Here's how I voted for the 2013 New Haven Register Preseason Top 10 Football Poll.

Each voter is asked to rank their Top 15 teams. The Preseason Poll will be posted on-line later tonight and appear in Tuesday's print editions.

I'm sure my ranking will change after Week 1 and throughout the year, but here goes.



1. Ansonia
2. Xavier
3. NFA
4. West Haven
5. New Canaan
6. Newtown
7. Southington
8. Middletown
9. St. Joseph
10.Greenwich
11. Glastonbury
12. Shelton
13. New London
14. Masuk
15. Hand

 

 

NORWICH FREE ACADEMY

NFA Turf Field, Norwich

Coach: Jemal Davis (6th year, 40-15)
Conference: ECC
2012 Record: 12-1 (Class LL finalists)
2013 Kickoff: Montville, Sept. 21, 1 p.m.
Top offensive players: Marcus Outlow, 5-11, 210, Sr., RB; Ramel Williams, 5-7, 160, Sr., WR; Khaleed Exum-Strong, 5-11, 200, Jr., RB; Alex Beaudreault, 6-3, 200, Sr., QB.
Top defensive players: Tuzar Skipper, 6-3, 230, Sr., DE; J’Von Brown, 6-2, 290, So., DL; Calvin Green, 5-10, 180, Sr., LB; Airec Ricks, 5-10, 175, Sr., S.
Key losses: Joey Paparelli, QB; Ryer Caruso, WR; Tyler Beauchesne, OL; Cody Brown, OL; John Crooks, C; Steven Makowicki, LB; A.J. Gomes, LB; Elisa Formiglio, K.
Outlook: The Wildcats might have surprised some by defeating Newtown and Staples in the Class LL state playoffs before losing to Xavier in the championship game. NFA won’t surprise many this season, however. The Wildcats appear loaded, and are expected to be one of the state’s most dangerous teams. Returning is Outlow, a Register All-State selection as a junior, who as orally committed to play at Boston College. Outlow rushed 142 times for 1,336 yards and 18 touchdowns, caught 10 passes for 206 yards and four touchdowns and scored a touchdown on both a punt and kickoff return last season. Exum-Strong is another talented runner, and him and Outlow should become a formidable duo in the backfield. Last year’s starter at quarterback, Joey Paparelli, graduated, but NFA will call upon Beaudreault, a transfer from Windham, to lead the offense. Skipper has potential to be one of the state’s top defenders, while Brown appears to be a star in the making.

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  
Wolcott
Xavier 

HAMDEN HALL

Sonny Coughlin Field, Hamden

Coach: Joe Linta
Conference: Fairchester
2012 Record: 5-5
2013 Kickoff: vs. Woodstock Academy, Sept. 12, 6:30 p.m.
Top offensive players: Mike Whalen, 5-10, 175, Sr., WR; Mike Breuler, 6-2, 180, Sr., WR; T.J. Linta, 6-4, 225, Sr., QB.
Top defensive players: Jason Criscio, 6-0, 252, Jr., DE; Brandon Ginnetti, 6-2, 230, Jr., DE.
Key losses: Cole Perrone, C/LB; Alex Chiodo, RB/LB; Nick Linta, WR/S.
Outlook: Coach Linta says:  If the Hornets can improve defensively from last year, it should be a solid season. Hamden Hall allowed more than 35 points per game last season, although they averaged the same amount offensively. In 2012, the Hornets averaged 324 passing yards per game. T.J. Linta (pictured above) completed 192 of 340 passes (56.5 percent) for 3,110 yards and 28 touchdowns against just eight interceptions. T.J. Linta has Division I talent, although he's more likely to go the Ivy League route. The Hornets return three of their top four receivers. Whalen and Breuler are both 4.5 sprinters in the 40-yard dash. Breuler caught 63 passes for 1,089 yards and 14 touchdowns, while Whalen caught 44 passes for 792 yards and 11scores last season. Joe Linta thinks the Hornets should challenge Kingswood-Oxford and King for the league title. 

Previous entries in the Inside The Huddle series:


Derby
Guilford
Morgan
New Canaan
North Branford
North Haven
Notre Dame-West Haven
Pomperaug
Sheehan  
Xavier 

SHELTON — Kyle Drost and the rest of the senior members of the Shelton football team are hoping to end their high school careers the way they began. As freshmen, the senior class went unbeaten.

