The Lonesome Polecat (state variant): Ansonia's defense and other words
Seymour tried to run a pass play with 24.2 seconds left in the first half of last Thursday’s game and the ball at its own 41-yard line. It already trailed Ansonia by 26 points, so why not take a shot.
Quarterback Caden Drezek dropped back and was quickly sacked by Jhani Barge for an 11-yard loss.
The Wildcats opted not to run another play before halftime.
Ansonia's defense had Seymour on its heels for much of its 33-8 rout and seemed to get stronger as the game went on.
The Wildcats (4-1) had averaged 42.5 points and has multiple threats.
“I think they played really hard playing good, solid football,” Chargers head coach Tom Brockett said about his defense. “We played some good defense against a good team tonight that was a great challenge for us. That quarterback can hurt you. They’ve got those two big tight ends that presented a lot of problems. Those kids can do a lot of things. Those were some big bodies over there.”
Barge had an interception on the second play of the game for the Chargers (6-0). Five plays later, Darell McKnight ran for a 45-yard touchdown, the first of four.
Ansonia's Shawn Richards recovered a fumble at the its own 25 to disrupt Seymour’s second drive.
The Chargers ended the Wildcats' next drive with a turnover on downs. Seymour had fourth-and-2 from the Ansonia 15 but came up a yard short.
Seymour drove to the Chargers’ 19-yard line on its first drive of the second half but were once again turned over on downs.
Ansonia blitzed the majority of the game and forced Drezek to either scramble or throw too soon. Damon Wooten combined on one sack with Richards and another with Charles Bestman.
“We’re always going to blitz,” Brockett said. “We try to change the looks up to give them something different. It was 100 percent (blitzing) which we do sometimes but we most certainly brought plenty of pressure.”
“It’s kind of our belief. It’s like running the football, running play action. It’s kind of what we do. We believe in it. We think it’s sound. Hopefully the kids get better at it each week.”
Practicing multiple times a week against McKnight and a physical offense every day at practice forces Ansonia’s defense to be tough. McKnight ran 23 times for 258 yards.
“Going up against him every day, it’s a challenge,” Chargers senior co-captain Carlos Pinto said. “We always challenge ourselves. We challenge each other even at practice, even in the game.”
Ansonia’s offense has revolved around its lead back ever since Brockett took over for the late, great Jack Hunt.
McKnight, a converted receiver, has made himself into the focal point of the Chargers' offense and had two of the biggest plays in the first half.
Seymour had just turned it over on downs at the Ansonia 19. On the next play, McKnight ran off tackle and down the Chargers' sideline for a touchdown. Machi Ingram's conversion gave Ansonia 14-0 lead with 7 minutes, 28 seconds left in the first half.
The Chargers had a second-and-9 from the Wildcats 33 on its next drive when McKnight threw a halfback option pass to a wide-open Ingram for 29 yards.
McKnight ran for a 4-yard touchdown on the next play to push the Chargers’ lead to 20-0 with 4:15 remaining in the half.
Again, McKnight is a converted receiver.
“I think he enjoys it (being the lead back),” Brockett said. “I think it’s important to him. When you see him running hard, not going out-of-bounds, lowering his shoulder and trying to get a couple of extra yards, that’s what the great Ansonia backs do.”
Thursday was Brockett’s 176th career win to move him ahead of the legendary Charles “Boots” Jarvis as the program’s second-winningest coach.
Hunt, Brockett’s mentor, holds the record (193).
Brockett has only lost 13 games over 15 seasons and has the greatest winning percentage in state history according to the Connecticut High School Football Record Book (.931). The Chargers have won six of their state-record 20 CIAC titles with him in charge.
Last Thursday was also Ansonia’s 101st consecutive win in the Naugatuck Valley League, which is has long ruled. Its last league loss was to longtime rival Naugatuck on Thanksgiving Day of 2010 (38-20, Nov. 25).
• • • •
And now, a review of other wacky games from Week 7:
No. 1 St. Joseph 17, No. 4 Ridgefield 14
Matt Morrissey threw a go-ahead 5-yard touchdown pass to Brendan Arroyo with 4:35 remaining as the Cadets extended their winning streak to 29 games.
