Ansonia running back Arkeel Newsome committed to play football at UConn Wednesday, according to Ansonia coach Tom Brockett.

Newsome was offered by the Huskies last summer. He was also offered by UMass and received interest from Rutgers and Syracuse.

"He was one of the kids they wanted," Brockett said. "I think it's awesome for him and his family. I think it's a good thing for UConn and that staff to keep the best kid in Connecticut at home."

Register reporter and UConn football beat writer Jim Fuller put together this information about Newsome:

The 5-foot-8, 180-pound Newsome ran 227 times for 2,245 yards and 38 touchdowns as a junior.

As a sophomore Newsome ran for 3,763 yards and 58 touchdowns in 14 games including scoring runs of 87, 95 and 98 yards. He ran for more than 300 yards in seven games including a 401-yard effort against Derby.

I spoke to Newsome before the start of his junior season and shortly after he was in attendance at UConn's 2012 season opener against UMass.

"It was a great experience and they won," Newsome said. "It was kind of weird because both of the schools gave me offers and I went to the game and UConn won.

"It was really exciting, they have an amazing crowd and I was happy to be a part it."

He is the fourth known commitment for the Class of 2014 and second from Connecticut joining St. Paul quarterback Logan Marchi.

Ansonia sophomore Jai'Quan McKnight was expected to be the second option in the backfield behind Arkeel Newsome this season.

But when Tyler Lester broke his leg over the summer,  McKnight was thrust into the starting quarterback position. Through two games,  McKnight has responded. McKnight has completed 12-of-17 passes for 356 yards and five touchdowns. He's also rushed for two more scores.

"He's been great," Ansonia coach Tom Brockett said. "He's so coachable, which makes a big difference. He's night and day from where he was from even when we came out here the first day in the fall. We didn't lose Tyler until the summer, so right through the spring Tyler was getting the majority of the reps as the quarterback. He (McKnight) is a lot further ahead from what we thought he would be."

McKnight says there was an adjustment period, but it didn't take very long for him to adapt to his new role.

"It was kind of hard in the beginning just getting to know my receivers and how they run their routes," McKnight said. "But everything is about timing. We go out here before practice and get our timing together. I know my receivers, and they know me, like the back of my hand."

McKnight's top target is senior Andrew Matos, who has caught nine passes, including three touchdowns.

"Jai'Quan, he's doing well," Matos said. "He makes the right reads. I can't ask for a better quarterback right now. He's doing great."

Tight end Raeshaun Finney has also contributed.

"Andrew has speed and Finney has the height," McKnight said. "Both are big men; both are physical. If I put the ball anywhere close to them, I know they're going to go up and get it."

It's a rivalry that dates back to 1902 and was once considered one of the greatest in the state: Ansonia vs. Derby.

The two storied programs will meet for the 90th time on Thursday (6:30 p.m. at Nolan Field, Ansonia). Ansonia holds a 53-28-8 series lead.

The Chargers have won the last five meetings (2002-2003, 2009-2011). The teams did not play from 2004-2008. Derby’s last win was a 14-12 victory in 2001.

Ansonia coach Tom Brockett, a Wallingford native who attended Lyman Hall,  was fully aware of the game's history when he was growing up.

"You always heard about the Ansonia-Derby game," Brockett said. "If you're into Connecticut high school football, and have a heartbeat, you've heard about the Ansonia-Derby game. Thank God we're back playing it. The kids are excited, both towns are excited, it's great. It's what high school football should be every week."

Despite the potential of playing in an NVL or state championship game later this season, Ansonia senior Andrew Matos summed up the rivalry this way:

"To be honest, it's my biggest game of the year. A lot of us are cool with the Derby guys, but when we get on the field it's different. We go at each other at full speed and do whatever we can to win this game."

Derby joined the NVL from the SCC in 2009 and the rivalry was resurrected. In 2010, Derby led 26-13 at halftime before the Chargers rallied for a 33-32 victory.

"That game two years ago really added to it (the rivalry)," Brockett said. "(Derby) coach (George) French is going a great job with Derby and he's really helped build it back up. They (Derby) have a lot of pride. Those kids want to win. It's real important to them, just like it's real important to us."

