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).

Took a few weeks off this summer but now, as my fifth grade teacher used to remind  us during the first few weeks back that school year, it's time to clean the sand from my ears, put away the flip flops and get back to work.

The 2012 High School Football Season officially begins with the start of conditioning this week.

Per CIAC rules:
 
For schools that DO NOT CONDUCT SPRING FOOTBALL PRACTICE:
Conditioning: Aug. 15
First practice: Aug. 21
For schools that CONDUCT SPRING FOOTBALL PRACTICE:
Conditioning: Aug. 20
First practice: Aug. 25

Here's what I learned this summer on the state high school football scene:

HAND RB/LB Matt Walsh committed to UCONN 

Ansonia's Nolan Athletic Complex vandalized

UCONN's Casey Cochran sidelined with broken thumb

Rico Brogna resigns after one season at Notre Dame-Fairfield

Hyde coach Melvin Wells returns to position after being cleared of wrongdoing in alleged incident with student

Our friends from the NVL blog reported that Sacred Heart WR David Coggins, who committed to play at Boston College, transferred to Naugatuck, and that Pat Russo is OUT as head coach at Wilby. Read about these stories here.

Starting on Tuesday at this blog, I'll begin to preview the 2012 season with my What To Look For (W2L4) feature. I'll give you some information about teams, leagues, players and games to watch this year.

Hillhouse's Rennick Bryan signs with UConn (video)

National Signing Day List

UCONN FOOTBALL: Casey Cochran heads recruting class (video)

Golden among four from Cheshire Academy to sign with colleges

Masuk Sr. QB Casey Cochran was chosen as the Gatorade State Player of the Year for the second consecutive season.

The 6-foot-2, 205- pound Cochran, who is headed to UConn next fall, has led the Panthers to an 11-0 record and a berth in the Class L state semifinals, where the Panthers will face Hand on Saturday at 7 p.m. at West Haven's Ken Strong Stadium.

Cochran has passed for 2,801 yards and 36 TDs through 11 games. In the classroom, Cochran has maintained a 3.92 GPA, won the Masuk High Book Award for Introduction to Engineering and Algebra I and Geometry, and has volunteered at area food banks, as a youth football coach and as a peer tutor.

Masuk senior quarterback Casey Cochran set the state record for career passing yards after throwing for 298 yards in a 49-14 South-West Conference interdivision victory over host Oxford Saturday.

Cochran has now thrown for 7,998 yards. He needed just 11 yards to surpass the mark of 7,710 yards set by former St. Joseph standout Joe Della Vecchia from 2007-2010. Cochran was 15-of-19 with three touchdowns and one interception.

Colin Markus rushed 10 times for 97 yards and two touchdowns for the Panthers, ranked No. 2 in the Register Poll. Thomas Milone returned the game's opening kickoff 80 yards for a touchdown and he also caught four passes for 114 yards and one touchdown in the win.

Chris Hovan scored on an 84-yard kickoff return, and Jeff Haney returned a fumble 15 yards for a touchdowns, for the Wolverines.

Note: Stats were called in by Oxford and are unofficial.

Less than a week after Masuk quarterback Casey Cochran received a scholarship offer to play football at UConn Cochran has accepted, giving the Huskies an oral commitment Sunday.

The reigning Gatorade state player of the year and Register All-State selection, Cochran said a number of factors played a role in him choosing to play for the Huskies.

"It's my home state," Cochran said. "It's such an honor to get a scholarship from my home state school."

Cochran went on an unofficial visit to the Storrs campus on Sunday and made his intentions clear to UConn head coach Paul Pasqualoni. Cochran also received an offer from Boston College, while Yale, Princeton and Penn offered Cochran a "spot" with their programs. Ivy League schools don't offer athletic scholarships.

Since Pasqualoni joined the UConn program, Cochran said he made three or four visits to the campus.

"I have a great relationship with the staff," said Cochran, who has thrown for over 6,000 career yards and 70 touchdowns. "The program is headed in the right direction and I am very excited to get up there."

Cochran led Masuk to the Class L state title last season. He won the Class SS title as a member of New London as a freshman in 2008.

Masuk QB Casey Cochran received an offer from UCONN earlier today, as it was first reported on various internet sites.

When reached by phone moments ago, Casey's father, Jack Cochran, said it was "great news".

Cochran has also received an offer from Boston College.

Jack Cochran said that Yale, Princeton and Penn have also offered Casey a "spot" with their program. Ivy League schools don't offer athletic scholarships.

Jack Cochran added that "the goal was to make a decision before the start of school. Hopefully we'll make a decision in a few weeks."

It's been Casey's dream to play at a D-I state school, according to Jack, and right now UConn is Casey's "No. 1 choice."

Masuk quarterback Casey Cochran has been nominated to play in the 2012 U.S. Army All-American Bowl, joining an elite group of student-athletes. Those nominated will have the chance to showcase their talents on Saturday, January 7, 2012, in the annual East vs. West match-up, televised live on NBC at 1:00 PM EST.


“The U.S. Army All-American Bowl provides the national platform for young adults to showcase their talent and strength,” said Col. Derik Crotts, Director of Strategic Communications, Marketing and Outreach, U.S. Army Accessions Command. “This nomination recognizes the mental, emotional and physical strengths, and leadership qualities, Cochran has developed on and off the field; qualities he shares with Army Strong Soldiers. The Army congratulates all of the athletes on their nomination.”