Dhallas Morgan iced the game with a late interception inside the Cadets’ 10-yard line.
Morrissey completed 20 of 31 passes for 223 yards and two touchdowns, Anthony Greco had 10 catches for 85 yards and Brandon Hutchinson added five catches for 86 yards and a score for the Cadets (6-0).
St. Joseph (6-0), in successive weeks, has knocked off two Top 10 teams (it beat Greenwich, 24-20, on Oct. 16).
Up next for the Cadets — second-ranked Darien (6-0) on Saturday. YAY.
Justin Keller completed 27 of 51 passes for 275 yards with two touchdowns for the Tigers (4-2).
Note that Ridgefield’s other loss was to another Top 10 team (Greenwich, 42-34, Sept. 18).
SURPRISE~!
Michael Cooper nailed a 32-yard field goal with 8.9 seconds left to give the Warriors their first victory over the Rams since 1995, a time where people had to use pay phones on the street and lived without the Internet like animals.
Cooper, by the way, formerly played soccer but decided to play football this season. A wise choice.
In retrospect, perhaps we should've all taken Wilton's game against Darien in Week 6 as a warning as it gave the Blue Wave fits for over three quarters before they scored 21 unanswered points to pull away for a 56-36 win.
Grant Masterson completed 20 of 33 passes for 260 yards and a touchdown and ran 15 times for 47 yards and a score for the Warriors (4-2). Parker Woodring had nine catches for 129 yards and also had seven tackles (six solo).
Henry Cunney completed 18 of 34 passes for 214 yards and two scores for the Rams (5-1) and Chad Russo had 11 tackles including one, two, three sacks.
Mentioned last week that Hall (6-0) has had knack for being in shootouts and — VIOLA — it was again last Friday.
Leo Perreira ran for a 6-yard touchdown with 4:25 left to give the Warriors their first-and-only lead.
Hall trailed by 10 late in the third quarter. It has won by scores of 46-42 (East Hartford, Sept. 13), 29-26 (and scored the go-ahead touchdown with 10 seconds left against Fairfield Warde, Sept. 24) and Platt (39-38, Oct. 15). The Warriors also trailed Platt by 10 points twice and took its only lead, 39-38, with 5:11 remaining in that game.
Eli Salomons completed 17 of 25 passes for 245 yards and two touchdowns and ran for another for Hall and Perreira ran 32 times for 157 yards and a score. Matt Farber added nine catches for 128 yards and a touchdown and had an interception with 1:18 left to ice the game and Sal Bakri and Jake Long each had seven tackles.
Hall hosts Maloney on Nov. 5 in what will be a must-see game. More on Maloney momentarily.
Lorenzo Miele completed 10 of 17 passes for 171 yards with two touchdowns, Jamie Palmese had three catches for 67 yards and Jonjon Morales caught four passes for 41 yards and a score for the Redcoats (3-3). Will Gomes and Jon D’Amore each added 16 tackles (13 solo each).
A quick review — Shelton beat Greenwich (35-14, Sept. 24), Trumbull beat Shelton (41-7, Oct. 1) and Greenwich beat Trumbull. Voting in the Top 10 poll is harder than you think.
Jack Wilson completed 11 of 23 passes for 264 yards and two touchdowns and ran nine times for 49 yards and a score for the Cardinals (4-2). James Babb added four receptions for 147 yards and two scores and John Scarlata had eight tackles (seven solo) and scored on a 55-yard interception return.
Rhodia Perry threw a game-winning 27-yard touchdown pass to Cam'ron Sinvil (his only reception of the night) with 38.3 seconds left and followed that up with a game-ending interception in the end zone as the Whalers won a thriller last Friday.
On New London's eight-play, 80-yard game-winning drive, Lio Griffin Hill had 2 carries for 18 yards while Perry was 2-for-3 passing for 37 yards and ran three times for 21 yards.
The Whalers got to the Waterford 40 on a facemask penalty, then had first-and-18 on the Waterford 48 after a hold. Perry got it to the 28 on a 20-yard quarterback draw before throwing the go-ahead touchdown pass.
