NORTH BRANFORD

Colafati Field, North Branford

Coach: Mark Basil
Conference: Pequot
2012 Record: 12-1 (Class S finalists)
2013 Kickoff: vs. Haddam-Killingworth, Sept. 12, 6:30 p.m.
Top players: Josh Melaccio, 5-11, 210, Sr., RB/LB; Eddie Miller, 5-9, 170, Jr., QB; John Burke, 6-2, 237, Sr., OL/DE.
Key losses: Brandan Basil, QB; Joe DeLucia, WR/DB; Alex McGuigan, WR/CB; Dale Hausman, RB/LB; Chris Caron, RB/WR/SS; Gary Falanga, RB/LB.
Outlook: The Thunderbirds lost 17 starters from a team that compiled an unbeaten regular season before losing to Ansonia in the Class S state championship game. Five starters return, including Burke on both sides of the ball. Melaccio is expected the be the team's featured playmaker. He rushed for 382 yards and three touchdowns last season. Miller takes over for Brandan Basil, who threw for 3,191 yards and 44 touchdowns in 2012. Miller completed both passes he attempted last season, good for 16 yards. The program's numbers are on the rise, according to Mark Basil, but depth at the varsity level is limited. There are only five seniors on the roster but 19 juniors, so the future appears promising. North Branford has some very good young skills players, and Mark Basil hopes they will improve as the season progresses.

Previous entries in the Inside The Huddle series:



Guilford
Morgan
Pomperaug
Sheehan  
Xavier 

Morgan QB Alex Lipka

(photo courtesy Shoreline Times)

  

Morgan

Peter's Complex, Clinton

Coach: Mike Eagle (4th year)
Conference: Pequot
2012 Record: 5-5
2013 Kickoff: vs. Lewis Mills, Sept. 13, 6:30 p.m.
Top offensive players: Jake Ward, 5-10, 180, Jr., RB; Alex Lipka, 6-0, 195, Sr., QB; Mark Zumpano, 6-3, 170, Sr., WR; Thomas White, 5-11, 175, Sr., WR; Riley Cronan, 6-3, 245, Sr., C.
Top defensive players: Ward, Jr., SS; Joe Lee, 5-11, 185, Jr., FS; Jace Garcia, 6-3, 350, Jr., DL; Jake Teuner, 6-6, 220, Jr., LB; Eric Peterson, 6-3, 275, Jr., DL; Greg Lee, 5-10, 205, Jr., LB.
Key losses: Hunter Aiono, LB; Nick Sneider, DL; Marc Simmons, WR.
Outlook: The Huskies are experienced, with several seniors and juniors who have started since they were freshmen. There's speed and athleticism offensively, especially at wide receiver. Then there's the size factor. Eagle noted that from left to right on the offensive line his team goes: 6-6 220, 6-3 350, 6-3 245, 6-3 275, 6-2 255. Ward returns after rushing for 1,323 and 14 touchdowns as a sophomore. He is expected to be one of the top players in the Pequot Conference. Morgan must fill a huge hole at the inside linebacker position with the departure of Aiono, who graduated. There's athleticism at corner back, although that group is inexperienced.  Eagle said that minimizing turnovers and staying healthy and consistent week to week will be the main challenge and goal for this year's team. With Ward returning, several other talented skill players, and the size on the offensive line, Morgan is a legitimate contender in the Pequot Conference.

.



Previous entries in the Inside The Huddle series:

Pomperaug
Sheehan  
Xavier

By Joe Pelletier
Middletown Press

The Pequot Conference will move from a two-division format to a three-division regional format this fall.

The conference will feature a North, West and South Division, most visibly affecting Cromwell. The Panthers will now play in a division along with Ellington/Somers, Coventry/Windham Tech/Bolton, Enfield, Stafford/East Windsor, SMSA/University and Windsor Locks/Suffield/East Granby.

