WOLCOTT

Monroe Field, Wolcott

Coach: Jason Pace (3rd year, 17-6)
Conference: NVL
2012 Record: 9-2 (Class M quarterfinalists)
2013 Kickoff: vs. Sacred Heart, Sept. 13, 7 p.m.
Top offensive players: Joe Lynch, 5-10, 185, Sr., RB; Tom Longo, 6-2, 240, Sr., OL; Tyler Staples, 5-10, 190, Sr., OL; Zac Burksa, 5-9, 160, Sr., OL; Jay Pelletier, 5-8, 150, Jr., WR; Vin Gambino, 5-9, 150, Jr., QB; Adam Santopietro, 5-10, 165, Sr., WR.
Top defensive players: Dan Catania, 5-10, 170, Sr., LB; Nick Rinaldi, 5-9, 180, Sr., LB; Sean Brooks, 5-7, 165, Jr., LB; Longo, DL; Staples, DL; Burksa, LB.
Key losses: Mike Nicol, QB; Jim Nelson, OL/DL; Brandon Walker, LB; Matt Cyr, WR/DB; Ryan Caggiano, WR/DB; Dylan Rossi, OL/DL.
Outlook: The Eagles, who qualified for the postseason the past two seasons, will begin life without all-state quarterback Mike Nicol, who passed for 1,535 yards and 19 touchdowns and rushed for 1,271 yards and 20 scores. Nicol graduated, along with 18 other seniors. Filling those voids will determine how successful Wolcott is this season. Pace hopes to employ a more collaborative approach on offense. Gambino takes over under center. He completed 7 of 12 passes for 66 yards and a touchdown and also rushed for 46 yards in a mop up role last season. The standout should be Lynch, who could be one of the best running backs in the NVL. Lynch rushed for 857 yards and 14 touchdowns as a junior.  Pelletier has the talent to have a breakout year at receiver.

Previous entries in the Inside The Huddle series:


Derby
Fairfield Prep
Guilford
Hamden Hall
Morgan
New Canaan
North Branford
North Haven
Notre Dame-West Haven
Pomperaug
Sheehan  
Xavier