NOTRE DAME-WEST HAVEN

Veteran's Stadium, West Haven

Coach: Tom Marcucci
Conference: SCC
2012 Record: 4-6
2013 Kickoff: at St. Joseph, Sept. 14, 1:30 p.m.
Top offensive players: Cameran Tucker, 5-10, 208, Sr., RB; Blake Rice, 6-1, 165, Sr., RB; Owen Barnell, 6-1, 235, Jr., G; Drew Arciuolo, 6-0, 178, Sr., WR; Kyle Cullen, 6-2, 215, Jr., T; Joe Palmieri, 5-7, 161, Sr., WR; Prince Brooks, 5-8, 165, So., RB.
Top defensive players: Sal Esposito, 6-0, 195, Sr., LB; Matt Abati, 6-0, 228, Jr., DE; Tim Jambor, 5-11, 184, Jr., LB; Andrew Natale, 5-10, 165, Jr., DB; Joe Petrosino, 5-10, 235, Jr., T; Zack Cofrancesco, 5-8, 158, Jr., DB.
Key losses: Chris Perry, WR/DB; Matt Shumaker, LB; Jordan Williams, DE; Zack Averna, C.
Outlook: Marcucci says the key is that the returning players have improved. There are many returners with significant varsity experience. There is also a very strong sophomore and junior class combined with those experienced seniors. Marcucci expects his team to compete in every game. Marcucci noted that team speed and strength have greatly improved.  Tucker, pictured above, will be one of the top running backs in the SCC. He basically carried the load last season as the Green Knights struggled with injuries. Tucker rushed 215 times for 1,697 yards and 19 touchdowns as a junior. Rice returns under center, although he missed some time with injury last season. He completed 54 of 105 passes for 623 yards and five scores. Esposito saw some time in the backfield and as a receiver but he will be called upon to lead the defense. He made 54 tackles last season.

Previous entries in the Inside The Huddle series:


Derby
Guilford
Morgan
New Canaan
North Branford
North Haven
Pomperaug
Sheehan  
Xavier 

DIVISION I

OFFENSE

OL-Dennis Flanagan, Sr., Amity
OL-John Thomas, Sr., Hamden
OL-Zack Creeron, Sr., Xavier
OL-Greg Purcell, Sr., Amity
K-Ed Groth, Sr., Shelton
WR-Kris Luster, Sr., Xavier
WR-Chris Perry, Sr., ND-WH
WR-Kyle Drost, Jr., Shelton
WR-Kyle Anderson, Sr., Hand
RB-DeAngelo Berry, Sr., Xavier
RB-Ervin Philips, Jr., West Haven
RB-Cameran Tucker, Jr., ND-WH
RB-David Attolino, Sr., Amity
QB-Tim Boyle, Sr., Xavier
QB-Brendan Bilcheck, Sr., Hand

DEFENSE

DL-Alex Chow-Yen, Sr., Cross
DL-Peter Gerson, Sr., Hand
DL-Eddy Williams, Sr., West Haven
DL-Anthony Palazzolo, So., Fairfield Prep
LB-Nick Crowle, Jr., Fairfield Prep
LB-Matt Walsh, Sr., Hand
LB-Max Tylki, Sr., Xavier
LB-Kadialy Toure, Sr., West Haven
LB-Chris Golger, Sr., Fairfield Prep
DB-Alex Tuccero, Sr., Hand
DB-Jack Cunningham, So., Cheshire
DB-Sam Pascale, Sr., Cheshire
DB-Amore Gee, Sr., West Haven
DB-Vincent Sansone, Sr., Cheshire
P-Ysaan Frazier, Sr., Wilbur Cross

DIVISION II

OFFENSE

OL-Matt Marcarelli, Sr., North Haven
OL-Zach Hubler, Jr., Foran
OL-Nick Casagrande, Jr., Law
OL-George Knoth, Sr., Law
OL-Sean Merrill, Sr., Sheehan
OL-Colton Schilling, Sr., Guilford
WR-Nick Weissauer, Jr., Foran
WR-Ryan Bohne, Sr., Lyman Hall
RB-Harold Cooper, Jr., Hillhouse
RB-Jalon White, Sr., North Haven
QB-Jake Kasuba, So., Foran
QB-Joe Nault, Jr., Guilford
UT-K.C. Horton, Jr., Guilford

