HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL: Lofty expectations for Foran


MILFORD - With its quarterback and a slew of receivers returning, there was certainly a sense of excitement Wednesday during Foran’s first football practice of the 2013 season.

Junior quarterback Jake Kasuba, who tossed for 2,547 yards and 24 touchdowns last season, is a year older, wiser and stronger, and has plenty of options, including receivers Connor Cadrin, Sean Deegan, Nick Weissauer and Zach White.

“It’s exciting to have those kids back,” Foran coach Jeff Bevino said, “and we have some kids behind them that are going to be pretty good players, too. It’s finally coming to fruition by running the same offense for three or four years. We have the makings of a good offense.”



Last season, the offense showed signs of greatness. The Lions averaged 33.6 points per contest while finishing second in the Southern Connecticut Conference Division II East and 6-4 overall.

The expectations are even higher this year. Foran has the talent to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2001.

“I really think it could be a big breakout year,” Kasuba said. “We have a chance to go to the playoffs this year.”

There was a pretty simple formula for why Foran succeeded offensively last season.

“Last year we were effective because we worked hard,” the coach said. “We can’t just think that we’re going to go out there and have everything where it was. You have to work hard.”

It seems like the Lions have left off where last season ended. It was a productive summer for Foran, which hosted a weekly passing league. That allowed the players, especially Kasuba, to fine tune their craft.

The Joe Beler Sr. Scholarship Dinner and Comedy Show will take place on March 9 (Saturday) at 7 p.m. at Vazzano's Four Seasons (337 Kenyon St.) in Stratford.

John Romanoff, one of the top comics in New England, will perform. 

Tickets are $50 and available at the door. A full buffet dinner is included.

Beler died in 2010. Beler coached the Foran football team for five years in the late 1980s. He started the Law wrestling program in 1973 and also coached volleyball at Foran. He was also an assistant football coach at Law, Milford Academy and at Notre Dame-Fairfield under his son, Joe Beler III. Beler was an assistant under current Foran coach Jeff Bevino for nine seasons at Milford Academy.

DIVISION I

OFFENSE

OL-Dennis Flanagan, Sr., Amity
OL-John Thomas, Sr., Hamden
OL-Zack Creeron, Sr., Xavier
OL-Greg Purcell, Sr., Amity
K-Ed Groth, Sr., Shelton
WR-Kris Luster, Sr., Xavier
WR-Chris Perry, Sr., ND-WH
WR-Kyle Drost, Jr., Shelton
WR-Kyle Anderson, Sr., Hand
RB-DeAngelo Berry, Sr., Xavier
RB-Ervin Philips, Jr., West Haven
RB-Cameran Tucker, Jr., ND-WH
RB-David Attolino, Sr., Amity
QB-Tim Boyle, Sr., Xavier
QB-Brendan Bilcheck, Sr., Hand

DEFENSE

DL-Alex Chow-Yen, Sr., Cross
DL-Peter Gerson, Sr., Hand
DL-Eddy Williams, Sr., West Haven
DL-Anthony Palazzolo, So., Fairfield Prep
LB-Nick Crowle, Jr., Fairfield Prep
LB-Matt Walsh, Sr., Hand
LB-Max Tylki, Sr., Xavier
LB-Kadialy Toure, Sr., West Haven
LB-Chris Golger, Sr., Fairfield Prep
DB-Alex Tuccero, Sr., Hand
DB-Jack Cunningham, So., Cheshire
DB-Sam Pascale, Sr., Cheshire
DB-Amore Gee, Sr., West Haven
DB-Vincent Sansone, Sr., Cheshire
P-Ysaan Frazier, Sr., Wilbur Cross

DIVISION II

OFFENSE

OL-Matt Marcarelli, Sr., North Haven
OL-Zach Hubler, Jr., Foran
OL-Nick Casagrande, Jr., Law
OL-George Knoth, Sr., Law
OL-Sean Merrill, Sr., Sheehan
OL-Colton Schilling, Sr., Guilford
WR-Nick Weissauer, Jr., Foran
WR-Ryan Bohne, Sr., Lyman Hall
RB-Harold Cooper, Jr., Hillhouse
RB-Jalon White, Sr., North Haven
QB-Jake Kasuba, So., Foran
QB-Joe Nault, Jr., Guilford
UT-K.C. Horton, Jr., Guilford

