Here's how I voted for the 2013 New Haven Register Top 10 Football Poll after Week 1.

The Poll will be posted on-line later tonight and appear in Tuesday's print editions.

1. Ansonia
2. Xavier
3. New Canaan
4. NFA
5. Newtown
6. Middletown
7. Southington
8. St. Joseph
9. Greenwich
10. Shelton
11. New London
12. Masuk
13. Darien
14. Fairfield Prep
15. West Haven

Thunderstorms postponed many season-opening football games scheduled to play Thursday night. A number of them involved area teams playing in the SCC-FCIAC Challenge.

And some of those area teams have to finish completed games on Friday. One of them is Hillhouse, which trails 40-26 to Darien with just over 9 minutes left in the fourth quarter. The Academics will return to Darien Friday to resume the game at 4 p.m.

Shelton led Trumbull 49-0 at halftime when thunderstorms postponed the second half of that non-league contest to 3 p.m. Friday. Among teams in the Register Top 10 poll, No. 5 West Haven leads host Greenwich 13-7 in the third quarter. That game will resume Sunday at 1 p.m. in Greenwich.

No. 6 Middletown led East Lyme 7-0 at home in the second quarter. It will be resumed Sunday at 1:30 p.m. No. 7 Southington never got started at Glastonbury. That game begins Friday at 3 p.m.

Hamden led Danbury 6-0 with 1:23 left in the first quarter Thursday night. That game will resume at 3:30 Friday. Wilbur Cross trails McMahon 13-0 at halftime. The Governors will return to Norwalk at 3 p.m. Friday.

Other rescheduled games to Friday include: Fairfield Prep at Stamford, 3:30 p.m.; North Haven at Bridgeport Central, 4:30 p.m., Trinity Catholic at Sheehan, 4:30 p.m.; Branford at Woodland, 4:30 p.m.; and Bassick at East Haven, 7 p.m.

 Fairfield Ludlowe led Lyman Hall 24-7 in the third quarter and have not announced a makeup date yet. North Branford led Haddam-Killingworth 39-0 in the third quarter. That makeup is also not known.

Three area games were completed Thursday: Valley Regional/Old Lyme beat Hyde 34-0, Oxford beat Weston 23-6 and Wilton edged Guilford 21-20.

Hamden pieced together a 14-play, 56-yard scoring play that covered some 7 minutes of the first quarter to take a 6-0 lead over Danbury. Billy Varney hit Maliek Williamson on a 12-yard screen pass for the game’s lone score so far.

But on Danbury’s ensuing possession, with 1:23 left in the opening quarter, lightning caused play to be stopped. About 10 minutes later, all the lights on the field and in the school went out.

Here's how I voted for the 2013 New Haven Register Preseason Top 10 Football Poll.

Each voter is asked to rank their Top 15 teams. The Preseason Poll will be posted on-line later tonight and appear in Tuesday's print editions.

I'm sure my ranking will change after Week 1 and throughout the year, but here goes.



1. Ansonia
2. Xavier
3. NFA
4. West Haven
5. New Canaan
6. Newtown
7. Southington
8. Middletown
9. St. Joseph
10.Greenwich
11. Glastonbury
12. Shelton
13. New London
14. Masuk
15. Hand

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.

SHELTON — Kyle Drost and the rest of the senior members of the Shelton football team are hoping to end their high school careers the way they began. As freshmen, the senior class went unbeaten.

So, with the return of those seniors, as well as junior quarterback Mark Piccirillo, there was certainly a sense of excitement as the Gaels opened fall practice Monday.

“We’ve been waiting for this opportunity,” said Drost, a 6-foot-3, 220 pound wide receiver. “All the guys who started as freshmen have grown and matured. We’ve been lifting all summer, every single winter, and now it’s time to perform.”

Said Piccirillo: “The coaches know we can be that good. They keep pushing us harder and harder.”
Shelton coach Jeff Roy is well-aware that this season could be a special one.

“Anytime you get an undefeated freshmen team, as long as they stay together and work, you get excited. There’s a lot of talent there, and there’s confidence. We’re all excited, the players and coaches. We’re ready to get it going.”