Waterford responded as Nate Hynes, on second down, threw three straight completions, one for 18 yards to Ayden Bousquet to the 50 and another to Justin Saad for 11 to the 39.
The Lancers called timeout with 8.8 seconds left and ran another offensive play with Hynes hooking up with Mason Concascia for eight yards.
Waterford called another timeout with 3.9 seconds remaining. Hynes threw a jump ball into the end zone and Perry intercepted it for quite the crazy ending.
Perry, in his first start at quarterback, completed 8 of 12 passes for 93 yards with three touchdowns and an interception for New London (3-2) and Griffin-Hill had 15 carries for 107 yards and a touchdown. Jonathon Mercado also had six catches for 61 yards and a score.
Hynes completed 17 of 33 passes for 177 yards and two touchdowns and ran 13 times for 70 yards and a score and Jordan Elci and Concascia (seven catches, 56 yards) each caught a touchdown pass
(Thanks to TEAMDAY~! member Vickie Fulkerson for all the intel on this game).
Noteworthy because the only other teams that have beaten (and beaten up) Xavier are both ranked in the Top 10 — Ridgefield (28-7, Sept. 24) and St. Joseph (42-7, Oct. 2).
Wasn’t that long ago that Xavier was ranked in the Top 10, too.
The Spartans (5-1) scored on all five of their first-half possessions. Angel Arce completed 14 of 17 passes for 226 yards with five touchdowns. Tylee Flowers caught two of those TDs (45 and 39 yards).
The Panthers rallied from a 14-point halftime deficit and won on a two-point conversion last Friday one week after Hall converted a conversion to beat them by a point.
Avery Robinson threw a conversion pass to Vittorio Church for the win.
Robinson completed 11 of 21 passes for 149 yards and a touchdown for the Panthers (4-2) while younger brother Amari ran 25 times for 174 yards and two touchdowns.
Notre Dame-West Haven 54, Masuk 35
This is where we ask the near weekly question — WHY anyone would want to be a defensive coordinator nowadays other than vile self-loathing?
Jacob Stanton ran 33 times for 199 yards and four touchdowns for the Green Knights (3-3) while Matt Piechota completed 15 of 22 passes for 244 yards and two touchdowns and ran 11 times for 60 yards and two scores.
Nick Saccu ran 12 times for 234 yards and two scores for the Panthers (4-2).
We saved the weekend’s most absurd game for last (no, the ND-Masuk game didn’t come close):
Bristol Central 68, Tolland 50
What in the blankity blank-blank happened here?
The teams' combined 118 points puts it in a four-way tie for the 11th-most in a game in state high school history, according to the Connecticut High School Football Record Book.
UConn-bound Victor Rosa also earned himself a place in the Record Book as he ran 25 times for FOUR HUNDRED AND SIX YARDS and EIGHT TOUCHDOWNS for Central (5-1). He added a conversion run because why not he did everything else.
Rosa’s eight touchdowns puts him in a five-way tie for the third-most in a game and his rushing yardage places him 18th.
Rosa’s rushing yardage is only third-best in Central history because Tim Washington used to put up absurd numbers on the reg at the turn of the millennium.
Tre Blair added nine carries for 107 yards and a score for the Rams.
Nathan Bowes completed 17 of 37 passes for 209 yards and three touchdowns and an interception and ran 12 times for 59 yards and three touchdowns for the Eagles.
• • • •
Darien-St. Joseph is the main event this weekend but there are many other games that should make Week 8 one of the best yet.
Thames River (6-0) at Cheney Tech (5-1), Friday, 6 p.m.: Thames is one of two unbeaten teams in the Connecticut Technical Conference (Quinebaug Valley is the other). The game lost a little shine when the Beavers were upset by the Abbott Tech/Immaculate co-op last Friday, 7-6. They’ve allowed a conference-low 33 points.
Coginchaug/Hale-Ray/East Hampton (5-1) at Rockville (4-1), Friday, 6:30 p.m.: Rockville has won four in a row, including hammering the Granby/Canton co-op last Friday, 42-0. The DEVILNOISERINGERS had allowed just 21 points before Morgan took it apart last Friday, 50-20.
