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.

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.

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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.

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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.


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 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.

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 CHESHIRE edges WILBUR CROSS

 FRIDAY'S ROUNDUP 

THURSDAY'S ROUNDUP