So, with the return of those seniors, as well as junior quarterback Mark Piccirillo, there was certainly a sense of excitement as the Gaels opened fall practice Monday.

“We’ve been waiting for this opportunity,” said Drost, a 6-foot-3, 220 pound wide receiver. “All the guys who started as freshmen have grown and matured. We’ve been lifting all summer, every single winter, and now it’s time to perform.”

Said Piccirillo: “The coaches know we can be that good. They keep pushing us harder and harder.”
Shelton coach Jeff Roy is well-aware that this season could be a special one.

“Anytime you get an undefeated freshmen team, as long as they stay together and work, you get excited. There’s a lot of talent there, and there’s confidence. We’re all excited, the players and coaches. We’re ready to get it going.”

Almost all of the Gaels’ receivers return, including senior Mike Pingree, who caught 14 passes last season. Drost made 24 catches for 425 yards and seven touchdowns. Shelton will also benefit from the return of senior running back Jason Thompson, who missed almost all of last season with injury.

“Between those two (Piccirillo and Thompson), we’re going to be able to run,” Roy said, “and with most of the receivers back, we’re going to be able to throw, too.”

Piccirillo, who gained about 15 pounds, is a dual threat. He passed for 1,558 yards and 15 touchdowns and rushed for 560 yards and five scores as a sophomore.

“(He) puts defenses in a bind,” Roy said. “He’s 190 pounds, and can run. That’s something else you have to defend against. He worked his tail off in the offseason. He’s heavier, faster, and he’s throwing the ball better. We’re looking for big things out of him this year. We think he’s going to have a great year.”

 

 

 NORTH HAVEN

Vanacore Field, North Haven

Coach: Anthony Sagnella 
Conference: SCC
2012 Record: 7-3 (3-0 in SCC Division II East)
2013 Kickoff: at Bridgeport Central, Sept. 12, 6 p.m.
Top offensive players: Ethan Suraci, 5-10, 205, Sr., FB; Mike Halloran, 6-2, 195, Sr., QB; Pat Mikos, 5-10, 180, Sr., RB; Mike Siwek, 5-10, 240, Sr., OL; John Tondalo, 5-10, 295, Sr., OL; Austin Mahon, 5-9, 180, Sr., OL; Mike Milliard, 5-8, 200, Sr., OL: Alex Baglioni, 5-9, 190, Sr., TE; Chris Brockett, 5-8, 160, Sr., P.
Top defensive players: Suraci, Sr., LB; Halloran, Sr., LB; Mikos, Sr., LB; Fred Sanchez, 5-9, 180, Sr., CB; Ben Pethick, 5-8, 180, Sr., DL; Siwek, Sr., DL; Milliard, Sr., DL; Mahon, Sr., DL.
Key losses: Jalon White, RB/DB; Matt Marcarelli, OL/DL; Quincy Pecora, RB/LB.
Outlook: Sagnella says his team expects to be competitive, and that the Indians have capable, yet inexperienced skill players. Despite Sagnella's claims, Halloran returns under center and Suraci again joins him in the backfield. Halloran, who does an effective job of directing North Haven's single-wing offense, rushed for 326 yards and three touchdowns last season. Suraci added 558 yards and four scores. The Indians, though, must replace backs Jalon White (1,824 yards, 24 TDs) and Quincy Pecora (437 yards, 5 TDs). The offensive line loses Matt Marcarelli, a Register All-Area selection, to graduation, but several other starters from last season from that unit return. That line helped the Indians rush for 3,540 yards in 2012.  Defensively, Mikos made 78 tackles, Suraci made 65 and Halloran 45. North Haven has the talent to repeat as division champs and make a bid at a state playoff berth.

