Stories by Kevin D. Roberts

GRANBY

Rich Gadoury ready for challenges as new head coach of Bears

GRANBY – There is a new head football coach in Granby.

He may have been dressed in a similar hat, T-shirt, shorts and flip-flops that were his dress code as head swimming coach, but Rich Gadoury donned a different persona as Granby Memorial’s head football coach on Aug. 16 at Ahrens Park.

Gadoury raised his voice several times during the second day of conditioning on a warm, sunny afternoon and let his players know how he felt. The players got in line, and followed directions.

Gadoury likes what he sees out of his young football team.

Read more here.

CANTON 

Paul Philippon looking to bring discipline, respectability in first season as Warrior coach

CANTON – There is a new leader of the Warriors.

Paul Philippon is in his first season as Canton’s head football coach. Philippon has been around Connecticut football for a long time.

He spent last year coaching at Trinity College. Before that, there were stints at Glastonbury, Bristol Eastern for five years as head coach, and Conard in West Hartford for 15 years. Philippon takes over for Roger Pearl.

Philippon looks to instill discipline in the Warriors, who have 30-35 players.

Read more here.

AVON

Falcons working with less numbers, but still return talented running back Colin Moore

AVON – There are plenty of questions for the Avon football team as it enters the 2012 season.

The Falcons are down about 20 players from their normal numbers. Avon has varsity numbers in the low to mid 40s, along with about 25 freshmen, according to head coach Brett Quinion.

“That’s high school football, the ebbs and flows of it,” Quinion said during conditioning on Aug. 16.

A large group of seniors, along with players moving on to soccer or not coming back, led to the lower numbers.

Read more here.

Patrick Davidson scored on a 1-yard run with 17 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter to lift the host Howling Wolves to this Pequot Conference interdivision win Saturday at Bowen Field.

Davidson scored both of Hyde's touchdowns in the fourth quarter to erase a 12-7 deficit.

Davidson finished with 112 yards on 25 carries. Teammate Gary Ormond rushed 17 times for 152 yards.

Ross McDonald carried 22 times for 101 yards and two scores for Avon.

The football season kicks off next Wednesday. Below are 10 games you may not want to miss in 2010.

Sept. 17
1. Xavier at Notre Dame-West Haven, 7 p.m.: Xavier handed ND only loss last season.

Sept. 18
2. Avon at Hyde, 1 p.m.: Could be game of the year in Pequot Conference. And it takes place in Week 1.

Sept. 24
3. Masuk at Pomperaug, 7 p.m.: Rematch of last year's SWC championship game won by Pomperaug.

Oct. 2
4. Conard at Glastonbury, 1 p.m.: Has potential to be one of the best games in the Central Connecticut Conference this year.

Oct. 9
5. Ridgefield at Wilbur Cross, 1 p.m.: Ridgefield earned a one-point win last year down in Fairfield County.

Oct. 15
6. Wolcott at Ansonia, 7 p.m.: This marks the 1,000th game in the storied Ansonia program. Wolcott has never defeated the Chargers.

Oct. 23
7. New Canaan at St. Joseph, 2 p.m.: These squads could be, perhaps, the best two teams in the FCIAC this season.

Nov. 12
8. Shelton at Cheshire, 7 p.m.: This meeting has become quite the rivalry in recent years.

Nov. 25
9. Staples at Greenwich, 10 a.m.: Or are Staples and Greenwich the two best out of the FCIAC?

Nov. 25
10. Hillhouse at Wilbur Cross, 10:30 a.m.: Elm City Classic could indeed be that as these rivals meet on Thanksgiving morning.

The internet recruiting site, Scout.com, lists New Canaan offensive linemen Connor Hanratty as the top player in the state and the third-best nationally at his position. Hanratty, son of former NFL player Terry Hanratty, will attend Notre Dame, his father's alma mater.

Florida-bound offensive linemen Tommy Jordan, the Ridgefield senior, is ranked No. 2 behind Hanratty and No. 17 nationally.

Other state players listed nationally are:
LB No. 93 Graham Stweart (Xavier) Headed to Boston College.
TE No. 84 Mitch King (Valley Regional) Interest from Duke, Temple, Tulane
RB No. 120 Max DeLorenzo (Berlin) Headed to UConn

Among the other top players in the state include: Avon RB Ross McDonald, St. Joseph RB Tyler Matekevich, New London LB Stefan Dance, Montville RB Tyler Girard-Floyd, Masuk QB Casey Cochran and Conard RB Jon Esposito.

Above are nominees for the distinction of being the state's best as we enter the 2010 season. Who is your choice?