Five of the eight CIAC Football Tournament semi-finalgames taking place Sunday will be broadcast live on variousplatforms.
The CIAC Network will be broadcasting three games live on-line atwww.CIAC.tv while two of those games will also be available live onConnecticut Public Television. MSGVarsity.com will also have livebroadcasts of two games.
The semi-final round of the tournament will feature a total of eight gamesat four sites with three sites hosting two games and single games at twoother sites. The full schedule, along with links to the CIAC.tv contestscan be found on the CIAC Tournament Central website athttp://content.ciacsports.com/tournamentcentral.shtml.
The full schedule of games being carried live is as follows:
Sunday Class LL semi-final, #5 NFA vs. #1 Staples, 12:30 p.m. (MSG Varsity.com) Class L semi-final, #4 Masuk vs. #1Hand, 5 p.m. (CIAC Network) Class L semi-final, #6 New Canaan vs. #2 Windsor, 12:30 p.m.
(MSGvarsity.com) Class M semi-final, #4 Hillhouse vs. #8 Montville, 5 p.m. (CIAC Network) Class S semi-final, #5 Hydevs. #1 Ansonia, 12:30 p.m. (CIAC
Network and CPTV)
Viewers can consult www.cptvsports.org for re-air schedules for the gamesas well. All live broadcasts on the CIAC network will also be availableon-demand following the conclusion of the matches, and DVDs of allbroadcasts are available for purchase at www.CIAC.tv.
This fall marks the first full season of the partnership between the CIACand PlayOn Sports which provides live broadcast coverage of regular seasonand CIAC Tournament contests.
The CIAC state playoffs began Tuesday with quarterfinal round action:
Hillhouse tops St. Joseph to advance to Class M semifinals
EAST HAVEN — A football game might be won on the field, but often its fate is decided during practice.
Hillhouse was certainly well aware of St. Joseph’s potent passing attack, featuring quarterback Jordan Vazzano and a slew of talented receivers.
Leading up to Tuesday’s Class M state quarterfinal contest, the Academics concentrated on containing those weapons.
Practice does indeed make perfect.
The physical Hillhouse defense forced four turnovers and kept the Cadets’ offense out of sync throughout as the fourth-seeded Academics advanced with a 34-14 victory on a snowy Crisafi Field.
Hyde slides into Class S semifinals after blocking Rocky Hill PAT
ROCKY HILL — Chris Young crossed the goal line on a 3-yard touchdown run and all the momentum seemed to be in Rocky Hill’s favor.
Now the Terriers just needed an extra point. That would tie it up at 15 and send the game to overtime.
Instead, with just 17 seconds left, Hyde seniors Ezekiel Nixon and William Burroughs got a hand on Greg Marzilli’s extra-point attempt. The kick fell short and the No. 5 Howling Wolves escaped with a 15-14 victory over No. 4 Rocky Hill Tuesday in the Class S quarterfinals.
“We know every point counts and that’s a prime example,” Hyde coach Melvin Wells said. “In the end we made a great play and we’re moving on.”
Staples rolls past West Haven in Class LL quarterfinals
WESTPORT — As the seconds ticked away right before the end of the first half, Staples’ Jared Levi delivered a bone-jarring shot to West Haven’s Eddy Williams that sent the back flat down on the cold, snow-flurried turf.
The play was indicative of the first two quarters and the rest of the game, as the Wreckers carried a dominant 35-0 lead into the half and rolled to a 42-20 victory over West Haven in a Class LL state quarterfinal football game at Staples High.
“It’s very difficult to emulate their speed with our scout team,” West Haven coach Ed McCarthy said. “And our tackling was shoddy at best in the first quarter.”
FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK: Hyde returns to Class S state playoffs
Last season’s subpar 4-6 finish might seem like a distant memory for the Hyde football team.
But the Howling Wolves, especially the seniors, never forgot how it felt to miss out on a state playoff berth.
Since
becoming a varsity program in 1998, Hyde has qualified for the
postseason eight times and won Class S titles in 2000, 2004, 2005 and
2009.
After a year’s absence, the Howling Wolves are back in the Class S field.
“We’re glad to be back,” Hyde coach Melvin Wells said. “We’re glad to be
in the mix again. The kids have done a real nice job of sticking to the
ground stone. This (reaching the playoffs) was their plan for the
start.”
♦Coventry/Windham Tech/Bolton Sr. RB Kyle Wing: Carried 18 times for a school-record 361 yards and six touchdowns in a 57-28 win over Granby on Saturday.
