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.

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL: Xavier takes aim at a hat trick

By Jim Bransfield, Special to the Register

(Catherine Avalone/The Middletown Press) Xavier seniors Kevin Dean, Jonah Dorsey, quarterback Tim Boyle, Ben Lisle, Zac Creeron, and center Max Schumann (kneeling) at practice Tuesday.

MIDDLETOWN — So what will the Xavier Falcons do for an encore?

It’s going to be tough to match the past two seasons, campaigns which saw Xavier go 26-0, win two Class LL championships and twice find itself named the state’s No. 1 team.

“We’ll be competitive,” said 11-year coach Sean Marinan Sr. “We can play with anybody. But I don’t know if we have the hunger, the mindset, necessary for the fourth quarter. We’re capable of going back to the playoffs and we expect to, but we need to find out where the kids are mentally.”

Xavier, which wasn’t challenged last season, lost 20 seniors to graduation.

“We’re not just replacing kids who graduated,” said Marinan. “We’re replacing some very talented kids. We have an awful lot of inexperience, even though we will be playing a lot of seniors. Right now we’re a work in progress. We’re trying to put kids in positions where they can be successful.

 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL: Fairfield Prep focused on taking another step forward

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

FAIRFIELD — Fairfield Prep started the 2012 football year without spring ball. Instead, the team took advantage of a week of double days in August with the focus on cohesion, momentum and keeping the team focused on fall ball.

It was a rare opportunity head coach Tom Shea seized.

“This definitely helped, (it) was good for us,” running back Dillon Ryan said. “(We’re) pretty far ahead of other schools, I’d think.”

The extra time together early in the season is all part of Shea’s blueprint that was started when he took over the program in 2010. It’s been a steady climb back to having consistent, winning seasons after going through a rough 0-10 campaign in 2009.

“We started a couple years ago when we hadn’t won anything,” Shea said. “We talked about playing well on a play, everyone doing that. Then playing well for a quarter, then playing well for a game. Then winning a game and then winning on the road.”

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL: Staples chases another championship season

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

WESTPORT — More than two weeks before the first game of the season and it was hard for head coach Marce Petroccio and quarterback Jack Massie not to shed a grin when talking Staples football.

The Wreckers enter this season coming off an 11-1 record. The one blemish was a 42-7 defeat in the Class LL state title game against Xavier.


The team returns a veteran core on both sides of the ball and tout an experienced quarterback. The list could go on.

So expectations are high.

“We just try and focus one game at a time and not think about what people are saying about us or anything like that,” Massie said. “Just try to play the best we can.”


 “We just try and focus one game at a time and not think about what people are saying about us or anything like that,” Massie said. “Just try to play the best we can.”

As hard as they may try, there is no denying the excitement and anxiety swirling around the upcoming fall season. The program, which has won six Fairfield County Interscholastic Athletic Conference titles, including last season, and three state titles under Petroccio, is synonymous with winning. The team has mastered the art of deferring. The perfunctory answers about what the 2012 could be, and maybe should be, are given.

“We’re always looking to improve and we realize that we need to improve in certain areas and were just trying to get better every day,” Petroccio said.

But the question remains: How good can this Wreckers squad be?

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.

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.”

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL: Bryan Castelot, Bunnell hope to have foes on the run

By Henry Chisholm, Register Staff
hchisholm@nhregister.com / Twitter: @NHRHenryC

Bunnell High School quarterback Bryan Castelot, left, and football coach Craig Bruno at a recent practice. Peter Hvizdak / Register

STRATFORD — Prior to the 2009 regular-season finale against rival Stratford High, Bunnell coach Craig Bruno said he asked then freshman quarterback Bryan Castelot if he was ready to go.

“He didn’t say anything,’ Bruno said. “He just smiled at me.”

Castelot went out and threw his first two passes for touchdowns in that game.

Now a senior, the hefty quarterback has been ready to go since day one.

Well, really since day seven.

“It took me about a week (to learn the playbook),” Castelot said about his freshman year.

And it didn’t take Castelot long to master the Bulldogs’ fast break, run-and-gun, no-huddle offense, either.


