It felt like the gang was all there at the annual Super Preseason Bowl between West Haven and Ansonia.

Roll call: the Lonesome Polecat (aka Ned Griffen), 'Remmy' (of NVL Football blog fame), Kyle Brennan (of NVL Football Blog and Rep-Am fame), Kevin Duffy (for Hearst CT) and a smattering of coaches of fans, opposing players and former players.

We unnecessarily hyped the game up, and the casual media presence might have hinted this scrimmage was important somehow. But it was just a scrimmage and we used the occasion to size up what should be two of the best teams in the state this season, not to mention get some extra intel from sources who attended.

With the varsity playing a majority of the scrimmage, Ansonia "won" the (ahem) game four scores to two. But it was a pretty even exchange, with hard-hittin' defense a-plenty.

Arkeel Newsome scored a few touchdowns for Ansonia, including a 70-yard run. West Haven's Erv Phillips score on a 30-yard burst. Westies' QB Duane Gary showed some nifty running, as did Ansonia QB JaiQuan McKnight. But overall, it looked like the season was two weeks away.

Yea, there were no fancy schmancy spread offenses in this affair. It was a strap-it-up, dig-in, fire-out, good ol' fashioned smashed-mouth friendly at Jarvis Stadium.

Of course, here were some hints that a few in attendance and on the field might have considered this more than it really was, like this Tweet:

WH player: "We take this seriously! Scrimmage or not, I don't care!" as he fired-up the troops today. #cthsfb #football
— NVL FOOTBALL (@NVLFOOTBALL) August 31, 2013

Overall, there wasn't much to take from this except Newsome and Phillips are good. Ansonia and West Haven are big and are capable of digging in and banging in the trenches with the best of 'em.

In other words, these teams probably can play football.

But, you knew that, didn't you?

Thanks (once again) to YouTube's Rick Volk, you can take a gander at what the Super Preseason Bowl looked like Friday night.

Check it. Let us know what you think:

West Haven's Ervin Phillips during
last year's Ansonia scrimmage.

We're knee-deep in scrimmage season, boys and girls. A few go tonight and then a motherload tomorrow as the final week of preseason begins.

Tonight, 6 p.m. at Jarvis Stadium in Ansonia, your favorite preseason scrimmage (and mine) will kick off (or maybe they'll just start) in front of a larger-than-normal crowd of curious onlookers.

Ansonia-West Haven.

Ah, sweet, sweet Chargers-Westies.

There was a time, not too long ago, that this glorified practice was once the centerpiece of the "Who's No. 1?" argument.

The 2000-era, Kenny Tinney-led Ansonia teams staked their claim to the New Haven Register Poll's top spot by pointing out their team beat the Tommy DeMorro/Desmond Lymon/Rob Jackson West Haven championship teams. Yea, their schedule was 'soft' compared to the Westies' SCC slate, the argument went. But those Chargers could (and would) beat anyone. This scrimmage proved it.

Ansonia's Arkeel Newsome at
last year's  West Haven scrimmage.

Of course, that was quickly countered with It's just a scrimmage! There were coaches on the field, the format wasn't a live game... how in the good Lord's name was this proof of anything other than the lineman got their schemes right in August?

Ah, Chargers-Westies.

Those were the days [Plays the theme to 'All In The Family']

But happy days could be here again.

With Ansonia already early favorite to receive the No. 1 spot in the polls to start the season, and West Haven looking similarly, if not equally strong, will this relatively insignificant clash of CT titans get significant replay come December when we're tallying our final votes?

Of course, there will be a lot of attention paid to how three-time defending LL champion Xavier, or two-time defending Class L champion Hand fares this season, not to mention the usual suspects in the FCIAC, the CCC and ECC and so-on.

Incidentally, West Haven plays both Hand and Xavier all this year. Oh, and they kick off with Greenwich. So if Erv Phillips and the Westies somehow navigate that bloody gauntlet and finish with their first unbeaten season since 2002, you'd think it would be a slam-dunk decision on No. 1 right?

