UNH receiver Josh Smart











WEST HAVEN — University of New Haven wide receiver Josh Smart describes himself as a possession receiver.

Smart takes pride in taking on linebackers over the middle and crushing charging safeties and cornerbacks. However, even the tough guys get scared sometimes.

“I just remember freshman year,” Smart said, “being nervous, 18 years old going against these 23-year-old grown men around the conference. It was real nerve-wracking.”

Read more from Henry Chisholm here.



STORRS — Max DeLorenzo took a handoff, slipped through the line and broke to the outside for 30 yards.

It was another big gainer for UConn’s tailback from Berlin, who had an impressive spring practice Saturday. Linebacker Sio Moore, watching the play from the sideline, shook his head and wondered if it wasn’t someone else wearing the No. 44 jersey.

“He looks like Mike Alstott running the ball,” Moore said.

Moore pretty much hit the analogy on the head. DeLorenzo, a 5-foot-11, 213-pound redshirt freshman, looked an awful lot like a smaller version of Alstott, the former Tampa Bay Buccaneers power back.

Read more from Chip Malafronte here.

Ansonia running back Montrell Dobbs was named the Connecticut High School Coaches Association Player of the Year at the annual football banquet held Sunday at the AquaTurf.

Dobbs rushed for 3,445 yards and 45 touchdowns as a senior, while leading the Chargers to an 11-2 record and an appearance in the Class S state championship game.

Other award winners included:

Class LL MVP: Graham Stewart, Xavier
Class L MVP: Kevin Macari, New Canaan
Class M MVP: Max DeLorenzo, Berlin
Class S MVP: Tyler Matakevich, St. Joseph
Team of Year: Xavier
Scholar Athlete Award: Pat Murray, Staples. Murray will play at Yale in the fall.

Award winners were limited to seniors, and to players who made the CHSCA overall all-state team. MVPs were chosen among the Top 3 vote-getters in each class using the previously mentioned criteria.

The internet recruiting site, Scout.com, lists New Canaan offensive linemen Connor Hanratty as the top player in the state and the third-best nationally at his position. Hanratty, son of former NFL player Terry Hanratty, will attend Notre Dame, his father's alma mater.

Florida-bound offensive linemen Tommy Jordan, the Ridgefield senior, is ranked No. 2 behind Hanratty and No. 17 nationally.

Other state players listed nationally are:
LB No. 93 Graham Stweart (Xavier) Headed to Boston College.
TE No. 84 Mitch King (Valley Regional) Interest from Duke, Temple, Tulane
RB No. 120 Max DeLorenzo (Berlin) Headed to UConn

Among the other top players in the state include: Avon RB Ross McDonald, St. Joseph RB Tyler Matekevich, New London LB Stefan Dance, Montville RB Tyler Girard-Floyd, Masuk QB Casey Cochran and Conard RB Jon Esposito.

Above are nominees for the distinction of being the state's best as we enter the 2010 season. Who is your choice?

Register All-State selection Max DeLorenzo, a 6-foot, 197 pound running back from Berlin, has made a oral commitment to attend UConn in the fall of 2011.

Last season, as a junior, DeLorenzo rushed for over 2,100 yard and 26 touchdowns while leading the Red Coats to the Class M state title.

The news was first reported on the Hartford Courant blog.