DEFENSE
DL-Andrew Klarman, Sr., Branford
DL-Mark Spadacenta, Sr., East Haven
DL-Anthony Jones, Sr., Branford
DL-Teno Simpson, Sr., Hillhouse
LB-Mike Halloran, Jr., North Haven
LB-Ford Linell, Jr., Guilford
LB-Alex Borkowski, Sr., Branford
LB-Terrell Fairweather, Sr., Hillhouse
LB-Quincy Pecora, Sr., North Haven
DB-Je'Vaughn Moore, Sr., Hillhouse
DB-Kyle Paolella, Sr., Sheehan
DB-Darryn Horner, Sr., Hillhouse
DB-Andre Anderson, Sr., Hillhouse

Tickets for the Stratford vs. Bunnell game on Nov. 21 are on sale at both high schools in the athletic and main offices.
Tickets are also on sale at Hilltop Food Market (across from Eli Whitney School) on Huntington Road in Stratford.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Bunnell.
Tickets are $3 for students and senior citizens and $5 for adults when purchased in advance.
All tickets are $5 for students and senior citizens and $7 for adults at the gate. No passes will be accepted.
For additional information, contact Bunnell athletic director Dave Johnson at (203) 385-4260 or Stratford athletic director Robert Baird at (203) 385-4240.
Foran-Law Tickets
Tickets for the Foran-Law Thanksgiving day football game went on sale at both schools on Tuesday. Tickets purchased before Thanksgiving are $5 and all tickets purchased on Thanksgiving Day will be $7.

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

NO. 1 HAND SURVIVES AGAINST NO. 8 WEST HAVEN

MADISON — Down by one following an Ervin Philips touchdown run, eighth-ranked West Haven decided to attempt a two-point conversion in the closing minutes of its contest with No. 1 Hand.

The call was gutsy, but fitting for the type of performance the Westies delivered on the road Saturday at the Surf Club.

West Haven executed the play exactly as it was drawn up, with senior quarterback Javon Taylor rolling right and two receivers emerging from the backfield and getting open in the flat.

The ball was thrown, hit Philips’ fingertips and fell incomplete.

Hand took over, proceeded to run out the clock and escaped with a thrilling 21-20 Southern Connecticut Conference Division I East victory.

PHOTOS: Check out the action from Hand's one-point win over West Haven.


READ MORE


 BRANFORD has been nominated for the TEAM OF THE WEEK! VOTE!

SATURDAY'S FOOTBALL ROUNDUP: Foran tops ND-West Haven

Quarterback Jake Kasuba completed 20 of 28 passes for 298 yards including two touchdown passes to lead the Foran football team to a 50-35 victory over Notre Dame-West Haven Saturday in a Southern Connecticut Conference interdivision game at Milford.

Nick Weissauer had nine catches for 101 yards and a touchdown and added two touchdown runs for the Lions (4-2). Sean Deegan added four catches for 146 yards and two touchdown receptions and Niko DeRosa had 132 yards on 18 carries, including a 1-yard touchdown run for Foran.

Cameran Tucker led the Green Knights (1-5) with two touchdown runs.

 READ MORE 

 CHESHIRE edges WILBUR CROSS

 FRIDAY'S ROUNDUP 

THURSDAY'S ROUNDUP 

NOTES: Hand-Xavier lived up to big billing



On a weekend when several streaks were snapped, the most noteworthy was Hand’s 40-20 victory over Xavier on Friday that ended the Falcons’ 30-game winning streak.

The meeting between Xavier and the Tigers at Palmer Field in Middletown, then ranked No. 1 and No. 3, respectively in the Register Top 10 Poll, certainly lived up to the hype.

It’s not always the case. Sometimes a game billed as a future classic can fall short of expectations. Not this one.

From the crowd — estimated at 4,500 and featuring a raucous student section — two top-notch bands and, of course, the action on the field, the atmosphere was electric.