Ah, well, that's where this scrimmage is gonna start getting attention.

Let's say the Westies somehow, miraculously survive... or maybe even lose just one game, en route to a Class LL championship.

Meanwhile, Ansonia smokes through the NVL, Masuk in its SWC-NVL crossover, and then rolls to a third-straight 14-0, Class S championship season.

We'll all be reaching for that Ansonia-West Haven game tape, won't we?

You're damn right we will.

So, Chargers and Westies, while you're minding your stances, your blocking schemes and the play calls while listening to your coaches standing just five yards away in the backfield, make sure to play your best.

Not that it'll really mean anything right? ...right? 

Ah, the good ol' days. They're here again.

As much as things in Connecticut football have changed this past year, nothing really does, does it?

---

In addition to Ansonia-Westies, a full slate of dual scrimmages, tri-scrimmages and full-blown jamborees get underway around the state Saturday.

Then, next week come the final dress rehearsals.

Before you know it, Week 1 will be here.

Can't wait, boys and girls.

Here's the master schedule from CIACSports.com. 

According to a report by ESPNBoston.com, UConn commit Logan Marchi led his St. Paul squad to the Northeast 7x7 South Regional title, becoming the first Connecticut team to win a regional title.

St. Paul emerged victorious from a 40-team field including 38 squads from Massachusetts in the event held yesterday at Ames High School in North Easton, Mass. St. Paul defeated Mansfield (Mass.) High 35-29 in the championship game. Both St. Paul and Mansfield advance to the New England Championship on July 30 at Bishop Fenwick High in Peabody, Mass.


Also:

ESPNBoston also reported that Ansonia High’s record-breaking running back Arkeel Newsome, who recently committed to UConn, was one of the standouts at the Super 7 Showcase.

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.”

Ansonia running back Arkeel Newsome committed to play football at UConn Wednesday, according to Ansonia coach Tom Brockett.

Newsome was offered by the Huskies last summer. He was also offered by UMass and received interest from Rutgers and Syracuse.

"He was one of the kids they wanted," Brockett said. "I think it's awesome for him and his family. I think it's a good thing for UConn and that staff to keep the best kid in Connecticut at home."

Register reporter and UConn football beat writer Jim Fuller put together this information about Newsome:

The 5-foot-8, 180-pound Newsome ran 227 times for 2,245 yards and 38 touchdowns as a junior.

As a sophomore Newsome ran for 3,763 yards and 58 touchdowns in 14 games including scoring runs of 87, 95 and 98 yards. He ran for more than 300 yards in seven games including a 401-yard effort against Derby.

I spoke to Newsome before the start of his junior season and shortly after he was in attendance at UConn's 2012 season opener against UMass.

"It was a great experience and they won," Newsome said. "It was kind of weird because both of the schools gave me offers and I went to the game and UConn won.

"It was really exciting, they have an amazing crowd and I was happy to be a part it."

He is the fourth known commitment for the Class of 2014 and second from Connecticut joining St. Paul quarterback Logan Marchi.

 VIA PRESS RELEASE

Connecticut’s top senior football player, Ansonia running back Arkeel Newsome, has been nominated to play in the 2014 U.S. Army All-American Bowl. Those nominated will have the chance to showcase their talents on Saturday, January 4, 2014, in the annual East vs. West match-up, televised live on NBC at 1:00 PM EST.

“The U.S. Army All-American Bowl is a unique celebration of high school athletes, musicians and the American Soldier,” said Mark S. Davis, deputy assistant secretary of the Army for marketing. “These nominations recognize the mental, emotional and physical strengths, as well as the leadership qualities the nominees possess both on and off the field; qualities reflective of Army Strong Soldiers. We look forward to showcasing their talents and those of our Soldiers during the Army All American Bowl Selection Tour and Game Week.”