Almost all of the Gaels’ receivers return, including senior Mike Pingree, who caught 14 passes last season. Drost made 24 catches for 425 yards and seven touchdowns. Shelton will also benefit from the return of senior running back Jason Thompson, who missed almost all of last season with injury.

“Between those two (Piccirillo and Thompson), we’re going to be able to run,” Roy said, “and with most of the receivers back, we’re going to be able to throw, too.”

Piccirillo, who gained about 15 pounds, is a dual threat. He passed for 1,558 yards and 15 touchdowns and rushed for 560 yards and five scores as a sophomore.

“(He) puts defenses in a bind,” Roy said. “He’s 190 pounds, and can run. That’s something else you have to defend against. He worked his tail off in the offseason. He’s heavier, faster, and he’s throwing the ball better. We’re looking for big things out of him this year. We think he’s going to have a great year.”

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.

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

The two-year agreement between the Southern Connecticut Conference and the Fairfield County Interscholastic Athletic Conference has been finalized, according to SCC commissioner Al Carbone:


Here are the Week 1 matchups for both the 2013 and 2014 seasons:
Staples vs. Xavier
New Canaan vs. Hand
Darien vs. Hillhouse
Ridgefield vs. Cheshire
Greenwich vs. West Haven
St. Joseph vs. Notre Dame-West Haven
Bridgeport Central vs. North Haven
Trumbull vs. Shelton
Stamford vs. Fairfield Prep
Danbury vs. Hamden
Wilton vs. Guilford
Fairfield Warde vs. Foran
Trinity Catholic vs. Sheehan
McMahon vs. Wilbur Cross
Fairfield Ludlowe vs. Lyman Hall
Bassick vs. East Haven
Harding vs. Law

Westhill vs. Norwalk

There are also additional bye weeks that were filled with SCC-FCIAC matchups over the next two seasons:
Week 2: St. Joseph vs. Fairfield Prep
Week 3: Wilton vs. Branford
Week 4: Ridgefield vs. Notre Dame-West Haven
Week 5: Trinity Catholic vs. Foran
Week 8: Fairfield Warde vs. Sheehan
Week 9: Fairfield Ludlowe vs. East Haven
Week 10: Darien vs. North Haven

check back at here and at www.nhregister.com later this evening for more on this challenge and updates on all of the CIAC state quarterfinals.

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

READ MORE

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

 

Fairfield Prep blitzes Shelton 

By Mary Albl, Register Staff
malbl@journalregister.com / Twitter: @MaryAlbl

Shelton's Mark Piccirillo looks for room through the Fairfield Prep's defense during the first quarter of Prep's 42-3 win. Photo Peter Casolino/New Haven Register.

FAIRFIELD — All season long Fairfield Prep football head coach Tom Shea has preached the message of beating an elite opponent. Last Saturday, the Jesuits hopes of doing that were crushed in a 35-14 loss to top-ranked Xavier.

Friday night at Alumni Field, Prep answered the call with a dominant 42-3 Southern Connecticut Conference victory over Shelton to move to 3-1.

“Listen, they’re (Shelton) an outstanding program with a great tradition,” Shea said. “You cannot be a good team unless you’re able to play with, compete with and beat a team like that. For us, we hope it’s a step forward.”

Masuk runs wild over Bunnell

STRATFORD — At tradition-rich programs like Masuk, where there’s usually an abundance of talent, most players must wait their turn until they’re seniors to play full-time.

 Andy Fredeen is one of those players. Fredeen played sparingly last season when the Panthers advanced to the Class L state semifinals.

Fredeen returned the game’s opening kickoff 65 yards for a touchdown against rival Bunnell, helping the Panthers cruise to a 63-14 South-West Conference victory Friday.

“He’s a senior who’s been waiting for his time,” Masuk coach John Murphy said. “He stepped up tonight when we needed him. (Had a) big one on the opening kickoff to get us going. I thought Andy had a great game.”

PHOTOS: Masuk runs past Bunnell

ROUNDUP: Hillhouse shuts out Law

Andre Anderson ran for 135 yards, scored three touchdowns, had an interception and eight tackles and JeVaughn Moore ran for 85 yards one seven carries and a touchdown as the Hillhouse football team routed Law 47-0 in New Haven on Friday afternoon in a Southern Connecticut Conference Division II game.