DEFENSE
DL-Andrew Klarman, Sr., Branford
DL-Mark Spadacenta, Sr., East Haven
DL-Anthony Jones, Sr., Branford
DL-Teno Simpson, Sr., Hillhouse
LB-Mike Halloran, Jr., North Haven
LB-Ford Linell, Jr., Guilford
LB-Alex Borkowski, Sr., Branford
LB-Terrell Fairweather, Sr., Hillhouse
LB-Quincy Pecora, Sr., North Haven
DB-Je'Vaughn Moore, Sr., Hillhouse
DB-Kyle Paolella, Sr., Sheehan
DB-Darryn Horner, Sr., Hillhouse
DB-Andre Anderson, Sr., Hillhouse

NOTEBOOK: Notre Dame-West Haven comes of age with win over Fairfield Prep

Notre Dame-West Haven finally earned a signature victory after rallying past Fairfield Prep this past Friday in Fairfield.

The Green Knights led 13-0 at halftime before the Jesuits responded with 14 points in the third quarter.

In the final period, senior Chris Perry caught a 27-yard touchdown pass from junior Blake Rice and then Perry and Rice hooked up for the successful two-point conversion pass to lift Notre Dame to a 21-14 victory.

The loss all but ended Fairfield Prep’s playoff hopes, while the Green Knights celebrated a victory over one of the Southern Connecticut Conference’s more competitive teams.

READ MORE

WEEK 9 HIGHLIGHTS

OFFENSIVE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

Derby Jr. RB Tyrae Small: Carried 15 times for 182 yards and five touchdowns in a 46-6 win over Crosby on Saturday. Small also made eight tackles and an interception.

Foran So. QB Jake Kasuba: Threw for 357 yards and six touchdown passes in a 46-6 win over Branford on Friday.



DEFENSIVE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

Cheshire So. LB Andrew Yamin: Made eight tackles, a sack and an interception in a 33-0 win over Hamden on Saturday.

Derby Sr. DL John Piazza: Had six tackles, caused a fumble and recovered another in a 46-6 win over Crosby on Saturday.

SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

Derby Sr. Dillon McMahon: Scored on an 80-yard kickoff return in a 46-6 win over Crosby on Saturday.

Hartford Public Sr. Kwame Kitson: Kicked a 45-yard field goal in a 35-10 loss to Middletown on Saturday.

TEAMS OF THE WEEK

Darien: Nick Lombardo caught a 35-yard touchdown pass from Henry Baldwin with 7 seconds remaining in regulation in a 26-20 victory over previously unbeaten Trinity Catholic on Saturday.

Derby: Defeated Crosby 46-6 on Saturday to clinch its first winning season since 1996. The Red Raiders are 6-3.

READ MORE



HAND remains No. 1 in Register Top 10 Poll

HAMDEN HALL KNOCKS OFF RIVAL HOPKINS

HAMDEN — T.J. Linta was well aware of the task at hand.

If his Hamden Hall football team was going to beat rival Hopkins for the first time since 2001, the Hornets would need to capitalize on their scoring opportunities and keep the Hilltoppers’ offense off the field.

Linta and his teammates were up to the challenge. The junior quarterback threw for 226 yards and two touchdowns, ran for another score, and the Hamden Hall offense used time-consuming drives to defeat Hopkins 37-20 in a Fairchester League contest at the Beckerman Athletic Complex.

PHOTOS: Hamden Hall beats Hopkins

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SATURDAY'S ROUNDUP: Hillhouse, Cheshire earn wins

Andre Anderson rushed 10 times for 145 yards and two touchdowns for the host Hillhouse football team in a 45-7 Southern Connecticut Conference Division II victory over Sheehan Saturday at Bowen Field in New Haven.

Anderson surpassed 1,000 rushing yards for the season and 3,000 total yards in his career.

Cheshire 33, Hamden 0: Sam Pascale rushed 16 times for 132 yards and a touchdown to lead the visiting Rams to this SCC Division I win at Hamden.

READ MORE 

  FRIDAY'S ROUNDUP: Notre Dame-West Haven stuns Fairfield Prep 

Chris Perry caught a fourth-quarter 27-yard touchdown pass from Blake Rice and then caught the two-point conversion to help the Notre Dame-West Haven football team upset Fairfield Prep 21-14 in a Southern Connecticut Conference Division I game in Fairfield on Friday.