SERIES HISTORY

1902 — Ansonia 48, Derby 0
1904 — Ansonia 21, Derby 0
1906 — Ansonia 0, Derby 0
1908 — Derby 6, Ansonia 2
1909 — Ansonia 6, Derby 0
1917 — Ansonia 6, Derby 6
1919 — Ansonia 0, Derby 0
1920 — Ansonia 26, Derby 12
1928 — Derby 6, Ansonia 0
1929 — Ansonia 0, Derby 0
1930 — Derby 6, Ansonia 0
1931 — Ansonia 6, Derby 0
1932 — Derby 6, Ansonia 0
1933 — Derby 6, Ansonia 0
1934 — Ansonia 12, Derby 0
1935 — Ansonia 6, Derby 0
1936 — Ansonia 13, Derby 7
1937 — Ansonia 6, Derby 6
1938 — Ansonia 0, Derby 0
1939 — Ansonia 7, Derby 0
1940 — Derby 7, Ansonia 3
1941 — Ansonia 42, Derby 0
1942 — Ansonia 19, Derby 0
1943 — Ansonia 49, Derby 0
1944 — Ansonia 30, Derby 7
1945 — Ansonia 6, Derby 0
1946 — Ansonia 50, Derby 13
1947 — Ansonia 6, Derby 0
1948 — Ansonia 27, Derby 0
1949 — Derby 14, Ansonia 12
1950 — Derby 13, Ansonia 12
1951 — Ansonia 38, Derby 0
1952 — Ansonia 33, Derby 6
1953 — Ansonia 18, Derby 0
1954 — Ansonia 32, Derby 0
1955 — Ansonia 34, Derby 12
1956 — Ansonia 40, Derby 0
1957 — Ansonia 6, Derby 0
1958 — Ansonia 12, Derby 6
1959 — Derby 14, Ansonia 12
1960 — Derby 12, Ansonia 6
1961 — Ansonia 6, Derby 6
1962 — Derby 22, Ansonia 8
1963 — Derby 6, Ansonia 0
1964 — Derby 30, Ansonia 26
1965 — Ansonia 14, Derby 8
1966 — Derby 33, Ansonia 0
1967 — Ansonia 7, Derby 7
1968 — Derby 34, Ansonia 14
1969 — Derby 40, Ansonia 12
1970 — Derby 22, Ansonia 14
1971 — Derby 36, Ansonia 15
1972 — Derby 40, Ansonia 21
1973 — Derby 17, Ansonia 13
1974 — Derby 14, Ansonia 0
1975 — Derby 41, Ansonia 20
1976 — Ansonia 22, Derby 20
*1976 — Ansonia 6, Derby 0
1977 — Ansonia 40, Derby 0
1978 — Ansonia 34, Derby 6
1979 — Ansonia 21, Derby 7
1980 — Ansonia 14, Derby 12
1981 — Ansonia 46, Derby 30
1982 — Ansonia 21, Derby 0
*1982 — Ansonia 14, Derby 0
1983 — Ansonia 19, Derby 13
1984 — Ansonia 35, Derby 0
1985 — Derby 7, Ansonia 6
1986 — Derby 15, Ansonia 8
1987 — Ansonia 21, Derby 13
1988 — Derby 10, Ansonia 7
1989 — Ansonia 28, Derby 7
1990 — Derby 19, Ansonia 15
1991 — Ansonia 33, Derby 7
1992 — Ansonia 8, Derby 0
1993 — Ansonia 41, Derby 8
1994 — Ansonia 50, Derby 6
1995 — Ansonia 33, Derby 0
1996 — Derby 13, Ansonia 7
1997 — Ansonia 50, Derby 7
1998 — Ansonia 17, Derby 7
1999 — Ansonia 49, Derby 12
2000 —Ansonia 13, Derby 0
2001 —Derby 14, Ansonia 12
2002 —Ansonia 34, Derby 7
2003 —Ansonia 48, Derby 0
2009 —Ansonia 44, Derby/O’Brien Tech 14
2010—Ansonia 33, Derby/O’Brien Tech 32
2011—Ansonia 55, Derby 19
*CIAC Class S championship

An interview with Ansonia football coach Tom Brockett.

Via traditionstv.com

Click here to see interview.

It's not a surprise that perennial state power Ansonia has again reached a state final. The Chargers will appear in their 24th championship game Saturday when Ansonia (11-1) takes on St. Joseph (9-3) for the Class S title at 7 p.m.

The Chargers are 16-7 in championship games since the inception of the CIAC playoffs in 1976.

But what is surprising is that Ansonia reached the title game with a team primarily filled with underclassmen.

Said Brockett, who's in his fifth season at the helm and has a career record of 57-6:

"I think every year is a different challenge. Obviously, my first year (2006) was a big challenge, and the second year we had a lot of kids coming back so there was a lot of pressure. Then we had to replace those kids, and we were fortunate to get to a state championship (in 2008). Every year presents different challenges.

"But, as far as talent level, this, by far, was probably my most challenging year."

On playing the state final at Rentschler Field, home of UConn football, Ansonia senior running back Montrell Dobbs said:

"Everyone's dream is to play on a field like this. It's UConn, it's the best school in Connecticut. To be playing there for a championship like this is definitely a dream come true for a player like me."

Third-seeded Ansonia (11-1) squares off against No. 4 St. Joseph (9-3) in the Class S final on Saturday at 7 p.m. at Rentschler Field in East Hartford.

Ansonia is making its 24th appearance in a state final. The Chargers have a championship game record of 16-7. The 16 titles are a state record.

St. Joseph has won nine titles, and are making its 12th trip to the final. The Cadets won the title in the now defunct Class SS last season.

Ironically, despite both team's success in the postseason, the two have never met for a state championship.

Below are some sound bites about the game:

Ansonia coach Tom Brockett:

"They're (St. Joseph) great, they really are. They're playing as good of football as anybody in the state. They just have so many different offensive weapons. They're physical on defense. (Joe) Della Vecchia (St. Joe's senior quarterback) does a good job of running the show for them; he can run and he can throw. They're presenting a ton of challenges."

St. Joseph coach Joe Della Vecchia (the quarterback's father):

"It’s a big challenge. He’s (Ansonia running back Montrell Dobbs) a great player, and they’re a great team. We have to slow him down, and score points ourselves. That’s going to be the key, to score points and to try to keep him contained."