Here is the schedule for football games to be broadcast on CPTV.

High School Football (subject to change)

Game	Premiere Date	Repeat Date(s)
Staples at Xavier (LIVE)	Wed., Sept. 11 at 6:30 p.m.	Sat., Sept. 14 at 1 p.m. & Tues., Sept. 17 at 9:30 p.m.
Waterford at Platt (LIVE)	Fri., Sept. 13 at 6:30 p.m.	Sat., Sept. 14 at 10 a.m. & Thurs., Sept. 19 at 9:30 p.m.
Southington at Glastonbury (Sept. 12 game)	Wed., Sept. 18 at 8 p.m.	Sun., Sept. 22 at 10 a.m. & Tues., Sept. 24 at 9 p.m.
Wolcott at Naugatuck (LIVE)	Fri., Sept. 20 at 7 p.m.	Sat., Sept. 21 at 10 a.m. & Thurs., Sept. 26 at 9:30 p.m.
Montville at Norwich Free Academy (Sept. 21 game)	Wed., Sept. 25 at 8 p.m.	Sun., Sept. 29 at 10 a.m. & Tues., Oct. 1 at 9 p.m.
Northwest Catholic at Bloomfield (LIVE)	Fri., Sept. 27 at 7 p.m.	Sat., Sept. 28 at 10 a.m. & Thurs., Oct. 3 at 9:30 p.m.
Cromwell at Ellington/Somers (Sept. 28 game)	Wed. Oct. 2 at 8 p.m.	Sun., Oct. 6 at 10 a.m. & Tues., Oct. 8 at 9 p.m.

 

Ledyard at New London (LIVE)	Fri., Oct. 4 at 6:30 p.m.	Sat., Oct. 5 at 10 a.m. & Thurs., Oct. 10 at 9:30 p.m.
Hyde Leadership at Canton (Oct. 5 game)	Wed., Oct. 9 at 8 p.m.	Sun., Oct. 13 at 10 a.m. & Tues., Oct. 15 at 9 p.m.
Fairfield Prep at Shelton (LIVE)	Fri., Oct. 11 at 7 p.m.	Sat., Oct. 12 at 10 a.m. & Thurs., Oct. 17 at 9:30 p.m.
North Branford at Avon (Oct. 12 game)	Wed., Oct. 16 at 8 p.m.	Sun., Oct. 20 at 10 a.m. & Tues., Oct. 22 at 9 p.m.
Xavier at West Haven (LIVE)	Fri., Oct. 18 at 7 p.m.	Sat., Oct. 19 at 10 a.m. & Thurs., Oct. 24 at 9:30 p.m.
Masuk at Ansonia (Oct. 17 game)	Wed., Oct. 23 at 8 p.m.	Sun., Oct. 27 at 10 a.m. & Tues., Oct. 29 at 9 p.m.
Weston at Newtown (LIVE)	Fri., Oct. 25 at 7 p.m.	Sat., Oct. 26 at 10 a.m. & Thurs., Oct. 31 at 9:30 p.m.
Simsbury at South Windsor (Oct. 26 game)	Wed., Oct. 30 at 8 p.m.	Sun., Nov. 3 at 10 a.m. & Tues., Nov. 5 at 9 p.m.
Oxford at Joel Barlow (LIVE)	Fri., Nov. 1 at 7 p.m.	Sat., Nov. 2 at 10 a.m. &  Thurs., Nov. 7 at 9:30 p.m.
Berlin at Rocky Hill (LIVE)	Fri., Nov. 8 at 7 p.m.	Sat., Nov. 9 at 9 a.m. & Thurs., Nov. 14 at 9:30 p.m.
Naugatuck at Holy Cross (Nov. 7 game)	Wed., Nov. 13 at 8 p.m.	Sun., Nov. 17 at 10 a.m. & Tues., Nov. 19 at 9 p.m.
Derby at Woodland (LIVE)	Fri., Nov. 15 at 6:30 p.m.	Sat., Nov. 16 at 9 a.m. & Thurs., Nov. 21 at 9:30 p.m.
Gilbert/NW Regional at Valley Regional/Old Lyme (LIVE)	Fri., Nov. 22 at 6:30 p.m.	Sat., Nov. 23 at 10 a.m. & Tues., Nov. 26 at 9 p.m.
Middletown at Windsor (LIVE)	Wed., Nov. 27 at 6:30 p.m.	Sun., Dec. 1 at 10 a.m. & Wed., Dec. 4 at 9 p.m.
Capital/Classical at Prince Tech (Nov. 23 game)	Fri., Nov. 29 at 7 p.m.	Sat., Nov. 30 at 10 a.m. & Thurs., Dec. 5 at 9:30 p.m.