CONFERENCE BREAKDOWN

North Division: Ellington/Somers, Cromwell, Coventry/Windham Tech/Bolton, Enfield, Stafford/East Windsor, SMSA/University, Windsor Locks.Suffield/East Granby.
West Division: Avon, Gilbert/Northwestern, Canton, Housatonic/Wamogo, Nonnewaug, Lewis Mills.
South Division: North Branford, Valley Regional/Old Lyme, Hyde Leadership, Haddam-Killingworth, Old Saybrook/Westbrook, Coginchaug, Morgan. 

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

Ansonia wins NVL title

WATERBURY — Through 10 games, an opponent has yet to solve, much less contain, Ansonia’s potent offensive attack.

In the Naugatuck Valley League championship game with Woodland, it was essentially the same script its been all season: another decisive victory for the Chargers.

Through the air and on the ground, Ansonia, ranked third in the Register Top 10 Poll, operated on all cylinders Thursday.

Led by junior Arkeel Newsome, who rushed 23 times for 222 yards and three touchdowns, the Chargers cruised to a 56-26 win over the Hawks at Municipal Stadium.

It was the second straight league title for Ansonia (10-0), which has won 24 straight games.

READ MORE

THURSDAY'S ROUNDUP

Hamden scored 20 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to rally for a 26-24 win over Amity in Hamden on Thursday night.

Quarterback Eli Bonadies scored on a 5-yard bootleg with just under a minute left to cap the Green Dragons’ rally.

READ MORE

FRIDAY'S ROUNDUP

Quarterback Phil Cohen completed 14-of-20 passes for 201 yards and four touchdowns to lead the Valley Regional/Old Lyme football team to a 45-0 Pequot Sassacus win over East Hampton in East Hampton on Friday.

READ MORE

SATURDAY'S ROUNDUP

HYDE CLINCHES CLASS S PLAYOFF BERTH

Kevin Jones scored two rushing touchdowns and also tossed a touchdown pass for the Hyde football team in a 48-0 Pequot Conference Sassacus Division win over Nonnewaug Saturday at New Haven.

The Howling Wolves (9-0) clinched a Class S state playoff berth. Jones scored on runs of 70 and 5 yards and threw a 17-yard td pass to Kahlil Morant.

READ MORE

Via press release.

Hyde Football Coach Melvin Wells has been named Coach of the Year by the New Haven Football Officials Association. Wells has coached the team since 2007.

The award is given annually to the coach whose program best represents clean play and sportsmanship. Members of the NHFOA vote each year on the coach who most fits that description.

“Winning this award is a great honor, especially because it’s received from the people who supervise and monitor the game,” said Coach Wells. “I am grateful they see me as a role model and positive influence on young people. We have a great group of kids this year who work extremely hard. This award represents them far more than myself.”

The Hyde School of Health Sciences and Sports Medicine’s football team is undefeated so far this season, with an 8-0 record. Under Coach Wells’ leadership, the team won the Class S state championship in 2009.

“Coach Wells is an exemplary leader who supports his players on and off the field and is a model for good sportsmanship,” said Superintendent of Schools. Dr. Reginald Mayo. “I congratulate him on winning this honor and I congratulate his team on a successful season this year.”

Wells will be honored at the annual NHFOA banquet on Nov. 26.

HAND remains No. 1 in Top 10 Poll




FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK: New offense helping Old Saybrook co-op program


Entering his second year as coach at Old Saybrook/Westbrook, Rudy Bagos stressed to his players the need to perform better against the better teams in the Pequot Conference.

It’s something the Rams struggled with last season. The co-op, which finished 5-5, suffered losses to Valley Regional/Old Lyme, North Branford, Coginchaug, Cromwell and Haddam-Killingworth. All but Coginchaug qualified for the Class S state playoffs.

In those games, the Rams were shut out three times and combined to score just 12 points. Old Saybrook/Westbrook, though, did defeat perennial league power Hyde, which had a subpar year in 2011.

So there was cause for celebration this past week when the Rams knocked off Coginchaug, earning a hard-fought 22-14 victory at home on Saturday. Coginchaug had allowed just 13 points in its four previous games.

READ MORE




CIAC PLAYOFF RATINGS
Tuesday Morning Quarterback: Week 6 Highlights
POLL: Who will win Xavier-Hillhouse game? VOTE NOW

 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!