The athletes were nominated by the U.S. Army All-American Bowl Selection Committee, which consists of All American Games, 247Sports – the Bowl’s official online recruiting network -- and All American Games’ network of regional coaches throughout the country. Of the 400 nominees, 90 will be selected and invited to the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. The next step for the nominees occurs in September, when the U.S. Army All-American Bowl Selection Tour begins. Player finalists along with U.S. Army All-American Marching Band musicians will be announced nationwide throughout the Fall, with the Selection Tour ending in early December.

For more than a decade, the U.S. Army All-American Bowl has been the Nation’s premier high school football game, serving as the preeminent launching pad for America’s future college and NFL stars. Adrian Peterson and Andrew Luck both made their national debuts as U.S. Army All-Americans. In the 2012 NFL Draft Andrew Luck became the first U.S. Army All-American Bowl alumnus to be selected with the first overall pick. The 2013 U.S. Army All-American Bowl drew a record crowd of 40,133 to the Alamodome, and was the most-watched sporting event on television over the weekend, excluding the NFL playoffs.


For more information, visit here.

Ansonia junior running back Arkeel Newsome was named the Hal Levy High School Male Athlete of the Year presented by the Connecticut Sports Writers Alliance.

This is the second year of the award, which is named in memory of the late Shore Line Newspapers sports editor and former CSWA president and longtime member. Newsome will be honored at the 72nd Gold Key Dinner on April 28 at the Aqua Turf Club in Southington.

Newsome rushed for 2,245 yards and scored 41 total touchdowns. He helped leadthe Chargers to a second straight 14-0 season and a consecutive Class S state title. Newsome has scored a state-record 119 career touchdowns. 

Newsome, who was recently selected as the Walter Camp Football Foundation’s Connecticut Player of the Year for the second straight season. He was also named to the Max Preps Junior Class All-America Football Team, and to the New Haven Register All-State Team for the second year in a row after being selected as its Player of the Year as a sophomore.

As a sophomore, Newsome scored a state-record 62 touchdowns while setting a single-season rushing record in Connecticut with 3,763 yards. That broke the mark of 3,596 yards set by another Ansonia back, Alex Thomas, in 2007.With one season still to go, Newsome has already rewritten much of the state record book. He has also rushed for 6,805 yards on 610 carries (11.1 average), and needs 1,474 yards next season to become the state’s all-time leading rusher. Thomas is the current leader with 8,279 yards, and Newsome’s 740 career points is only seven behind Thomas for another state record.

 

VIA PRESS RELEASE

Ansonia junior running back Arkeel Newsome was named the Walter Camp Football Foundation Player of the Year at the annual Breakfast of Champions on Saturday.

Newsome, who rushed for 2,245 yards and 38 touchdowns for the Class S state champion Chargers, won the award for the second straight season.  Other finalists included: Xavier senior quarterback Tim Boyle and Hand senior linebacker Matt Walsh.

The Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by NFP Sports, was presented to the family of the late Jack Hunt, former head coach at Ansonia High School who won seven state titles during his 19 seasons (193-26 record).

Hand, the Class L champion and state’s top-ranked team with a perfect 13-0 record, was honored along with the three other state champions – Xavier (Class LL, 12-1 overall record), Hillhouse (Class M, 11-2 overall record) and Ansonia (Class S, 14-0 overall record).

The state’s Coach of the Year award, presented by Stadium System, was shared by two coaches from the Southern Connecticut Conference whose teams won state titles in 2012 - Steve Filippone (Hand) and Tom Dyer (Hillhouse).  The other finalist was Tom Brockett (Ansonia). 

