FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK: Hyde returns to Class S state playoffs

Last season’s subpar 4-6 finish might seem like a distant memory for the Hyde football team.

But the Howling Wolves, especially the seniors, never forgot how it felt to miss out on a state playoff berth.

Since becoming a varsity program in 1998, Hyde has qualified for the postseason eight times and won Class S titles in 2000, 2004, 2005 and 2009.

After a year’s absence, the Howling Wolves are back in the Class S field.

“We’re glad to be back,” Hyde coach Melvin Wells said. “We’re glad to be in the mix again. The kids have done a real nice job of sticking to the ground stone. This (reaching the playoffs) was their plan for the start.”

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WEEK 10 HIGHLIGHTS

OFFENSIVE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

♦Coventry/Windham Tech/Bolton Sr. RB Kyle Wing: Carried 18 times for a school-record 361 yards and six touchdowns in a 57-28 win over Granby on Saturday.

♦Guilford Jr. RB David Knapp: Rushed 13 times for 212 yards and two touchdowns in a 47-13 win over Foran on Wednesday. Knapp also returned an interception 81 yards for a touchdown.

DEFENSIVE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

♦Ansonia Sr. LB Hezekiah Duncan: Scored on a 35-yard interception return in a 56-26 win over Woodland on Thursday.

♦Oxford Jr. DB Kyle Chudoba: Made two interceptions, including one he returned 23 yards for a touchdown, in a 35-12 win over Bunnell on Saturday.

DEFENSIVE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

♦Ansonia Sr. LB Hezekiah Duncan: Scored on a 35-yard interception return in a 56-26 win over Woodland on Thursday.

♦Oxford Jr. DB Kyle Chudoba: Made two interceptions, including one he returned 23 yards for a touchdown, in a 35-12 win over Bunnell on Saturday.

TEAMS OF THE WEEK

♦Ansonia: Junior running back Arkeel Newsome rushed 23 times for 222 yards and three touchdowns and he also had a touchdown reception in a 56-26 victory over Woodland on Thursday in the Naugatuck Valley League championship game.

♦Barlow: Alex Lockwood had 171 rushing yards and two touchdowns in a 29-22 victory over Brookfield on Thursday.

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Latest CIAC Pairings
Hand, Staples, Ansonia remain the top 3 teams in the latest Register Top 10 Poll

Xavier remain No. 1 in Register Top 10 Poll

HIGHLIGHTS

OFFENSIVE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

♦Berlin Jr. QB Mitch Williams: Completed 16-of-18 passes for 320 yards and six touchdowns in a 49-6 win over East Catholic on Saturday.

♦Bunnell Sr. QB Bryan Castelot: Completed 22-of-42 passes for 380 yards and three scores in a 44-35 win over Bethel on Friday.

DEFENSIVE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

♦Derby Sr. DB Dillon McMahon: Scored on an 96-yard interception return in a 55-26 win over St. Paul. McMahon also had two rushing touchdowns and scored on a 70-yard punt return.

♦North Haven Jr. DB Carlos Martinez: Made two interceptions in a 28-0 win over Guilford on Friday.

SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

♦Amity Jr. David Buono: Returned a kickoff 88 yards for a touchdown in a 35-13 loss to Hand on Friday.

♦Bacon Academy Sr. Trey Geisman: Kicked two field goals and two extra points in a 28-20 loss to Plainfield on Friday.

TEAMS OF WEEK

♦Cheshire: Defeated Shelton 30-23 in the head coaching debut for Don Drust.

♦East Haven: Defeated Lyman Hall 28-27 to win its season opener for the first time since 2006.

MORE HIGHLIGHTS

NOTEBOOK: East Haven starts strong