Previous entries in the Inside The Huddle series:


Derby
Guilford
Morgan
New Canaan
North Branford
Pomperaug
Sheehan  
Xavier 

DERBY

DeFilippo Field, Derby

Coach: George French (4th year, 15-15)
Conference: NVL
2012 Record: 6-4
2013 Kickoff: St. Paul, Sept. 13, 7 p.m.
Top offensive players: Tyrae Small, 5-10, 215, Sr., RB; Michael Kreiger, 6-2, 185, Jr., QB; Jordan LaRue, 5-10, 165, Sr., WR; Sal Frosceno, 5-8, 155, Sr., WR.
Top defensive players: Arben Komani, 6-2, 235, Sr., DL; Brian Eliasson, 5-9, 165, Jr., LB; Mike Mauro, 5-7, 155, Jr., LB.
Key losses: Dillon McMahon, WR/DB; Matt Nicolari, RB/LB; Blair Mitchell, OL/DL; Dave Ahearn, OL/DL.
Outlook: The Red Red Raiders lost their top offensive player (McMahon, 30 catches, 8 TDs) and defensive player (Nicolari, 101 tackles, 3 sacks) to graduation. But Derby returns several offensive players who contributed last season. Small rushed for 1,172 yards and 15 touchdowns last season. He's expected to be one of the top running backs in the NVL. Kreiger (pictured above), meanwhile, completed 76 of 132 passes (57.6 percent) for 1,144 yards and 17 touchdowns. LaRue caught 18 passes last season, while Frosceno caught 17. They combined for six touchdown catches. Derby does have to replace all five offensive lineman from a year ago. French thinks his team has a lot of work ahead of them, but if the offensive line jells, and the defense comes together, it could be an exciting year. Derby notched its first winning season above .500 for the first time since 1996 last season.


Previous entries in the Inside The Huddle series:



Guilford
Morgan
New Canaan
North Branford
Pomperaug
Sheehan  
Xavier 

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL: Lofty expectations for Foran


MILFORD - With its quarterback and a slew of receivers returning, there was certainly a sense of excitement Wednesday during Foran’s first football practice of the 2013 season.

Junior quarterback Jake Kasuba, who tossed for 2,547 yards and 24 touchdowns last season, is a year older, wiser and stronger, and has plenty of options, including receivers Connor Cadrin, Sean Deegan, Nick Weissauer and Zach White.

“It’s exciting to have those kids back,” Foran coach Jeff Bevino said, “and we have some kids behind them that are going to be pretty good players, too. It’s finally coming to fruition by running the same offense for three or four years. We have the makings of a good offense.”



Last season, the offense showed signs of greatness. The Lions averaged 33.6 points per contest while finishing second in the Southern Connecticut Conference Division II East and 6-4 overall.

The expectations are even higher this year. Foran has the talent to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2001.

“I really think it could be a big breakout year,” Kasuba said. “We have a chance to go to the playoffs this year.”

There was a pretty simple formula for why Foran succeeded offensively last season.

“Last year we were effective because we worked hard,” the coach said. “We can’t just think that we’re going to go out there and have everything where it was. You have to work hard.”

It seems like the Lions have left off where last season ended. It was a productive summer for Foran, which hosted a weekly passing league. That allowed the players, especially Kasuba, to fine tune their craft.

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL: Torrington Raiders hit the field for first practice of the season with new head coach Gaitan Rodriguez

Torrington head coach, Gaitan Rodriguez talks to his team during their first practice of the season. Laurie Gabordi - Register Citizen

By Pete Paguaga
ppaguaga@registercitizen.com
@PetePaguaga on Twitter

TORRINGTON >> “Raiders, Raiders!” echoed throughout the athletic fields in the back of Torrington High School as Gaitan Rodriguez closed out his first practice as head coach of Torrington.

“We’re very excited to get back on the field,” said Rodriguez. “The kids just want to get on the field.”

The Raiders program went through a tumultuous offseason overshadowed by a scandal that rocked Torrington.

Rodriguez graduated from Torrington in 1997 and was a member of the Raiders football program where he was an All-Naugatuck Valley League player. He took over the program in March after Dan Dunaj resigned in January, citing “family reasons.”

“It’s a dream come true,” said Rodriguez of being able to coach on the field he once played on. “It’s something I set out to do after I graduated from college.”

Rodriguez had players spread out across the field throughout the practice, making his rounds to the different groups of players.

“It’s all about evaluation,” said Rodriguez. “I thought it was a good day.”

He also wasn’t nervous about getting on the field for the first time with the team.

“I’ve been doing this for a while now,” he said. “I was anxious to get this day under way.”

Last season the Raiders went 6-4 and they lost a majority of their starters, but that isn’t going to stop the leaders of this year’s team.

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 

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL: The pitch count grows for top prospects

Decisions, decisions.

A standout football player, especially an incoming senior, will likely soon decide where to spend the next four years after high school.

