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A look at high school football throughout the state

Saturday, September 22, 2012

Week 2: Friday's Highlights


No. 3 Hand wins 15th straight, beats No. 7 Hillhouse




Amity runs all over Sheehan


No. 1 Xavier pulls away from North Haven


ROUNDUP: Derby edges Naugatuck


Follow our Week 2 Scoreboard


VOTE for Friday's STAR: ND-WH's Cameran Tucker and Ansonia's Andrew Matos are nominated!

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Friday, September 21, 2012

Hand 37, Hillhouse 19

Ian O'Toole rushed 23 times for 102 yards and two touchdowns and Matt Sullivan added 139 yards on 10 carries and one touchdown to lead the visiting Tigers to this SCC interdivision win on Friday afternoon at Bowen Field.

Brendan Bilcheck threw a 63-yard touchdown pass to Kyle Anderson and Bilcheck also scored on a 3-yard run for Hand (2-0), which is ranked third in the Register Top 10 Poll.

Tyler Phan kicked a 24-yard field goal for the Tigers.

Andre Anderson (seven carries, 82 yards) scored twice, while Je'Vaughn Moore had a 66-yard touchdown run for the No. 7 Academics (1-1).

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Week 2 Predictions

H.S. FOOTBALL WEEK 2 SPOTLIGHT

NO. 3 HAND VS. NO. 7 HILLHOUSE

When: Today, 4 p.m.

Where: Bowen Field, New Haven
Team records: Hand 1-0; Hillhouse 1-0

Players to watch: Hand — Brendan Bilcheck, Sr., QB; Peter Gerson, Sr., DE; Kyle Anderson, Sr., WR/DE; Hillhouse — Harold Cooper, Jr., RB/LB; Andre Anderson, Sr., RB/DB; Je’Vaughn Moore, Sr., QB.

You should know: It’s never easy for an opponent to come to Bowen Field on a Friday afternoon, especially for Hand, which normally does not play well there. “The bottom line for us, and not to jinx us, but we never play well there. Ever. It throws our clocks off,” Hand coach Steve Filippone said. “It’s not an excuse in any way, shape or form, but we’re not accustomed to it.” The Tigers have more than the site and time to be concerned with. Hillhouse is a formidable opponent. Anderson and Cooper are two of the best backs in the state. Defensively, Filippone praised Anderson’s abilities. “He’s the best defensive back, in terms of run support, that I’ve ever seen,” the coach said. “He makes plays from 15 yards deep (and makes them) behind the line of scrimmage.” The Tigers, though, are equally as talented, featuring an effective spread offense and one of the best defenders in the state in Gerson. Hard to make a pick here. Should be quite the contest. Hillhouse’s speed, athleticism and, yes, home-field advantage, might give it the edge.

Register’s pick: Hillhouse.

FRIDAY'S GAMES

East Haven (1-0) at Fairfield Prep (1-0), 6 p.m.: East Haven earned a season-opening win for the first time since 2006. It’s reward? A date with the Jesuits, perhaps the SCC’s most improved team. Register’s pick: Fairfield Prep.  

Nonnewaug (0-1) at Valley Regional/Old Lyme (0-1), 6;30 p.m.: Valley may be young, but there’s talent all over the field, especially quarterback Jean-Luc Poulard and receiver Chris Jean-Pierre. Register’s pick: Valley Regional/Old Lyme.

North Branford (1-0) at Haddam-Killingworth (0-1), 6:30 p.m.: The host Cougars have been hit hard by injuries, which doesn’t bode well for their chances against the Thunderbirds, perhaps the most talented team in the Pequot Conference. Register’s pick: North Branford.

Bunnell (1-0) at Brookfield (1-0), 7 p.m.: Both teams can score, but defense may decide this South-West Conference contest. Register’s pick: Bunnell.

Cheshire (1-0) at Branford (1-0), 7 p.m.: Observers might have underestimated Cheshire heading into Week 1. After a victory over highly-touted Shelton, the Rams have positioned themselves as contenders in the SCC. Register’s pick: Cheshire.

Foran (0-1) at Shelton (0-1), 7 p.m.: Shelton can’t slip up here if it has any hopes of qualifying for the postseason. Register’s pick: Shelton.

Hamden (0-1) at Danbury (0-1), 7 p.m.: Hamden (SCC) and Danbury (FCIAC) have two of the biggest student populations in their respective leagues. Register’s pick: Danbury.

