Press release from the Walter Camp Football Foundation


Ansonia sophomore running back Arkeel Newsome was named the state Player of the Year at the High School “Breakfast of Champions” Saturday morning as part of the 45th annual Walter Camp Football Foundation weekend festivities.

Newsome rushed for 3,763 yards and 58 touchdowns and led the Chargers to the Class M state championship.

Newsome, the Register State Player of the Year, was nominated along with Masuk senior QB Casey Cochran and Hand senior WR Nick Vitale.


Hand's Steve Filippone was named the state Coach of the Year. Xavier's Sean Marinan and Ansonia's Tom Brockett were also nominated.

Filippone led the Tigers to a 13-0 record and the Class L title.

The 2011 Walter Camp All-Connecticut Team was also announced.

OFFENSE

QB: Casey Cochran (Masuk)

RB: Arkeel Newsome (Ansonia), Alex Manwaring (Ledyard)

WR: Aaron Berardino (Windsor), Nick Vitale (Daniel Hand)

TE: Ryan Murphy (Xavier)

OL: Rennick Bryan (Hillhouse) Hakeem Martin (Ansonia), Michael Money (Fairfield Warde), Dylan Vano (Ansonia). Austin Wezenski (Xavier)

DEFENSE

DL: Joe Demichele (Daniel Hand), Sean Marinan (Xavier), Cole Ormsby (Windsor), Ludovic Richardson (Notre Dame)

LB: Shane Nastahowski (Greenwich), Matt Walsh (Daniel Hand), Tyler Wood (Ansonia), Mark Zurlis (North Haven)

DB: Jawad Chisholm (Bunnell), Jimmy Fairfield-Sonn (Valley Regional), Brenden Lytton (Torrington). Ryan Jacobucci (Xavier)

SPECIAL TEAMS

Kicker: Matt Paola (Pomperaug)

Punter: Jon Heil (Staples)

Returner: Kyle McKinnon (New London), Thomas Milone (Masuk)

Several Milford Academy football players, including former Ansonia standout Montrell Dobbs, recently decided on their college destinations.

Dobbs, a running back and the 2010 Register All-State player of the year, will attend Temple, Milford Academy coach Bill Chaplick confirmed Wednesday.

In his one season with the Falcons, Dobbs, finished the year with a team leading 20 touchdowns and 1,366 yards and became the school’s second leader rusher all-time.

Dobbs originally planned to attend UConn but did not meet the academic requirements. Dobbs then briefly considered playing at Marshall.

Temple is coached by former Cheshire High coach Steve Addazio.

“Playing for coach Addazio is going to be great for him (Dobbs),” Chaplick said.

Dobbs will enroll at the Philadelphia school on Tuesday.

Former Milford Academy running back Matt Brown will be a senior at Temple in the fall.
Running back Bernard Pierce recently decided to forego his senior season with the Owls to enter the NFL draft.

“It’s a perfect situation for (Dobbs),” Chaplick said. “By the time he settles in down there, he’ll have the chance to be the man.”

Former St. Joseph standout Tyler Matakevich, a linebacker and Dobbs’ roommate at Milford Academy, has also committed to play at Temple.

“They both had a great year with me,” Chaplick said. “All their hard work has really paid off.”

Three other Milford Academy players from this area also made their choice.

Quarterback Erich Berzinskas, a former standout at Morgan, reported this past Sunday to Purdue, while North Haven’s Eddie Glenn and Naugatuck’s Aaron Echevarria will both play at Southern Connecticut State.

It's been reported that Chip McKeehan has recently announced his retirement as head coach at Lyman Hall.

McKeehan’s been the head man for the past 12 seasons and a member of the Trojans’ staff for 26 years.

Lyman Hall went 4-6 this season, a year after the Trojans finished 8-3 and advanced to the Class M state quarterfinals. McKeehan had a career record of 54-69-1.

Awaiting a call back from McKeehan. This post will be updated.

will appear in Thursday's editions.

Info. from Milford Academy coach Bill Chaplick.

Quarterback Erich Berzinskas, a former standout at Morgan, reported Sunday to Purdue University. Erich led the Falcons to its first undefeated football season, orchestrating fourth quarter come-from-behind wins against Lehigh University and Army Prep.

Tyler Matakevich, a former Register All-State selection at St. Joseph, reports next week to Temple University. Tyler was the Falcons leading tackler and team captain, amassing 104 tackles, 48 solo tackles, 21 TFLs, 2 INTs, 1 Pass Deflection and 6 Sacks. Tyler will be playing for Coach Steve Addazio, former Head Coach at Cheshire High School and Offensive Coordinator for the University of Florida Gators.

North Haven's Eddie Glenn and Naugatuck's Aaron Echevarria both report to Southern Connecticut University within the next weeks. Eddie and Aaron were both consistent starters for the Falcons.

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