From the Torrington Register Citizen:

WOLCOTT TECH ADJUSTS TO LIFE AWAY FROM HOME FIELD

TORRINGTON — The Wolcott Tech football team is used to adversity.

The team didn’t play a true home game in its first varsity season, 2008. The Wildcats played at Torrington’s Pop Warner field for its home games, with one final game on Thanksgiving against Lewis Mills’ junior varsity team.

In 2009, the home games were played at Oliver Wolcott Technical High School. There have been points since then where Wolcott Tech has had to move its home games to the road because of poor field conditions. Wildcat athletic director Ray Tanguay is hoping that the new softball field and drainage systems being installed on the athletic complex remedy that issue. The project comes from the State of Connecticut, as can be seen by the giant sign with Gov. Dannel Malloy’s name on it that sits just inside the property fence on Winthrop Street.

“It’s just a waiting game,” Tanguay said in an interview on Wednesday night.

 GILBERT/NORTHWESTERN EYES PLAYOFF BERTH

Gilbert/Northwestern, another team that started Wednesday, has around 45 players, according to head coach Scott Salius. The Yellowjackets went inside The Gilbert School’s gymnasium until the lightning cleared in the evening, then went back out to the practice field behind the school to work.

“There always seems to be something,” Salius said. “Fight against the weather, fight against time, everything else, but first day, we’re just trying to hit them with the very, very, very, very basics, either brand new for the new guys or just a review for the old guys.”

Gilbert/Northwestern doesn’t have time to waste, given it will be facing the same five games that it had to open the 2011 season. The Yellowjackets went 3-2 against Coventry/Windham Tech (loss), Enfield (win), Ellington/Somers (loss), SMSA/University (win) and Avon (win). GN finished 7-3 and was a mere two-point conversion away against Stafford/East Windsor (a 22-21 loss) from a second straight Class M playoff berth. The Yellowjackets went 8-2 in the regular season in 2010 before going 1-1 in the ‘M’ playoffs.

“This year’s kind of pivotal for us,” Salius said. “The future’s looking really good for us.”

Read more here.

WINDSOR

Coach: Rob Fleeting (4th year)

League: CCC

Last season: 11-1 (Class L semifinalists)

Top offensive players: Robert Quinn Fleeting, 6-0, 180, Sr., QB; Rhyeime Moore, 6-0, 180, Sr., WR

Top defensive players: Cole Ormsby, 6-4, 240, Sr., DE; Brendan Gale, 6-0, 195, Sr., LB

Key losses: Aaron Berardino, WR/DB; Khamal Valentine, LB; Ben Compton, DL

Inside the huddle: Returns several key skill players, including Fleeting at quarterback. Spread offense should be highly explosive (team averaged 36.3 points per game last season). Defense expected to be strong, anchored by twins Cole and Lance Ormsby. Has the talent to make return trip to Class L playoffs, and just might be considered the favorites in that class at this point.

Stat Facts: Quinn Fleeting, the coach's son, threw for 2,802 yards and 30 touchdowns last season. Moore caught 36 passes for 911 yards and nine scores, Cole Ormsby made 64 tackles and 13 sacks and was a Register All-State selection.

Recruiting watch: According to Fleeting, the coach, Quinn Fleeting has been offered by CCSU. Cole Ormsby has been offered by UMass, while brother Lance has been offered by CCSU. 

NORTH BRANFORD

Coach: Mark Basil (10 years, 70-37)

League: Pequot Conference

Last season: 9-2 (Class S quarterfinalists)

Top offensive players: Brandan Basil, 6-2, 190, Sr., QB; Joe DeLucia, 5-9, 170, Sr., RB/WR

Top defensive players: Gary Falanga, 6-0, 185, Sr., LB; Rocco Morgan, 5-11, 220, Sr., DL

Key losses: Damoy Hunter, OL/DL; Anthony Franco, OL/LB; Cory Onofrio, SE/DB; Christian Perrotti, OL/LB.

Inside the huddle: Returns several talented skill players. Rebuilding offensive line. Strong group of seniors. Good balance of experience, strength and speed. 

Stat Facts: Brandan Basil threw for 2,113 yards and 31 touchdowns last season, DeLucia had 1,571 all-purpose yards and 22 touchdowns, senior running back Dale Hausman had 1,051 all-purpose yards, senior split end Chris Caron had 34 receptions and 438 yards, Falanga made 63 tackles and scored five defensive touchdowns. 

