Here's how I voted for the 2013 New Haven Register Top 10 Football Poll after Week 1.

The Poll will be posted on-line later tonight and appear in Tuesday's print editions.

1. Ansonia
2. Xavier
3. New Canaan
4. NFA
5. Newtown
6. Middletown
7. Southington
8. St. Joseph
9. Greenwich
10. Shelton
11. New London
12. Masuk
13. Darien
14. Fairfield Prep
15. West Haven

Here's how I voted for the 2013 New Haven Register Preseason Top 10 Football Poll.

Each voter is asked to rank their Top 15 teams. The Preseason Poll will be posted on-line later tonight and appear in Tuesday's print editions.

I'm sure my ranking will change after Week 1 and throughout the year, but here goes.



1. Ansonia
2. Xavier
3. NFA
4. West Haven
5. New Canaan
6. Newtown
7. Southington
8. Middletown
9. St. Joseph
10.Greenwich
11. Glastonbury
12. Shelton
13. New London
14. Masuk
15. Hand

Here is the schedule for football games to be broadcast on CPTV.

High School Football (subject to change)

Game	Premiere Date	Repeat Date(s)
Staples at Xavier (LIVE)	Wed., Sept. 11 at 6:30 p.m.	Sat., Sept. 14 at 1 p.m. & Tues., Sept. 17 at 9:30 p.m.
Waterford at Platt (LIVE)	Fri., Sept. 13 at 6:30 p.m.	Sat., Sept. 14 at 10 a.m. & Thurs., Sept. 19 at 9:30 p.m.
Southington at Glastonbury (Sept. 12 game)	Wed., Sept. 18 at 8 p.m.	Sun., Sept. 22 at 10 a.m. & Tues., Sept. 24 at 9 p.m.
Wolcott at Naugatuck (LIVE)	Fri., Sept. 20 at 7 p.m.	Sat., Sept. 21 at 10 a.m. & Thurs., Sept. 26 at 9:30 p.m.
Montville at Norwich Free Academy (Sept. 21 game)	Wed., Sept. 25 at 8 p.m.	Sun., Sept. 29 at 10 a.m. & Tues., Oct. 1 at 9 p.m.
Northwest Catholic at Bloomfield (LIVE)	Fri., Sept. 27 at 7 p.m.	Sat., Sept. 28 at 10 a.m. & Thurs., Oct. 3 at 9:30 p.m.
Cromwell at Ellington/Somers (Sept. 28 game)	Wed. Oct. 2 at 8 p.m.	Sun., Oct. 6 at 10 a.m. & Tues., Oct. 8 at 9 p.m.

 