Some have already made their choice.

Ansonia running back Arkeel Newsome recently verbally committed to play at UConn. Early this year, St. Paul quarterback Logan Marchi also picked UConn, while Norwich Free Academy running back Marcus Outlow gave his verbal commitment to Boston College.
The recruiting process, though, can often be confusing and overwhelming.

“A little (overwhelming),” West Haven running back Ervin Philips said. “It’s all new. It just takes some time to get used to.”

Philips and Hillhouse running back Harold Cooper are arguably two of the state’s more sought-after players who have yet to commit.

Philips has already taken unofficial visits to Syracuse and Temple, which he lists as his top choices. Both schools have made offers. Philips said he also received interest from Boston College, Maine, Rutgers, UConn, UMass and Villanova.

According to the NCAA rules for football, a student-athlete cannot make an official visit until the start of classes of their senior year, which for West Haven is on Aug. 29.

“As of right now, I want to wait until my senior year actually starts so I can take my official visits to really get the school experience,” Philips said. “From there, that’s when I think I’ll make my decision, so maybe late August into September.”

From the NFHS rule book:

You can also view the 2013 Football Tournament Package from the CIAC.


In an effort to continue minimizing the risk of injury in high school football, three additional rules will take effect next season to address helmets coming off players’ heads during games.

These three risk-minimization additions were among 10 rules changes approved by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Football Rules Committee at its January 18-20 meeting in Indianapolis. All rules changes were subsequently approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.

As a follow-up to last year’s rules change that requires players to sit out one play if their helmet comes off while the ball is live, the committee approved three additional rules that are extensions of last year’s change.

An illegal personal contact foul was added to Rule 9-4-3 to state that “no player or nonplayer shall initiate contact with an opposing player whose helmet has come completely off.”

In addition, a new listing in Rule 9-6-4 will state that it is illegal participation “for a player whose helmet comes completely off during a down to continue to participate beyond the immediate action in which the player is engaged.”

“With its continued focus on risk minimization, the committee determined that a helmet-less player shall not block, tackle or otherwise participate beyond the immediate action in which the player is engaged when the helmet came completely off,” said Bob Colgate, NFHS director of sports and sports medicine. “The penalty would be a live-ball, basic-spot foul.”

The committee also added language to Rule 3-5-10 to clarify that if the helmet comes completely off during the down or subsequent dead-ball action related to the down – and is not directly attributable to a foul by the opponent – the player must leave the game for at least one down, with the exception of halftime or overtime intermission. When this occurs, an official’s time-out shall be called.

“Player safety has been and will continue to be the top priority for members of the NFHS Football Rules Committee,” said Brad Garrett, chair of the NFHS Football Rules Committee and assistant executive director of the Oregon School Activities Association. “These rules changes regarding helmet-less players are more examples of the group’s commitment to minimize risk within the game.”

Perhaps the most significant rules change next season will be one that reduces the penalty for pass interference. While the 15-yard penalty will remain for both offensive and defensive pass interference, the loss of down has been removed for offensive pass interference and the automatic first down has been eliminated for defensive pass interference.

“Offensive and defensive pass interference and the penalty structure related to these fouls has been debated many times in recent years,” Garrett said. “Proposals that either deleted the loss of down or the automatic first down – but not both – failed to gain support among committee members. The proposal to eliminate both components, thus not upsetting the balance between offense and defense, was the key factor in the adoption of the new rule.”

Another change at high school football games next year will be the expanded use of communication devices. In specific situations, coaches, players and nonplayers will be allowed to use any form of communication technology.

This expansion of the rule allows the use of communication devices during authorized conferences outside the nine-yard marks, on the sidelines and during the halftime intermission. Use of communication devices by players except conferences outside the nine-yard mark continues to be prohibited.

In Rule 2-4-1, the committee clarified the rule approved last year regarding the definition of a catch, which stated that a receiver is required to establish possession of the ball and contact the ground inbounds while maintaining possession – regardless of the opponent’s action.

“The committee clarified the definition of a catch such that an airborne player who has forward progress stopped inbounds and is carried out of bounds by an opponent before contacting the ground is awarded a catch at the spot of forward progress,” Colgate said.