 

HOPKINS

Coach: Tom Parr (31st year, 200-61)

League: Fairchester

Last season: 4-3

Top offensive players: Jim Martino, Jr., 6-1, 220, FB; Max Pantalena, Sr., 6-0, 200, G

Top defensive players: Spencer Lowlicht, Sr., 6-2, 215, DL; Sam Beck, Sr., 5-11, 175, CB

Key losses: Greg Volpe, QB; Jashon DeSenna, LB; Tikim Coombs, DB

Inside the huddle: Lines are experienced but, besides, Martino, skills players are very inexperienced. Skill players must mature quickly, especially at the quarterback position. The Hilltoppers will operate out of the I-formation. Junior Dan Rivera will be at halfback, while sophomore Kamsi Nwangu will see time at fullback. Parr thinks St. Luke's is the favorite in the Fairchester League. Parr said if his skill players can mature quickly, Hopkins could be a contender.
Stat Facts: Martino rushed 93 times for 638 yards and three touchdowns last season.

T.J. Linta has big plans at small Hamden Hall 

By David Borges, Register Staff
dborges@nhregister.com / Twitter: @DaveBorges

New Haven-- Hamden Hall quarterback T.J. Linta, center, with his receivers, Michael Whalen (7), Michael Breuler (17), Nick Linta (10) and Dylan Millhouse (87) . Peter Casolino/New Haven Register 8/28/12

Joe Linta is a football guy. The Connecticut-based sports agent represents numerous NFL players, including Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco, as well as coaches like Romeo Crennel, Chris Palmer and Bill O’Brien.

He played nose guard at Yale and later coached there, both under the legendary Carm Cozza, his mentor. Now he’s beginning his second season at the helm of the Hamden Hall football team.

He’s also a dad, and it just so happens that his two sons — Nick, a senior, and T.J., a junior — are two of the best players on this year’s Hornets squad.

Nick is a sure-handed receiver and excellent route-runner who’s been getting looks from Division III programs — even if his own dad mocks his lack of speed.

Joe has a harder time, however, finding fault in T.J., who has emerged as one of the state’s top quarterbacks despite playing at a small private school with a total enrollment of about 250.

“The kid can play,” Linta said, matter-of-factly. “If you can throw a 15-yard out on a rope, it doesn’t matter where you play.”

Plenty of college coaches seem to agree. Based on a 10-minute highlight film that Linta sent out to about eight Division I schools, as well as his performance at a couple of camps this past summer, T.J. is starting to generate some serious interest. Virginia, Duke, Syracuse, Rutgers and several Ivy League programs (Yale, Cornell, Dartmouth, Princeton), like the 6-foot-4, 238-pound quarterback’s
talents.

The Register-Citizen's Kevin Roberts takes a look at St. Paul junior quarterback Logan Marchi. 

By KEVIN D. ROBERTS
Assistant Sports Editor

kroberts@registercitizen.com

WINSTED — He was making the right reads, firing precision darts, and completing pass after pass at Van Why Memorial Field on the campus of The Gilbert School on Saturday.

He is Logan Marchi, a solid quarterback with good vision and a quick release. Marchi is a Winsted native, so Saturday was a football homecoming for him, but he was wearing the dark blue helmet associated with the St. Paul Catholic Falcons football team. The right-handed junior quarterback has been pretty locked in this summer in St. Paul’s spread offense according to head coach Jude Kelly, and there hasn’t been much that opposing defenses can do about it.

Gilbert/Northwestern and Lewis Mills each had that same problem on Saturday during a scrimmage.

“I think he has great vision and he has great touch,” Yellowjacket head coach Scott Salius said.

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.

NORTH HAVEN

Coach: Anthony Sagnella (19 years, 99-94-2)

League: SCC

Last season: 9-2 (SCC Division II East Champions, Class L quarterfinalists)

Top offensive players: Jalon White, 5-9 ,165, Sr., TB (#21 in above photo); Matt Marcarelli, 6-0, 240, Sr., OL

Top defensive players: Quincy Pecora, 5-10, 175, Sr., LB (also is RB); Mike Halloran, 6-1, 185, Jr., LB

Key losses: Mark Zurlis (#44 in above photo), FB/LB; Jake Mikos, OL/DL; Andrew Savenelli, OL/DL; Joe Schwab, QB/DB; J.P. Deviglia, RB; Matt Manemiet, DB.

