Condors developing O'Brien Tech pride in program's second year

By Mike Pucci, Register Staff
mpucci@nhregister.com / Twitter: @MikePucciNHR

Emmet O'Brien Tech football players (left to right) Joe Fernandes, Steven Sabanski, Nick Coppola, Paul Makinano and Matt Gomulinski are photographed at the school in Ansonia on 8/31/2012. Photo by Arnold Gold/New Haven Register AG0461B

ANSONIA — The O’Brien Tech players are confident, enthusiastic and, most importantly, proud as the Condors begin Year 2 as a varsity football program.

O’Brien Tech went 3-7 last season, the school’s first as a solo program after a co-op with Derby was disbanded after three seasons.

There will again be several challenges for the Condors: lack of suitable facilities and resources, an inexperienced roster and a new head coach, Nick Aprea, who takes over for Ken Roberts, who stepped down after one season.

But there’s several encouraging signs. Aprea says there’s about 40 players at summer camp and most are underclassmen.