NOTRE DAME-WEST HAVEN

Veteran's Stadium, West Haven

Coach: Tom Marcucci
Conference: SCC
2012 Record: 4-6
2013 Kickoff: at St. Joseph, Sept. 14, 1:30 p.m.
Top offensive players: Cameran Tucker, 5-10, 208, Sr., RB; Blake Rice, 6-1, 165, Sr., RB; Owen Barnell, 6-1, 235, Jr., G; Drew Arciuolo, 6-0, 178, Sr., WR; Kyle Cullen, 6-2, 215, Jr., T; Joe Palmieri, 5-7, 161, Sr., WR; Prince Brooks, 5-8, 165, So., RB.
Top defensive players: Sal Esposito, 6-0, 195, Sr., LB; Matt Abati, 6-0, 228, Jr., DE; Tim Jambor, 5-11, 184, Jr., LB; Andrew Natale, 5-10, 165, Jr., DB; Joe Petrosino, 5-10, 235, Jr., T; Zack Cofrancesco, 5-8, 158, Jr., DB.
Key losses: Chris Perry, WR/DB; Matt Shumaker, LB; Jordan Williams, DE; Zack Averna, C.
Outlook: Marcucci says the key is that the returning players have improved. There are many returners with significant varsity experience. There is also a very strong sophomore and junior class combined with those experienced seniors. Marcucci expects his team to compete in every game. Marcucci noted that team speed and strength have greatly improved.  Tucker, pictured above, will be one of the top running backs in the SCC. He basically carried the load last season as the Green Knights struggled with injuries. Tucker rushed 215 times for 1,697 yards and 19 touchdowns as a junior. Rice returns under center, although he missed some time with injury last season. He completed 54 of 105 passes for 623 yards and five scores. Esposito saw some time in the backfield and as a receiver but he will be called upon to lead the defense. He made 54 tackles last season.

Previous entries in the Inside The Huddle series:


Derby
Guilford
Morgan
New Canaan
North Branford
North Haven
Pomperaug
Sheehan  
Xavier 

NOTEBOOK: Notre Dame-West Haven comes of age with win over Fairfield Prep

Notre Dame-West Haven finally earned a signature victory after rallying past Fairfield Prep this past Friday in Fairfield.

The Green Knights led 13-0 at halftime before the Jesuits responded with 14 points in the third quarter.

In the final period, senior Chris Perry caught a 27-yard touchdown pass from junior Blake Rice and then Perry and Rice hooked up for the successful two-point conversion pass to lift Notre Dame to a 21-14 victory.

The loss all but ended Fairfield Prep’s playoff hopes, while the Green Knights celebrated a victory over one of the Southern Connecticut Conference’s more competitive teams.

READ MORE

WEEK 9 HIGHLIGHTS

OFFENSIVE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

Derby Jr. RB Tyrae Small: Carried 15 times for 182 yards and five touchdowns in a 46-6 win over Crosby on Saturday. Small also made eight tackles and an interception.

Foran So. QB Jake Kasuba: Threw for 357 yards and six touchdown passes in a 46-6 win over Branford on Friday.



DEFENSIVE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

Cheshire So. LB Andrew Yamin: Made eight tackles, a sack and an interception in a 33-0 win over Hamden on Saturday.

Derby Sr. DL John Piazza: Had six tackles, caused a fumble and recovered another in a 46-6 win over Crosby on Saturday.

SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

Derby Sr. Dillon McMahon: Scored on an 80-yard kickoff return in a 46-6 win over Crosby on Saturday.

Hartford Public Sr. Kwame Kitson: Kicked a 45-yard field goal in a 35-10 loss to Middletown on Saturday.

TEAMS OF THE WEEK

Darien: Nick Lombardo caught a 35-yard touchdown pass from Henry Baldwin with 7 seconds remaining in regulation in a 26-20 victory over previously unbeaten Trinity Catholic on Saturday.

Derby: Defeated Crosby 46-6 on Saturday to clinch its first winning season since 1996. The Red Raiders are 6-3.

READ MORE



HAND remains No. 1 in Register Top 10 Poll