2012 WALTER CAMP ALL-CONNECTICUT TEAM

OFFENSE
QB: Tim Boyle (Xavier)
RB: Arkeel Newsome (Ansonia), Harold Cooper (Hillhouse)
WR: Andrew Matos (Ansonia), Kris Luster (Xavier)
TE: Andrew Isaacs (Manchester)
OL: Hector Rodriguez (Berlin), Jacob Basilica (Montville), Kyle Vaughn (Staples), Michael LaSala (Wilton), Max Schumann (Xavier)

DEFENSE
LB: Mike Jones (Capital Prep), Matt Walsh (Daniel Hand), Marquis Little (Manchester), Max Tylki (Xavier)
DB: Andre Anderson (Hillhouse), Joey Paparelli (Norwich Free Academy), Justin Potts (Platt), James Frusciante (Staples)
DL: Peter Gerson (Daniel Hand), Kyle Wilson (Ledyard), Tuzar Skipper (Norwich Free Academy), Cole Ormsby (Windsor)

SPECIAL TEAMS
Kicker: Ed Groth (Shelton)
Punter:  Michael Nichol (Wolcott)
Returner:  Thomas Milone (Masuk) 

VIA PRESS RELEASE

New Haven, Conn. – As part of its 46th annual Weekend festivities, the Walter Camp Football Foundation will host a High School “Breakfast of Champions” on Saturday, January 12 at Anthony’s Ocean View in New Haven.  The sixth annual event will begin at 9 a.m. and be broadcast live at www.sportingnewsct.com.

 Hand, the Class L champion and state’s top-ranked team, will be honored along with the three other state champions – Xavier (Class LL), Hillhouse (Class M) and Ansonia (Class S).   In addition, the announcement of the 2012 Walter Camp All-Connecticut Team, presented by Achieve Athletics, will be made as will the presentations of four awards.

The state Coach of the Year award will be presented by Stadium System.  The three finalists include: Tom Brockett (Ansonia), Tom Dyer (Hillhouse), and Steve Filippone (Daniel Hand).

The three finalists for the state Player of the Year include:  Xavier senior quarterback Tim Boyle, Ansonia junior running back Arkeel Newsome and Daniel Hand senior linebacker/fullback Matt Walsh.

The Lifetime Achievement Award, which is presented by NFP Sports, will be presented to the family of the late Jack Hunt, the former head coach at Ansonia High School who won 88 percent of his games and seven state championships during his 19 seasons (193-26 record).

Walter Camp Award Winners

Joseph W. Kelly Award: Daniel Hand (Madison) High School
Connecticut Player of the Year: Bjoern Werner, defensive end (Florida State University/The Salisbury School)
Alumnus of the Year: Derrick Brooks (Florida State University)
Man of the Year: Herm Edwards (San Diego State)
Distinguished American:Tom Osborne (Hastings College/University of Nebraska)
Coach of the Year: Brian Kelly (University of Notre Dame)
Player of the Year: Manti Te’o, linebacker (University of Notre Dame)

EVENT SCHEDULE

Thursday, January 10

10 a.m. – STAY IN SCHOOL RALLY – Floyd Little Athletic Center – 480 Sherman Parkway

1 p.m. – CONNECTICUT CHILDREN’S CENTER VISIT – Hartford, CT

Friday, January 11

11 a.m. – MEDIA CONFERENCE/ALUMNI BRUNCH – Omni Hotel, Temple Street, New Haven, CT

1 p.m. – HOSPITAL VISITS – Easter Seals Goodwill Rehabilitation Center (New Haven), Feroletto Development Center  (Bridgeport), Gaylord (Wallingford), Veteran’s Administration (West Haven), and Yale-New Haven (New Haven)

4 – 7:30 p.m. – WALTER CAMP FAN FEST CLINIC & CARNIVAL
Floyd Little Athletic Center - 480 Sherman Parkway - Tickets: $10.00

Saturday, January 12

9 a.m. – High School “Breakfast of Champions” - Anthony’s Ocean View – New Haven

5 p.m. – 46th ANNUAL NATIONAL AWARDS DINNER***

Yale University Commons (New Haven) - DINNER is SOLD OUT.
The National Awards Dinner will be broadcast on ESPN3.

Ansonia wins NVL title

WATERBURY — Through 10 games, an opponent has yet to solve, much less contain, Ansonia’s potent offensive attack.