OUTLOOK

The Thunderbirds have a plethora of skill players, but must rebuild their offensive line. Still, North Branford has enough returning to be, perhaps, the most talented team in the Pequot Conference.

"We have some very good parts coming back this year,"  Basil said. "I think we're going to be able to fill those voids pretty well."

AIR IT OUT

Brandan Basil, who saw spot action as a sophomore and took over full-time last season, will operate the offense out of a spread formation. Expect plenty of offensive fireworks from the Thunderbirds, who averaged 37.7 points per game last season.

"Last year, I think teams came in expecting us — we've always been a run team — to run the ball, but we started to air the ball out," Mark Basil said. "I think teams are going to play us through the air.

"We have so many good athletes. They're good athletes, but they're football players. They know the game. They're not just kids that we took from another sport and put them in a position. They know the game. We have a lot of options to get the ball to."

 Caron and senior Alex McGuigan will be part of the team's receiving corps. McGuigan (6-3, 180) is a tall target, while Basil calls Caron a "Wes Walker like player".

"Both of these kids are very good," Mark Basil said. "I think both of them will be able to make a lot of plays."

Mark Basil says Brandan, his son, has learned to understand coverages much better. Brandan attended several passing camps this summer and Mark says Brandan learned how to spot the ball, rather than throw the ball to an area. 

"In those areas, he picked up a lot of things," Mark Basil said. "He also learned a lot in the play-action aspect. He got schooled pretty good this summer."

Mark Basil said Brandan was invited to several camps: Penn, Princeton, Columbia and Dartmouth. Brandan is also looking at Marist, Sacred Heart, Stonehill and Bryant.

JOCK OF ALL TRADES

DeLucia, meanwhile, gives North Branford an option at several positions. 

"Joey can do a number of things," Mark Basil said. "He's a punt returner, kick returner threat, he's a running back and he's a receiver."

DeLucia is hoping the Thunderbirds can make a lengthier postseason run this year. 

"We'll try to do a little bit better than last season, even though we had a really good year last year," DeLucia said. "We have a lot of upcoming linemen that can fill in the positions of the linemen that we graduated."

DeLucia may add the role of kicker to his resume this season.

"I'm just trying to have as good or even better season than I did last year," DeLucia said. "I know my teammates will help me out, but I'm just trying to do what I can for the team."

NEW CANAAN

Coach: Lou Marinelli (32 years at New Canaan, career record of 274-93-7)
League: FCIAC
Last season: 11-2 (FCIAC East Champions, Class L finalists
Top offensive players: Duke Repko, 6-0, 160, Sr., WR; Grady Lynch, 6-0, 175, Sr., WR
Top defensive players: Michael Root, 6-2, 200, Jr., LB; Cole Harris, 5-11, 185, Jr., LB
Key losses: Matt Milano, QB; Patrick Newton, WR; Kevin McDonough, RB/LB; Bobby Distler, RB/LB
Inside the huddle: Young but talented. Need to replace Milano, who passed for 2,981 yards and 32 touchdowns in 2011. Repko caught 20 passes and three touchdowns last season. Lynch also made 20 receptions.
Fast fact: There is a quarterback competition brewing between junior Teddy Bossidy and junior Nick Cascione. Bossidy completed 23-of-43 passes for 176 yards and a touchdown last season, while Cascione completed 4-of-8 for 29 yards. The two combined to rush for 525 yards and five scores.

DERBY

Coach: George French (3rd year, 9-11)
League: NVL
Last season: 4-6
Top offensive players: Dillon McMahon, 5-8, 150, Sr., WR; Tyrae Small, 5-10, 205, Jr., RB
Top defensive players: Matt Nicolari, 5-10, 195, Sr., LB; Duane Jones, 5-10, 215, Sr., DL
Key losses: Ray Kreiger, QB; Brian Dobek, WR/DB; Tim Adanti, TE; Luis Casco, OL/LB.
Inside the huddle: Six returning letter winners, including three starters on offensive/defensive lines. Experience on the line should be invaluable, especially on defense. McMahon caught 50 passes for 1,089 yards and 11 touchdowns as a junior.
Fast fact: Kreiger was a four-year starter at quarterback. His brother, Michael, a sophomore, is expected to start at the position this season.