Ledyard at New London (LIVE)	Fri., Oct. 4 at 6:30 p.m.	Sat., Oct. 5 at 10 a.m. & Thurs., Oct. 10 at 9:30 p.m.
Hyde Leadership at Canton (Oct. 5 game)	Wed., Oct. 9 at 8 p.m.	Sun., Oct. 13 at 10 a.m. & Tues., Oct. 15 at 9 p.m.
Fairfield Prep at Shelton (LIVE)	Fri., Oct. 11 at 7 p.m.	Sat., Oct. 12 at 10 a.m. & Thurs., Oct. 17 at 9:30 p.m.
North Branford at Avon (Oct. 12 game)	Wed., Oct. 16 at 8 p.m.	Sun., Oct. 20 at 10 a.m. & Tues., Oct. 22 at 9 p.m.
Xavier at West Haven (LIVE)	Fri., Oct. 18 at 7 p.m.	Sat., Oct. 19 at 10 a.m. & Thurs., Oct. 24 at 9:30 p.m.
Masuk at Ansonia (Oct. 17 game)	Wed., Oct. 23 at 8 p.m.	Sun., Oct. 27 at 10 a.m. & Tues., Oct. 29 at 9 p.m.
Weston at Newtown (LIVE)	Fri., Oct. 25 at 7 p.m.	Sat., Oct. 26 at 10 a.m. & Thurs., Oct. 31 at 9:30 p.m.
Simsbury at South Windsor (Oct. 26 game)	Wed., Oct. 30 at 8 p.m.	Sun., Nov. 3 at 10 a.m. & Tues., Nov. 5 at 9 p.m.
Oxford at Joel Barlow (LIVE)	Fri., Nov. 1 at 7 p.m.	Sat., Nov. 2 at 10 a.m. &  Thurs., Nov. 7 at 9:30 p.m.
Berlin at Rocky Hill (LIVE)	Fri., Nov. 8 at 7 p.m.	Sat., Nov. 9 at 9 a.m. & Thurs., Nov. 14 at 9:30 p.m.
Naugatuck at Holy Cross (Nov. 7 game)	Wed., Nov. 13 at 8 p.m.	Sun., Nov. 17 at 10 a.m. & Tues., Nov. 19 at 9 p.m.
Derby at Woodland (LIVE)	Fri., Nov. 15 at 6:30 p.m.	Sat., Nov. 16 at 9 a.m. & Thurs., Nov. 21 at 9:30 p.m.
Gilbert/NW Regional at Valley Regional/Old Lyme (LIVE)	Fri., Nov. 22 at 6:30 p.m.	Sat., Nov. 23 at 10 a.m. & Tues., Nov. 26 at 9 p.m.
Middletown at Windsor (LIVE)	Wed., Nov. 27 at 6:30 p.m.	Sun., Dec. 1 at 10 a.m. & Wed., Dec. 4 at 9 p.m.
Capital/Classical at Prince Tech (Nov. 23 game)	Fri., Nov. 29 at 7 p.m.	Sat., Nov. 30 at 10 a.m. & Thurs., Dec. 5 at 9:30 p.m.

We took a day off Saturday, the last real day off of the summer. But the teams around the state continued to gear up and fall in for the 2013 season.

There were scrimmages galore, with various reports filtering over via Twitter.

The most intriguing scrimmage occured up at Fontana Field in Southington between Southington, Berlin and Masuk.

Once again, YouTuber Rick Volk was on the scene the night after we checked out Ansonia-West Haven.

Perusing the video, Masuk, which has made a couple dubious headlines of late, looked pretty darn good, thank you, against two other 2012 state playoff participants.

Since we weren't there, we can only go by what we see. What we see is Masuk running a pretty effective attack and a solid defense behind QB Malik Cummings, among others.

Masuk did more than hold its own, it pretty much looked like its old self. Perhaps the feelings of impending demise is far from accurate, eh?

That's what coach Dave Brennan and members of the team told Connecticut Post's Michael Fornabaio in a Sunday story from the scrimmage.

From the article:

"We had a team meeting, and (Brennan) basically told us we've all got to come together," senior running back Joe DaMota said. "We've got him the rest of the year. We've got a journey. We improved from the Shelton scrimmage (Wednesday)."

According to RickVolk, the scrimmage was via 10-play format.  Also featured is Southington QB and Yale recruit Stephen Barmore.

Again, these are scrimmages, take from them what you will.

Here's a short vid with highlights from all three teams.

Here's a more comprehensive package between just Masuk and Southington.

Brennan

The Connecticut Post got to the bottom of the boiling signs of discontent in the Masuk football program Thursday night.

Following a meeting with parents Thursday night, John DeGennaro told the Post, in no uncertain terms, "Dave Brennan is our football coach."

Brennan was hired in the spring to replace longtime coach John Murphy, who resigned in December after 15 years and three state championships.

Throughout the first weeks of fall camp, however, multiple sources in and around the program described large pockets of unrest, including a walkout by players and one assistant coach's resignation, to the New Haven Register on Thursday afternoon.

Team parents hoped to address the situation at a Thursday meeting, which DeGennaro described to the Post as a routine annual fall sports meeting with parents.

Though details were scarce and parents declined to comment to Connecticut Post after the meeting broke after 8 p.m., a source told the Register Thursday night that Masuk's administration had reinforced its commitment to Brennan.

Principal Joseph Kobza told parents there is plan to help Brennan succeed and that he would correct many of the complaints pervading the program, the source said.