In the Naugatuck Valley League championship game with Woodland, it was essentially the same script its been all season: another decisive victory for the Chargers.

Through the air and on the ground, Ansonia, ranked third in the Register Top 10 Poll, operated on all cylinders Thursday.

Led by junior Arkeel Newsome, who rushed 23 times for 222 yards and three touchdowns, the Chargers cruised to a 56-26 win over the Hawks at Municipal Stadium.

It was the second straight league title for Ansonia (10-0), which has won 24 straight games.

READ MORE

THURSDAY'S ROUNDUP

Hamden scored 20 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to rally for a 26-24 win over Amity in Hamden on Thursday night.

Quarterback Eli Bonadies scored on a 5-yard bootleg with just under a minute left to cap the Green Dragons’ rally.

READ MORE

FRIDAY'S ROUNDUP

Quarterback Phil Cohen completed 14-of-20 passes for 201 yards and four touchdowns to lead the Valley Regional/Old Lyme football team to a 45-0 Pequot Sassacus win over East Hampton in East Hampton on Friday.

READ MORE

SATURDAY'S ROUNDUP

HYDE CLINCHES CLASS S PLAYOFF BERTH

Kevin Jones scored two rushing touchdowns and also tossed a touchdown pass for the Hyde football team in a 48-0 Pequot Conference Sassacus Division win over Nonnewaug Saturday at New Haven.

The Howling Wolves (9-0) clinched a Class S state playoff berth. Jones scored on runs of 70 and 5 yards and threw a 17-yard td pass to Kahlil Morant.

READ MORE

Junior Arkeel Newsome rushed 23 times for 222 yards and three touchdowns and he added a 25-yard touchdown reception to lead Ansonia, ranked third in the Register Top 10 Poll, to a 56-26 victory over Woodland in the Naugatuck Valley League championship game Thursday at Municipal Stadium in Waterbury.

Newsome, who scored on touchdown runs of 47, 53 and 15 yards, was named the game's MVP.

Sophomore quarterback Jai'Quan McKnight completed 6 of 7 passes for 144 yards and three touchdowns for the Chargers (10-0), who have won 24 straight games.

Senior Andrew Matos caught a touchdown and ran for one, while senior Raeshaun Finney also had a touchdown reception for Ansonia. Hezekiah Duncan returned an interception 35 yards for the Chargers.

Tanner Kingsley completed 14 of 25 passes for 206 yards and two touchdowns for the Hawks (6-3).

Senior Andrew Matos caught two touchdown passes, scored on a 10-yard run and made an interception for the unbeaten Chargers in this NVL Brass Division win Friday over the previously unbeaten Eagles.

Matos caught touchdown passes of 31 and 25 yards from sophomore Jai'Quan McKnight. 

Junior Arkeel Newsome rushed 33 times for 250 yards and three touchdowns for No. 3 Ansonia (8-0).

All you need to know about high school football in this state this year is right here.

Below are links from the Register's 2012 preview.


Xavier lands at No. 1 in Preseason Top 10 Poll

Ervin Philips, Harold Cooper and Arkeel Newsome ready to run all over area defenses

Nutmeg Nuggets: Top 30 Players to Watch 

Sean Merrill, Sheehan thinking big this season

Haddam-Killingworth quarterback Alex DiMauro-D'Amico will miss senior season

Whitney Tech set to embark on first varsity season

Bob Barton: Many high school nicknames need a name change,  Everything you needed to know about nicknames

Hand's Pete Gerson, Matt Walsh lead tenacious Tigers 'D'


North Branford favored to win Pequot Conference

Xavier takes aim at a hat trick

Staples chases another championship season

Fairfield Prep focused on taking another step forward

Bryan Castelot, Bunnell hope to have foes on the run

Condors developing O'Brien Tech pride in program's second year

CAP THIS

CCC Capsules

ECC Capsules

FCIAC Capsules

NVL Capsules

Pequot Capsules

Preps Capsules

SCC Capsules

SWC Capsules

The 2012 High School Football Record book has not yet been released (you can view the 2011 edition here), but here are the records that were broken in 2011 (courtesy of stat guru Bob Barton and Gerry deSimas, Jr.)