Platt (4-2, 3-1 CCC Tier 2) at Windsor (5-1, 3-0), Friday, 7 p.m.: Windsor is the only unbeaten left in the ultra-competitive CCC Tier 2. Platt proved against Hall that it can hang with the state’s top teams.
Staples (4-2) at Norwalk (5-1), Friday, 7 p.m.: The winner screws up the loser’s standing in the CIAC Class LL rankings. Norwalk is sixth and the Wreckers 11th.
Holy Cross (5-1) at Naugatuck (4-1), Friday, 7 p.m.: Two of the NVL’s top teams hook it up.
Newtown (4-2) at Shelton (5-1), Friday, 7 p.m.: This Friday’s marquee game. Only the state’s best teams have taken down Newtown. The Gaels, as mentioned before, ran down Greenwich.
New Fairfield (6-0, 3-0 SWC) at Masuk (4-2, 3-0), Friday, 7 p.m.: The Rebels are the only unbeaten left in the SWC but haven’t played a team of Masuk’s caliber.
Notre Dame-West Haven (3-3) at West Haven (5-1), Friday, 7 p.m.: The annual West Haven turf battle is always intense.
Darien at St. Joseph, Saturday, 1:30 p.m.: No hype necessary.
Ridgefield at Wilton, Saturday, 2 p.m.: The second of the FCIAC's big three games this Saturday. It’s too bad this game is going on about the same time as Darien-St. Joe's.
New Canaan at Greenwich, Saturday, 3 p.m.: New Canaan head coach Lou Marinelli quipped after last Saturday's loss that the FCIAC should take its big three and turn it into a tripleheader at Boyle Stadium, the league's unofficial home office. It's not going to happen because Stamford host Fairfield Ludlowe at noon but, hey, it's a swell fantasy.
• • • •
Behold, The Day's Top 10 state coaches’ poll: 1. St. Joseph (10 first-place votes); 2. Darien (three first-place votes); 3. Greenwich; 4. Hall; 5. Ridgefield; 6. Fairfield Prep (5-1); 7. New Canaan; 8. Norwalk (5-1); 9. Shelton (5-1); 10. Southington (5-1).
Shelton jumping up three spots to ninth was unexpected, pushing Southington down one spot and forcing Ansonia (6-0) out of the Top 10 even though it earned more points from voters than it did last week. Perhaps voters, after moving Greenwich up three spots, decided to give the Gaels' credit for routing the latter earlier in the season.
We mentioned earlier how confusing it is to be a voter this season. Here's another example — Amity beat Branford (21-0, Sept. 10), which beat Notre Dame of West Haven (15-12, Sept. 24), which beat Wilton (36-35 in OT, Oct. 1), which beat New Canaan, which beat Norwalk (17-14, Oct. 17), which beat Cheshire (25-15, Oct. 2), which beat Staples (42-14, Sept. 24), which beat Trumbull (27-20, Sept. 10), which beat Shelton, which beat Amity (14-0, Sept. 17).
You dizzy yet?
• • • •
The GameTimeCT/New Haven Register/Hearst Inc. Monolith Top 10 media poll: 1. Darien (16 first-place votes); 2. St. Joseph (six first-place votes); 3. Greenwich; 4. Hall; 5. Fairfield Prep; 6. New Canaan; 7. Ridgefield; 8. Norwalk; 9. Shelton; 10. Killingly.
Killingly is 15th in the coaches’ poll.
Southington was 11th in the media poll.
• • • •
Ned Freeman’s cold, calculating computer rankings for CalPreps.com: 1. St. Joseph; 2. Darien; 3. Greenwich; 4. Shelton; 5. Fairfield Prep; 6. Hall; 7. Ridgefield; 8. Maloney; 9. Southington (note that it beat Maloney, 13-7, in Week 1); 10. Windsor (5-1).
The computer ranked New Canaan No. 12, Norwalk No. 15 and Killingly No. 27 (the latter's schedule is dragging it down).
The coaches ranked Maloney No. 13 and Windsor No. 16.