The Green Knights (3-5) led 13-0 at the half after a Cameron Tucker nine-yard touchdown run and Jaime Raymond recovered a fumble and ran it back 45 yards.

READ MORE 

 NO. 1 HAND rolls past Shelton

 

NO. 1 HAND SURVIVES AGAINST NO. 8 WEST HAVEN

MADISON — Down by one following an Ervin Philips touchdown run, eighth-ranked West Haven decided to attempt a two-point conversion in the closing minutes of its contest with No. 1 Hand.

The call was gutsy, but fitting for the type of performance the Westies delivered on the road Saturday at the Surf Club.

West Haven executed the play exactly as it was drawn up, with senior quarterback Javon Taylor rolling right and two receivers emerging from the backfield and getting open in the flat.

The ball was thrown, hit Philips’ fingertips and fell incomplete.

Hand took over, proceeded to run out the clock and escaped with a thrilling 21-20 Southern Connecticut Conference Division I East victory.

PHOTOS: Check out the action from Hand's one-point win over West Haven.


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 BRANFORD has been nominated for the TEAM OF THE WEEK! VOTE!

SATURDAY'S FOOTBALL ROUNDUP: Foran tops ND-West Haven

Quarterback Jake Kasuba completed 20 of 28 passes for 298 yards including two touchdown passes to lead the Foran football team to a 50-35 victory over Notre Dame-West Haven Saturday in a Southern Connecticut Conference interdivision game at Milford.

Nick Weissauer had nine catches for 101 yards and a touchdown and added two touchdown runs for the Lions (4-2). Sean Deegan added four catches for 146 yards and two touchdown receptions and Niko DeRosa had 132 yards on 18 carries, including a 1-yard touchdown run for Foran.

Cameran Tucker led the Green Knights (1-5) with two touchdown runs.

 READ MORE 

 CHESHIRE edges WILBUR CROSS

 FRIDAY'S ROUNDUP 

THURSDAY'S ROUNDUP 

No. 9 West Haven thrashes Notre Dame-West Haven

By Mike Madera, Special to the Register

Ervin Philips (left) of West Haven runs for a touchdown in the first quarter against Notre Dame on 9/28/2012. Photo by Arnold Gold/New Haven Register AG0464B

WEST HAVEN — The West Haven football team has had plenty of time to think about its last visit to Veterans Stadium. The contest, which resulted in a West Haven loss, was one of the reasons the Westies failed to qualify for the postseason last year.

Fast forward to Friday night and the Westies have new — and better — memories. Behind a powerful running game which accumulated 330 rushing yards, the Westies defeated Notre Dame-West Haven 34-13 in a Southern Connecticut Conference Division I East game.

“This is a real big win for us,” West Haven’s Ervin Philips said. “We worked hard in practice all week. We wanted to get a win here. We knew we needed a good showing on offense. We are just taking it a week at a time.”

No. 3 Hand cruises past Cheshire

By Dave Phillips, Special to the Register

MADISON — Steve Filippone called it a one-time only deal. But maybe the way Hand played Friday night, he ought to reconsider.

With the Tigers’ usual home at the Surf Club under water from the afternoon heavy rain, third-ranked Hand played for the first time at its high school turf field and was extremely impressive, dominating Cheshire, 35-7.

“I didn’t like it at all,” said a soaked Filippone after Hand upped its record to 3-0. “There’s nothing like the Surf Club, but we got this done tonight. We’re never going to play on this field again. This will be retired undefeated with Hand football.”

Hand, which runs out of the spread offense, rushed for over 280 yards a week ago in a 37-19 victory at Hillhouse. On Friday, the Tigers did most of their damage on the ground again.


ROUNDUP

Harold Cooper ran for four touchdowns and JaVaughn Moore ran for a 63-yard score as Hillhouse downed Branford 32-18 in Branford on Friday.

Cooper had touchdown runs of 78, 27, 27 and 13 in the win for the Academics (2-1).

Alex Borkowski had two rushing touchdowns and 116 rushing yards for the Hornets (1-2).