Cheshire 48, Notre Dame-West Haven 13: Vin Sansone threw three touchdown passes and ran for two more amassing 175 total yards and Sam Pascale had two rushing touchdowns as Cheshire won the SCC Division I East game.

Jack Cunningham had five tackles, two interceptions, a blocked PAT and on offense, six rushes for 69 yards for Cheshire (3-1) in the win over Notre Dame-West Haven (1-3).

No. 3 Hand 49, Wilbur Cross 14: Seven different players scored for Hand in a SCC Division I East game at New Haven.


Hillhouse's Andre Anderson and North Haven's Jalon White have been nominated for FRIDAY'S STAR. VOTE!

Pingree, Piccirillo help Shelton edge Amity

SHELTON — Junior Michael Pingree took home a souvenir for his defensive effort in Shelton’s comeback victory over Amity.

Although Pingree was awarded the black baseball bat with the Gaels’ logo on it, it could have been presented to any member of Shelton’s defensive unit.

The gritty Gaels defense shut out the Spartans in the fourth quarter and Shelton rallied for a 34-28 Southern Connecticut Conference Division I West victory Saturday at Finn Stadium.


D’Angelo Berry rushed for 168 yards, including touchdown runs of 1 and 54 yards, and added an 85-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to lead No. 1 Xavier to a 35-14 Southern Connecticut Conference Division I West win over Fairfield Prep in Middletown on Saturday.

Quarterback Tim Boyle completed 10 of 14 passes for 130 yards and two touchdowns and Kris Luster had six receptions for 48 yards and a 5-yard touchdown catch.

Quarterback Strecker Backe completed 6 of 26 passes for 116 yards and two touchdowns and Joseph Ganim had six receptions for 78 yards for the Jesuits (2-1). Xavier improves to 3-0.

MORE ROUNDUP AND BOX SCORES



HAMDEN has been nominated for the TEAM OF THE WEEK. VOTE!

Sophomore Mark Piccirillo connected with Kyle Drost on an 11-yard touchdown pass and then Piccirillo hit Will Karcher with the successful 2-point conversion pass with 5:34 left in the fourth quarter as host Shelton hung on in this SCC Division I West contest Saturday at Finn Stadium.

Piccirillo completed 16-of-25 passes for 218 yards. He threw a 30-yard touchdown pass to Ed Kochiss and also scored on a 9-yard run. Piccirillo rushed 14 times for 60 yards.

Jason Thompson (12 carries, 52 yards) scored on a 1-yard run and Ed Groth kicked field goals of 34 and 41 yards for the Gaels (2-1).

David Attolino rushed 22 times for 135 yards and three scores for the Spartans (1-2).

The sophomore quarterback completed 14 of 28 passes for 222 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 154 yards in a 31-8 win over Foran.

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

Via press release.

NEW HAVEN, CT (August 31, 2012) –MyTV9’s High School Football Game of the Week, returns on Saturday nights this fall. The fifth season of MyTV9’s High School Football Game of the Week will feature some of the best of this year’s football match-ups from 10 different locations around the state. 

If you can’t make it to the football field, you still have two chances to watch your favorite teams in action. The High School Football Game of the Week will be streamed live each week on wtnh.com. It will then be broadcast on Saturday night, at 7pm on MyTV9. Keep up with the latest news about the High School Football Game of the Week on wtnh.com.

Date/Time                                          Teams                                                     TV Date/Time
Sept. 14, 7 p.m.                              Hamden at West Haven                               Sept. 15, 7 p.m.
Sept. 21, 7 p.m.                              Foran at Shelton                                          Sept. 22, 7 p.m.
Sept. 28, 7 p.m.                              Derby at Ansonia                                        Sept. 29, 7 p.m.
Oct. 5, 7 p.m.                                 Masuk at Bunnell                                         Oct. 6, 7 p.m.
Oct. 12, 7 p.m.                               Hillhouse at North Haven                             Oct. 13, 7 p.m.
Oct. 19, 7 p.m.                               West Haven at Hand                                    Oct. 20, 7 p.m.
Oct. 26, 6 p.m.                               Branford at Guilford                                     Oct. 27, 7 p.m.
Nov. 2, 7 p.m.                                 Fitch at New London                                   Nov. 3, 7 p.m.
Nov. 9, 7 p.m.                                 Wilbur Cross at Amity                                 Nov. 10, 7 p.m.
Nov. 21, 6 p.m.                               Berlin at New Britain                                    Nov. 24, 7 p.m.