Naugatuck (1-0) at Derby (1-0), 7 p.m.: Could be the most competitive game in the Naugatuck Valley League this weekend. Register’s pick: Derby.

North Haven (1-0) at No. 1 Xavier (1-0), 7 p.m.: North Haven will certainly put up a fight, but the Falcons looked like they could beat some college teams in a Week 1 win over Notre Dame-West Haven. Register’s pick: Xavier.

Notre Dame-Fairfield (0-1) vs. Stratford (0-1), 7 p.m. at Bunnell: Stratford gave Brookfield all it could handle last week, proving that the Red Devils might just be a factor in the SWC this season. Register’s pick: Stratford.

Notre Dame-West Haven (0-1) at Lyman Hall (0-1), 7 p.m.: Lyman Hall coach Rob Marone will have to wait another week to earn his first victory with the program. Register’s pick: Notre Dame-West Haven.   

Sacred Heart (0-1) at Seymour (1-0), 7 p.m.: Sacred Heart wide receiver David Coggins and quarterback Javon Martin were ruled ineligible for the season’s first four games for their involvement in recruiting violations after the two attempted to transfer to Naugatuck. Register’s pick: Seymour.

Sheehan (1-0) at Amity (0-1), 7 p.m.: Sure, Sheehan, will score, but the Titans must put forth a better defensive effort after surrendering 42 points in a win over Law last week. Register’s pick: Sheehan.

West Haven (1-0) at Guilford (0-1), 7 p.m.: Guilford still looking for its first points of the season after being shut out against North Haven in Week 1. Register’s pick: West Haven.

Wilbur Cross (0-1) at Law (0-1), 7 p.m.: Law looks to snap 12-game losing skid. Register’s pick: Wilbur Cross.

Woodland (1-0) at No. 4 Ansonia (1-0), 7 p.m.: Will it be Woodland’s high-octane spread offense or the Chargers’ effective rushing attack, led by junior Arkeel Newsome, that emerges victorious? Register’s pick: Ansonia.

SATURDAY'S GAME

Morgan (1-0) at Hyde (1-0), noon: After going 4-6 in 2011, Hyde appears ready to contend again in the Pequot Conference. Register’s pick: Hyde.

Weston (1-0) at Oxford (1-0), noon: The schedule only gets tougher for Oxford, but a 2-0 start could do a lot for the Wolverines’ confidence. Register’s pick: Oxford.

East Hampton/Vinal Tech (0-1) at Old Saybrook/Westbrook (0-0), 1 p.m.: I’m sure Old Saybrook/Westbrook is raring to go after having last week off. Register’s pick: Old Saybrook/Westbrook.

Last week: 19-4. Season: 19-4.

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Athlete of the Week: Derby's Dillon McMahon

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Naugatuck fined, put on probation for recruiting violations

Naugatuck was fined $7,500 and put on probation for two years for recruiting violations, the CIAC announced Thursday. Naugatuck wasn't named in the report, listed only as "offending member school".

The CIAC also ruled that three student-athletes, David Coggins, Javon Martin and Xavier Woods, are required to sit-out this season's first four games. The three were also not named in the report.

Naugatuck coach Rob Plasky resigned following allegations that he tried to recruit the three players from Sacred Heart High to attend Naugatuck.

Below is the release sent by the CIAC:


The Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference Board
of Control held its second meeting of the 2012-13 school year Thursday
afternoon.

On the agenda were three voting items for the Board based on self-reports
of CIAC violations received from CIAC member institutions.

* The Board considered a self-report and investigative report of
violations CIAC Recruitment Rules in the sport of football. Three instances
of recruitment violations were included as part of the self-report. The
board unanimously voted to fine the offending member school $7,500.00,
place the football program on two-year probation (a period of trial during
which the school is monitored to determine compliance with the requirements
of CIAC regulations) as of September 20, 2012, and require the school to
follow its own recommendations to establish guidelines for booster club
activities and bring the booster club programs within the school's
jurisdiction.

* The Board discussed the eligibility of three students involved in the
recruiting situation described in the self-report. The Board approved a
motion requiring the three students involved in the self-report sit out the
first four games of the varsity season.