DeGennaro echoed similar sentiments to the Post.

"He has a full vote of confidence as our head football coach," DeGennaro told reporter Michael Fornabaio.

 Neither Kobza, DeGennaro or Brennan have responded to calls seeking comment Thursday.

David Brennan

A number of players and parents within the Masuk's football program appear to be in rebellion against new head coach, David Brennan.

Concerned about widespread changes, ineptitude in scrimmages and feelings of despair over the state of the program, multiple sources have described incidents of players skipping practices and requesting private meetings with school athletic director John DeGennaro and principal Joseph Kobza.

On Thursday night, team parents and players are scheduled to meet with Brennan, Kobza and DeGennaro to address their grievances. Monroe Public Schools superintendent James Agostine and Monroe Board of Education chairman Darrell Trump have also been invited to attend.

To at least one football parent, the solution is simple:

"We want him out," David DeGirolamo said of Brennan. "He's just been God-awful. He has no organizational skills and is way over his head."

Brennan, a Monroe public schools teacher, was hired from Ridgefield to replace John Murphy. Murphy resigned in December after winning three state championships and nearly 200 games in 15 years.

But just two weeks into the preseason, detractors -- most of whom declined to use their names on the record -- have described underwhelming performances at scrimmages and unwelcome changes Brennan has made within the program.

Earlier this week, eight of the team's seniors skipped a practice to speak with DeGennaro and Kobza, according to DeGirolamo and several sources.

On Sunday, approximately 20 players skipped another practice. Assistant coach Justin Scarpatti quit on Saturday, but returned after a few days.

On Wednesday night, detractors say the team didn't perform well vs. Holy Cross and Shelton in a three-way scrimmage, which has only added to the internal strife. "We probably got three first downs the whole night," DeGirolamo said.

With Masuk's anticipated Week 1 game vs. former coach Murphy and New Milford two weeks away, DeGirolamo said he and other parents are praying the administration makes a change.

"It's a mess," DeGirolamo said. "A monster mess."

DeGennaro and Kobza were not immediately available for comment. Neither returned separate phone messages as of early Thursday afternoon.

Brennan also did not return a phone message seeking comment Thursday afternoon.

"I loved Murphy, but he's gone," DeGirolamo said. "We knew going in our numbers would be down. But we only have 40 kids on varsity now. I don't even know if we're going to field a (junior varsity) team. Does it have to be this far away (from the past)? The kids don't look at any game film, they're not prepared, they've lost all respect for (Brennan)."

"My kid's not a quitter, but if he came to me tomorrow and said, 'Dad, I'm not playing,' I'd be fine with it. A lot of parents feel the same way," he said. "I don't know what's going to happen (at the meeting). We just want to keep up the tradition of Masuk football. That's all we're looking for."

UPDATE: The Masuk administration reaffirmed its commitment to Brennan at the meeting and promised to address issues, according to a source.

A call to athletic director John DeGennaro for confirmation not returned Thursday night.

Below is a list of players who have decided on their college destination.




Andre Anderson Hillhouse Univ. of New Haven
Andrew Barton Ridgefield Bryant
Ben Berey Glastonbury Tufts
Brendan Bilcheck Hand Bowdoin
Tim Boyle Xavier UConn
Caleb Camacho New London Sacred Heart
Chris Devaney Newtown Bryant
Jonah Dorsey Xavier Stonehill
Quinn Fleeting Windsor Central Conn. State
James Frusciante Staples Princeton
Pete Gerson Hand Yale
Peter Gesualdi Darien Hobart
Chris Golger Fairfield Prep Tufts
Pieter Hoets Staples Trinity
Darryn Horner Hillhouse Stonehill
Andrew Isaacs Manchester Maryland
Cory Jasudowich Cheshire Academy UConn
Andrew Kalach Watertown Sacred Heart
Kevin Kearney Staples Bowdoin
Nick Kelly Staples Amherst College
Mike Lasala Wilton Washington & Lee
Marcus Little Manchester Boston College
Kris Luster Xavier Wesleyan
Andrew Matos Ansonia Rhode Island
Sean Merrill Sheehan Sacred Heart
Tom Milone Masuk UConn (baseball)
Colin Moore Avon Furman (lacrosse)
Je’Vaughn Moore Hillhouse Monmouth
Ryheime Moore Windsor AIC
Ryan Murtha Montville Sacred Heart
Tommy Myers Coventry/Windham Tech UConn
Liam O’Neil Greenwich Tufts
Darick Orange Windham Tech Central Conn. State
Cole Ormsby Windsor UConn
Lance Ormsby Windsor Central Conn. State
Brandon Robertson Montville Sacred Heart
Hector Rodriguez Berlin Dean
Patsy Romero Wilton Plymouth State
Connor Rowe Ridgefield Bryant
Max Schumann Xavier Univ. of Chicago
George Smith Holy Cross Bryant
Max Tylki Xavier Brown
Kyle Vaughn Staples Fordham
Matt Walsh Hand UConn
Hal Chapman Wingo Avon Georgetown

