LYMAN HALL

Coach: Rob Marone (1st year)

League: SCC

Last season: 4-6

Top offensive players: Pete Barney, 5-10, 175, Sr., FB; Devin Cruz, 5-9, 170, Sr., HB

Top defensive players: Jared Bias, 6-0, 260, Sr., DL; Ryan Bohne, 5-9, 165, Sr., LB

Key losses: Kyle Upton, QB; Joe DeSandre, RB/LB; Connor Riordan, OL/DL

Inside the huddle: Lost its two top skill players in Upton (2,071 yards passing, 15 TDs in 2011) and DeSandre (1,086 rushing yards, 16 TDs). Replacing them may be difficult. Trojans have just seven seniors and will be young and inexperienced. The development of sophomore Kyle Smith at quarterback will be key. Smith completed 4-of-16 passes for 34 yards and an INT last season. The running backs (Barney and Cruz) saw limited time last season and they need to adjust to life on the varsity level quickly in order for Lyman Hall to be effective offensively.
See you there:Marone is in his first season as head coach. Lyman Hall opens the season on the road at East Haven on Sept. 14, 7 p.m. Marone's father, Mike, is the athletic director at East Haven.

Rob Marone was unanimously approved by the Wallingford Board of Education to be the next head football coach at Lyman Hall.

Marone, who served the last four seasons as the offensive coordinator at Wilbur Cross, takes over for Chip McKeehan, who stepped down in January after 12 seasons with the Trojans. McKeehan replaced Phil Ottochian, who stepped down after 32 seasons in 1999.

"It's definitely a bit overwhelming being the next guy in line after Chip McKeehan and after coach Ottochian," said Marone, who played at Lyman Hall. "I'm definitely looking forward to giving back, and being an influence to the kids like those guys were on me."

Marone will continue his full-time position as a physical education teacher at Wilbur Cross.

"I'm happy for him," Wilbur Cross coach John Acquavita said. "It's nice for him to get a shot at this. He's going to be missed."