 Hyde continues to impress with 21-10 win over Cromwell

By Jimmy Zanor
Register Staff

NEW HAVEN — Hyde football’s 2012 Redemption Tour continued to get rave reviews following the Howling Wolves’ 21-10 Pequot Conference victory against Cromwell Saturday at the Wilbur Cross Athletic Complex.

With last year’s 55-20 loss to the Panthers still fresh in their minds, Hyde took advantage of four Cromwell turnovers and grabbed a 21-0 lead in the first quarter.

“The kids circled the calendar for this one,” said Hyde coach Melvin Wells. “We’ve got a group of seniors that played last year and they remember the feeling and it wasn’t a good one. We felt embarrassed. This year they dedicated themselves to getting better and today we came out prepared.”

An interception by Hyde linebacker Khalil Morant set up the Howling Wolves’ first score, a 17-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Kevin Jones to Tyquan Franklin, who was open in the corner of the end zone.


VOTE for Hyde's KEVIN JONES for Saturday's STAR OF THE DAY! 

DIAZ LEADS OXFORD 

Oxford 55, Notre Dame-Fairfield 20: Quarterback Brennen Diaz threw two touchdown passes and ran for another and Chris Van Kamerik caught the two touchdown passes and added a 50-yard interception return for a touchdown to lead Oxford to its SWC Patriot win in Fairfield. Kamerik had five receptions for 72 yards and Dan Trombetta had five carries for 112 yards, including a 93 touchdown run, for Oxford (3-1).

READ MORE ROUNDUP HERE

PLATT TECH has been nominated for TEAM OF THE WEEK! VOTE!

A year after going 4-6, the program's first losing season since 1999, Hyde has quickly reversed its fortunes.

The Howling Wolves are 3-0 entering this week's Pequot Conference contest with Cromwell, also unbeaten.

Although last season's finish was disappointing, Hyde learned some valuable lessons.

"A good number of these kids from last year were football players," Hyde coach Melvin Wells said. "They played and went through the ups and downs of the season. They saw early on that without a good amount of leadership and dedication, you're not going to be successful."

Wells, though, insists that's not a knock on last year's seniors. Sometimes a team has the horses to be competitive. Sometimes it doesn't.

"Last year's group, we just had a small senior class," Wells said. "We had the desire, but we just didn't have a whole lot of out-and-out talent. That was just the reality of it. We weren't as physical as we've been in the past. It's hard to win when you're not physical. They did the best they could with what they had, but we learned lessons as we went through the process."

Wells said this year's squad has really focused on playing team football.

"None of us are good enough to do it by ourselves," Wells said. "They all have to feed off each other in order to be successful."

Hyde's 14 seniors have all contributed, especially quarterback Kevin Jones.

"He's done a wonderful job so far," Wells said. "He's led this time at quarterback the way they need to be led. He makes plays when they need to be made. What I mean by that is he's not a greedy player by any stretch of the imagination. He does whatever it takes to win."

Read more on HYDE here. 


CHECK OUT my WEEK 4 Predictions 


STATE CONFERENCE STANDINGS

 Linta leads Hamden Hall

T.J. Linta completed 23-of-37 passes for 240 yards and two touchdowns to lead host Hamden Hall to a 28-18 victory over Morristown-Beard (N.J.) at Hamden.

Derby 55, St. Paul 26: Dillon McMahon scored four touchdowns, two on offense, one on defense and another on special teams, to lead the Red Raiders to their Naugatuck Valley League interdivision win in Bristol.

