ECC Division I

East Lyme

Coach: Rudy Bagos (10th season)

Key returnees: Sr. OL-DL Zach Bednarz; Sr. WR-DB Colin Bunkley; Sr. OL-LB Ben Glover; Sr. FB-DE Jackson Hart; Sr. OL-LB Ben Kelley; Sr. FB-LB Jack Kelly; Sr. OL-DL Jackson Lin; Sr. QB-DB Nick Maksim; Sr. WR-DB Jack Mauri; Sr. WR-DB Tom McCormack; Sr. WR-LB Noah Poulin; Sr. RB-LB Thabian Rialey; Jr. FB-DT Noah Edwards; Jr. FB-LB Malachi Harris; Jr. WR-S Matt Leone; Jr. QB Ronin McNamara; Jr. C-LB Bryce Manwaring; Jr. RB-DB Aidan Patterson; Jr. OL-DL Brendan Pennington; Soph. OL-DL Syrus Sistare; Soph. WR-DB Greg Paige; Soph. OL-DL Adam Sheriff; Soph. OL-DL Tom Matlock.

Top newcomers: Sr. WR-DB Drew Beckham; Sr. OL-DE David Day; Sr. OL-LB Quinn Killoy; Sr. OL-DL Chris Munzer; Sr. WR-DB Will Potopowitz; Sr. OL-DL Scott Quelle; Sr. WR-DB Joe Wainwright; Jr. WR-DB Alex Dreyfus; Jr. WR-DB Niall Green; Soph. OL-DL Jon Harms; Soph, WR-DB Oliver Hibbard.

Outlook: The Vikings were hit hard with graduation, losing talent and toughness in quarterback Will Anglin and running back Rowan Mundell. Bagos is excited that his team returns most of its offensive line and said “the key will be how a young backfield and defense develops.”

Fitch

Coach: Mike Ellis (8th season)

Key returnees: Sr. RB-DB Charles Cabusao; Jr. OL-DL Gianni Drab; Jr. RB-DB Adonis Fine; Jr. RB-DB Zayshawn Griffin; Sr. RB-DB Melakai Maddox; Sr. RB-DB Naszier Matthews; Jr. WR-LB Calvin McCoy III; Sr. OL-LB Skyler Noland; Jr. QB-DB Ben Perry; Sr. RB-LB Kevin Saintvil-Ravix.

Top newcomers: Sr. OL-LB Pedro Torres; Jr. OL-DL Dylan Beebe; Jr. OL-D: Thomas Frasier; Jr. OL-DL Ryan Obregon; Jr. OL-DL Chris Gregor; Soph. OL-DL Kavonni Daniels; Sr. WR-DB Jadiel Torres; Jr. WR-DB TJ Miller; Jr. WR-DB Jhonny Sosa; Jr. RB-LB Jesse Torruella-Hudson; Jr. RB-LB Will Vieu; Soph. QB-LB Peyton Green; Soph. RB-LB Zyree Williams-Brown; Fr. QB-DB Raheem Carter.

Outlook: Fitch graduated 22 seniors (13 starters) leaving only Cabusao, Drab, Maddox, Noland and Perry with varsity experience. Ellis said Saintvil-Ravix, Fine, Griffin and Matthews “will be important pieces if the team wants to be successful this year.” He added that younger players will need to mature for the Falcons to have a winning season.

NFA

Coach: Erik Larka (1st season)

Key returnees: Sr. QB Colby Ayuyu; Jr. RB-DB Talon Amado; Sr. OL Caleb Beetle; Sr. OL-DL DaAndre Ducael; Sr. RB-LB Jake Kenney; Sr. LB Hunter Landen; Sr. OL-DL Jancarlos Malave.

Top newcomers: Jr. TE-DE Gage Hinkley; Jr. WR Conor Gaughan; Sr. WR-DB Sayvion Jones; Sr. WR-DB Davon Mosley; Jr. WR-DB Jeremiah Paul.

Outlook: Larka, who led Bacon Academy to a division title and the program’s second playoff appearance in 2015, takes over for Jason Bakoulis after his several successful seasons. Ayuyu returns at quarterback in a program that normally plays the ECC’s toughest schedule. “We’re looking to build on last season and continue to grow the great tradition of football at NFA,” Larka said. “We have a lot of talent at the WR, RB and DB positions.”

Note: Division I includes Woodstock Academy.

ECC Division II

Bacon Academy

Coach: Bill Chaffin (1st season)

Key returnees: Sr. QB Jack Holmes; Sr. RB-LB Aidan Fritz; Sr. TE-LB Aiden Holt; Sr. OL-DL Zach Perrault; Jr. OL-DL Kevin Claffey; Jr. WR-DB Avatar Disher; Jr. WR-DB Brady Gould.

Top newcomers: Jr. K-WR-DB Jace King.

Outlook: Chaffin comes to Bacon after a stint as an assistant coach at Xavier. He inherits a program that was winless last season and had to forfeit its last three games because of off-field issues. But a new day is here. “This is a team that has put in the work all offseason to improve themselves, both on the field and off the field,” Chaffin said. “They are motivated by the opportunity to the redefine the culture and perceptions on the Bacon Academy football program.”