OUTLOOK

In 2010, Derby played as part of a co-op with O'Brien Tech. Last season, most of the team's more experienced and talented linemen attended O'Brien Tech and played for the Condors as that school fielded a varsity football team for the first time.

French, though, is confident that Derby's line should be improved with the return of several starters who gained valuable experience playing on the varsity level last season.

"The offensive line, they have a year in, and we have most of those kids coming back," French said. "This is probably the first year (since French has been coach) that we have some experience coming back on the line."

French added: "I expect much improvement from a 4-6 season last year."

ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT

Last season, despite Derby scoring an average of 33 points per game, the defense surrendered 32.

"Defensively, we were hurt big time last year," French said. "In the off-season, these kids have really worked their butts off to get bigger, stronger, faster. We're really taking a hard look at our defense, really work hard on our fundamentals and going back to basics. We have not set our sights low when it comes to defense this year."

UNDER CENTER

With the graduation of Ray Kreiger, there will likely be a quarterback competition as summer camp progresses.

"It's the first day of camp so we're taking a hard look at it," French said. "Michael's had a great off-season. He's been throwing the ball very well."

McMahon can also play the position, as well as sophomore Ben Slowik and junior Sal Frosceno.

BIG AND SMALL

Another area Derby hopes to improve upon this season is its running game. Small will likely be the team's featured running back.

"Tyrae had an excellent off-season," French said. "He's put on about 20 pounds of muscle, he grew another inch or two. He's really learning how to run. A lot of people don't understand how young he is. He's a junior, but he's only played football since his freshman year. He's still learning the game. Each year of him carrying the football he's gotten better and better. He looks very good so far."

Said Small: "I'm expecting a great season. I think I'm going to be able to run the ball well with my line blocking. We have to be more balanced so teams don't think we're just a passing team."

Beginning today in our What to Look For (W2L4) feature, I will highlight teams, leagues, players, positions to keep an eye out for in 2012.

Summer conditioning begins Wednesday for teams that DID NOT elect to have spring practice. For teams that did elect to have spring practice, they will begin summer conditioning on Aug. 20.


W2L4: SHEEHAN

Coach: John Ferrazzi (8th season, 27-42-2)
Last season: 5-5
Top offensive players: Sean Merrill, 6-4, 275, Sr., OL; Jeremy Gannon, 5-9, 165, Sr., ATH/QB/WR.
Top defensive players: Rich Radomski, 6-0, 220, Sr., LB; Kyle Paolella, 5-10, 160, Sr., DB.
Key losses: A.J. Pascuzzo, WR/RB/DB; Billy Gannon, QB; Brodie Corless, K/P/WR/LB.
Inside the huddle: Return four starters on offensive line; Defense returns eight starters. Offense has potential to be "dangerous" according to Ferrazzi.
Recruiting watch: Merrill has received interest from Villanova, Lafayette, Lehigh and New Hampshire. 

Per CIAC rules:

2012-13 First Practice Date:
For schools that DO NOT CONDUCT SPRING FOOTBALL PRACTICE - Conditioning Aug. 15 / 1st practice Aug. 21
For schools that CONDUCT SPRING FOOTBALL PRACTICE - Conditioning Aug. 20 / 1st practice Aug. 25


The following schools can begin summer practice on Wednesday.

Additional Days in Fall (75)

• Abbott Tech
• Avon
• Bethel
• Bloomfield
• Bristol Eastern
• Brookfield
• Bulkeley
• Bullard Havens Tech
• Canton
• Capital Prep/Classical Magnet
• Cheney Tech
• Cheshire
• Conard
• Cromwell
• Derby
• E.O. Smith
• East Catholic
• East Hampton/Vinal Tech
• East Hartford
• East Haven
• Ellington/Somers
• Fairfield Prep
• Fitch
• Foran
• Gilbert/NW Regional
• Glastonbury
• Granby Memorial
• Guilford
• Haddam-Killingworth
• Hall
• Hamden
• Hartford Public
• Housatonic/Wamogo
• Immaculate
• Jonathan Law
• Killingly
• Ledyard
• Middletown
• Morgan
• New London
• Newington
• Nonnewaug
• North Branford
• Northwest Catholic
• Norwich Free Academy
• Notre Dame-Fairfield
• Notre Dame-West Haven
• O'Brien Tech
• Old Saybrook/Westbrook
• Oxford
• Plainfield
• Plainville
• Platt Tech
• Pomperaug
• Prince Tech
• Putnam/Tourtellotte/Ellis Tech
• RHAM
• Ridgefield
• Sacred Heart
• Seymour
• SMSA/University
• South Windsor
• St. Bernard/Norwich Tech
• St. Joseph
• Stafford/East Windsor
• Stratford
• Trinity Catholic
• Waterford
• Watertown
• Weaver
• Wilcox Tech
• Windsor
• Wolcott
• Wolcott Tech
• Woodstock Academy 