Cromwell 51, East Hampton/Vinal Tech 14: Derrick Villard scored three touchdowns on the ground as the host Panthers rolled up 241 rushing yards in the Pequot Conference win.

Oxford 35, Immaculate 0: Brennen Diaz passed for 107 yards, threw two touchdowns and kicked an extra point as the Wolverines shut out the Mustangs in  this SWC contest.

More roundup.

VOTE for Linta and McMahon for Saturday's STAR OF THE DAY!

EAST HAVEN has been nominated for the Register's TEAM OF THE WEEK!

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).

FOOTBALL: After last year's final, Cromwell hoping to be one game better

By JOE PELLETIER
Middletown Press Sports Editor

Catherine Avalone | The Middletown Press | @CAvaloneMP 9.4.12 The Cromwell Panthers run plays at practice last week.

CROMWELL — Chris Eckert made a special demand of his Cromwell football team before classes started.

He told each football player that, on the first day of school, they needed to take seats in the front of their classes.

It was no suggestion, either — the second-year coach did some reconnaissance work that first day to make sure his Panthers were following orders.

“I want to make sure the emphasis is on academics as well as athletics,” Eckert said. “We’ve got 17 seniors, and they need to be going to college. Senior slide can’t happen.”

The off-the-field rule is a refreshing one for a team that played so well on the field last year — battling to the Class S championship game at Rentschler Field before a fingertips-close loss to Holy Cross.

The memory of that loss remains — particularly with the senior captains — as the Panthers embark on a new journey that could end at Rentschler Field once again. Cromwell opens their season at Pierson Park on Sept. 15 against East Hampton/Vinal Tech.

“We have to forget about last year — it’s in the past now,” captain Jake Suzio said. “It’s a whole new year, and we have to step up even more to reach our goal.”

I went to Saturday's quad scrimmage between Hillhouse, Cromwell, Oxford and Fairfield Warde at Bowen Field in New Haven.

Below is a video of a series between Hillhouse and Warde.

Hillhouse looked pretty good. They moved the ball well, scoring several times. For as long as I stayed, Hillhouse did not surrender a touchdown.

The Academics seem to certainly be a Class M contender.

By Mike Pucci, Register Staff
mpucci@nhregister.com / Twitter: @MikePucciNHR

EAST HARTFORD — How do you stop Ansonia running back Arkeel Newsome and the rest of the unbeaten Chargers?

Ledyard coach Jim Buonocore has a simple strategy.

“First thing we have to try to do is have someone take out the Ansonia bus on the way to the Rent,” Buonocore laughed. “Or at least make sure Arkeel doesn’t make the bus.”

The Colonels will certainly have their hands full with Newsome, a sophomore who’s rushed for 3,399 yards and 55 touchdowns, during Saturday’s Class M state championship game.

Kickoff between top-seeded Ansonia (13-0) and No. 3 Ledyard (11-1) is set for 10:30 a.m. at Rentschler Field.

Buonocore talked more strategy at the CIAC football luncheon honoring the eight state finalists Tuesday at the Club Room at Rentschler Field.

Read more here.

The eight teams that advanced to the state championship games were honored at a luncheon Tuesday in the Club Room at Rentschler Field.

Among the highlights:

Ledyard coach Jim Buonocore on how to stop Ansonia, which the Colonels will face for the Class M title (Saturday, 10:30 a.m.):

"First thing we have to do is have someone take out the Ansonia bus on the way to the Rent, or at least make sure Arkeel (Newsome) doesn't make the bus."

Ansonia sophomore running back Arkeel Newsome has rushed for 3,399 yards and 55 touchdowns.

New Canaan coach Lou Marinelli on how the Rams were able to defeat Hand, which New Canaan will compete with for the Class L title (Saturday, 2 p.m.), three straight times:

"We were lucky".

Xavier senior WR/DB Ryan Jacobucci and the rest of the Falcons are well-aware there's a target on their backs by being the state's No. 1 team. Xavier (12-0) has won 25 straight games and is the defending Class LL champion. The Falcons will face Staples (11-0) on Saturday at 5:30 p.m.