♦Guilford Jr. RB David Knapp: Rushed
13 times for 212 yards and two touchdowns in a 47-13 win over Foran on
Wednesday. Knapp also returned an interception 81 yards for a touchdown.
DEFENSIVE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
♦Ansonia Sr. LB Hezekiah Duncan: Scored on a 35-yard interception return in a 56-26 win over Woodland on Thursday.
♦Oxford Jr. DB Kyle Chudoba: Made two interceptions, including one he returned 23 yards for a touchdown, in a 35-12 win over Bunnell on Saturday.
DEFENSIVE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
♦Ansonia Sr. LB Hezekiah Duncan: Scored on a 35-yard interception return in a 56-26 win over Woodland on Thursday.
♦Oxford Jr. DB Kyle Chudoba: Made two interceptions, including one he returned 23 yards for a touchdown, in a 35-12 win over Bunnell on Saturday.
TEAMS OF THE WEEK
♦Ansonia:
Junior running back Arkeel Newsome rushed 23 times for 222 yards and
three touchdowns and he also had a touchdown reception in a 56-26
victory over Woodland on Thursday in the Naugatuck Valley League
championship game.
♦Barlow: Alex Lockwood had 171 rushing yards and two touchdowns in a 29-22 victory over Brookfield on Thursday.
WATERBURY — Through 10 games, an opponent has yet to solve, much less contain, Ansonia’s potent offensive attack.
In
the Naugatuck Valley League championship game with Woodland, it was
essentially the same script its been all season: another decisive
victory for the Chargers.
Through the air and on the ground, Ansonia, ranked third in the Register Top 10 Poll, operated on all cylinders Thursday.
Led by junior Arkeel Newsome, who rushed 23 times for 222 yards and
three touchdowns, the Chargers cruised to a 56-26 win over the Hawks at
Municipal Stadium.
It was the second straight league title for Ansonia (10-0), which has won 24 straight games.
Quarterback Phil Cohen completed 14-of-20 passes for 201 yards and four
touchdowns to lead the Valley Regional/Old Lyme football team to a 45-0
Pequot Sassacus win over East Hampton in East Hampton on Friday.
Kevin Jones scored two rushing touchdowns and also tossed a touchdown pass for the Hyde football team in a 48-0 Pequot Conference Sassacus Division win over Nonnewaug Saturday at New Haven.
The
Howling Wolves (9-0) clinched a Class S state playoff berth. Jones
scored on runs of 70 and 5 yards and threw a 17-yard td pass to Kahlil
Morant.
Hyde Football Coach Melvin Wells has been named Coach of
the Year by the New Haven Football Officials Association. Wells has coached the
team since 2007.
The award is given annually to the coach whose program
best represents clean play and sportsmanship. Members of the NHFOA vote each
year on the coach who most fits that description.
“Winning this award is a great honor, especially because
it’s received from the people who supervise and monitor the game,” said Coach
Wells. “I am grateful they see me as a role model and positive influence on
young people. We have a great group of kids this year who work extremely hard.
This award represents them far more than myself.”
The Hyde School of Health Sciences and Sports Medicine’s
football team is undefeated so far this season, with an 8-0 record. Under Coach
Wells’ leadership, the team won the Class S state championship in 2009.
“Coach Wells is an exemplary leader who supports his
players on and off the field and is a model for good sportsmanship,” said
Superintendent of Schools. Dr. Reginald Mayo. “I congratulate him on winning
this honor and I congratulate his team on a successful season this year.”
Wells will be honored at the annual NHFOA banquet on
Nov. 26.
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.
♦ 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.
No. 3 Hand snaps No. 1 Xavier's 30-game win streak
MIDDLETOWN — It’s been quite a while since the Xavier football team has been outplayed and outmuscled. Maybe not since the Falcons’ last loss — way back in 2009.
But Hand, gritty, resilient and physical, snapped Xavier’s lengthy winning streak, and did so, at least in the second half, in convincing fashion.
Led by five touchdowns from UConn-bound senior Matt Walsh, the Tigers knocked off the top-ranked Falcons 40-20 in a Southern Connecticut Conference showdown Friday before 4,500 fans at Palmer Field. Xavier (4-1) had won 30 games in a row since losing to Staples in the Class LL semifinals in 2009.