Inside the huddle: Need to develop younger players quickly, lacking experience due to large, productive senior class that graduated. Will again operate out of the single-wing formation. Sagnella hopes the Indians can be competitive in every game. He said this is a good group that lacks a lot of varsity experience. Team will be led by a strong junior class. 

Stat Facts: White rushed 140 times for 1,197 yards and 13 touchdowns as a junior, and he's expected to be one of the top players in the SCC.  

HAND

Coach: Steve Filippone (23 rd year, 188-66-6)

League: SCC

Last season: 13-0 (Class L champions)

Top offensive players: Kyle Anderson, 6-4, 190, Sr., WR; Ian O'Toole, 5-9, 175, Sr., RB

Top defensive players: Matt Walsh, 6-1, 225, Sr., LB (also a fullback); Peter Gerson, 6-3, 215, Sr., DE

Key losses: Henry Foye, QB; Kevin Frey, RB; Joe DeMichele, OL/DL; Vance Giarratana, DB; Nick Vitale, WR

Inside the huddle: Graduated 16 starters, relative inexperience on offense at key positions, tradition and defense will be a team strength.Walsh made over 60 unassisted tackles last season and was a Register All-Area selection. Gerson made 56 solo tackles, 15 sacks and recovered two fumbles in 2011. Filippone calls Gerson the most explosive player he's ever coached. Senior strong safety Alex Tuccero made three interceptions as a junior. Seniors Cam Gravina and Matt Saganelli will anchor the offensive line. Anderson, who made 49 catches and seven touchdowns in 2011, is one of the SCC's top receivers. O'Toole is expected to take over the running back duties full-time after Frey graduated. Senior Brendan Bilchek is expected to be the team's starting quarterback. Filippone says Bilchek has good arm strength and is a capable decision maker.

Recruiting watch: Walsh has given his oral commitment to play at UConn. Gerson will attend Yale next fall. 

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.

AMITY

Coach: Bert Mozealous (3rd year, 8-12)

League: SCC

Last season: 4-6

Top offensive players: James Semmonella, 6-0, 195, Sr., QB; David Attolino, 5-10, 185, Sr., RB

Top defensive players: Greg Purcell, 6-0, 260, Sr., DL; Mike Vitale, 6-4, 275, Sr., DL

Key losses: Tyler Vallie QB, Cody Ellison WR/DB, Subhe Salah, OL

Inside the huddle: Mozealous says this year’s team will go as far the experienced line takes them. The Spartans have decent size up front, led by Purcell, Vitale and Toro. Another key will be the play of Semmonella, who moves from running back to quarterback. Semmonella replaces Tyler Vallie, who graduated. Vallie passed for 1,206 yards and 12 touchdowns last season and rushed for 918 yards and 13 scores. There are six starters returning on each side of the ball. Mozealous believes Amity should be very competitive this season.

Stat Facts: Semmonella rushed 63 times for 434 yards and four touchdowns last season and caught 22 passes and two more touchdowns.

EAST HAVEN

Coach: Greg Volpe (5th year)

League: SCC

Last season: 2-8

Top offensive players: Dom Dellacamera, Jr., RB; Mike DeMarco, Jr., RB

Top defensive players: Mark Spadacenta, Sr., DE; Bryant Maranda, Sr., LB

Key losses: Niko Fiorillo, QB/S; Joe Costanzo, RB/LB; Mike Vessicchio, WR/DB; Shawn Tarnawa, OL/DL

Inside the huddle: Very young team, small numbers, depth will be an issue, so remaining healthy will be key. Volpe says the team has implemented a new offense, which may take time to develop. Easties lost most of their skill players to graduation. Volpe says East Haven is the smallest team in the league, and is at a disadvantage against most teams.

Stat Facts: According to Max Preps, Dellacamera rushed 42 times for 184 yards and one score in six games that stats were entered last season.