EDITED: Murphy was approved by the school's board of ed. 


John Murphy, who stepped down at Masuk after winning three state titles in 15 years, is expected to be hired at New Milford, the CT POST reports.

From the POST:

It's not official yet. Murphy's hire is pending approval by the New Milford Board of Education.

The board is scheduled to meet Wednesday, said New Milford athletic director Lance Pliego, who had no comment on the possible hiring of Murphy.

On the board's agenda is a proposal to hire Murphy as the school's football coach effective Thursday.

Murphy, 45, who lives in Stratford, would also take over as the school's girls lacrosse coach, a position he held at Masuk.

Murphy, who declined comment, compiled a 158-33-1 record at Masuk, replaces Chuck Lynch, who resigned after nine seasons.

Masuk's John Murphy and Trinity Catholic's Pete Stokes stepped down as head coach from their respective schools on Tuesday.


Murphy was coach for 15 years, winning 159 games, six SWC championships and three state championships.

Read more on Murphy from the CT POST



Stokes led the Crusaders to an 8-3 record and a berth in the Class S quarterfinals this season.


Read more on Stokes from the STAMFORD ADVOCATE

VIA PRESS RELEASE

Five of the eight CIAC Football Tournament semi-final games taking place Sunday will be broadcast live on various platforms.

The CIAC Network will be broadcasting three games live on-line at www.CIAC.tv while two of those games will also be available live on Connecticut Public Television. MSGVarsity.com will also have live broadcasts of two games.

The semi-final round of the tournament will feature a total of eight games at four sites with three sites hosting two games and single games at two other sites. The full schedule, along with links to the CIAC.tv contests can be found on the CIAC Tournament Central website at http://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. #1 Hand, 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 Hyde vs. #1 Ansonia, 12:30 p.m. (CIAC
Network and CPTV)

Viewers can consult www.cptvsports.org for re-air schedules for the games as well. All live broadcasts on the CIAC network will also be available on-demand following the conclusion of the matches, and DVDs of all broadcasts are available for purchase at www.CIAC.tv.

This fall marks the first full season of the partnership between the CIAC and PlayOn Sports which provides live broadcast coverage of regular season and CIAC Tournament contests.

ALL GAMES ON SUNDAY

Class LL

No. 1 Staples vs. No. 5 NFA at West Haven, 12:30 p.m.
No. 3 Xavier at No. 7 Glastonbury at Cheshire, 12:30 p.m.

CLASS L

No. 1 Hand vs. No. 4 Masuk at West Haven, 5 p.m.
No. 2 Windsor vs. No. 6 New Canaan at Bunnell (Stratford), 12:30 p.m.

CLASS M

No. 4 Hillhouse vs. No. 8 Montville at Middletown, 5 p.m.
No. 2 Berlin vs. No. 6 Weston at Bunnell (Stratford), 5 p.m.

CLASS S

No. 1 Ansonia vs. No. 5 Hyde at Middletown, 12:30 p.m.
No. 3 North Branford vs. No. 7 Woodland at Falcon Field, Meriden, 12:30 p.m .