The following can begin on Aug. 20


Traditional Spring Football (70)

• Amity
• Ansonia
• Bacon Academy
• Bassick
• Berlin
• Branford
• Bridgeport Central
• Brien McMahon
• Bristol Central
• Bunnell
• Coginchaug
• Coventry/Windham Tech
• Crosby
• Danbury
• Daniel Hand
• Darien
• East Lyme
• Enfield
• Fairfield Ludlowe
• Fairfield Warde
• Farmington
• Fermi
• Greenwich
• Griswold
• Harding
• Hillhouse
• Holy Cross
• Hyde Leadership
• Joel Barlow
• Kennedy
• Lewis Mills
• Lyman Hall
• Maloney
• Manchester
• Masuk
• Montville
• Naugatuck
• New Britain
• New Canaan
• New Fairfield
• New Milford
• Newtown
• North Haven
• Norwalk
• Platt
• Rockville
• Rocky Hill
• Sheehan
• Shelton
• Simsbury
• Southington
• St. Paul Catholic
• Stamford
• Staples
• Stonington
• Tolland
• Torrington
• Trumbull
• Valley Regional/Old Lyme
• West Haven
• Westhill
• Weston
• Wethersfield
• Wilbur Cross
• Wilby
• Wilton
• Windham
• Windsor Locks/Suffield/East Granby
• Woodland
• Xavier

Below is the national all-time win list. Got sent this information from http://www.footballfridaynight.com. 

	School	State	Record	Win%
1	Valdosta	GA	869-205-34	79.96
2	HIGHLANDS	KY	828-212-26	78.89
3	LOUISVILLE MALE TRADITIONAL	KY	815-313-49	71.33
4	MASSILLON WASHINGTON	OH	810-246-35	75.85
5	MOUNT CARMEL AREA	PA	801-290-57	72.26
6	MAYFIELD	KY	791-248-32	75.35
7	CANTON MCKINLEY	OH	785-329-42	69.72
8	EASTON AREA HS	PA	780-333-52	69.18
9	LITTLE ROCK CENTRAL	AR	778-322-48	69.86
10	HAMPTON	VA	777-250-45	74.58

As for CT schools through 2011: (records provided by the Connecticut Sports Writers Alliance football record book):

MOST WINS
School Wins Years
New Britain 739 1892-2010
Ansonia 731 1900-2010
Hillhouse-New Haven 590 1885-2010
Derby  508 1902-2010
Southington/Lewis 505 1932-2010
Shelton 478 1904-2010
New Canaan 473 1928-2010
Torrington 460 1894-2010
Berlin 4061936-2010
Weaver-Hartford 386 1924-2010

Took a few weeks off this summer but now, as my fifth grade teacher used to remind  us during the first few weeks back that school year, it's time to clean the sand from my ears, put away the flip flops and get back to work.

The 2012 High School Football Season officially begins with the start of conditioning this week.

Per CIAC rules:
 
For schools that DO NOT CONDUCT SPRING FOOTBALL PRACTICE:
Conditioning: Aug. 15
First practice: Aug. 21
For schools that CONDUCT SPRING FOOTBALL PRACTICE:
Conditioning: Aug. 20
First practice: Aug. 25

Here's what I learned this summer on the state high school football scene:

HAND RB/LB Matt Walsh committed to UCONN 

Ansonia's Nolan Athletic Complex vandalized

UCONN's Casey Cochran sidelined with broken thumb

Rico Brogna resigns after one season at Notre Dame-Fairfield

Hyde coach Melvin Wells returns to position after being cleared of wrongdoing in alleged incident with student

Our friends from the NVL blog reported that Sacred Heart WR David Coggins, who committed to play at Boston College, transferred to Naugatuck, and that Pat Russo is OUT as head coach at Wilby. Read about these stories here.

Starting on Tuesday at this blog, I'll begin to preview the 2012 season with my What To Look For (W2L4) feature. I'll give you some information about teams, leagues, players and games to watch this year.