* The Board examined a self-report and investigative report of violations
of CIAC Out-of-Season Coaching Rules from a member school baseball program.
The self-report found violations from 2009 and stated that the school is
planning to require all coaches are aware of CIAC rules and take the CIAC
coach training modules. The board approved a motion of a $750 fine for the
member school, a two-year probation for the baseball program, and a
requirement that the school follow its own recommendations regarding
coaching training.

* The Board also discussed several issues including possible changes in
the out-of-season coaching rules which came at the request of the
Connecticut High School Coaches Association and Connecticut Association of
Athletics Directors.  The request is to see if there are ways to loosen the
restrictions on out-of-season coaching, but remains only in the discussion
stage at this point.

* The Board also provided some information on changes in reporting from
the Annual Enrollment forms that member schools submit as part of the work
of a CIAC sub-committee studying possible changes in the use of the
multiplier for tournament placement.

* The chair of the Eligibility Committee reported that the committee heard
nine appeals at its meeting earlier Thursday. Two waivers were granted -
one on an eight-semester case and the other on a transfer. The remaining
seven appeals were denied.

* The board heard reports on various topics from CIAC staff and
representatives of outside organizations.

The Board of Control will meet again on Thursday, October 18.

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Moore to Give






When No. 7 Hillhouse hosts No. 3 Hand Friday in an SCC showdown at Bowen Field (4 p.m.), Hillhouse senior Je'Vaughn Moore will likely play a key role in the action.

Moore's been doing just that in every game since his sophomore year, when he took over under center in the third quarter against Cheshire in Week 2 in 2010. The Academics lost that game, but Hillhouse gained so much more: a steady, consistent and intelligent leader at quarterback.

"He's calm, cool and collected," Hillhouse coach Tom Dyer said. "In the offense we run, we put a lot of pressure on our quarterback to be a good decision maker. We're fortunate to have somebody, not only with Je'Vaughn's athletic ability, but with his mental capabilities, too."

Moore has started every game since taking over against Cheshire. Hillhouse finished the season at 10-3 and won the Class M state championship. The Academics went 7-3 last season but did not qualify for the postseason. With the amount of talent on the Hillhouse roster, another championship is certainly a possibility.

"The only quarterback stat that matters in our program is wins," Dyer said. "You're measured by wins. Je'Vaughn's bought into that the last few years. He's done a great job for us. He's been a great team player over the years."

Moore expects big things from his squad this season, but is fully aware of the type of challenge Hand, the defending Class L champion, presents.

"We just pretty much want to prove to the state that we can win this game, that we're able to win the state championship, God willing, and that we can pretty much compete with anyone," Moore said. "We have to take it one step at a time, of course."

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Cross This Over

No. 7 Hillhouse will host No. 3 Hand in an SCC contest that's considered a "crossover", one where a team from the SCC Division I, like Hand, faces a team from the SCC Division II, like Hillhouse.

Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. on Friday at Bowen Field in New Haven.

SCC commish Al Carbone sent over, by my request, a list of crossover meetings since 2004.

First, we're only counting games from 2004 for two reasons:

1. That's when Foran and Law joined the league.
2. That was the first year the SCC went to four-divisions, thus coming up with the current the Div I (East and West) and II concept.

Records of Div II teams vs. Div. I teams (please note: Derby was counted only from 2004 to 2008) so Shelton-Derby games from 2009-present are not included.


2004     4-20  (Branford beat Fairfield Prep and Shelton; Derby beat Wilbur Cross; Foran beat Wilbur Cross)
2005    5-19 (Hillhouse beat Wilbur Cross, Shelton and Fairfield Prep; Guilford beat Hamden; Branford beat Shelton
2006    6-18 (Guilford beat Hamden and Hand; Hillhouse beat Xavier and Wilbur Cross; Jonathan Law beat Hamden, North Haven beat Amity)
2007    2-19-1 (Hillhouse beat Wilbur Cross; North Haven beat Wilbur Cross; Guilford tied Hamden)
2008    3-22 (Hillhouse beat Fairfield Prep, Shelton and Wilbur Cross;
2009    3-18 (Jonathan Law beat Fairfield Prep; Hillhouse beat Fairfield Prep; North Haven beat Amity)
2010    6-15 (North Haven beat Hamden, Notre Dame and Amity; Hillhouse beat Wilbur Cross; Lyman Hall beat Amity; Branford beat Hamden;
2011    3-18 (North Haven beat Hamden and Amity; Hillhouse beat Wilbur Cross)

Total:  32-149-1
 

NOTES
Seven different Division II teams have won games against Division I opponents since 2004:
  • Hillhouse (12), North Haven (8), Branford (4), Guilford (3 wins and 1 tie), Jonathan Law (2), Foran (1), Lyman Hall (1) and Derby (1).