A year after going 4-6, the program's first losing season since 1999, Hyde has quickly reversed its fortunes.

The Howling Wolves are 3-0 entering this week's Pequot Conference contest with Cromwell, also unbeaten.

Although last season's finish was disappointing, Hyde learned some valuable lessons.

"A good number of these kids from last year were football players," Hyde coach Melvin Wells said. "They played and went through the ups and downs of the season. They saw early on that without a good amount of leadership and dedication, you're not going to be successful."

Wells, though, insists that's not a knock on last year's seniors. Sometimes a team has the horses to be competitive. Sometimes it doesn't.

"Last year's group, we just had a small senior class," Wells said. "We had the desire, but we just didn't have a whole lot of out-and-out talent. That was just the reality of it. We weren't as physical as we've been in the past. It's hard to win when you're not physical. They did the best they could with what they had, but we learned lessons as we went through the process."

Wells said this year's squad has really focused on playing team football.

"None of us are good enough to do it by ourselves," Wells said. "They all have to feed off each other in order to be successful."

Hyde's 14 seniors have all contributed, especially quarterback Kevin Jones.

"He's done a wonderful job so far," Wells said. "He's led this time at quarterback the way they need to be led. He makes plays when they need to be made. What I mean by that is he's not a greedy player by any stretch of the imagination. He does whatever it takes to win."

Read more on HYDE here. 


CHECK OUT my WEEK 4 Predictions 


STATE CONFERENCE STANDINGS

Elijah Nixon scored three touchdowns on a 50-yard pass from Kevin Jones, a 63-yard touchdown run and a 74-yard interception return to lead the Hyde football team to a 41-10 Pequot Sassacus Division win over Morgan Saturday in New Haven.

Ezekial Nixon rushed for 113 yards on seven carries, including a 63-yard touchdown run, and Jones completed 7-of-12 passes for 123 yards for the Howling Wolves (2-0). Defensively for Hyde, William Burroughs had eight tackles and a sack and Donery Evans added six tackles and a sack.

Jake Ward scored the lone touchdown for Huskies (1-1) on a 5-yard run.

MORE ROUNDUP


VOTE for Elijah Nixon for Saturday's STAR of the DAY!

VOTE for LAW for TEAM OF THE WEEK!

 

 

 Mistakes cost Hopkins in loss to St. Luke's

 

 

 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!

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

FOOTBALL: Haddam-Killingworth quarterback Alex DiMauro-D'Amico will miss senior season

By Jimmy Zanor, Register staff

When Haddam-Killingworth opens its season at home against traditional Pequot Conference power Hyde on Friday (6:30 p.m.), the Cougars will be without starting quarterback Alex DiMauro-D’Amico.

Just one year after the “biggest win” of his long coaching tenure — a 6-0 Thanksgiving Eve victory over rival Valley Regional/Old Lyme that propelled H-K into the CIAC Class S playoffs — Dennis O’Rourke and the rest of Cougar Nation are dealing with one of their most “significant” losses.

DiMauro-D’Amico, who would have been a four-year starter and senior captain, will miss the season after suffering a broken leg in a scrimmage against Rocky Hill last week.

“It’s a downer,” said O’Rourke, now in his 37th season at H-K. “His loss is significant in terms of leadership and the positions he plays on the field. He was going to do it all.”

We've begun to post more Preview Capsules by Conference on-line. We will post more in the upcoming days.

Southern Connecticut Conference

South-West Conference

Preps: Hamden Hall and Hopkins


Central Connecticut Conference


Here are some we posted the other day.




Note: Only teams where information was made available have been included.

FOOTBALL: North Branford favored to win Pequot Conference

By Jimmy Zanor, Register Staff
jzanor@ctcentral.com / Twitter: @ShoreLineSports

The North Branford football team experienced a season full of defining moments a year ago.

There was a stinging, shootout loss against Valley Regional/Old Lyme on opening night that fueled the Thunderbirds’ motivation for the entire year. And there was a thrilling contest against unbeaten Cromwell where the Thunderbirds overcame tons of adversity and won it with some big defensive stops late in the game.