RUSHING

Most yards rushing, season – 3,763, by Arkeel Newsome, Ansonia (old record 3,596, by Alex Thomas, Ansonia, 2007).

           

Highest average gain per rush, season – 12.0 by Arkeel Newsome, Ansonia (old record 10.6, by Alex Thomas, Ansonia, 2007).

Highest average gain per rush, career -- 11.9*,  by Arkeel Newsome, Ansonia, 2010-11 (old record 10.2, by Alex Thomas, Ansonia, 2004-07).

 * Player remains active.

Most consecutive 300-yard games (record tied): 3, by Brenden Lytton, Torrington, 2011, and by Arkeel Newsome, Ansonia (twice), 2011 (original record 3, by Montrell Dobbs, Ansonia, 2010).

Most touchdowns by rushing, season – 59, by Arkeel Newsome, Ansonia, 2011 (old record 47, by Alex Thomas, Ansonia, 2007).

           

FORWARD PASSING

Most passes completed, game (record tied) --  38 by Matthew Milano, New Canaan, vs Hand, Dec. 10, 2011 (original record 38, by Jake White, Foran, vs. North Haven, Nov. 2, 2007).

Most passes completed, season --  257, by Matthew Milano, New Canaan, 2011 (old record 236 by Eian Bain, Stafford, 2003).

Most passes completed, career -- 635, by Casey Cochran, New London-Masuk, 2008-11 (old record 477 by Joe DellaVecchia, St. Joseph, 2007-10).

Most yards by passing, season -- 3,688, by Anthony Morales, Cromwell, 2011 (old record  3,558, by Matt Kelleher, Southington, 2005).

Most yards by passing, career -- 10,767, by Casey Cochran, New London-Masuk, 2008-11 (old record 7,710, by Joe Della Vecchia, St. Joseph, 2007-10).

Most touchdown passes, season -- 43, by Anthony Morales, Cromwell, 2011 (old record 42, by Matthew Milano, New Canaan, 2010).

Most touchdown passes, career -- 112 by Casey Cochran, New London-Masuk, 2008-11 (old record 85 by Joe DellaVecchia, St. Joseph, 2007-10).

PUNTING

Highest average distance, season: (minimum 25 punts) – 48.0, by Ardian Sahinovic, New Fairfield, 2011 (old record 47.5, by Jason Mawicke, Staples, 2010).

           

SCORING

Most points scored, season -- 388, by Arkeel Newsome, Ansonia, 2011 (old record  294, by Tim Washington, Bristol Central, 2000).

 Most touchdowns scored, season -- 62, by Arkeel Newsome, Ansonia, 2011 (old record 47, by Alex Thomas, Ansonia, 2007).

Most points for which responsible, all methods (rushing, passing, receiving, kicking), season -- 394, by Arkeel Newsome, Ansonia, 2011 (old record  350, by Tim Washington, Bristol Central, 2000).

I went down to Ken Strong Stadium Friday and checked out the scrimmage between Ansonia and West Haven.

When I left, Ansonia held a 21-0 lead after three quarters. Looked like each teams' B-Unit was about to enter the game.

Final ended up being 28-7.

Some thoughts: 

• Ansonia junior running back Arkeel Newsome, the reigning Register player of the year, scored three times, including one on a long gain. The two other scores came near the goal line, although he did break off another long run to set up the Chargers' first score.

• Senior Andrew Matos caught a few passes from sophomore quarterback Jai'Quan McKnight. McKnight took over the QB duties from expected starter Tyler Lester, who broke his leg in a preseason camp. Lester may return late in the year. McKnight did a decent job directing the offense. McKnight was expected to be the second option after Newsome in the backfield before Lester's injury. McKnight also had an interception on West Haven's first offensive series.

• Ansonia's young and inexperienced offense line is coming along. The Chargers' defense was impressive.