Here is the ballot I submitted for the New Haven Register Top 10 football poll after Week 11. Voters are asked to vote for 15 teams. Points on tabulated on a 30-28-26-24-22-20-18-16-14-12-11-10-9-8-7 basis.

The poll should be up later tonight on the Register's website and will appear in Tuesday's print editions.
My Top 10 ballot stays the same from last week.

1. Hand
2. Staples
3. Ansonia
4. Xavier
5. Windsor
6. Newtown
7. Southington
8. Norwich Free Academy
9. Greenwich
10. Masuk
11. Hillhouse
12. West Haven
13. North Branford
14. Glastonbury
15. St. Joseph

Here is the ballot I submitted for the New Haven Register Top 10 football poll after Week 10. Voters are asked to vote for 15 teams. Points on tabulated on a 30-28-26-24-22-20-18-16-14-12-11-10-9-8-7 basis.

The poll should be up later tonight on the Register's website and will appear in Tuesday's print editions.
My Top 10 ballot stays the same from last week.

1. Hand
2. Staples
3. Ansonia
4. Xavier
5. Windsor
6. Greenwich
7. Newtown
8. Masuk
9. Southington
10. Norwich Free Academy
11. Hillhouse
12. West Haven
13. North Branford
14. Glastonbury
15. Middletown

Here is the ballot I submitted for the New Haven Register Top 10 football poll after Week 9. Voters are asked to vote for 15 teams. Points on tabulated on a 30-28-26-24-22-20-18-16-14-12-11-10-9-8-7 basis.

The poll should be up later tonight on the Register's website and will appear in Wednesday's print editions.


1. Hand
2. Staples
3. Ansonia
4. Xavier
5. Windsor
6. Greenwich
7. Newtown
8. Masuk
9. Southington
10. Norwich Free Academy
11. Hillhouse
12. West Haven
13. North Branford
14. Glastonbury
15. Middletown

Here is the ballot I submitted for the New Haven Register Top 10 football poll after Week 8. Voters are asked to vote for 15 teams. Points on tabulated on a 30-28-26-24-22-20-18-16-14-12-11-10-9-8-7 basis.

The poll should be up later tonight on the Register's website and will appear in Tuesday's print editions.


1. Hand
2. Staples
3. Ansonia
4. West Haven
5. Xavier
6. Windsor
7. Greenwich
8. Newtown
9. Masuk
10. Southington
11. North Branford
12. Norwich Free Academy
13. Glastonbury
14. Hillhouse
15. Middletown

Here is the ballot I submitted for the New Haven Register Top 10 football poll after Week 7. Voters are asked to vote for 15 teams. Points on tabulated on a 30-28-26-24-22-20-18-16-14-12-11-10-9-8-7 basis.

The poll should be up later tonight on the Register's website and will appear in Tuesday's print editions.


1. Hand
2. Staples
3. Ansonia
4. West Haven
5. Xavier
6. Windsor
7. Greenwich
8. Newtown
9. Masuk
10. Southington
11. Berlin
12. North Branford
13. Norwich Free Academy
14. Glastonbury
 15. Hillhouse

Here is the ballot I submitted for the New Haven Register Top 10 football poll after Week 6. Voters are asked to vote for 15 teams. Points on tabulated on a 30-28-26-24-22-20-18-16-14-12-11-10-9-8-7 basis.

The poll should be up later tonight on the Register's website and will appear in Tuesday's print editions.


Some interesting games last week:

No. 1 Hand survived against No. 8 West Haven
No. 10 Southington edged No. 9 Glastonbury
No. 5 Windsor rallied past previously unbeaten Middletown

With that being said, this week's ballot:

1. Hand
2. Staples
3. Ansonia
4. West Haven
5. Xavier
6. Windsor
7. Greenwich
8. Newtown
9. Masuk
10. Southington
11. Berlin
12. North Branford
13. Norwich Free Academy
14. Fairfield Prep
15. Glastonbury

Here is the ballot I submitted for the New Haven Register Top 10 football poll after Week 5. Voters are asked to vote for 15 teams. Points on tabulated on a 30-28-26-24-22-20-18-16-14-12-11-10-9-8-7 basis.

