NORTH BRANFORD

Colafati Field, North Branford

Coach: Mark Basil
Conference: Pequot
2012 Record: 12-1 (Class S finalists)
2013 Kickoff: vs. Haddam-Killingworth, Sept. 12, 6:30 p.m.
Top players: Josh Melaccio, 5-11, 210, Sr., RB/LB; Eddie Miller, 5-9, 170, Jr., QB; John Burke, 6-2, 237, Sr., OL/DE.
Key losses: Brandan Basil, QB; Joe DeLucia, WR/DB; Alex McGuigan, WR/CB; Dale Hausman, RB/LB; Chris Caron, RB/WR/SS; Gary Falanga, RB/LB.
Outlook: The Thunderbirds lost 17 starters from a team that compiled an unbeaten regular season before losing to Ansonia in the Class S state championship game. Five starters return, including Burke on both sides of the ball. Melaccio is expected the be the team's featured playmaker. He rushed for 382 yards and three touchdowns last season. Miller takes over for Brandan Basil, who threw for 3,191 yards and 44 touchdowns in 2012. Miller completed both passes he attempted last season, good for 16 yards. The program's numbers are on the rise, according to Mark Basil, but depth at the varsity level is limited. There are only five seniors on the roster but 19 juniors, so the future appears promising. North Branford has some very good young skills players, and Mark Basil hopes they will improve as the season progresses.

Previous entries in the Inside The Huddle series:



Guilford
Morgan
Pomperaug
Sheehan  
Xavier