Ledyard

Coach: Mike Serricchio (3rd season)

Key returnees: Sr. HB-DB James Green; Sr. QB-LB Jackson Poulton; St. HB-LB Jacob Lenz; Sr. OL-DL Matt Tebbets; Sr. OL-DL Ben Rusczyk.

Top newcomers: Jr. FB-LB Brian Johnson; Jr. FB-LB Calvin Casavant.

Outlook: Serricchio is optimistic about the season, despite losing several starters to graduation or transfer. Green was an all-state player last year and is among the fastest players in the league. Poulton, Tebbets and Rusczyk are all-league caliber. “We will rely on our speed and experience at the skill positions on both sides of the ball,” Serricchio said.

New London

Coach: Johnny Burns (4th season)

Key returnees: Sr. OT-DT Cortlin Jones; Sr. LB-RB DyShawn Mooney; Sr. RB-DE Johnny Burns III; Sr. LB-RB Marvelt Fleurijeune; Jr. QB-DB Christian Irizarry; Jr. OL-DL Jeeferson Bernadeau; Jr. DE-RB Kyle Parkes; Jr. DB-WR Derek Burres; Sr. DT-OG Xzarion Cluff; Jr. WR-DB Zuri Craig; Jr. LB-RB Kyntrel Dessources; Sr. OG-LB Travon Smith; Jr. DT-OT Stephon Louis-Jean; Jr. WR-S John Mancuso; Soph. WR-S Jaidyn Montes; Sr. LB-RB Kanye Nance; Jr. LB-TE Jose Rivera; Jr. LB-WR Trevin Robledo-Thompson; Sr. DE-OG Danian Rodriguez; Jr. OG-LB Joshua Blanding.

Top newcomers: Soph. DB-WR Tyree Barnes; Soph. OG-DT Joovens Belair; Jr. LB-RB Jaden Benitez; Soph. DB-WR Antonio Carmona; Fr. C-DT Cristian Delacruz Jr; Soph. C-DT Javon Ford; Sr. OT-DT Immanuel Goode; Sr. WR-S Jamel Hayslett; Soph. OL-DL Klayphmond Jean; Soph. RB-LB Christopher Jones; Jr. DE-TE Kaleb McCalla; Jr. OT-DT Yansiel Ocasio.

Outlook: The Whalers return 11 starters to a team that lost quality players in Josiah Williams and Mustapha Dannett (now playing at Vanderbilt), among others. Burns likes his team’s athleticism and what he called a “sturdy offensive line.” Burns said “many of our players are rookies to varsity play — and the faster they get acclimated, the better our chances at success.”

Waterford

Coach: Zeth Nolda (2nd season)

Key returnees: QB Nate Hynes, OL-DL Sagar Sharma, OL-LB Chandler Metivier, OL-DL Gian Spera, OL-DL Yank Fabuary, WR-DB C.J. Landry, RB-LB Devon Powers, OL-DL Will Rivers, RB-DB Alex Hightower, WR-DB Derek Rivera, LB Nate DePerry, LB-WR Matt Ugucionni.

Top newcomers: WR-DB Jax Higgins, WR-DB Noah Westkott, RB-LB Brady Sutman, WR-DB Quinn Speller, WR Brady Wenc, WR Will Campbell, OL Cole Kempke, OL Tristan Beltran, DB-WR Rhys Tickner.

Outlook: The Lancers won three of their final four games to finish 4-6 a year ago, and Nolda expects Waterford to carry the momentum from that strong finish into this season.Waterford did suffer some key losses up front and at the receiving positions, but Hynes returns at quarterback and Spera was an ECC Division II All-Star. Nolda is confident the Lancers will compete for a division title and a state playoff bid.

Note: Division II includes Windham.

ECC Division III

Griswold

Coach: Gregg Wilcox (21st season)

Key returnees: Sr. OT-DT Danny Sims; Sr. C-DE Liam Gervais; Sr. TE-LB Logan Davis; JR. TE-LB Aiden Peltier; Jr. WR-CB KinKade Rubino; Jr. WR-CB Kiyle Montigny; Soph. QB Luke Cassidy; Soph. RB-LB Josh Turner; Jr. OG-LB Tyler Skowron; Soph. QB-WR-CB Chase Spurley.

Top newcomers: Sr. OT-DT Aiden Rourke; Jr. RB-LB Gabe Dosithee; Jr. OG-LB Sam Martin; Soph. OL-DL Ben Lewis; Jr. TE-DE Jacob Hamel; Jr. LB-RB Aannin Kalwara; Jr. WR-DE Deondre Bransford; Soph. RB-LB Dean Menzano; Soph. WR-DB Brenden Hopkins; Fr. RB-CB Aaden Cutter; Fr. RB-CB Nick Watters.

Outlook: At least two notable Griswold residents will be playing key contributors at other schools this fall, leaving Wilcox “young again, with our skill positions filled by underclassmen.” The good news: Wilcox says his roster size is on the rise with the addition of 13 freshmen.