"At Xavier, we're from all over," Jacobucci said. "A lot of the kids have friends back on the schools that we play, and we hear all the time that the teams that we play go so much harder, and they take it much more personally when they play Xavier. Not only do we have to play our 'A' game, but we have to practice so much harder. That keeps us on edge, and that's what keeps the whole team going. We have to keep the train going and keep getting the 'W'."

Class S finalist Cromwell will take on Holy Cross on Friday at 6:30 p.m. Cromwell coach Chris Eckert, in his first year with the Panthers, knew Cromwell had plenty of talent returning, including senior quarterback Anthony Morales and senior receivers Mike Antonio and Brett Director.

"Hearing from other coaches from around the league," Eckert said, "they let me know that we had a great group of seniors coming back and a great group of juniors coming up. The thing we needed to do as a staff was make sure they bought into our style of coaching and bought into our scheme early enough to make sure we were successful on the field. If they didn't buy into it, we had no shot. That was our major focus coming into spring camp and into the fall season."

No. 4 Hand stays unbeaten, defeats West Haven

North Branford knocks off Cromwell

No. 1 Xavier rolls past Hillhouse

Torrington runs past Derby

Valley Regional/Old Lyme shuts out Coginchaug

Roundup/Box Scores

Junior Dale Hausman rushed 21 times for 101 yards and two touchdowns and also caught a 28-yard TD pass from Brandon Basil, while junior Joe DeLucia rushed three times for 64 yards and two scores and caught a 24-yard TD pass from Basil, as North Branford knocked off previously unbeaten Cromwell 41-33 in a Pequot Conference Sassacus Division contest at Colafati Field.

North Branford (5-1) scored the game's first two touchdowns before Cromwell scored three straight times to take a 19-14 lead. The Thunderbirds, on the Basil to DeLucia TD pass, took a 21-19 lead at halftime.

North Branford led 35-19 at one point in the third quarter before Cromwell (6-1) cut the deficit to 35-33.

Derrick Villard rushed 25 times for 129 yards for Cromwell. He also returned an interception 54 yards for another score.

North Branford (4-1) hosts unbeaten Cromwell (6-0) on Friday night at 6:30 in a key Pequot Conference Sassacus Division contest.

After graduating 19 seniors, including nine starters on the offensive side, the Thunderbirds are off to a quick start. North Branford has won four straight games since losing to Valley Regional/Old Lyme in the season opener.

"We still had high expectations," North Branford senior captain Anthony Franco said. "We have a lot of juniors who played a lot their sophomore year and did pretty well. We still expected to have high hopes. We hope to make it to the playoffs."

After Cromwell, North Branford has games remaining with Coginchaug (Nov. 4), Nonnewaug (Nov. 12), Lewis Mills (Nov. 17) and Hyde (Nov. 23). Only Coginchaug has a winning record at this point.

North Branford is currently rated seventh in the Class S state playoff race. The Top 8 teams qualify for the quarterfinals.

North Branford finished 6-4 and just missed a playoff berth by finishing 10th in the Class S standings in 2010. Last year, the Thunderbirds were forced to forfeit its contest with Lewis Mills after a bench-clearing brawled ensued. The majority of North Branford's starters were suspended for the team's next game, a loss to SMSA/University.

The current North Branford seniors have used last season's result as motivation.

"We had a real close connection (to last year's seniors)," North Branford captain Christian Perrotti said. "We played with most of them growing up and we wanted to continue what they were doing. We wanted to see if we can make it back to the playoffs because last year I like to think of it as us being cheated out of it, although not everyone does. I want to see if we can make up for it."

Explosive Cromwell, which is averaging nearly 50 points per game, is one obstacle North Branford will have to navigate in order to reach the postseason for the first time since 2008.

"We have a pretty good shot at the playoffs if we can get past this pretty big challenge we have in front of us," North Branford senior captain Damoy Hunter said.

Read more about North Branford in Friday's Register and on-line at www.nhregister.com.

