(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 

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).

Pingree, Piccirillo help Shelton edge Amity

SHELTON — Junior Michael Pingree took home a souvenir for his defensive effort in Shelton’s comeback victory over Amity.

Although Pingree was awarded the black baseball bat with the Gaels’ logo on it, it could have been presented to any member of Shelton’s defensive unit.

The gritty Gaels defense shut out the Spartans in the fourth quarter and Shelton rallied for a 34-28 Southern Connecticut Conference Division I West victory Saturday at Finn Stadium.


D’Angelo Berry rushed for 168 yards, including touchdown runs of 1 and 54 yards, and added an 85-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to lead No. 1 Xavier to a 35-14 Southern Connecticut Conference Division I West win over Fairfield Prep in Middletown on Saturday.

Quarterback Tim Boyle completed 10 of 14 passes for 130 yards and two touchdowns and Kris Luster had six receptions for 48 yards and a 5-yard touchdown catch.

Quarterback Strecker Backe completed 6 of 26 passes for 116 yards and two touchdowns and Joseph Ganim had six receptions for 78 yards for the Jesuits (2-1). Xavier improves to 3-0.

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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.