The media ranked Maloney No. 14 and Windsor No. 17.
Greenwich has usurped Hand for having the state’s toughest schedule. The Cardinals and St. Joseph are the only teams that have beaten two current Top 10 teams — they edged both Ridgefield (42-34, Sept. 18) and Fairfield Prep (14-7, Oct. 2). The Cardinals' opponents are a combined 24-11.
• • • •
Dig the ballot Polecat HQ filed for the aforementioned media poll:
1. St. Joseph
2. Darien
3. Greenwich: We might feel odd voting a 4-2 team third if it weren't for the fact that the coaches did, too.
4. Ridgefield: We might feel odd voting a 4-2 team fourth if it weren't for the fact that the coaches voted it fifth.
5. Shelton
6. Fairfield Prep
7. New Canaan
8. Norwalk
9. Hall
10. Southington
11. Maloney: That was quite the win over Xavier.
12. Newtown: The defending Class LL champs have routed their last two opponents after losing back-to-back games to Darien (27-14, Sept. 24) and Ridgefield (10-7, Oct. 1).
13. Windsor: Keep an eye on it as it plays back-to-back games against Platt (Friday) and Berlin (Nov. 5).
14. Wilton: We were conflicted whether-or-not to vote for it. On one hand, it went on the road and took down New Canaan and gave Darien hell for over three quarters. On the other hand, it lost to Notre Dame of West Haven in overtime, 36-35, Oct. 1. ND might be one of the best teams in Class M but its 3-3 (its loss to Branford still has us scratching our heads). Ultimately, we used CalPreps as the tiebreaker, it ranked it No. 14 and we followed the computer’s lead. The downside was that it forced Killingly off our ballot having previously ranked it No. 15. Nothing personal, Team RPO (RUN PEOPLE OVER) and we love your style.
15. Trumbull: Still giving it credit for mowing down Shelton despite being mowed down by Greenwich.
• • • •
TOP DUDES~!
A flock of WARHAWKS: Jakar Jenkins (seven tackles) and Howard Simpson (eight tackles) each had two of Bloomfield’s TEN sacks as it smashed Rocky Hill last Friday, 46-7. The WARHAWKS' 10 sacks are tied for ninth all-time in a game according to the Record Book. Dallas Rose ran 10 times for 255 yards and FIVE touchdowns for Bloomfield (6-0) and Conellius Patrick added 1.5 sacks.
Nate Armenato and Ryan Thompson, Staples: Thompson threw three touchdown passes, all in the first half of last Friday’s 54-0 mashing of Stamford. Armenato caught seven passes for 160 yards and two scores.
Antwonne Blue, Jaelen Somersall and Jermario Stephenson, Prince Tech: Blue ran 10 times for 111 yards and two touchdowns in last Saturday’s 28-0 win over O’Brien Tech. Somersall added 12 carries for two touchdowns for the Falcons (3-3) and Stephenson had six tackles, including two sacks.
Nathan Bodnar, Darren Gasperri and Joshua Morales, Woodland: Gasperri was an efficient 14 of 18 passing for 288 yards and four touchdowns in last Friday’s 42-7 win over Oxford. Bodnar caught six passes for 124 yards and two touchdowns for the Hawks (4-2) and Morales caught two touchdowns passes.
Jake Brenek and Jack Philistin, Thames River: Threw for 142 yards and two touchdowns as the Crusaders beat Platt Tech last Saturday, 18-6, to remain unbeaten. Philistin added two interceptions for Thames (6-0).
Colby Cables, Lewis Mills: Ran 12 times for 127 yards and two touchdowns, caught a 65-yard touchdown pass from Jack Stanislaw and had five tackles (including a sack) in last Friday’s 32-6 triumph over E.O. Smith. Now say “Colby Cables” five times fast.
Cameron Casey and Tabor Engle, Avon: Engle ran 23 times for 208 yards and two touchdowns and completed 4-of-11 passes for 84 yards and a score as the Falcons put down Farmington last Friday, 40-20, in the first meeting between town rivals in 16 years. Casey scored on runs of 13 and 7 yards for Avon (3-1).
