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.

 By Chris Hunn, Register Staff

With a handful of his players suffering concussions last season, and the growing concern of head injuries in the spotlight, Oxford football coach Joe Stochmal decided to invest in the Guardian.

A fairly new piece of technology with safety in mind, Guardian Caps are waterproof, one-size-fits-all shells that slip over and strap onto the helmet. A cap weighs just 6½ ounces and is designed to absorb the impact of a hit. Guardian says it reduces the impact by up to 33 percent.

“We had a few concussions that hampered kids from getting back on the field,” Stochmal said. “We purchased a few to curtail that a little bit. If it helps, we’ll purchase more. How good are they? Time will tell. I don’t know. But it’s worth the couple hundred dollars to see if it helps.”

The cost is $55 per protective helmet cover. Oxford purchased six and the players who suffered concussions last season used them recently during the Wolverines’ spring practice session. Stochmal said there were no concussions during the spring.

Matt Simonds, national sales coordinator for Guardian, said 12,000 have been sold. Close to 300 teams in different capacities — at the youth level, high school and college — are using them. Most notably, perhaps, is the University of South Carolina. On the state level, Oxford, St. Paul and Staples, which purchased 115 for its program, are giving them a try. The Wallingford Vikings youth program is looking into purchasing them for the entire league for the 2014 season. The league did not have it in its budget for this season, but will likely be used on an individual basis. Yale coach Tony Reno has also expressed interest in the product.

Ansonia    Tuesday June 18, 6 p.m.
Bassick Thursday June 13, 5 p.m.
Berlin Friday June 14, 5:30 p.m.
Bethel Friday June 14, 6 p.m.
Bridgeport Central    Tuesday June 18, 3:30 p.m.
Coventry Thursday, June 13, 5 p.m.
Danbury Friday June 14, 5 p.m.
Darien Sunday June 16, 5 p.m.
Farmington Saturday June 15, 11 a.m.
Greenwich, Saturday June 15, 10 a.m.
Hand Saturday June 22, 10 a.m.
Kennedy Friday June 14, 3 p.m.
Lyman Hall Saturday June 15, 6 p.m.
McMahon Wednesday June 12, 5:30 p.m.
Naugatuck Friday June 14, 4 p.m.
New Canaan Friday June 14, 7 p.m.
New Milford Friday June 14, 7 p.m.
Newtown Friday June 14, 6 p.m.
North Haven Friday June 21, 6 p.m.
Norwalk Wednesday June 12, 5:30 p.m.
Oxford Saturday June 15, 10 a.m.
Platt Friday June 14, 5 p.m.
Sheehan Friday June 21, 7 p.m.
Shelton Friday June 14, 6 p.m.
Simsbury Saturday June 15, 1 p.m.
Southington Friday June 14, 7 p.m.
Stamford Friday June 14, 7 p.m.
Staples Friday June 14, 5:30 p.m.
Stonington Friday June 14, 5 p.m. (rain date Monday June 17, 5 p.m.)
St. Joseph Friday June 14, 3:30 p.m.
Trumbull Friday June 14, 4 p.m.
West Haven    Wednesday June 19, 6 p.m.
Westhill Saturday June 15, 10:30 a.m.
Wolcott Wednesday June 19, 5 p.m.
Woodland Saturday June 15, 10 a.m.

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.”

READ MORE

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.

READ MORE



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

FROM THE OXFORD PATCH:

Oxford High School athletic teams could be playing opponents such as Naugatuck, Derby and Seymour next year rather than the likes of Pomperaug, Newtown and Brookfield.

That’s because the Oxford Board of Education voted unanimously Tuesday to accept a committee’s recommendation that OHS apply for acceptance into the Naugatuck Valley League. Currently, Oxford plays in the South-West Conference.

The move is not a done deal. The NVL still has to accept Oxford. If accepted, Oxford teams whose sport is not offered in the NVL, such as boys’ volleyball, would continue to play in the SWC. Board members say the move would have no negative impact on current sports teams.

 Hyde continues to impress with 21-10 win over Cromwell

By Jimmy Zanor
Register Staff

NEW HAVEN — Hyde football’s 2012 Redemption Tour continued to get rave reviews following the Howling Wolves’ 21-10 Pequot Conference victory against Cromwell Saturday at the Wilbur Cross Athletic Complex.

