(photo courtesy of the Middletown Press)

 

 

 

Xavier

Palmer Field, Middletown

Coach: Sean Marinan (13th year)
Conference: SCC
2012 Record: 12-1 (Class LL champions)
2013 Kickoff: vs. Staples, Sept. 11, 6:30 p.m.
Top offensive players: Joe Carbone, 6-3, 215, Sr., QB; Andrew Meoli, 5-11, 180, Sr., RB; Nate Gonzalez, 6-0, 180, Sr., WR.
Top defensive players: Gonzalez, 6-0, 180, Sr., DB; Will Garrity, 5-11, 220, Sr., LB; Edwin Luster, 5-7, 145, Jr., CB; Chidi Broderick, 6-1, 220, Jr., DE; Mike Scherer, 5-10, 175, Jr., SS.
Key losses: Tim Boyle, QB; DeAngelo Berry, RB; James Sullivan, WR; Kris Luster, WR/SS; Max Tylki, TE/LB; Jonah Dorsey, RT; Kevin Dean, RG; Zack Creeron, OL/DL; Max Schumann, C/DE; Ben Lisle, LT.
Outlook: The Falcons, who won their third straight Class LL state title last season, lost a bunch to graduation, including Boyle, who will play at UConn. Despite the graduation losses, a talented roster returns. Carbone (picture above) completed just one pass last season, a 48-yard touchdown strike against Amity, according to stats inputted on Max Preps. Carbone, though, caught 18 passes, including four for touchdowns last season, so there's no doubting his athleticism. He may even be more dangerous than Boyle because of his mobility. Meoli is expected to take over the duties at running back after playing behind Berry last season. Meoli rushed for 408 yards and six scores as a junior. Gonzalez is a two-way threat. He only caught 11 passes last season but made 76 total tackles and seven interceptions. Garrity chipped in with 64 total tackles in 2012. Marinan said that developing a work ethic, minimizing mental mistakes and how well the team matures will be keys to this season. With the success Xavier has had in recent years, it's expected that the Falcons will be in the hunt for yet another state playoff berth.

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Previous entries in the Inside The Huddle series:

Pomperaug
Sheehan 

No. 4 Xavier comes from behind to stun Hillhouse

NEW HAVEN — The Xavier football team responded to its coaches’ challenge at halftime to play more aggressively and as a cohesive unit.

It just wasn’t until early in the fourth quarter, and the Falcons facing an almost insurmountable deficit, that the message finally resonated.

Once it did Xavier, ranked fourth in the Register Top 10 Poll, rallied for a dramatic 50-49 Southern Connecticut Conference interdivision victory over host Hillhouse Friday afternoon at Bowen Field.

Senior DeAngelo Berry scored on a 1-yard run, and then ran in the successful two-point conversion with 51 seconds remaining, to provide the winning score for the Falcons (6-1).

Xavier scored 29 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to erase a 49-21 deficit. Xavier also trailed by 21 points on three separate occasions in the contest.

PHOTOS: Xavier rallies to beat Hillhouse

“There was never any doubt in our minds,” said Berry, who carried 17 times for 90 yards and three TDs. “Every time we come down here it’s always a hard environment; no fans, and they have all their fans. But the coaches let us know that it’s never over until it’s over. We knew we could do it.”


READ MORE

No. 9 West Haven takes out Cheshire 

WEST HAVEN — The Cheshire football team had West Haven right where the Rams wanted it in a Southern Connecticut Conference Division I East contest Friday evening.

Leading in the first quarter and having taken 7 minutes off the clock, momentum was clearly on Cheshire’s side.

Then West Haven, the No. 9 team in the Register Top 10 poll, turned to Ervin Philips and its running game to score 22 unanswered points in a 49-20 West Haven victory in a Southern Connecticut Conference Division I East game at Ken Strong Stadium.

PHOTOS: West Haven takes out Cheshire

READ MORE 

Guilford runs past Branford 

GUILFORD — The Guilford football team came into Friday night’s game wanting to prove that it was better than its 1-4 record.

