By Mike Pucci, Register staff
mpucci@nhregister.com
@MikePucciNHR

Ansonia football captains (left to right), Jake LaRovera, Hakeem Martin, Tyler Wood and Elliot Chudwick are photographed at Nolan Field in Ansonia on 9/27/2011. Photo by Arnold Gold/New Haven Register AG0425D

On paper, this year’s Ansonia vs. Derby football game could be a carbon copy of last season’s contest.

Last year, Ansonia rallied from a 13-point halftime deficit and emerged with a thrilling 33-32 victory over its rivals in a game dominated by the offenses.

The Chargers return a veteran and imposing offensive line, electric sophomore running back Arkeel Newsome and several other talented skill players.

Derby, meanwhile, counters with senior quarterback Ray Kreiger and receivers Brian Dobek, Tim Adanti and Dillon McMahon (questionable for the contest due to a bruised tailbone).

Both teams, though, learned valuable lessons from last year, mainly in how to defend the other.

While both remain explosive offensively, there’s reason to believe that defense could play a more significant role Friday when the teams kick off at 7 at DeFilippo Field in Derby in a Naugatuck Valley League Brass Division tilt.

Read the full story here.

Week 3 Predictions