Check out this video clip featuring North Branford captain Anthony Franco.

CROMWELL
Coach: Chris Eckert (1st year)
Last season: 7-4 (Class S quarterfinalist)
Top players
Anthony Morales (6-3, 175, Sr., QB)
Brett Director (5-9, 170, Sr., WR)
Mike Sullivan (5-10, 220, Sr., DL)
Ricky Feggins (6-1, 165, Sr., FS)
Strengths
Strong senior leadership, team speed and athleticism
Weaknesses
At a small school, depth is always a concern. Limiting injuries will be key.
Outlook
Eckert, in his first year with the Panthers after being the head man at Wilby last year, feels confident that his team can be very competitive in the Pequot Conference Sassacus Division. Cromwell may be the favorite at this point. The Panthers should also contend for a Class S state playoff berth.
Note
Morales is ranked No. 1 academically in his senior class. He's looking to attend an Ivy League school according to Eckert.

Lou Bronk, who served one year as head coach at Cromwell, guiding the Panthers to the Class S state quarterfinals, has stepped down, according to the Middletown Press.

Read the story from the Middletown Press here.

Former Cromwell coach Sal Morello, who stepped down as the Panthers' coach at the end of last season, will be the head coach at Middletown this season.

Read the story that appeared in the Middletown Press here.

Senior Myles Morrison caught a 21-yard touchdown pass from senior Kendell Groom with 9:09 left in the fourth quarter to lift Hyde to a Pequot Conference Sassacus Division victory at New Haven.

Cromwell (6-2) failed to convert on a 4th-and-3 from the Hyde (8-1) 11 with 35 seconds remaining.

Senior quarterback Bobby Jordan led Cromwell with 80 yards on 18 carries.

Senior Juston Wilson carried 13 times for 55 yards for the Howling Wolves.

The debate’s been raging for many, many years now. Is cheerleading a sport? Whether you agree that it is or not, the CIAC, the governing body of high school sports in the state, has awarded state championship plaques and medals to teams and athletes since the 1998-1999 season.

The cheerleading and pom-pom squads are a big part of high school football games. Not only do they perform during halftime, but they decorate the school for pep rallies and make signs and banners that are on display the day of the game. And, of course, their enthusiasm and team spirit is perhaps their most valuable aspect.

I figured I would take a week off from honoring football teams and their players to present a list of the Top 10 Cheer/Dance teams. Championship medals for best hip-hop dance team, in a jazz division and a pom-pom division were handed out for the first time this past spring.

Cheer and Dance teams have their own page on the CIAC website (http://www.casciac.org/) and on the National Federation of State High School Associations site(http://www.nfhs.org/web/2006/08/spirit.aspx).

Ranking are based on titles won, and appearances in the top 3 of teams’ respective divisions, since 1998. From 1998 to the 2003-2004 season, there were just three divisions (L, M, S). In 2004-2005, Class LL was added.


1. Holy Cross
The Crusaders, out of the Naugatuck Valley League, have won eight titles and have made the top 3 10 times. Holy Cross won five straight Class M titles from 2000-2004, and captured the title again in 2006, 2007 and 2009.

The Crusaders were second in 2005 and third in 1999. The only time they did not finish in at least the top 3 was in 2008, when they placed fifth.

2. Wolcott
The Eagles, another NVL school, have a long history of success in the co-ed division.

Wolcott has won the co-ed title seven times. The Eagles dominated that division by winning the championship from 2002-2005. Wolcott also captured the title in 2009, 2000 and 1999. It placed second in 2006 and third in 2008. The Eagles’ all-female team also placed third in Class M in 2001.

3. Danbury
The Hatters, out of the Fairfield County Interscholastic Athletic Conference, won the Class LL title in 2006 and 2004. Danbury claimed Class L titles in 2003, 2002 and 2000.

The Hatters also placed in the top 3 six other times. Danbury finished third in Class LL in 2009 and 2008, second in Class LL in 2007, second in Class LL in 2005, second in Class L in 2001 and third in Class L in 1999.

4. Sacred Heart
Another NVL school, the Hearts have excelled in Class S. Sacred Heart has won titles in 2006, 2005, 2003 and 2001.