With last year’s 55-20 loss to the Panthers still fresh in their minds, Hyde took advantage of four Cromwell turnovers and grabbed a 21-0 lead in the first quarter.

“The kids circled the calendar for this one,” said Hyde coach Melvin Wells. “We’ve got a group of seniors that played last year and they remember the feeling and it wasn’t a good one. We felt embarrassed. This year they dedicated themselves to getting better and today we came out prepared.”

An interception by Hyde linebacker Khalil Morant set up the Howling Wolves’ first score, a 17-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Kevin Jones to Tyquan Franklin, who was open in the corner of the end zone.


VOTE for Hyde's KEVIN JONES for Saturday's STAR OF THE DAY! 

DIAZ LEADS OXFORD 

Oxford 55, Notre Dame-Fairfield 20: Quarterback Brennen Diaz threw two touchdown passes and ran for another and Chris Van Kamerik caught the two touchdown passes and added a 50-yard interception return for a touchdown to lead Oxford to its SWC Patriot win in Fairfield. Kamerik had five receptions for 72 yards and Dan Trombetta had five carries for 112 yards, including a 93 touchdown run, for Oxford (3-1).

READ MORE ROUNDUP HERE

PLATT TECH has been nominated for TEAM OF THE WEEK! VOTE!

 Linta leads Hamden Hall

T.J. Linta completed 23-of-37 passes for 240 yards and two touchdowns to lead host Hamden Hall to a 28-18 victory over Morristown-Beard (N.J.) at Hamden.

Derby 55, St. Paul 26: Dillon McMahon scored four touchdowns, two on offense, one on defense and another on special teams, to lead the Red Raiders to their Naugatuck Valley League interdivision win in Bristol.

Cromwell 51, East Hampton/Vinal Tech 14: Derrick Villard scored three touchdowns on the ground as the host Panthers rolled up 241 rushing yards in the Pequot Conference win.

Oxford 35, Immaculate 0: Brennen Diaz passed for 107 yards, threw two touchdowns and kicked an extra point as the Wolverines shut out the Mustangs in  this SWC contest.

More roundup.

VOTE for Linta and McMahon for Saturday's STAR OF THE DAY!

EAST HAVEN has been nominated for the Register's TEAM OF THE WEEK!

I went to Saturday's quad scrimmage between Hillhouse, Cromwell, Oxford and Fairfield Warde at Bowen Field in New Haven.

Below is a video of a series between Hillhouse and Warde.

Hillhouse looked pretty good. They moved the ball well, scoring several times. For as long as I stayed, Hillhouse did not surrender a touchdown.

The Academics seem to certainly be a Class M contender.

OXFORD

Coach: Joe Stochmal (6th year, 13-28)

League: SWC

Last season: 5-5

Top offensive players: Bucky Gumbrewicz, Sr., OL; Dave Lavorgna, Sr., WR

Top defensive players: Brennen Diaz, Sr., LB; Jeff Haney, Jr., LB

Key losses: Alex Miller, QB/DB; Joe Carbonaro, OL/DL; Matt Hanna, OL/DL; Chris Hovan, RB/LB; Jordan Biagioni, WR/DB; Brian Spicer, TE/DE; Anthony Paternoster, FB/LB (playing at Fitchburg St.); Justin Lasto, WR/LB (playing at University of New Haven)

Inside the huddle: Stochmal says: “We will be young and have to show to grow up quickly. We must play with a sense of urgency. Staying healthy will be a key factor in our success, as we are young and inexperienced at the varsity level.” Most of the Wolverines’ skill players graduated, so replacing those starters will be a challenge, as will adjusting to a new offensive set. Stochmal lists Newtown and Bunnell as the top two teams in the South-West Conference.

Stat Facts: Diaz made five sacks and recovered two fumbles last season and will anchor the defense.

Check out The Scout Team, the Register's weekly football show.

The Scout Team, Mike Wollschlager and Mike Pucci, are back with a Thanksgiving special. They preview the big Thanksgiving rivalry games and look ahead to the upcoming playoffs. The latest installment includes interviews with players and coaches from Xavier, Hand, Notre Dame-West Haven, North Haven and North Branford. Check it out, and Happy Thanksgiving.