Montville

Coach: Tanner Grove (17th season)

Key returnees: Sr. OL-DL Kyle Hager; Sr. WR Isaiah Balancier; Sr. WR-DE Andrew Wright; Sr. WR-DB Cole Terni; Sr. QB Tyler Ladia; Sr. OL-LB Will Klinefelter; Sr. RB-LB Julian Olmo; Jr. TE-LB Jack Bubucis; Jr. RB-LB-K Cole Terni; Soph. OL-FB-LB Hector Aponte.

Top newcomers: Sr. OL-DL Seth Trotochaud; Sr. OL-DL Jayven Williams; Sr. DL Quinten DeShong; Jr. RB-LB Colin Wahl; Jr. OL-DE Kayden Brown; Jr. OL-DL Armani Patterson; Jr. QB-WR-DB Jayden Sherwood; Soph. WR-DB Darien Sherwood; Soph. QB-DB Aidan Johnson; Soph. WR-DB Arian Castillo; Soph. WR-DB Dante Crisman; Soph. WR Ky Bossa; Soph. RB-DB Adrian Adames.

Outlook: Grove says the “2022 Montville football team is happy to be whole again,” following some troubled recent seasons. The offense will lean on Ladia or Johnson at quarterback and Balancier, Barbuto and Olmo to generate points. Olmo, Bubucis, Hager and Aponte lead a linebacker corps while Klinefelter, Brown, Hager and Terni will play on a defensive line that hopes to make defense a strength again.

Stonington

Coach: AJ Massengale (19th season)

Key returnees: Sr. WR Josiah Blackman; Sr. RB Will French; Sr. DE Jackson Hayes; Sr. LB Ben Massengale; Soph. LB Patrick McGugan; Sr. WR Brady Mullen; Sr. WR Jack Scahill.

Top newcomers: Jr. OL Zach Anderson; Sr. OL Brandon Bull; Soph. QB Jayden Carter; Sr. DB Noah Christina; Jr. OL Burt Corley; Soph. DB Finn Eck; Sr. DB Quinn Felderman; Sr. LB Lance Goddard; Soph. OL Alex Hatch; Fr. OL Ethan Greene; Jr. OL Julian Keena; Soph. DB Cooper Light; Jr. DB Nathan Mahoney; Jr. LB Ethan Mahoney; Soph. RB Max Massengale; Jr. QB Will McCann; Jr. LB Justin Norton; Jr. WR Cole Phelan; Jr. LB Dominic Ritacco; Jr. LB Justin Rodriguez; Jr. WR Robbie Scavello; Sr. DB Aidan Schrage; Jr. OL Ethan Torres; Jr. DB Wyatt Verbridge; Jr. WR Charlie Worsdale; Jr. WR Andrew Whitman.

Outlook: The Bears had a winning season in 2021, perhaps providing a springboard into future success. Massengale said “we will have many players seeing their first varsity action this season so we will be a work in progress,” although Ben Massengale and McGugan are a solid start at linebacker.

Note: Division III includes Killingly and Weaver.

Others

Thames River

Coach: Craig Sylvester (2rd season)

Key returnees: Sr. RB-LB Seth Cunningham; Sr. OL Patrick Daley Jr.; Sr. DL-OL David Clangl Sr. DL-OL Jayden Fasion; Sr. LB Rocco Cinelli; Sr. WR-LB Kalab Delmastro; Sr. LB-RB Jayden Kirkwood; Jr. WR-CB Xavier Jackson; Jr. WR-CB Matt Pero; Soph. QB-S Jack Philistin.

Top newcomers: Sr. DL-RB Ryan Outlow; Jr. QB-S Justin Outlow; Jr. WR-LB Jonah Eddy; Soph. DL-WR Anthony Sanacroce.

Outlook: The Crusaders, despite losing All-Area quarterback Jake Brenek and four other key starters, have a chance to contend again in 2022. Cunningham, the reigning Day Player of the Year, headlines the returnees while Ryan Outlow, Justin Outlow and Eddy transferred from Ledyard (but must sit out part of the season because of CIAC transfer rules.) Still, this is a talented team. “With the returning upperclassmen who know what needs to be done, I'm very excited to see how the new staff and players adapt into the program,” Sylvester said.

Valley Regional/Old Lyme

Coach: Hill Gbunblee (2nd season)

Key returnees: Sr. WR-DB Di'Angelo Jean-Pierre; Sr. WR-DB Nick Cox; Sr. RB-LB Jake Rand; Sr. OL-DL Adam Metz; Sr. OL-DL Sam Bourez; Sr. LB-OL Joe Montazela; Sr. WR-DB Andrew Yermenson; Sr. WR-DB Michael Galberth; Sr. LB Ford MacAdams.

Top newcomers: Jr. QB Grady Lacourciere; Soph. DE-FB Max Novak; Soph. DB-WR Tommy Troy; Soph. LB Matt Cooper.

Outlook: This is Gbunblee’s second season with the Warriors, having assumed the successful program from longtime coach Tim King. Jean-Pierre is among the most explosive players in the Pequot Conference. Gbunblee called this a “strong and hungry senior group with key contributions from underclassmen.”