The Hearts placed second in 2004 and 2002, and third in 2007 and 1999.

5. Shelton
The Gaels, from the Southern Connecticut Conference, won two titles (Class LL in 2007 and Class L in 2001).

Shelton finished as the runner-up in Class LL in 2009 and second in Class L in 2003 and 2000. The Gaels finished third in Class LL in 2006 and 2005, and third in Class L in 2004.

6. Nonnewaug
Aside from Holy Cross, Nonnewaug, whose football team plays in the Pequot Conference, has been a dominating presence in Class M.

The Chiefs won the Class M title in 2008 and 2005. Nonnewaug finished second in 2003 and 1999. The team placed third in 2009, 2007, 2006 and 2004.

7. East Harford
This Central Connecticut Conference representative has succeeded in the co-ed division. The Hornets captured the title in 2008, 2007 and 2006. East Hartford also placed second in 2005.

The all-female squad was the Class LL champion in 2009.

8. Ansonia
The Chargers, the fourth NVL school to make the list, won Class S titles in 2007, 2002 and 1999.

Ansonia also placed second in 2003 and 2001, and third in 2004. The Chargers have competed in Class M the past two seasons.

9. Cromwell
Not just the football team, which won Class S for the school’s first football title last season, has reason to celebrate. The cheerleading squad won Class S titles in 2008 and 2004.

The Panthers placed second in 2007, and third in 2006.

10. Waterford
The Lancers captured the Class L title in 2008 and 2005. The team placed third in Class M in 2000.

The co-ed squad placed second in 2009.

Below is our list of the Top 10 must-see scrimmages.
Times and dates are as listed on the CIAC website, and are subject to change.

1. Ansonia at Shelton, Sept. 11, 7 p.m.
This has the intensity of a regular season game, and it’s treated as such.
There may not be a bigger hotbed for high school football in the state than the Valley, so players, coaches and fans highly anticipate this preseason meeting. It’s the perfect way to kickoff the year.

As usual, both teams should field competitive teams. Ansonia, which is a member of the Naugatuck Valley League, lost a bunch to graduation, and junior running back Montrell Dobbs will be called upon to carry most of the offensive load.

Shelton, out of the Southern Connecticut Conference, returns quarterback Ray Pendegast, who saw spot duty last season, running back Joel Youd and Paul Piccirillo, who can play four positions.

2. Bunnell at Staples, Sept. 2, 4 p.m.
Two of the state’s best coaches, Bunnell’s Craig Bruno and Staples’ Marce Petroccio, square off here.

Bunnell, out of the South-West Conference, lost All-State quarterback Chris Sloat to graduation, in addition to several other talented starters from last season, when the Bulldogs went 9-2 but failed to qualify for a third straight playoff berth. It may be a rebuilding year for Bunnell.

Staples, from the Fairfield County Interscholastic Athletic Conference, also failed to make the postseason. Bunnell defeated Staples for the Class L title in 2006, and again in the Class L semifinals in 2007.

The Wreckers, however, should improve on last season’s 6-5 mark, as the team had a large junior class.

3. Hyde at Hamden, Sept. 11. 6 p.m.
Hyde has only a short ride up Dixwell Ave. for this contest with the Green Dragons, out of the SCC.

The Howling Wolves, from the Pequot Conference, return senior quarterback Kendell Groom and wide receiver/linebacker DeShawn Murphy. Hyde went 9-3, and advanced to the Class S semifinals a year ago.

Hamden also advanced to the state semifinals, before losing to Cheshire in Class LL. The Green Dragons might return the most talent of any team in the state, including quarterback Jason Lassiter and two-way lineman Jo-Von Ladson.

4. Masuk at Darien, Sept. 11, 4:30 p.m.
The biggest off-season transaction was Casey Cochran transferring to Masuk.

Cochran, a sophomore quarterback, led New London to the Class SS state title last season after taking over the starting duties for the injured Jordan Reed at mid-season. Cochran is the son of former New London coach Jack Cochran, who was fired in the spring.