Cochran was nominated by the U.S. Army All-American Bowl Selection Committee, which consists of All American Games’ network of regional coaches throughout the country and Rivals.com. Of the more than 440 nominees, 90 are ultimately selected and invited to the 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 All-American Marching Band musicians will be selected nationwide throughout the fall, with the Selection Tour ending in early December.

The U.S. Army All-American Bowl is the premier high school football game in the country held each January in the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. The game features the best high school football players in the nation and has helped launch the careers of Adrian Peterson, Mark Sanchez, Tim Tebow, Ndamukong Suh, and many other college and NFL stars since its inception in 2001. This year, the U.S. Army All-American Bowl drew a record crowd of nearly 38,000 fans to the Alamodome and was the most watched sporting event on television over the weekend, excluding the NFL Playoffs.

The U.S. Army Accessions Command (USAAC), a subordinate command of U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, meets the human resource needs of the Army by transforming volunteers into officers, warrant officers, and enlisted Soldiers. In providing the force, the 18,391 men and women of Accessions Command prepare these future Soldiers and leaders for their initial military training. Commanded by Lt. Gen. Benjamin C. Freakley, USAAC is located at Fort Knox, Ky.

The U.S. Army All-American Bowl is owned and produced by All American Games, a New Jersey-based sport marketing and event management company. National sponsors of the All-American Bowl include the U.S. Army, Rivals.com, Russell Athletic, San Antonio Convention & Visitors Bureau, Gatorade, Schutt Sports, NCSA, TapouT, Oakley, NewTek and Football University. National sponsors of the All-American Marching Band include MENC: The National Association for Music Education, Drum Corps International, Jupiter Band Instruments and DeMoulin Uniforms. For more information on the U.S. Army All-American Bowl and its related events visit www.usarmyallamericanbowl.com & www.goarmy.com/events/aab.

Masuk junior quarterback Casey Cochran was named the Walter Camp player of the year Saturday at the 4th "Breakfast of Champions" sponsored by the Dan Orlovsky Foundation, held at Anthony's Ocean View.

Cochran passed for 3,345 yards and 40 touchdowns for the Class L state champion Panthers. Other finalists included: Ansonia senior running back Montrell Dobbs and New Canaan senior wide receiver Kevin Macari.

Masuk's John Murphy was named the Camp's coach of the year. Murphy led the 13-0 Panthers to the South-West Conference and Class L state titles. Other finalists included: Tom Dyer (Hillhouse) and Sean Marinan (Xavier).

The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Larry Ciotti, former head coach at Hand High School who won five state titles during his 19 seasons (141-42-2 record).

Via press release:

As part of its 44th annual Weekend festivities, the
Walter Camp Football Foundation will host a High School “Breakfast of
Champions” on Saturday, January 15 at Anthony’s Ocean View in New Haven.
The event, which begins at 9 a.m., will be sponsored by the Dan Orlovsky
Foundation.

Xavier High School of Middletown, the Class LL champion and state’s
top-ranked team, will be honored along with the three other state champions
– Masuk (Class L), Hillhouse (Class M) and St. Joseph’s of Trumbull (Class
SS).

In addition, the announcement of the Walter Camp All-Connecticut Team will
be made as will the presentations of three awards.

The state Coach of the Year award will be presented by Stadium System. The
three finalists include: Tom Dyer (Hillhouse), Sean Marinan (Xavier) and
John Murphy (Masuk).

The three finalists for the state Player of the Year include: Masuk junior
quarterback Casey Cochran, Ansonia senior running back Montrell Dobbs and
New Canaan senior wide receiver Kevin Macari.

The Lifetime Achievement Award, which is presented by NFP Sports, will be
presented to Larry Ciotti, former head coach at Daniel Hand High School who
won five state titles during his 19 seasons (141-42-2 record).

Later that evening, the Foundation will host its national awards banquet at
the Yale University Commons in New Haven. The 2010 Walter Camp All-America
Team, Player of the Year Cam Newton (Auburn), Coach of the Year Chip Kelly
(Oregon), and Connecticut Player of the Year John Moffitt (Wisconsin/Notre
Dame-WH) will be recognized. In addition, three individuals – NFL
Hall-of-Famer Chuck Bednarik (Pennsylvania) and former NFL All-Pros Will
Shields (Nebraska) and Tedy Bruschi (Arizona) – will be presented with
major awards.

Masuk coach John Murphy remarks about his junior quarterback Casey Cochran, the Gatorade state player of the year.

Masuk (12-0) faces New Canaan (11-1) in the Class L state final Saturday at 3 p.m. at Rentschler Field.

Cochran led New London to the Class S state title in 2008 before transferring to Masuk as a sophomore. Cochran has thrown for 3,036 yards and 37 touchdowns this season

"He (Cochran) improved a lot. He's just so much more comfortable in the school and with his teammates. He's really such a great kid. He's such a hard worker. He studies a lot of film, and stuff like that. He works his tail off. Everything he gets he deserves."

According to Masuk coach John Murphy, Masuk junior quarterback Casey Cochran was named the Connecticut Gatorade Player of the Year.