Matthew Claps and William Moy, McMahon: Claps had 11 tackles (seven solo) including a sack as the Senators edged the Capital Prep/Achievement co-op last Friday, 14-8, for its first win of the season. Moy had 12 tackles (six solo).
Sean Clinkscales, Torrington: Ran 14 times for 140 yards and two touchdowns as the Raiders ran over Kennedy last Friday, 33-6. Torrington (4-2) ran for 40 times for 391 yards and five touchdowns and only attempted two passes. APPROVED. Also, GOD’S FATHER’S OFFENSE.
Syere Coleman, Zhyon Hobbs and Tanner Leo, Crosby: Leo threw for 255 yards and four touchdowns in last Friday’s 55-0 thrashing of Derby. Coleman caught two TD passes and returned a block for another for the Bulldogs and Hobbs had two sacks.
So many dudes from Darien: Miles Drake completed 21 of 33 passes for 271 yards and six touchdowns as the Blue Wave tuned up for its game this week by tuning up Fairfield Ludlowe last Friday, 50-27. Matthew Minicus caught 11 passes for 177 yards and FIVE touchdowns, the latter which ties him for third all-time in state history. Tighe Cummiskey ran 27 times for 199 yards and a score, Joe Cesare had seven tackles (five solo) and Cole Murphy had six tackles (three solo) including a sack, of course, because that’s been his thing.
Ethan Davis and Jackson Goetz, Woodstock Academy: Davis completed 11 of 12 passes for 188 yards and three touchdowns in the Centaurs’ 33-0 shutout of Bacon Academy on Saturday. Goetz caught six passes for 97 yards and two scores for Woodstock (5-1).
Michael Deitelbaum, Cayden Martin and Jacob Sanchez, Naugatuck: Deitelbaum ran 12 times for 69 yards and two touchdowns and scored on a 10-yard scoop-and-score in last Friday’s 34-12 win over Watertown. Martin blocked a punt and for Naugy (4-1) and Sanchez had two of his team’s six sacks. The Greyhounds ran 36 times for 301 yards and four scores. APPROVED.
Nick Demanche, Ryan McLaughlin and Theodore Lanham v. 3.0, Bunnell: Ran 21 times for 108 yards and two touchdowns and added nine tackles (five solo) including a sack in last Friday’s 17-14 win over Hamden. Demanche (six solo) and McLaughlin (five solo) each had 13 tackles for the Bulldogs (5-2).
Cam Edwards, Norwalk: Needed just six carries to rush for 73 yards and three touchdowns as the Bears trounced Bridgeport Central last Friday, 42-16.
Fairfield Prep: It ain’t easy preparing for the triple option if you haven’t played against it yet but the Jesuits' defense mastered it quickly as they blanked Fitch last Friday, 42-0. Prep (5-1) allowed just 104 yards, eight first downs, had three sacks and forced three turnovers. Tanner Langis led the way with seven tackles including a sack. Offensively, Connor Smith completed 10 of 17 passes for 183 yards and two touchdowns and ran seven times for 43 yards and two scores, Daniel Barnick ran 11 times for 88 yards and a touchdown and Jack Reiling had six catches for 90 yards and a score.
Alex Fratamico, Drew Nye and Nick Schmidt, Morgan: Drew Nye (the passing guy) completed 38 of 54 passes for 466 yards with seven touchdowns in last Friday’s 50-20 strafing of the Coginchaug/Hale-Ray/East Hampton co-op. His seven touchdowns and 38 completions ties him for third all-time in both categories, according to the Record Book. Fratamico caught 12 passes for 152 yards and two touchdowns for the Huskies (5-1) and Schmidt added four catches for 74 yards and two scores.
Gilbert/Northwestern/Housatonic: Things one can always count on from the Yellowjackets — those crazy white unis with red and yellow trim and its commitment to The Manly Discipline of the Running Arts. They ran 21 times for 290 yards and seven touchdowns in last Friday’s 56-14 rout of Amistad. Freddie Camp ran 10 times for 119 yards and four touchdowns and intercepted a pass for G/N/H (4-2) and Colby Sanden added four carries for 92 yards and two scores. The Yellowjackets also attempted just two passes. That’s one too many but nonetheless APPROVED.