The Panthers are usually contenders in the South-West Conference, but with Casey Cochran’s arrival, Masuk may just repeat as Class L champions.

Darien went to the Class MM final before losing to fellow FCIAC member New Canaan. The Blue Wave suffered heavy graduation losses, but veteran coach Rob Trifone should have Darien in the mix again.

5. Ansonia at West Haven, Sept. 4, 6:30 p.m.
As mentioned above, Ansonia lost most of its skill players to graduation, but the Chargers should contend for the NVL title and a Class S playoff berth.

As with the Shelton scrimmage, this annual preseason tilt is usually just as exciting and competitive as a regular season game.

Fiery West Haven coach Ed McCarthy is an entertaining sideshow. The Westies have some talent returning, and should improve on last season’s 6-4 record.

6. Ridgefield at Ledyard, Sept. 12, 3 p.m.
This is a battle between two of the state’s most consistent programs.

Ledyard went 10-3 and advanced to the Class M state final in coach Jim Buonocore’s first season with the team. The Colonels lost quarterback J.J. Jablonski to graduation, but Ledyard should rebuild nicely.

Ridgefield, an FCIAC member, went 8-3 and just missed a playoff berth in 2008. The Tigers lost plenty of skill players, but coach Kevin Callahan and his staff have put together consistently good seasons recently despite a usually brutal schedule.

7. Cheshire at Windsor, Sept. 11, 7 p.m.
Cheshire must adjust to life without quarterback/defensive back Billy Ragone, the 2008 Register All-Area MVP.

But the Rams do return running back Dan Sweeney and wide receivers Brian Havlicek and Brian Debisschop, who should keep Cheshire’s spread offense chugging along.

The Rob Fleeting era begins at Windsor. Fleeting previously led Weaver to five playoff appearances in 10 seasons. The 1999 edition won the Class M state title.

Quarterback Pierre Narcisse, who threw for over 1,500 yards last year, returns for his senior season for the Warriors.

8. Stamford at Holy Cross, Sept. 5, 10 a.m.
The main reason to attend this scrimmage is to see Stamford linebacker Khairi Fortt in action. The 6-foot-3, 220 pound Fortt is the state’s top recruit on the website Rivals.com, and ranks No. 26 nationwide.

Among the interested schools are Georgia, Penn. State, North Carolina, Tennessee, Michigan and USC.

Stamford, from the FCIAC, is looking to be better than last’s season 6-5 record.

Holy Cross, from the NVL, went 5-6 last year, but first-year coach Mike Giampetruzzi thinks the Crusaders could be one of the top five teams in the league. Senior running back Pat Cronin will lead the offense.

9. Seymour at Branford, Sept. 11, tba
Both teams have new coaches.

Mike Tracy takes over for Gary Gravina at Branford. Gravina led the Hornets to the 2005 Class MM title.

Branford went 7-4 last season, and returns a solid nucleus this year. Senior quarterback Andrew Luzzi is a threat to both run and pass the ball. He threw for 17 touchdowns and ran for 10 last season.

Tom Lennon inherits the Seymour reigns from legendary coach Paul Sponheimer, who retired with four state titles and over 200 victories.

Lennon was left in good hands. Quarterback Connor Shugrue, running back Taylor Searles and two-way lineman Jacob Drozd, who may be the best returning player in the NVL, return. The Wildcats are a legitimate contender for the NVL and Class SS titles.

10. Cromwell at Berlin, Sept. 11, 4 p.m.
Berlin moves from the Nutmeg League to the powerful Central Connecticut Conference. The Red Coats have qualified for the state playoffs in five of the last six years. They lost to Ledyard in the 2007 Class M final.

Berlin returns a solid nucleus from a young team that went 6-4 last year. However, a tough schedule that includes games with Weaver, Bristol Eastern and New Britain, will be challenging.

Cromwell is coming off a 12-1 record, which included winning the Class S state title, the school’s first. The Panthers, however, were a senior-laden team, but still look for Cromwell to compete in the Pequot Conference.


Which scrimmage are you looking forward too? Leave a comment below.