In Rule 9-3-8, the committee added another provision to the rule enacted last year regarding contact by the kicking team against members of the receiving team. The new provision stipulates that the kicking team may initiate contact once the receiving team has initiated a block within the neutral zone.

The committee also approved the addition of a 15-yard penalty to the existing option of accepting an awarded fair catch for kick-catch interference.

Finally, in Rule 8-3-3, the committee clarified that the touchdown scoring team is the only team that can score on a try, and in Rule 1-5-3 the committee modified the rule regarding the wearing of towels. (Solid-colored towels now legal).

View the 2013 Football Tournament Package from the CIAC

QUARTERFINALS
Dec. 3, 6:30 p.m. at the higher seed

SEMIFINALS
Dec. 7, at neutral sites, TBA

FINALS
Dec. 13-14 at Arute Field, New Britain (CCSU)
Dec. 13: One final, 7 p.m.
Dec. 14: Three finals, 10 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 5 p.m.

View the 2013 Football Tournament Package from the CIAC Class LL (702 and over/36)

·  Amity ·  Bridgeport Central ·  Brien McMahon ·  Cheshire ·  Conard ·  Crosby ·  Danbury ·  East Hartford ·  Fairfield Ludlowe ·  Fairfield Prep ·  Farmington ·  Glastonbury ·  Greenwich ·  Hall ·  Hamden ·  Hartford Public ·  Kennedy ·  Manchester ·  New Britain ·  New Milford ·  Newington ·  Newtown ·  Norwalk ·  Norwich Free Academy ·  Ridgefield ·  Shelton ·  Simsbury ·  South Windsor ·  Southington ·  Stamford ·  Staples ·  Trumbull ·  West Haven ·  Westhill ·  Wilby ·  Xavier

Class L (531-701/36)

·  Avon ·  Bassick ·  Branford ·  Bristol Central ·  Bristol Eastern ·  Bulkeley ·  Bunnell ·  Cheney Tech ·  Daniel Hand ·  Darien ·  E.O. Smith ·  East Lyme ·  Fairfield Warde ·  Fitch ·  Guilford ·  Harding ·  Maloney ·  Masuk ·  Middletown ·  Naugatuck ·  New Canaan ·  New London ·  North Haven ·  Notre Dame-West Haven ·  Platt ·  Platt Tech ·  Pomperaug ·  RHAM ·  Stratford ·  Torrington ·  Vinal Tech/East Hampton ·  Wethersfield ·  Wilbur Cross ·  Wilton ·  Windsor ·  Windsor Locks/Suffield/East Granby

Class M (388-530/36)

·  Abbott Tech ·  Bacon Academy ·  Berlin ·  Bethel ·  Brookfield ·  Bullard Havens Tech ·  Coventry/Windham Tech/Bolton ·  East Haven ·  Ellington/Somers ·  Fermi ·  Foran ·  Gilbert/NW Regional ·  Granby Memorial ·  Hillhouse ·  Joel Barlow ·  Jonathan Law ·  Killingly ·  Ledyard ·  Lewis Mills ·  Lyman Hall ·  New Fairfield ·  Putnam/Tourtellotte/Ellis Tech ·  Rockville ·  Sheehan ·  St. Bernard/Norwich Tech ·  St. Joseph ·  Stonington ·  Tolland ·  Valley Regional/Old Lyme ·  Waterford ·  Watertown ·  Weston ·  Wilcox Tech ·  Wolcott ·  Wolcott Tech ·  Woodstock Academy

Class S (Up to 390/38)

·  Ansonia ·  Bloomfield ·  Canton ·  Capital/Classical/Achievement ·  Coginchaug ·  Cromwell ·  Derby ·  East Catholic ·  Enfield ·  Griswold ·  Haddam-Killingworth ·  Holy Cross ·  Housatonic/Wamogo ·  Hyde Leadership ·  Immaculate ·  Montville ·  Morgan ·  Nonnewaug ·  North Branford ·  Northwest Catholic ·  Notre Dame-Fairfield ·  O'Brien Tech ·  Old Saybrook/Westbrook ·  Oxford ·  Plainfield ·  Plainville ·  Prince Tech ·  Rocky Hill ·  Sacred Heart ·  Seymour ·  SMSA/University ·  St. Paul Catholic ·  Stafford/East Windsor ·  Trinity Catholic ·  Weaver ·  Whitney Tech ·  Windham ·  Woodland