SHEEHAN

John Riccitelli Field, Wallingford

Coach: John Ferrazzi (9th year, 31-48-2)
Conference: SCC
2012 Record: 4-6
2013 Kickoff: vs. Trinity Catholic, Sept. 13, 6 p.m.
Top offensive players: Jeremy Gannon, 5-9, 165, Sr., ATH; Rafael Dominguez, 5-3, 142, Sr., RB; Brandon Gauthier, 5-11, 165, Sr., WR; Greg Suplinskas, 6-3, 195, Sr., OL; Justin Lange, 6-4, 190, Sr., QB.
Top defensive players: Jordan Lytle, 6-1, 215, Sr., DE; Tom Francis, 5-10, 230, Sr., DE; Riley Konopka, 5-9, 205, Sr., LB; Brandon Selvaggi, 6-0, 190, Sr., LB.
Key losses: Sean Merrill, OL/DL (playing football at Sacred Heart University); Kyle Paolella, WR/CB (running track at CCSU).
Outlook: Sheehan returns a deep group of skill players. Gannon will be among best athletes in the league with his versatility. He can play quarterback, receiver, running back, on special teams and at defensive back. Dominguez (pictured above) returns as the team’s top running back after gaining 1,036 all-purpose yards with 10 touchdowns last season. Gauthier is expected to emerge as one of the top receivers in the SCC.  Depth at wide receiver should help bolster the offense. Lytle and Francis have the strength, toughness, and tenacity to be dangerous at defensive end, while there's also depth at the linebacker position. Replacing Merrill and three other offensive linemen who graduated will be the main challenge.

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Previous entries in the Inside The Huddle series:

Pomperaug

FOOTBALL: Sean Merrill, Sheehan thinking big this season

By Mike Wollschlager, Assistant Sports Editor
mwollschlager@nhregister.com / Twitter: @nhrMikeW

Wallingford-- Sheehan defensive lineman Sean Merrill. Photo (right) Peter Casolino/New Haven Register 09/08/2012

WALLINGFORD — Sheehan football coach John Ferrazzi says the sky is the limit for titanic Titan tackle Sean Merrill.

Hopes are equally as high for a program that hasn’t been to a state playoff game since the mid-90s.

“We have a lot of potential this year,” Merrill said. “We’re all finally old enough; we’ve been playing together since we were freshmen and sophomores. We have the potential to be a great team.”

The 6-foot-4, 275-pound senior left tackle has gotten looks from Villanova, Lehigh, Lafayette, New Hampshire and Stony Brook, in addition to New Haven, Southern Connecticut and Central Connecticut.

“There’s been a mix of I-AA schools that have been actively recruiting him throughout,” Ferrazzi said. “He’s been to a slew of camps over the summer. Nobody’s pulled the trigger yet. I think a lot of them are waiting for some senior film.”

What may potentially end up on that film is what has Sheehan players and coaches optimistic about the upcoming season.

“Our main goal this year is to make the playoffs,” Ferrazzi said. “With this senior class, with the experience of some of these kids, that’s their goal. Anything less than that is going to be a disappointment.”

One junior will figure prominently in helping this senior class achieve its goal. Jeremy Gannon is taking over for his graduated brother, Billy, as the Titans quarterback. He’s not worried about filling his shoes, but he’s already filled his jersey.

Beginning today in our What to Look For (W2L4) feature, I will highlight teams, leagues, players, positions to keep an eye out for in 2012.

Summer conditioning begins Wednesday for teams that DID NOT elect to have spring practice. For teams that did elect to have spring practice, they will begin summer conditioning on Aug. 20.


W2L4: SHEEHAN

Coach: John Ferrazzi (8th season, 27-42-2)
Last season: 5-5
Top offensive players: Sean Merrill, 6-4, 275, Sr., OL; Jeremy Gannon, 5-9, 165, Sr., ATH/QB/WR.
Top defensive players: Rich Radomski, 6-0, 220, Sr., LB; Kyle Paolella, 5-10, 160, Sr., DB.
Key losses: A.J. Pascuzzo, WR/RB/DB; Billy Gannon, QB; Brodie Corless, K/P/WR/LB.
Inside the huddle: Return four starters on offensive line; Defense returns eight starters. Offense has potential to be "dangerous" according to Ferrazzi.
Recruiting watch: Merrill has received interest from Villanova, Lafayette, Lehigh and New Hampshire.