Eric Gray, Andrew Jacobs and Dylan Magazu and Newtown: Magazu completed 12 of 19 passes for 179 yards and three touchdowns and scored on a 12-yard run as the Nighthawks downed Cheshire last Friday, 34-13. Gray had five catches for 41 yards and two touchdowns for Newtown (4-2) and Andrew Jacobs had six tackles and scored on a 3-yard run.
Matthew Hagerty and John Neider, Law: Neider completed 18 of 30 passes for 307 yards with four touchdowns and ran 13 times for 67 yards as the Lawmen hammered RHAM last Saturday, 40-14. Hagerty had five catches for 155 yards and two touchdowns.
The usual suspects at Hand: Ethan O’Brien ran 12 times for 194 yards and three touchdowns in last Friday’s 57-35 rout of East Lyme. Patch Flanagan completed 11 of 14 passes for 208 yards with three touchdowns and Seth Sweitzer caught five passes for 119 yards and two scores.
Ian Kamienski, Dom Langello and Mason Provencher, North Branford: Provencher completed 19 of 23 passes for 185 yards with two touchdowns and ran 10 times for 57 yards and a score as the Thunderbirds scored 14 unanswered fourth-quarter points to rally past Haddam-Killingworth last Friday, 28-27. Kamienski had seven catches for 62 yards and a touchdown for the Thunderbirds (2-3) and Langello added 12 tackles (seven solo).
Cameren Kemp, Amistad: Ran 21 times for 139 yards and two touchdowns in last Friday’s loss to the Gilbert/Northwestern/Housatonic co-op.
Killingly: Team RPO got a lot out of a little as it ran just 18 plays and scored 34 first-quarter points in last Friday 47-13 thumping of Montville. Soren Rief ran twice for 40 yards and two touchdowns and scored on a 21-yard interception return for Killingly (5-0) and Thomas Dreibholz completed 2 of 3 passes for 86 yards and two touchdowns (both to Nathan Keefe) and made five of seven extra points. Also, Noah Colangelo scored on a 36-yard interception return and Colby Lopes had a 25-yard scoop-and-score.
Thomas Leary, New Fairfield: Had 10 tackles with three sacks as the Rebels thumped Lyman Hall last Friday 42-6.
Thomas Ligi, Holy Cross: Had 17 carries for 137 yards and three touchdowns as the Crusaders took down Wilby last Thursday, 46-12.
Matt Lockavitch, Tyler Rich and Shane Santiago, Shelton: Rich ran 15 times for 86 yards and two touchdowns as the Gaels scored 28 unanswered points in last Friday’s 49-18 rout of Norwich Free Academy. Lockavitch had five solo tackles, including two sacks, and Santiago recovered two fumbles.
Dante and Dominic Mangiafico and Philip Vrakas, Ellington: Dante ran seven times for 75 yards and scored twice in the first three minutes of last Friday’s 21-14 win over the Stafford/East Granby/Somers coop. Dominic had 16 tackles (12 solo) for the Purple Knights (5-1) and Vrakas added 13 tackles (nine solo).
Jacob Marques, Northwest UNITED: Ran nine times for 145 yards and four touchdowns in last Friday’s 50-6 rout of the Wilcox Tech/Kaynor Tech co-op. The UNITED ran 33 times for 315 yards and five touchdowns. Nice.
Alex Marshall, Bristol Eastern: Makes his weekly appearance after running 27 times for 217 yards and four touchdowns in last Thursday’s 38-18 win over East Catholic.
Mark McLaughlin, Stafford/East Granby/Somers: Ran 20 times for 113 yards and threw two touchdown passes in the Ellington loss.
Amir Nakome and Deven Robinson, West Haven: Robinson ran 21 times for 156 yards and three touchdowns in last Friday’s 35-13 win over Hillhouse. Nakome added 15 carries for 128 yards and two scores for the Westies, who ran 59 times for 405 yards and five touchdowns. Lastly, their head coach Rich Boshea told Handsome Mike Madera of the GameTimeCT/Hearst Monolith, “We would like to pass the ball a little more, but sometimes you have to do what you are good at.” No, no you don’t want to pass more. Please stick to the running game now and forever more. Amen.