Hillhouse's Harold Cooper and Notre Dame's Cameran Tucker have been nominated for FRIDAY'S STAR

The 50th anniversary of Notre Dame-West Haven's undefeated 1962 football team will be honored at halftime of Notre Dame's football game Friday night at Veterans Stadium against West Haven. Almost 20 members of that team, which finished No. 1 in the final New Haven Register Top 10 poll, will be on hand to celebrate the anniversary. The 1962 Notre Dame team, coached by Ray Tellier, went 8-0, scoring 171 points and allowing only 38. Only once all year did a team score two touchdowns in the same game. The Green Knights beat teams from Rhode Island, Massachusetts and New York before completing the season by beating Hamden in the Green Bowl. Both head coaches in Friday's game, West Haven's Ed McCarthy (1964) and Notre Dame’s Tom Marcucci (1966) were both members of that program. McCarthy was a junior backup center and linebacker while Marcucci was a member of the freshman football team.

No. 3 Hand wins 15th straight, beats No. 7 Hillhouse

Amity runs all over Sheehan


No. 1 Xavier pulls away from North Haven


ROUNDUP: Derby edges Naugatuck


Follow our Week 2 Scoreboard


VOTE for Friday's STAR: ND-WH's Cameran Tucker and Ansonia's Andrew Matos are nominated!

Here's what happened in Week 1 on Friday:

 

 No. 1 Xavier blanks Notre Dame-West Haven

Fairfield Prep shuts out Wilbur Cross

 

 

North Branford rolls past Valley Regional/Old Lyme

 

Philips, Williams lead West Haven past Hamden in season opener

 

ROUNDUP: Cheshire slips past Shelton

 

Follow the action on our Week 1 Scoreboard

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL: NDWH has some holes to plug

By Mike Pucci, Register Staff
mpucci@nhregister.com / Twitter: @MikePucciNHR

WEST HAVEN — The word ‘rebuilding’ seems to be considered an obscenity within the Notre Dame-West Haven football program.

Rebuilding, though, is a term that could very well describe the Green Knights in 2012.

Just don’t tell that to coach Tom Marcucci or his players.

“I don’t like rebuilding, but we certainly have to replace a lot of guys,” Marcucci said. “We’re being realistic, but we expect to compete. They expect to win and that’s how we’re talking to them.”

Notre Dame lost a plethora of players from a team that went 8-3 and advanced to the Class L state quarterfinals last season. Nine players from last year’s squad are now competing on the college level.

This year, there’s inexperience in key areas, especially on defense, where Notre Dame has seven new starters.

Unlike like season, when several players saw action the year before, this year’s team is relatively green.

“This team here, there’s not a lot of guys that have been on the field,” Marcucci said. “I don’t know how they’re going to respond when the lights go on.”

But the Green Knights are not using that as excuse as they prepare to host No. 1 Xavier in the season opener on Friday at 7 p.m. at Veteran’s Stadium.

(photo posted on University of New Hampshire website)

Sean Goldrich, a former standout at Notre Dame-West Haven, threw two touchdown passes in his collegiate debut. Goldrich's teammate at ND, Rob Bowman, started on the offensive line for New Hampshire. Below, read the article posted on the University of New Hampshire website. 

Worcester,  Mass. - The University of New Hampshire football team scored touchdowns on back-to-back drives of 98 yards and 95 yards in the second half to pull away from Holy Cross for a 38-17 Thursday night victory in the season opener for both schools at Fitton Field.

The Wildcats (1-0, 0-0 CAA) outscored the Crusaders (0-1, 0-0 Patriot League) 19-7 after halftime and amassed 531 yards of offense (279 rushing, 252 passing) to improve to 11-3 all-time in season-opening games under head coach Sean McDonnell.

Sean Goldrich (West Haven, Conn.) shined in his collegiate debut, completing 21 of 31 passes for 193 yards and two TDs. The redshirt freshman added a team-high 71 rushing yards on 10 carries.

CIAC Playoff Pairings

Grenn Bowl: Notre Dam reaches Class L playoffs after win over Hamden

Elm City Bowl: Cooper leads Hillhouse past Cross

Ansonia-Naugatuck: Newsome breaks state record as Ansonia rolls

North Haven-Amity: Schwab scores three times to lead Indians into playoffs

Shelton-Derby: Gaels hold off Red Raiders

Xavier-Middletown: No. 1 Falcons roll

Apple Valley Classic: Ecke key in Cheshire's win over Southington

West Haven-Prep: Nieves, Manning rally Westies

Carini Bowl: DeSandre leads Lyman Hall past Sheehan

Branford-East Haven: Karlins propels Hornets to victory

Foran-Law: Lions end season on high note

Bunnell topples Stratford

From the Notre Dame athletic office.