Also, it is the first (regular season) meeting between Hillhouse and Hand since they were old Hammonasset Division rivals on October 31, 2003.  Hand won that game, 25-7, at Bowen Field.



  • Hand defeated Hillhouse 34-0 in the Class M final in 2005.
  •  Hillhouse's last win over Hand came on October 26, 2001 - a 20-14 victory at Bowen Field.

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Thursday's Predictions

Only two games on tap for Thursday.

Here are my picks:

CSC
O'Brien Tech at Wilcox Tech, 7:00 p.m.: Good shot for OB Tech to pick up a victory. Win would boost Condors' confidence. Pick: O'Brien Tech.

ECC INTER
Ledyard at Killingly, 6:30 p.m.: Killingly hasn't defeated the Colonels since 1998. Pick: Ledyard.

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Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Week 1 Recap

Xavier remain No. 1 in Register Top 10 Poll



HIGHLIGHTS

OFFENSIVE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

Berlin Jr. QB Mitch Williams: Completed 16-of-18 passes for 320 yards and six touchdowns in a 49-6 win over East Catholic on Saturday.

Bunnell Sr. QB Bryan Castelot: Completed 22-of-42 passes for 380 yards and three scores in a 44-35 win over Bethel on Friday.

DEFENSIVE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

Derby Sr. DB Dillon McMahon: Scored on an 96-yard interception return in a 55-26 win over St. Paul. McMahon also had two rushing touchdowns and scored on a 70-yard punt return.

North Haven Jr. DB Carlos Martinez: Made two interceptions in a 28-0 win over Guilford on Friday.

SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

Amity Jr. David Buono: Returned a kickoff 88 yards for a touchdown in a 35-13 loss to Hand on Friday.

Bacon Academy Sr. Trey Geisman: Kicked two field goals and two extra points in a 28-20 loss to Plainfield on Friday.

TEAMS OF WEEK

Cheshire: Defeated Shelton 30-23 in the head coaching debut for Don Drust.

East Haven: Defeated Lyman Hall 28-27 to win its season opener for the first time since 2006.

MORE HIGHLIGHTS

NOTEBOOK: East Haven starts strong

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Monday, September 17, 2012

My Top 10 Ballot

Here is the ballot I submitted for the New Haven Register Top 10 football poll after Week 1. Voters are asked to vote for 15 teams. Points on tabulated on a 30-28-26-24-22-20-18-16-14-12-11-10-9-8-7 basis.

The poll should be up later tonight on the Register's website and will appear in Tuesday's print editions.


Since none of the teams from my preseason ballot lost, I will go with the same 15 teams.

1. Xavier
2. Staples
3. Hand
4. Windsor
5. Ansonia
6. Hillhouse
7. Greenwich
8. Newtown
9. Darien
10. West Haven
11. Ledyard
12. Masuk
13. Berlin
14. New Canaan
15. Southington

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Sunday, September 16, 2012

Week 1: Saturday's Highlights

 Linta leads Hamden Hall


T.J. Linta completed 23-of-37 passes for 240 yards and two touchdowns to lead host Hamden Hall to a 28-18 victory over Morristown-Beard (N.J.) at Hamden.

Derby 55, St. Paul 26: Dillon McMahon scored four touchdowns, two on offense, one on defense and another on special teams, to lead the Red Raiders to their Naugatuck Valley League interdivision win in Bristol.

Cromwell 51, East Hampton/Vinal Tech 14: Derrick Villard scored three touchdowns on the ground as the host Panthers rolled up 241 rushing yards in the Pequot Conference win.

Oxford 35, Immaculate 0: Brennen Diaz passed for 107 yards, threw two touchdowns and kicked an extra point as the Wolverines shut out the Mustangs in  this SWC contest.

More roundup.

VOTE for Linta and McMahon for Saturday's STAR OF THE DAY!

EAST HAVEN has been nominated for the Register's TEAM OF THE WEEK!

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