Follow the game action on our Football Scoreboard.

Platt Tech runs over rival O'Brien Tech

Matt Paola leads Pomperaug past Oxford

Masuk senior quarterback Casey Cochran set the state record for career passing yards after throwing for 298 yards in a 49-14 South-West Conference interdivision victory over host Oxford Saturday.

Cochran has now thrown for 7,998 yards. He needed just 11 yards to surpass the mark of 7,710 yards set by former St. Joseph standout Joe Della Vecchia from 2007-2010. Cochran was 15-of-19 with three touchdowns and one interception.

Colin Markus rushed 10 times for 97 yards and two touchdowns for the Panthers, ranked No. 2 in the Register Poll. Thomas Milone returned the game's opening kickoff 80 yards for a touchdown and he also caught four passes for 114 yards and one touchdown in the win.

Chris Hovan scored on an 84-yard kickoff return, and Jeff Haney returned a fumble 15 yards for a touchdowns, for the Wolverines.

Note: Stats were called in by Oxford and are unofficial.

OXFORD
Coach: Joe Stochmal (4th year)
Last season: 5-5
Top players
Alex Miller (6-0, 178, Sr., QB/S)
Jordan Biagioni (6-1, 187, Sr., WR/FS)
Chris Hovan (5-10, 174, Sr., TB/LB)
Matt Hanna (6-4, 247, Sr., OL/DL)
Strengths
Returns six starters on each side of the ball.
Weaknesses
Must replace running back Nick Donofrio, who graduated after rushing for 1,285 yards and 15 touchdowns as a senior.
Outlook
Stochmal feels Oxford can be competitive in a balanced South-West Conference. The goal is to improve on last season's win total.
Note
Oxford opens the season against defending SWC and Class L champion Masuk at noon at home on Sept. 17.

Bridgeport Central won the 2011 state weightlifting competition held this past weekend at Masuk High.
The Hilltoppers finished with 13,885 pounds, which placed them 4th on the all-time list.
Ansonia was second with 12,510 points, while Oxford was third with 11,790.

Below is a list of the overall team scores:

1. Bridgeport Central, 13,885
2. Ansonia, 12,510
3. Oxford, 11,790
4. Bristol Eastern, 11,725
5. Shelton, 11,485
6. Newtown, 11,370
7. Staples, 11,300
8. Masuk (team 1) 10,860
9. West Haven, 10,630
10. Southington, 10,610

11. Woodland, 10,215
12. NFA, 9,670
13. Notre Dame-West Haven, 9,645
14. Sheehan, 9,625
15. Weston, 9,545
16. Seymour, 9,540
17. East Lyme, 9,300
18. Ridgefield, 8,680
19. Westhill, 8,080
20. Killingly, 6,810

21. Stratford, 6,335
22. Masuk (team 2), 6,185

Bridgeport Central teammates Emmanuel Omari and Frederick Tucker set a record in the squat in the 181-200 pound division with a squat of 570 pounds each. The Hilltoppers' Vincent Deramo moved into third place in the 201-215 pound division with a lift of 510 pounds.

Ansonia's Dennis Danley moved into third place with a bench of 275 pounds in the under 160-pound division.

Oxford 34, Stratford 12: Alex Miller completed 7 of 10 passes for 102 yards and two touchdowns and also scored on a 55-yard interception return and on a 68-yard fumble return to lead the host Wolverines to this South-West Conference victory.

Nick Donofrio rushed 20 times for 138 yards and one touchdown and also caught a touchdown pass from Miller for Oxford (3-0).

Justin Lasto also had a touchdown reception for the winners.

To view the season's first installment of the Top 5 at 5, where I run down the Top 5 teams in the latest Register Poll click here.

New Canaan holds its place atop the Poll.

In Tuesday's Register, look for notes on Oxford and Naugatuck, as well as an injury update on two of the state's top players.

We will also present the Tuesday Morning Quarterback, a weekly honor roll of the past week's top players and teams.

If you want your player included in that feature each week, e-mail me at mpucci@nhregister.com by Mondays, 9 a.m.