The Thunderbirds, however, earned their true football stripes with their version of The Drive.

Trailing Coginchaug 16-12 and backed up at their own 10-yard line midway through the fourth quarter, North Branford’s hopes of making the Class S playoffs were in jeopardy.

“I just wanted to complete some passes,” quarterback Brandan Basil recalled. “I wasn’t really thinking about how much time was against us. I just wanted to do my best to get the ball rolling and get down there and score.”

Basil marched the Thunderbirds down the field with Elway-like cool and precision. On a fourth down play inside the Blue Devils’ 10-yard line, Basil found Joe DeLucia, who shook off a Blue Devils’ defender and scored the game-winning touchdown with just 2 minutes remaining.

We've begun to post Preseason Preview Capsules on-line. We will post more in the upcoming days.



Up first, the Pequot Conference and the NVL.





Note: Only teams where information was made available have been included.

FOOTBALL: Gilbert/Northwestern hoping to be one point better

By KEVIN D. ROBERTS
Special to the Register Citizen

WINSTED — One point.

That is what kept the Gilbert/Northwestern football team out of a second straight Class M state playoff berth in 2011. The Yellowjackets were in the hunt until the final minute of a road game against Stafford/East Windsor on a cold November night in Stafford Springs. GN watched a 14-0 halftime lead, and a win, evaporate, 22-21 on a two-point conversion. The Yellowjackets ended the year at 7-3 and finished five points out of the eighth and final playoff spot, which was taken by Bethel.

The mentality of this year’s Gilbert/Northwestern crop is simple. Jump on the opponent, and don’t let up.

“We want to get up early,” Yellowjacket head coach Scott Salius said after a Sept. 1 scrimmage against Lewis Mills and St. Paul Catholic at Van Why Memorial Field. “We want to come out of the box early, so we can get our No. 1’s rest.”

GN typically has small numbers, which means most players go both ways. As Salius put it after the Simsbury Jamboree on Aug. 29: “We don’t have 1’s and 2’s and 3’s and 4’s. We got us.”

Senior captain John Ambrozaitis doesn’t seem to mind.

“I think it’s better,” Ambrozaitis said. “You never come off, so you have a short memory.”

A short memory is a good thing, but Salius pointed out that going two ways for a whole game isn’t always good.

“We can’t go even with a big team,” Salius said.

FOOTBALL: After last year's final, Cromwell hoping to be one game better

By JOE PELLETIER
Middletown Press Sports Editor

Catherine Avalone | The Middletown Press | @CAvaloneMP 9.4.12 The Cromwell Panthers run plays at practice last week.

CROMWELL — Chris Eckert made a special demand of his Cromwell football team before classes started.

He told each football player that, on the first day of school, they needed to take seats in the front of their classes.

It was no suggestion, either — the second-year coach did some reconnaissance work that first day to make sure his Panthers were following orders.

“I want to make sure the emphasis is on academics as well as athletics,” Eckert said. “We’ve got 17 seniors, and they need to be going to college. Senior slide can’t happen.”

The off-the-field rule is a refreshing one for a team that played so well on the field last year — battling to the Class S championship game at Rentschler Field before a fingertips-close loss to Holy Cross.

The memory of that loss remains — particularly with the senior captains — as the Panthers embark on a new journey that could end at Rentschler Field once again. Cromwell opens their season at Pierson Park on Sept. 15 against East Hampton/Vinal Tech.

“We have to forget about last year — it’s in the past now,” captain Jake Suzio said. “It’s a whole new year, and we have to step up even more to reach our goal.”

In response to @BigPat31 on Twitter, below are some games around the state that might be worth checking out in 2012.

You can follow me on Twitter @MikePucciNHR.

Dates, sites and times are subject to change.

