SHELTON — Kyle Drost and the rest of the senior members of the Shelton football team are hoping to end their high school careers the way they began. As freshmen, the senior class went unbeaten.

So, with the return of those seniors, as well as junior quarterback Mark Piccirillo, there was certainly a sense of excitement as the Gaels opened fall practice Monday.

“We’ve been waiting for this opportunity,” said Drost, a 6-foot-3, 220 pound wide receiver. “All the guys who started as freshmen have grown and matured. We’ve been lifting all summer, every single winter, and now it’s time to perform.”

Said Piccirillo: “The coaches know we can be that good. They keep pushing us harder and harder.”
Shelton coach Jeff Roy is well-aware that this season could be a special one.

“Anytime you get an undefeated freshmen team, as long as they stay together and work, you get excited. There’s a lot of talent there, and there’s confidence. We’re all excited, the players and coaches. We’re ready to get it going.”

Almost all of the Gaels’ receivers return, including senior Mike Pingree, who caught 14 passes last season. Drost made 24 catches for 425 yards and seven touchdowns. Shelton will also benefit from the return of senior running back Jason Thompson, who missed almost all of last season with injury.

“Between those two (Piccirillo and Thompson), we’re going to be able to run,” Roy said, “and with most of the receivers back, we’re going to be able to throw, too.”

Piccirillo, who gained about 15 pounds, is a dual threat. He passed for 1,558 yards and 15 touchdowns and rushed for 560 yards and five scores as a sophomore.

“(He) puts defenses in a bind,” Roy said. “He’s 190 pounds, and can run. That’s something else you have to defend against. He worked his tail off in the offseason. He’s heavier, faster, and he’s throwing the ball better. We’re looking for big things out of him this year. We think he’s going to have a great year.”

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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Sophomore Mark Piccirillo connected with Kyle Drost on an 11-yard touchdown pass and then Piccirillo hit Will Karcher with the successful 2-point conversion pass with 5:34 left in the fourth quarter as host Shelton hung on in this SCC Division I West contest Saturday at Finn Stadium.

Piccirillo completed 16-of-25 passes for 218 yards. He threw a 30-yard touchdown pass to Ed Kochiss and also scored on a 9-yard run. Piccirillo rushed 14 times for 60 yards.

Jason Thompson (12 carries, 52 yards) scored on a 1-yard run and Ed Groth kicked field goals of 34 and 41 yards for the Gaels (2-1).

David Attolino rushed 22 times for 135 yards and three scores for the Spartans (1-2).

The sophomore quarterback completed 14 of 28 passes for 222 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 154 yards in a 31-8 win over Foran.