Carbone, Hand High School athletic director Craig Semple and East Lyme High School athletic director Steve Hargis are discussing a potential scheduling model — in football only — that would combine the 19-team SCC with the five "Division I" ECC schools.
There's also the chance the 24 aforementioned schools would invite the 13-team South-West Conference to join, thus forming a 37-school super conference.
"For us, and I think the other four schools in the new Division I of the ECC," Ledyard coach Jim Buonocore said, "the most important thing is to get a full schedule of eight to 10 games, that more importantly matches us all with like-sized schools. This 'district model' ensures that.
"As it stands, we would have six or seven league games next year if things stay the way they are," Buonocore said, alluding to the unwillingness of smaller ECC schools to continue playing against Division I. "If other leagues are guaranteeing nine or 10 league games, where are our games going to come from?"
Proposals for a combined SCC/ECC league, minus the SWC, include three divisions of eight schools, based on enrollment, with several variations for crossovers and the ability to keep some local rivals.
As an example, a potential "Division I" would pair NFA with Xavier, Fairfield Prep, Notre Dame of West Haven, Cheshire, Hand, West Haven and Shelton. Ledyard, Fitch and New London would play in "Division II" with Hamden, Amity, North Haven, Wilbur Cross and Hillhouse. East Lyme would get Foran, Sheehan, Branford, Guilford, Lyman Hall, Jonathan Law and East Haven in "Division III."
"(Semple) is worried about us in the long run and how we'll hold up," veteran Hand coach Steve Filippone said. "We're going to be a Class M before you know it and he's worried how we're going to play five Class LL schools a year and be successful. I know that nobody wants to hear that sob story.
"But I think the SCC would benefit from it," Filippone said. "Our schedule would still be very competitive, and we'd bringing in some good teams such as Newtown, Masuk, Brookfield. Those guys would definitely add to the quality of the league.
"I personally think it has merit," Filippone said. "I think it's great and would be great for football. I think (Semple) is on to something here."
The thinking, per sources in each league, is that if the ECC, SCC and SWC combine, other coaches and administrators would push for district model scheduling statewide.
"At this point, I don't think the five 'Division I' schools in the ECC have other options," Buonocore said. "I can't see us surviving with six or seven games provided by the league. The same issues ECC schools have are being felt by many other schools throughout the state. It's just that ours have been very public. In the sport of football, league models aren't working anymore."
m.dimauro@theday.com
Twitter: @BCgenius
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