HAND takes over No. 1 spot in Register Top 10 Poll


CIAC Playoff RATINGS

Who will win Friday's HAND-WEST HAVEN game. VOTE!

WEEK 5 HIGHLIGHTS

OFFENSIVE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

♦ Cromwell Sr. RB Derrick Villard: Ran for 215 yards and three touchdowns, had a touchdown reception and scored on a kickoff return in a 52-6 win over Nonnewaug on Saturday.

♦ Hamden Hall Jr. QB T.J. Linta: Completed 25 of 38 passes for 408 yards and four touchdowns in a 55-32 loss to Hackley on Saturday.

DEFENSIVE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

♦ Branford Jr. DB Charlie Boyd: Returned an interception 60 yards for a touchdown in a 47-13 win over Sheehan on Friday.

♦ Hyde Sr. FS Ezekiel Nixon: Returned an interception 73 yards for a touchdown in a 28-13 win over Valley Regional/Old Lyme on Friday.

SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

♦ Capital Prep/Classical Magnet/Achievement First Sr. Daquan Clarke: Returned a kickoff 65 yards for a score in a 42-0 win over Whitney Tech on Saturday. Clarke also caught a touchdown reception.

♦ Foran Jr. Zachary White: Scored on a punt return of 70 yards and a kickoff return of 81 yards in a 51-12 victory over Lyman Hall on Friday.

ON THE AIR

♦ West Haven at Hand, Friday, 7 p.m.: 960-WELI, 960WELI.com, iheart radio

GET OUT AND GO

♦ No. 8 West Haven (5-0) at No. 1 Hand (5-0), Friday, 7 p.m.: Westies will try to snap Hand’s 18-game winning streak.

♦ No. 5 Windsor (4-0) at Middletown (5-0), Friday, 7 p.m.: This is a much-anticipated Central Connecticut Conference Division II West showdown.

♦ No. 9 Glastonbury (5-0) at No. 10 Southington (5-0), Saturday, 7 p.m.: Southington has allowed just 28 points, while the Tomahawks have surrendered only 55. This should be a defensive struggle. 

MORE HIGHLIGHTS

Guilford’s record entering this past week didn’t quite reflect how talented and competitive the Indians could be.

Guilford suffered losses to North Haven and West Haven, two of the better teams in the Southern Connecticut Conference, during the first two weeks of this season.

But the Indians finally had reason to celebrate after a 56-7 Southern Connecticut Conference Division II West victory over Lyman Hall last Friday.

“It feels great,” Guilford coach Tom Unger said. “It was a D2 West win, and it was a good feeling for our guys to get in the win column.”

LION PRIDE

Foran, like Guilford, posted its first win of the season after earning a 26-7 victory over Sheehan last Friday. The Lions had lost to Hillhouse and Shelton to the year.

“We’ve got a young team, so we needed to play well and get a win,” Foran coach Jeff Bevino said. “I kept telling them they can do it, and now they know they can.”

Bevino credits his defensive coordinator, Jim Esposito, for preparing the Lions for Sheehan’s explosive offensive attack.

Sheehan scored on its opening possession, but was shut out the remainder of the game.  

“Our kids were extremely well-prepared,” Bevino said.

READ MORE OF TUESDAY'S NOTEBOOK

HIGHLIGHTS

OFFENSIVE PLAYERS OF WEEK

♦Hillhouse Jr. RB Harold Cooper: Rushed for four touchdowns in a 32-18 win over Branford on Friday.

♦Notre Dame-West Haven Sr. RB Cameran Tucker: Rushed 44 times for 323 yards and two scores in a 34-13 loss to West Haven on Friday.


DEFENSIVE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

♦Cheney Tech Sr. CB Andre Rose: Made three interceptions, including one he returned 40 yards for a touchdown, in a 36-19 win over Wilcox Tech on Saturday. Rose also scored on an 83-yard kickoff return.

♦Glastonbury Sr. LB Nick Karp: Made 15 tackles and returned an interception 36 yards for a touchdown in a 35-6 win over Conard on Saturday.

SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

♦Newtown Sr. Dan Hebert: Scored on an 85-yard kickoff return in a 43-14 win over Stratford on Saturday. Hebert also had touchdown runs of 13 and six yards.

♦Shelton Sr. Ed Groth: Kicked field goals of 34 and 41 yards in a 34-28 win over Amity on Saturday.

TEAMS OF THE WEEK

♦Nonnewaug: T.J. Meyer blocked a field goal as time expired in an 8-7 win over East Hampton/Vinal Tech on Saturday. The victory was the first varsity win for the Chiefs since 2008.

♦Sacred Heart: Jaquan Overbey rushed 13 times for 203 yards and three touchdowns in a 50-30 win over Whitney Tech on Friday. The win marked the first for Cortez Johnson as the Hearts’ head coach.

MORE HIGHLIGHTS


Xavier, Staples, Hand remain 1-2-3 in Register Top 10 Poll

Via press release.

NEW HAVEN, CT (August 31, 2012) –MyTV9’s High School Football Game of the Week, returns on Saturday nights this fall. The fifth season of MyTV9’s High School Football Game of the Week will feature some of the best of this year’s football match-ups from 10 different locations around the state. 

If you can’t make it to the football field, you still have two chances to watch your favorite teams in action. The High School Football Game of the Week will be streamed live each week on wtnh.com. It will then be broadcast on Saturday night, at 7pm on MyTV9. Keep up with the latest news about the High School Football Game of the Week on wtnh.com.

Date/Time                                          Teams                                                     TV Date/Time
Sept. 14, 7 p.m.                              Hamden at West Haven                               Sept. 15, 7 p.m.
Sept. 21, 7 p.m.                              Foran at Shelton                                          Sept. 22, 7 p.m.
Sept. 28, 7 p.m.                              Derby at Ansonia                                        Sept. 29, 7 p.m.
Oct. 5, 7 p.m.                                 Masuk at Bunnell                                         Oct. 6, 7 p.m.
Oct. 12, 7 p.m.                               Hillhouse at North Haven                             Oct. 13, 7 p.m.
Oct. 19, 7 p.m.                               West Haven at Hand                                    Oct. 20, 7 p.m.
Oct. 26, 6 p.m.                               Branford at Guilford                                     Oct. 27, 7 p.m.
Nov. 2, 7 p.m.                                 Fitch at New London                                   Nov. 3, 7 p.m.
Nov. 9, 7 p.m.                                 Wilbur Cross at Amity                                 Nov. 10, 7 p.m.
Nov. 21, 6 p.m.                               Berlin at New Britain                                    Nov. 24, 7 p.m.

Matt Aspinwall, Foran, football: Senior rushed for 143 yards and a touchdown and threw for 206 yards and another TD for the Lions in a 47-41 double-overtime win over Guilford Thursday.

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

Despite a convincing win over Holy Cross in Week 4, Ansonia football coach Tom Brockett is well-aware how dangerous the Crusaders can be.

Holy Cross scored first in that contest on Oct. 7 before the Chargers settled down and rolled to a 45-13 victory.

The teams meet again Thursday night to decide the Naugatuck Valley League champion. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. at Municipal Stadium in Waterbury.

Like Ansonia (9-0), the Crusaders (8-1) have a plethora of skill players, and both teams thrive running the ball.

Senior Dave DiGiorgi is Holy Cross’ best overall player, while fellow running back Adrian Brown, a junior, and freshman sensation Isaiah Wright are also dangerous in the open field.

“Obviously they’re a very talented football team,” Brockett said. “They have great skill players. Every time you go against that you worry about the speed and how those kids can score on you on one play.”

Read the full story here.