CCC

New Britain at Glastonbury, Sept. 14, 6:30 p.m.
Southington at New Britain, Sept. 21, 7 p.m.
Rocky Hill at Berlin, Sept. 21, 7 p.m.
Bloomfield at Northwest Catholic, Sept. 29, 10:30 a.m.
Windsor at Hartford Public, Oct. 6, 6:30 p.m.
Berlin at Northwest Catholic, Oct. 13, 7 p.m.
Windsor at Middletown, Oct. 19, 7 p.m.
Rocky Hill at Bloomfield, Oct. 19, 7 p.m.
Glastonbury at Southington, Oct. 19, 7 p.m.
Berlin at Bloomfield, Nov. 9, 7 p.m.
Berlin at New Britain, Nov. 21, 6 p.m.
Northwest Catholic at Rocky Hill, Nov. 22, 10:30 a.m.

ECC

Fitch at Norwich Free Academy, Sept. 29, 1 p.m.
Norwich Free Academy at Ledyard, Oct. 5, 6:30 p.m.
Fitch at New London, Nov. 2, 6:30 p.m.
New London at Ledyard, Nov. 10, 10:30 a.m.
Norwich Free Academy at New London, Nov. 22, 10 a.m.

FCIAC

Greenwich at Ridgefield, Sept. 14, 7 p.m.
St. Joseph at Staples, Sept. 14, 7 p.m.
St. Joseph at Darien, Sept. 29, 1:30 p.m.
New Canaan at St. Joseph, Oct. 20, 2:30 p.m.
Staples at Darien, Oct. 27, 1:30 p.m.
St. Joseph at Trumbull, Nov. 21, 7 p.m.
New Canaan at Darien, Nov. 22, 10:30 a.m.
Staples at Greenwich, Nov. 22, 10 a.m.

NVL

Torrington at Wolcott, Sept. 21, 7 p.m.
Woodland at Ansonia, Sept. 21, 7 p.m.
Derby at Ansonia, Sept. 28, 7 p.m.
Holy Cross at Torrington, Sept. 28, 7 p.m.
Ansonia at Holy Cross, Oct. 5, 7 p.m.
Woodland at Torrington, Oct. 19, 7 p.m.
Wolcott at Ansonia, Nov. 2, 7 p.m.
Holy Cross at Woodland, Nov. 2, 7 p.m.
Woodland at Wolcott, Nov. 9, 7 p.m.
Wolcott at Holy Cross, Nov. 22, 10 a.m.
Naugatuck at Ansonia, Nov. 22, 10:30 a.m.

PEQUOT

Cromwell at Hyde, Oct. 6, 2 p.m.
Gilbert/NW Regional at Avon, Oct. 13, 6:30 p.m.
North Branford at Cromwell, Oct. 27, 1 p.m.
Hyde at North Branford, Nov. 21, 6 p.m.
Haddam-Killingworth at Valley Regional/Old Lyme, Nov. 21, 6:30 p.m.

SCC

Hand at Hillhouse (Bowen), Sept. 21, 4 p.m.
North Haven at Xavier, Sept. 21, 7 p.m.
Sheehan at Amity, Sept. 21, 7 p.m.
West Haven at Notre Dame-West Haven, Sept. 28, 7 p.m.
Fairfield Prep at Xavier, Sept. 28, 7 p.m.
Shelton at Fairfield Prep, Oct. 5, 6 p.m.
Hand at Xavier, Oct. 12, 7 p.m.
Hillhouse at North Haven, Oct. 12, 7 p.m.
West Haven at Hand, Oct. 19, 7 p.m.
North Haven at Sheehan, Oct. 19, 7 p.m.
Xavier at Hillhouse, Oct. 26, 3 p.m.
Xavier at Shelton, Nov. 2, 7 p.m.
Shelton at Hand, Nov. 9, 7 p.m.
West Haven at Xavier, Nov. 9, 7 p.m.
Foran at Guilford, Nov. 14, 7 p.m.
Amity at North Haven, Nov. 22, 10 a.m.
Fairfield Prep at West Haven, Nov. 22, 10:30 a.m.