Stopped up to the New Haven County practice on Monday at West Haven High.

NHC coach Mark Ecke said the team is coming along. Defense has been a strength led by Xavier corner back Ryan Murphy and linebackers Joe Ortoli (Shelton) and Tim Dube (Hamden).

We'll run a few stories this week in advance of the game, most likely Wednesday, Friday and Saturday in both print editions of the Register and on-line.

16TH HALL OF FAME CLASSIC 

What: New Haven County vs. Fairfield County
When: Saturday, 5 p.m.
Where: Ken Strong Stadium, West Haven
Tickets: $7 at the door, $5 in advance by calling Paul at (203) 231-3992
Last year’s result: Fairfield County 34, New Haven County 14
Series history: New Haven County leads 10-5.
Coaches: New Haven County: Mark Ecke; Fairfield County: John Svatik
For more information: Visit www.newhavenfootballfoundation.com.

North Haven at Notre Dame-West Haven. Green Knights knock off the No. 1 Indians 27-12.





No. 1 Xavier pulls away from Shelton in second half to win 27-0.



No. 4 Hand rolls past Wilbur Cross

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

Shelton football captains Frank Camerino left and Joe Ortoli right. Photo by Mara Lavitt/New Haven Register 10/18/11

SHELTON — After being shut out by Notre Dame-West Haven on Sept. 30, Shelton football coach Jeff Roy decided the Gaels’ offense needed a new approach.

The Shelton offense wasn’t exactly anemic in two victories to open the season, in which the Gaels averaged 25.5 points, but Roy wasn’t completely satisfied with that unit’s performance.

“We needed a spark offensively,” Roy said. “The offense really wasn’t moving the ball well so we thought we needed a spark, especially throwing the ball.”

Entering Shelton’s contest with Hamden on Oct. 6, Roy decided to insert junior Ed Groth under center and move former starter Frank Camerino to tailback. Camerino, though, still sees time at quarterback.

Read the full story here.

Week 6 Predictions

Check out the Scout Team, the Register's Weekly Football Show.

Shelton coach Jeff Roy couldn't exactly pinpoint why his team's been rather inconsistent this season. Still, the Gaels are 4-1 heading into Friday's key SCC Division I West showdown with No. 1 Xavier (5-0). Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Shelton's Finn Stadium.

"We've been kind of up and down this year," Roy said. "I've been unhappy in a few of the games the way we've played. We've been making a lot of mistakes. When we don't make mistakes, and play the way we're supposed to play, we're a pretty good football team. Hopefully we'll fix most of those mistakes this week in practice and not make them against Xavier."

Shelton earned two straight victories to open the year, against Wilbur Cross (27-18) on Sept. 17 and against Sheehan (24-17) on Sept. 23, before being shutout against Notre Dame-West Haven, 28-0, on Sept. 30. The Gaels have since defeated Hamden and Guilford.

Despite winning four of five games, Shelton's struggled with finding a consistent rhythm offensively.

"No one's consistently stopped us," Roy said. "We've stopped ourselves at times. We'll drive the ball down the field and then get a holding penalty or turn the ball over. It seems like we're making mistakes at bad times. But the positive is, we've overcome those mistakes and we're 4-1. You're going to make mistakes, they're high school kids, but we've been able to overcome them and win some games."

Senior Frank Camerino and junior Ed Groth have split time at quarterback since the Hamden game. Camerino lines up at tailback when Groth is under center. Roy also praised the play of his veteran offensive line. Seniors Connor O'Brien (running back) and Scott Zebendon (tight end/defensive end) have also contributed after not playing last season.

Read more about Shelton in Friday's print edition and on-line.

Valley Regional/Old Lyme remained unbeaten after a 41-7 victory over Hyde on Saturday.
Check out the highlights below:



In other Week 5 games, Hillhouse defeated Law 46-7.



And, Shelton survived against Guilford 17-12.