• West Haven's defense was also solid despite surrendering those three scores. The Westies have some big and athletic kids. Senior Bobby Sampson had a solid game at defensive back, making several tackles and swatting away a few pass attempts.

• Offensively, West Haven struggled to get a rhythm. Junior Ervin Philips and senior Eddy Williams had some nice runs, though. Philips was open several times in the flat but quarterback Javon Taylor, a transfer from Wilbur Cross, was unable to make the completion. Taylor, standing around 6-feet-3, has a good arm and should be quite a weapon this season.

Overall, both Ansonia and West Haven looked good, and both should make runs at qualifying for the postseason. Ansonia, the defending Class M champions, move down to Class S. West Haven has a strong shot to qualify in Class LL, although its regular season schedule is again brutal.

Ansonia junior running back Arkeel Newsome, the reigning Register player of the year, was featured in an article on Max Preps.com. The article states that Newsome has the potential to eclipse the national mark for rushing yards in a career (11,232) set by Ken Hall of Sugar Land, Texas from 1950-1953.

~~~~excerpt~~~~~

They are crowning achievements that stand as magically in sports history as the fabled athletes who scripted them:

Joe DiMaggio's 56-game hitting streak. Wilt Chamberlain's 100-point NBA game. Jack Nicklaus' 18 major golf titles. Jerry Rice's 208 NFL touchdown catches. Wayne Gretzky's 215 points in one NHL season. Pele's 1,279 soccer goals scored. Cal Ripken's 2,632 consecutive games played.

High school football has one, too, similarly revered and mystical yet seemingly just as unreachable for six decades: the 11,232 career rushing yards compiled by Ken Hall of Sugar Land (Texas) from 1950 to 1953.

In prep parlance, Hall is the Babe Ruth of high school football. This Bambino was known as the Sugar Land Express.

An unreachable record for nearly 60 years? Without question. A record within the sights today of Ansonia (Conn.) junior sensation Arkeel Newsome? Could be.

~~~~excerpt~~~~


Last season, Newsome rushed  313 times for 3,763 yards and 58 touchdowns.
Newsome has career totals of 610 carries, 4,372 yards and 70 touchdowns.


Below is a video posted with the article. 

UConn and UMass, according to Ansonia coach Tom Brockett.

Newsome was the Register State Player of the Year in 2011 while leading the Chargers to the Class M state title as a sophomore.

Sophomore running back Arkeel Newsome rushed 17 times for 352 yards and three touchdowns, and added a 33-yard TD reception from Elliot Chudwick, as the Chargers rolled to this NVL Brass Division victory.

Chudwick added a 13-yard TD run, while Tyler Lester scored on a 74-yard run for Ansonia (5-0, 2-0).

Luke Grabowski (22 carries, 68 yards) scored on a 5-yard run for the Wildcats (3-2, 0-2).

Arkeel Newsome, Ansonia, football: Sophomore rushed for 401 yards and four touchdowns and 22 carries to help the Chargers beat Derby 55-19. Newsome also added a 76-yard TD reception for the Chargers.

HONOR ROLL

Joe DeSandre, Lyman Hall, football: Senior had five catches for 135 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for 86 yards and another TD on 16 carries in a 43-28 win over East Haven.

David Camille, Bunnell, football: Senior rushed 17 times for 210 yards and five touchdowns in the Bulldogs’ South-West Conference win at Stratford.

Jimmy Fairfield-Sonn, Valley Regional/Old Lyme football: Senior quarterback rushed 27 times for 268 yards and four touchdowns, returned a kickoff for a touchdown and scored on an interception return in a 48-47 win over North Branford.

HONOR ROLL

Arkeel Newsome, Ansonia, football: Sophomore running back rushed 24 times for 332 yards and six touchdowns in a 49-20 victory over Torrington.

Elhadj Kouroma, Wilbur Cross, soccer: Junior had two goals in a pair of 6-0 wins over Foran and Law.