Tickets for the Notre Dame vs. Hamden "Green Bowl" game on Thanksgiving morning at 10:30 am at Hamden will be sold at both schools next week.

This year marks the 61st anniversary of this rivalry, which dates back to 1951.

Please see below for dates and times.

Notre Dame

Tickets will be available from Friday Nov.18 at thru Tuesday Nov 22.

Hamden

Tickets will be available from Monday Nov 21 through Wednesday Nov 23.

The ticket prices are as follows:

Pre-Sale

General Admission $5.00

Children under 12 years old $3.00

All General Admission tickets at the game will be $6.00!

Fans of both teams are encouraged to purchase discounted tickets in advance to avoid waiting in line at the game.

Roundup and box scores

Notre Dame-West Haven beats Fairfield Prep, stays in playoff race


No. 1 Xavier tops West Haven

See the highlights below:

No. 10 Notre Dame-West Haven defeated Cheshire 28-7.

Of note:

Cheshire junior running back left the game in the first half with an ankle injury and did not return. Pascale gained 24 yards on eight carries before exiting.

"Sam's really developed into our play maker," Cheshire coach Mark Ecke said. "He's a heck of a running back."

Senior Billy Weyrauch gained 44 yards on 10 carries in Pascale's place.

Notre Dame senior Amihr Bess returned after missing last week's contest with an ankle injury.
Bess still wasn't at 100 percent and played sparingly. Bess carried six times for 25 yards in the first half. He did not carry the ball at all during the final two quarters.

Senior Javon Grey rushed 24 times for 173 yards and three touchdowns for the Green Knights in this SCC Division I East victory over Cheshire at Veteran's Stadium in West Haven.

Grey scored on runs of 1, 21 and 4 yards all in the first half as Notre Dame led 21-7 at halftime.

Mike Palmieri had a sack and returned a fumble 75 yards for a touchdown for the Green Knights (6-2).

Mike Ecke (17 carries, 128 yards) scored on a 65-yard run for the Rams (4-4).

Notre Dame-West Haven still has shot at playoffs.

Check out THE SCOUT TEAM, the Register's weekly football show.

Check out my Predictions for Week 8.

West Haven coach Ed McCarthy to return to sideline after heart procedure.

With three games remaining, Notre Dame (5-2) is currently ranked No. 11 in Class L. The top 8 teams advance to the quarterfinals.

Despite two losses, Notre Dame, if it wins out, can still reach the postseason. The Green Knights have lost to No. 1 Xavier and No. 3 Hand but have defeated North Haven (6-1), Shelton (5-2) and West Haven (5-2).

Notre Dame plays Cheshire (4-3) on Friday (7 p.m. at Veteran's Field in West Haven) in a SCC Division I East contest.

Last year the Green Knights went 7-3 but failed to qualify for the postseason. In 2009, Notre Dame won the Class L state title and was ranked No. 1 in the final Register Top 10 Poll.

"We've been working so hard in the preseason trying to get from Point A to Point B," Notre Dame senior captain Davante Mallard said. "The work ethic has been really strong. We wish we can be better than (5-2), but all we can do is keep going. (The goal) has always been to keep on pushing and keep on moving forward."

The Notre Dame defense is allowing just 15 points per contest this season despite the tough schedule. Still, the Green Knights believe they can play even better.

"I don't think we're ever going to be content," Notre Dame captain Anthony Masucci said. "There's always room for improvement. As far as what (the coaches) expect from us on the defensive side of the ball, I think we're giving our best effort and it shows. Day after day we come out here, work hard, do the same drills over and over, and it's paid off."

After Cheshire, Notre Dame has games remaining with Fairfield Prep and Hamden. The Green Knights will likely have to win their remaining three games, and may even need some help, to reach the postseason.

"From Aug. 17 ( the first day of practice), actually from when we were lifting during the summer," Masucci said, "all we talked about was getting another ring, getting another shot at it. It would be a dream come true if we can get back there (to the playoffs)."