A 2-yard touchdown run by Walsh tied the score at 20 in the third quarter, and then senior Brendan Bilcheck connected with senior Caleb Ewald on a 31-yard touchdown pass with 1 minute, 31 seconds left in the third quarter to give No. 3 Hand (5-0) the lead for good.
While Walsh capped five of Hand’s drives, Bilcheck, Ewald, senior running back Ian O’Toole, and senior receiver Kyle Anderson were instrumental in leading the offense.
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.
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).
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."
Elijah Nixon scored three touchdowns on a 50-yard pass from Kevin Jones,
a 63-yard touchdown run and a 74-yard interception return to lead the Hyde football team to a 41-10 Pequot Sassacus Division win over Morgan Saturday in New Haven.
Ezekial
Nixon rushed for 113 yards on seven carries, including a 63-yard
touchdown run, and Jones completed 7-of-12 passes for 123 yards for the
Howling Wolves (2-0). Defensively for Hyde, William Burroughs had eight
tackles and a sack and Donery Evans added six tackles and a sack.
Jake Ward scored the lone touchdown for Huskies (1-1) on a 5-yard run.
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:
Rico Brognaresigns after one season at Notre Dame-Fairfield
Hyde coach Melvin Wellsreturns 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.
NEW HAVEN — The Haddam-Killingworth offensive line had been pretty impressive during the preseason according to head coach Dennis O’Rourke.
In the first half against Hyde, though, that unit for the Cougars wasn’t exactly playing up to their potential.
That changed during the final two quarters and it allowed H-K to score 29 unanswered points in this Pequot Conference Sassacus Division contest.
Nate Cruz scored on a 9-yard run with 7:34 left in the fourth quarter to give the Cougars the lead for good in a 51-30 win over the Howling Wolves Saturday at Bowen Field.
H-K scored 29 unanswered points in the second half to erase an 8-point deficit to win this Pequot Conference Sassacus Division victory at Bowen Field.
The game was tied at 22 at halftime. Hyde's Akeem Berry scored on a two-yard run and then Devan Dolphin caught the 2-point conversion pass from Kevin Jones as the Howling Wolves took a 30-22 lead in the third quarter.
Then, Patrick Dougherty caught a 29-yard pass from Alex DiMauro-D'Amico, but the 2-point run failed and H-K trailed 30-28.
Nate Cruz then scored the winning touchdown on a 9-yard run with 7:34 left in the final stanza. Dan German added two rushing touchdowns later in the quarter for the Cougars.
German finished with 93 yards on 15 carries. Cruz carried 11 times for 32 yards. Greg Duval ran back a kickoff 64 yards for another H-K score.
Kevin Jones went 7-for-11 for 149 yards and two touchdowns for Hyde. Elijah Nixon had 4 catches for 115 yards and two TDs.
It was the fifth straight loss for Hyde dating back to last season, and the first win for H-K over the Howling Wolves since 1999.
HYDE Coach: Melvin Wells (6th year)
Last season: 7-4 (Class S quarterfinalist)
Top players Devon Dolphin (6-0, 190, Sr., RB)
Elijah Nixon (5-10 175, Jr., WR)
Akeem Berry (5-10, 180, Jr. RB)
Matthew Sheffield (5-10, 178, Sr., LB)
Strengths Athleticism and speed in the skill positions.
Weaknesses The Howling Wolves must replace the entire offensive line.
Outlook Despite some inexperience up front, Hyde should be in contention in the Pequot Conference Sassacus Division.
Note The Howling Wolves have lost four straight games. After winning their first seven to open the 2010 season, Hyde lost its last three regular season games, and then lost to Ansonia in the Class S state quarterfinals.
Former Hyde standout expected to make start in NFL
Former Hyde standout Bruce Campbell, now a member of the NFL's Oakland Raiders, is expected to be the team's starting offensive lineman during this upcoming season.
Campbell, who's listed at 6-foot-6 and 315 pounds, was selected in the fourth round of the 2010 draft. He played college ball at Maryland.
Richmond defensive tackle Martin Parker, a New Haven native and Hyde graduate, had a pair of sacks and a forced fumble to take defensive MVP honors for the East in their 25-8 victory in the East-West Shrine Game on Saturday.
UConn linebacker Greg Lloyd led the East with five tackles. Fellow linebacker Scott Lutrus of Brookfield had one tackle and UConn fullback Anthony Sherman had two carries for one yard.
Other former Huskies in action were linebacker Lawrence Wilson and offensive guard Zach Hurd of Waterford, who will play in next week’s Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala.
RSS