Week 10 Predictions

Foran edged by Stonington

Healthy again, Foran roaring back to life

Latest Top 10 Poll

Latest CIAC playoff Ratings

FORAN
Coach: Jeff Bevino
Last season: 5-5
Top players
Matt Aspinwall (6-0, 170, Sr., QB/P)
Dave Yerxa (6-1, 215, Sr., FB/LB)
Chris Silvestri (5-10, 175, Sr., WR/FS)
Matt White (6-0, 235, Sr., OL/DL)
Strengths
Running backs, special teams (Aspinwall was a Class L coaches all-state selection at punter in 2010), talented skill players
Weaknesses
Not deep in its second or third units. Staying healthy will be key this season.
Outlook
Bevino thinks if the Lions can stay healthy they will be a good football team. Aspinwall will take over under center this year after filling in when last year’s starter, Tucker Schumitz, missed time with injury. In four and a half games, Aspinwall threw for 1,200 yards and nine touchdowns.
Note
Bevino won a Class L state title as head coach of the Foran softball team this past spring.

Hillhouse 26, Foran 15: Harold Cooper rushed 14 times for 190 yards and scored twice for the Academics in this Southern Connecticut Conference Division II contest at Bowen Field.
Taurese Washington added a 3-yard touchdown run for Hillhouse (2-1).

It’s crossover week in the SCC, when teams from Division I compete against opponents from Division II. Below are some interesting tidbits released by SCC commissioner Al Carbone.

There are three match ups being played for the first time since the inception of the SCC in 1994 (Foran at Xavier, Law at Wilbur Cross and Hillhouse at Cheshire).
In addition, there are six games being contested for the first time in a number of years.

*Branford at Notre Dame (first meeting since 1997, a 20-0 Notre Dame win).

*Guilford at West Haven (first meeting since 1997, when West Haven won 42-7).

*East Haven at Amity (first meeting since 1999, when Amity won 21-12).

*North Haven at Hamden (first meeting since 1999, a 27-8 Hamden victory).

*Lyman Hall at Hand. Hand won the last meeting, 27-19, in 2001.

*Sheehan at Shelton. The former Housatonic League (pre-1994) and former SCC Housatonic Division (from 1994-2003) rivals meet for the first time since 2003, when Shelton emerged with a 52-7 victory.

The following SCC teams have bye weeks for the 2010-2011 season. These teams have the option of scheduling non-conference opponents for the next two seasons.

Week 1 Lyman Hall
Week 2 Fairfield Prep
Week 3 Law
Week 4 Wilbur Cross
Week 5 Foran
Week 6 East Haven
Week 7 North Haven
Week 8 Sheehan
Week 9 Branford


Athletic directors in the Southern Connecticut Conference recently approved several changes to the league’s football scheduling format, SCC commissioner Al Carbone confirmed Thursday.

The actual schedule has not yet been approved, but the new format will used for both the 2010 and 2011 season. The current four-division set-up will remain the same.

However, teams can now play crossover games against opponents in the three other divisions, instead of crossing over to just two divisions, as was the case in 2009.

There are nine teams who currently have an open week. Those teams have the option of scheduling non-conference opponents as part of the new two-year cycle.

Also, a team can request a division change as long as they follow proper league policy. The request will then be reviewed and voted upon by the ADs.

Carbone also confirmed that Hyde declined an invitation to join the league next season. Carbone said that since Derby defected the SCC for the Naugatuck Valley League last winter, the SCC offered invitations to Masuk, North Branford and St. Joseph. All three declined.

Senior Predrag Boskovic caught a 10-yard touchdown pass in double overtime, and sophomore Zac Cast made the extra point, to lift the Hornets to this SCC interdivision victory at Milford.

Foran scored on its ensuing possession, but the extra point was blocked, as Branford (6-3) hung on and remained alive for a Class M state playoff berth.

Tyler Sullivan caught a 6-yard touchdown pass from Kyle Nolan in the first overtime. Nolan scored on a 1-yard run, followed by Cast's extra point, to tie the game at 7 with less than one minute remaining in the fourth quarter.

Ricky Festa scored on a 4-yard run and caught a 9-yard touchdown pass from Tucker Schumitz for the Lions (5-4).

Senior defensive back Rick Festa blocked an extra point with 5:05 left in the fourth quarter as Foran hung on for an SCC interdivision win.

Festa also caught a 72-yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback Tucker Schumitz. Festa caught six passes for 100 yards for the Lions (2-0).

Matt Hoey rushed 18 times for 137 yards and two scores for the Indians (0-2).