North Haven: Held Stratford to two first downs in the first half and one in the third quarter of last Friday’s 21-0 win. ... but you know the real reason why we listed North Haven — GOD’S FATHER’S OFFENSE. Matt Dodge ran 10 times for 46 yards and a touchdown, caught a 52-yard touchdown pass and threw a 25-yard touchdown pass for the Fighting Sagnellas. Oh, yeah — Dodge had six tackles, too. Adam Pandolfi had nine tackles (five solo) for North Haven, which ran a luscious 47 times for 25s9 yards.
Notre Dame-Fairfield: Jailon Denny completed 6 of 10 passes for 166 yards and two touchdowns and ran eight times for 74 yards and a score as the Lancers downed Foran last Friday, 56-30. Williamson ran 12 times for 109 yards and two touchdowns, Tayshawn Dixon had eight carries for 144 yards and a score and 12 tackles (nine solo) including a sack for ND (5-1) and Raijon Pettway ran eight times for 47 yards and two touchdowns and had 12 tackles (eight solo) with a sack. ALSO, Bailey Coleman had two catches for 65 yards and a touchdown, seven tackles and two interceptions.
Chace Petgrave and Colin Skene, Middletown: Skene completed 15 of 22 passes for 203 yards and three touchdowns in last Friday’s 25-6 win over New Britain. That’s a whole lot of throwing for a Sal Morello-coached team (we don’t like it). Petgrave added eight catches for 111 yards and three scores.
Rockville: Hason Green (64 yards) and Juneil Powell (62) scored the Rams’ first and last touchdowns, respectively, on interception returns in last Friday’s 42-0 rout of Granby/Canton. Amir Knighton had four carries for 104 yards (yes) and a touchdown, six tackles (including four sacks), Ashton Szrejna had 11 tackles and Matt Ryan threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to brother John and scored on 1-yard run for Rockville (4-1).
Danny Shaban, Barlow: Jeez — the junior ran six times for 157 yards and three touchdowns as the Falcons mowed down East Haven last Friday, 55-13. Barlow (4-2) ran 21 times for 400 yards and six touchdowns and attempted just three passes. We likey.
Sheehan: Dom DiNuzzo started at quarterback in place of an injured Paul Gorry and completed 10 of 15 passes for 169 yards and two touchdowns in last Friday’s 41-6 win over Harding.
Stonington: Dorian White caught a 31-yard pass, threw a 17-yard pass to Luke Lowry after starting quarterback Lucian Tedeschi was briefly knocked out of the game and ran for a 5-yard touchdown on the final drive of last Friday’s 14-13 thriller over Ledyard. Tedeschi threw an option pass to Patrick Obrey for the go-ahead two-point conversion. Patrick McGugan scored on a 37-yard interception return for the Bears (4-2).
Javon Thomas, Southington: Ran 16 times for 185 yards and four touchdowns as the Blue Knights mangled Manchester last Friday, 42-6.
Camyran Winder, Hamden: Had 12 tackles (seven solo) and caught three passes for 57 yards and a score in the loss to Bunnell.
The WARRIORCATS: James Marsden completed 13 of 19 passes for 273 yards and four touchdowns and had an interception on defense in Valley Regional/Old Lyme’s 35-0 win over CREC last Saturday. Di’Angelo Jean-Pierre had four catches for 160 yards and three touchdowns, Nick Cox had six catches for 104 yards and a score and Connor Lunz had eight tackles (six solo) including two sacks for VOL (2-3).
Windsor: Elijah Cromartie completed 13 of 27 passes for 234 yards and four touchdowns in last Friday’s 28-17 triumph over Simsbury. CHILLI White caught four passes for 143 yards and two touchdowns, Prince Samuels had 10 tackles (six solo) and caught a 28-yard touchdown pass and Jaion Williams had 10 tackles (eight solo) for the Warriors (5-1).
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Thanks for reading. More soon.
Adios….
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