SWC

Bethel at Bunnell, Sept. 14, 7 p.m.
Pomperaug at Masuk, Sept. 14, 7 p.m.
Bunnell at Brookfield, Sept. 21, 7 p.m.
Pomperaug at Newtown, Sept. 21, 7 p.m.
Brookfield at Newtown, Oct. 5, 7 p.m.
Masuk at Bunnell, Oct. 5, 7 p.m.
Masuk at Brookfield, Oct. 19, 7 p.m.
Brookfield at Pomperaug, Oct. 26, 7 p.m.
Bunnell at Newtown, Nov. 9, 7 p.m.
Masuk at Newtown, Nov. 21, 7 p.m.
Bethel at Brookfield, Nov. 22, 10 a.m.

Non-league

North Haven at New London, Oct. 5, 6:30 p.m.
Stamford at Norwich Free Academy, Oct. 20, 1 p.m.
Middletown at Xavier, Nov. 22, 10 a.m.
Cheshire at Southington, Nov. 22, 10:30 a.m.

NORTH BRANFORD

Coach: Mark Basil (10 years, 70-37)

League: Pequot Conference

Last season: 9-2 (Class S quarterfinalists)

Top offensive players: Brandan Basil, 6-2, 190, Sr., QB; Joe DeLucia, 5-9, 170, Sr., RB/WR

Top defensive players: Gary Falanga, 6-0, 185, Sr., LB; Rocco Morgan, 5-11, 220, Sr., DL

Key losses: Damoy Hunter, OL/DL; Anthony Franco, OL/LB; Cory Onofrio, SE/DB; Christian Perrotti, OL/LB.

Inside the huddle: Returns several talented skill players. Rebuilding offensive line. Strong group of seniors. Good balance of experience, strength and speed. 

Stat Facts: Brandan Basil threw for 2,113 yards and 31 touchdowns last season, DeLucia had 1,571 all-purpose yards and 22 touchdowns, senior running back Dale Hausman had 1,051 all-purpose yards, senior split end Chris Caron had 34 receptions and 438 yards, Falanga made 63 tackles and scored five defensive touchdowns. 

OUTLOOK

The Thunderbirds have a plethora of skill players, but must rebuild their offensive line. Still, North Branford has enough returning to be, perhaps, the most talented team in the Pequot Conference.

"We have some very good parts coming back this year,"  Basil said. "I think we're going to be able to fill those voids pretty well."

AIR IT OUT

Brandan Basil, who saw spot action as a sophomore and took over full-time last season, will operate the offense out of a spread formation. Expect plenty of offensive fireworks from the Thunderbirds, who averaged 37.7 points per game last season.

"Last year, I think teams came in expecting us — we've always been a run team — to run the ball, but we started to air the ball out," Mark Basil said. "I think teams are going to play us through the air.

"We have so many good athletes. They're good athletes, but they're football players. They know the game. They're not just kids that we took from another sport and put them in a position. They know the game. We have a lot of options to get the ball to."

 Caron and senior Alex McGuigan will be part of the team's receiving corps. McGuigan (6-3, 180) is a tall target, while Basil calls Caron a "Wes Walker like player".

"Both of these kids are very good," Mark Basil said. "I think both of them will be able to make a lot of plays."

Mark Basil says Brandan, his son, has learned to understand coverages much better. Brandan attended several passing camps this summer and Mark says Brandan learned how to spot the ball, rather than throw the ball to an area. 

"In those areas, he picked up a lot of things," Mark Basil said. "He also learned a lot in the play-action aspect. He got schooled pretty good this summer."

Mark Basil said Brandan was invited to several camps: Penn, Princeton, Columbia and Dartmouth. Brandan is also looking at Marist, Sacred Heart, Stonehill and Bryant.

JOCK OF ALL TRADES

DeLucia, meanwhile, gives North Branford an option at several positions. 

"Joey can do a number of things," Mark Basil said. "He's a punt returner, kick returner threat, he's a running back and he's a receiver."

DeLucia is hoping the Thunderbirds can make a lengthier postseason run this year. 

"We'll try to do a little bit better than last season, even though we had a really good year last year," DeLucia said. "We have a lot of upcoming linemen that can fill in the positions of the linemen that we graduated."

DeLucia may add the role of kicker to his resume this season.

"I'm just trying to have as good or even better season than I did last year," DeLucia said. "I know my teammates will help me out, but I'm just trying to do what I can for the team."