LEDYARD

Coach: Jim Buonocore (13 years overall, 92-47-1)

League: ECC

Last season: 11-2 (ECC Medium Division champions, Class M finalists)

Top offensive players: John Rainey, 6-0, 185, Sr., QB; Kyle Wilson, 6-2, 255, Sr., OL

Top defensive players: Cal Karpi, 5-11, 185, Sr., LB; Chevy Perry, 6-0, 215, Sr., DE

Key losses: Dallas Smith, TE/LB; Alex Manwaring, RB; Slade Baxley, WR/DB; Matt Daggett, FB/LB

Inside the huddle: Keys to the season will be strong play on the line, balance on the offensive side of the ball, rush defense and strong special teams play. Rainey returns under center, but Colonels must replace the bulk of their offense with the graduation of their top running back (Manwaring) and receiver (Baxley). Wilson is expected to be one of the top linemen in the ECC, as should senior Bobby Bozym. 

Championship Fact: Ledyard has appeared in 10 state title games and has won four titles, but none since 2007.

GLASTONBURY

Coach: Scott Daniels (2nd year, 8-3)

League: CCC

Last season: 8-3 (Class LL quarterfinalists)

Top offensive players: Ben Berey, 5-11, 180, Sr., QB; Josh Hill, 6-2, 220, Sr., WR

Top defensive players: Ty Janssen, 5-11, 190, Sr., LB; Andy Cavana, 6-0, 220, Jr., DL

Key losses: Devin O'Reilly, CB; Nick Latty, CB; Nick Colasante, C; Bobby Volle, LB

Inside the huddle: Team speed is above average, according to Daniels. Defense should be a team strength. Development of the offensive line will be key. Berey, who also plays safety, is expected to be one of the top players in the CCC.

Championship Fact: The Tomahawks will attempt to qualify for the postseason for the fifth straight year.

Stories by Kevin D. Roberts

GRANBY

Rich Gadoury ready for challenges as new head coach of Bears

GRANBY – There is a new head football coach in Granby.

He may have been dressed in a similar hat, T-shirt, shorts and flip-flops that were his dress code as head swimming coach, but Rich Gadoury donned a different persona as Granby Memorial’s head football coach on Aug. 16 at Ahrens Park.

Gadoury raised his voice several times during the second day of conditioning on a warm, sunny afternoon and let his players know how he felt. The players got in line, and followed directions.

Gadoury likes what he sees out of his young football team.

Read more here.

CANTON 

Paul Philippon looking to bring discipline, respectability in first season as Warrior coach

CANTON – There is a new leader of the Warriors.

Paul Philippon is in his first season as Canton’s head football coach. Philippon has been around Connecticut football for a long time.

He spent last year coaching at Trinity College. Before that, there were stints at Glastonbury, Bristol Eastern for five years as head coach, and Conard in West Hartford for 15 years. Philippon takes over for Roger Pearl.

Philippon looks to instill discipline in the Warriors, who have 30-35 players.

Read more here.

AVON

Falcons working with less numbers, but still return talented running back Colin Moore

AVON – There are plenty of questions for the Avon football team as it enters the 2012 season.

The Falcons are down about 20 players from their normal numbers. Avon has varsity numbers in the low to mid 40s, along with about 25 freshmen, according to head coach Brett Quinion.

“That’s high school football, the ebbs and flows of it,” Quinion said during conditioning on Aug. 16.

A large group of seniors, along with players moving on to soccer or not coming back, led to the lower numbers.

Read more here.

SEYMOUR

Coach: Tom Lennon (4th year, 6-24)

League: NVL

Last season: 5-5

Top offensive players: Mike Conlan, 6-0, 185, Sr., QB/WR/DB; Jim Vartelas, 5-10, 165, Sr., RB/LB

Top defensive players: Dan Bonney, 5-9, 165, Sr., DL/OL; Zach Sirowich, 6-2, 215, Jr., DL/LB/OL

Key losses: Luke Grabowski, QB/DB; Dylan Sadick, OL/LB; Josh Tilton, OL/LB; Jon Wilson, RB/DB; Rob Brito, OL/DL

Inside the huddle: Young team, 40 of 55 players on roster are sophomores or freshmen. Team needs to mature quickly. Development of offensive line will be key.Seymour must replace its top two rushers (Grabowski and Wilson) who combined for more than 1,400 yards and 19 touchdowns. Vartelas and senior fullback Jack Briggs will likely get most of the hand offs.

Stat Facts: Conlan made a team-leading 26 catches last season, but may get the call under center. Bonney and Sirowich combined for 63 tackles and three sacks in 2011, and the two will likely anchor the defense this year.