The poll should be up later tonight on the Register's website and will appear in Tuesday's print editions.


Last week's No. 1 Xavier lost to Hand, 40-20, snapping the Falcons' 30-game winning streak.

I decided to go with Hand as the new No. 1 team, jumping the Tigers over Staples from last week's ballot. Staples, Ansonia and Windsor are all worthy candidates for No. 1, but Hand's domination over Xavier in the second half impressed me enough to give Hand the nod (for now).

1. Hand
2. Staples
3. Ansonia
4. Windsor
5. Xavier
6. Greenwich
7. Newtown
8. West Haven
9. Masuk
10. Berlin
11. Southington
12. Glastonbury
13. Norwich Free Academy
14. North Branford
15. Fairfield Prep

Here is the ballot I submitted for the New Haven Register Top 10 football poll after Week 4. Voters are asked to vote for 15 teams. Points on tabulated on a 30-28-26-24-22-20-18-16-14-12-11-10-9-8-7 basis.

The poll should be up later tonight on the Register's website and will appear in Tuesday's print editions.


One team from my previous ballot lost (New London), so I dropped it out and added a new team.

1. Xavier
2. Staples
3. Hand
4. Windsor
5. Ansonia
6. Greenwich
7. Newtown
8. West Haven
9. Masuk
10. Berlin
11. Southington
12. Glastonbury
13. Norwich Free Academy
14. North Branford
15. North Haven

Fairfield Prep blitzes Shelton 

By Mary Albl, Register Staff
malbl@journalregister.com / Twitter: @MaryAlbl

Shelton's Mark Piccirillo looks for room through the Fairfield Prep's defense during the first quarter of Prep's 42-3 win. Photo Peter Casolino/New Haven Register.

FAIRFIELD — All season long Fairfield Prep football head coach Tom Shea has preached the message of beating an elite opponent. Last Saturday, the Jesuits hopes of doing that were crushed in a 35-14 loss to top-ranked Xavier.

Friday night at Alumni Field, Prep answered the call with a dominant 42-3 Southern Connecticut Conference victory over Shelton to move to 3-1.

“Listen, they’re (Shelton) an outstanding program with a great tradition,” Shea said. “You cannot be a good team unless you’re able to play with, compete with and beat a team like that. For us, we hope it’s a step forward.”

Masuk runs wild over Bunnell

STRATFORD — At tradition-rich programs like Masuk, where there’s usually an abundance of talent, most players must wait their turn until they’re seniors to play full-time.

 Andy Fredeen is one of those players. Fredeen played sparingly last season when the Panthers advanced to the Class L state semifinals.

Fredeen returned the game’s opening kickoff 65 yards for a touchdown against rival Bunnell, helping the Panthers cruise to a 63-14 South-West Conference victory Friday.

“He’s a senior who’s been waiting for his time,” Masuk coach John Murphy said. “He stepped up tonight when we needed him. (Had a) big one on the opening kickoff to get us going. I thought Andy had a great game.”

PHOTOS: Masuk runs past Bunnell

ROUNDUP: Hillhouse shuts out Law

Andre Anderson ran for 135 yards, scored three touchdowns, had an interception and eight tackles and JeVaughn Moore ran for 85 yards one seven carries and a touchdown as the Hillhouse football team routed Law 47-0 in New Haven on Friday afternoon in a Southern Connecticut Conference Division II game.

Cheshire 48, Notre Dame-West Haven 13: Vin Sansone threw three touchdown passes and ran for two more amassing 175 total yards and Sam Pascale had two rushing touchdowns as Cheshire won the SCC Division I East game.

Jack Cunningham had five tackles, two interceptions, a blocked PAT and on offense, six rushes for 69 yards for Cheshire (3-1) in the win over Notre Dame-West Haven (1-3).

No. 3 Hand 49, Wilbur Cross 14: Seven different players scored for Hand in a SCC Division I East game at New Haven.


Hillhouse's Andre Anderson and North Haven's Jalon White have been nominated for FRIDAY'S STAR. VOTE!