NEW CANAAN

James Dunning Jr. Field (at Hawes Plaza), New Canaan

Coach: Lou Marinelli (33rd year, 283-96-7 overall)
Conference: FCIAC
2012 Record: 9-3 (Class L semifinalists)
2013 Kickoff: at Hand, Sept. 12, 6 p.m.
Top players: Nick Cascione, 6-0, 185, Sr., QB; Teddy Bossidy, 5-8, 175, Sr., QB; Michael Donnelly, 6-5, 277, Sr., OL; Jack Gilio, 5-9, 175, Sr., WR; Beau Santero, 6-3, 240, Sr., OL; Michael Root, 6-4, 220, Sr., LB; Cole Harris, 6-2, 210, Sr., LB; Connor Buck, 6-4, 245, Sr., DL; Mike DiCosmo, 5-9, 160, Sr., DB; Zach Allen, 6-6, 240, Jr., LB.
Key losses: Johnny Rhudy LB, Grady Lynch WR/DB, Casey Ouellette DB, Louis Hagopian RB, Dylan Karnedy OL, Bobby Erickson OL.
Outlook: Marinelli says the Rams are young at important spots, but 11 starters return from last season. Cascione and Bossidy will likely split time under center again. Cascione passed for 1,133 yards and 16 touchdowns, while Bossidy threw for 748 yards and nine touchdowns in 2012. Cascione also led the team in rushing yards. Defensively, New Canaan just may be the most talented team in the state, led by Root, Harris and Buck. Harris (pictured above) was a Register All-State selection, Buck has been offered by UMass and Root more than 100 tackles last season. New Canaan will attempt to reach the state semifinals for the ninth straight season. The schedule is tough, though, with league games against Greenwich, Staples and Darien , and a season-opening non-league clash with Hand.

Previous entries in the Inside The Huddle series:



Guilford
Morgan
North Branford
Pomperaug
Sheehan  
Xavier 

NEW CANAAN

Coach: Lou Marinelli (32 years at New Canaan, career record of 274-93-7)
League: FCIAC
Last season: 11-2 (FCIAC East Champions, Class L finalists
Top offensive players: Duke Repko, 6-0, 160, Sr., WR; Grady Lynch, 6-0, 175, Sr., WR
Top defensive players: Michael Root, 6-2, 200, Jr., LB; Cole Harris, 5-11, 185, Jr., LB
Key losses: Matt Milano, QB; Patrick Newton, WR; Kevin McDonough, RB/LB; Bobby Distler, RB/LB
Inside the huddle: Young but talented. Need to replace Milano, who passed for 2,981 yards and 32 touchdowns in 2011. Repko caught 20 passes and three touchdowns last season. Lynch also made 20 receptions.
Fast fact: There is a quarterback competition brewing between junior Teddy Bossidy and junior Nick Cascione. Bossidy completed 23-of-43 passes for 176 yards and a touchdown last season, while Cascione completed 4-of-8 for 29 yards. The two combined to rush for 525 yards and five scores.