After close losses to Hillhouse and West Haven, the Indians proved just that by rushing for 483 yards in beating Southern Connecticut conference Division II West rival Branford 41-14 at Kavanaugh Field.

“What I wanted was for our guys to show the fans, their families and the town that they are an excellent team,” said Guilford coach Tommy Unger. “There’s no morale victories, but these kids are really good. I’m happy we got this win tonight.”

PHOTOS: Guilford tops Branford

READ MORE 


ROUNDUP: Amity shocks Fairfield Prep

NEW HAVEN — DeAngelo Berry scored on a 1-yard run, and then ran in the successful two-point conversion with 51 seconds remaining, as visiting Xavier, ranked fourth in the Register Poll, rallied for a 50-49 Southern Connecticut Conference interdivision victory Friday afternoon at Bowen Field.

The Falcons (6-1) scored 29 unanswered points in fourth quarter to erase a 28-point deficit. Xavier also trailed by 21 points on three separate occasions in the contest.

Senior quarterback Tim Boyle connected with junior Joe Carbone on a 41-yard touchdown pass with 6:12 left to cut the Hillhouse (5-2) lead to 49-42.

On the ensuing drive, Chidi Broderick recovered a fumble to give the Falcons the ball at the Academics' 27-yard line which set up the winning score.

Berry rushed 17 times for 90 yards and scored three times. Boyle gained 39 yards on six carries and scored twice. Junior Andrew Meoli carried nine times for 106 yards and one score for Xavier.

Junior Harold Cooper rushed 20 times for 198 yards and two touchdowns. Je'Vaughn Moore, James Moore and Andre Anderson also had rushing touchdowns. Je'Vaughn Moore threw a 34-yard touchdown pass to Darryn Horner.

MIDDLETOWN - Hand snapped the streak.

The Tigers, behind five touchdowns from UConn-bound senior Matt Walsh, knocked off top-ranked Xavier 40-20 in a Southern Connecticut Conference Division I contest before 4,500 fans Friday at Palmer Field.

The loss ended the Falcons' 30-game winning streak, which began in 2010. 

Xavier led (4-1) led 20-14 at halftime. Kris Luster caught a 32-yard touchdown pass from Tim Boyle, while Boyle and DeAngelo Berry had rushing touchdowns in the first half.

Berry was held to 40 yards on 15 carries. Boyle completed 9-of-22 passes for 137 yards and one interception. 

Walsh scored on touchdown runs of 11, 2, 3, 6 and 1 yards. Caleb Ewald caught a 31-yard touchdown pass from Brendan Bilcheck for Hand (5-0).

XAVIER

Coach: Sean Marinan (10th year)

League: SCC

Last season: 13-0 (SCC Division I champs, Class LL champs)

Top offensive players: Tim Boyle, 6-4, 220, Sr., QB; DeAngelo Berry, 5-9, 170, Sr., RB

Top defensive players: Kris Luster, 5-10, 175, Sr., CB; Max Tylki, 6-0, 210, Sr., LB

Key losses: Mike Mastroianni, RB; Pat D'Amato, QB; Jake Whalen, C/DE; Ryan Murphy, TE/SS; Ryan Jacobucci, WR/CB; Ryan Craig, LB; Sean Marinan, G/DE: Jovan Santos-Knox, TE/LB

Inside the huddle: The Falcons must replace of plethora of starters from last season, when Xavier won its second straight Class LL championship.  Five graduated starters were Register All-State selections. Marinan, the coach, believes that if his team can fill the holes and stay healthy, they should be competitive against any opponent. Berry will likely be the team's featured running back after rushing for 340 yards and five touchdowns last season. Tylki made 69 tackles and three sacks last season.

Recruiting watch: Boyle has already orally committed to play at Boston College. Boyle completed 31-of-48 passes for 716 yards and eight touchdowns last season.