FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK: Hyde returns to Class S state playoffs

Last season’s subpar 4-6 finish might seem like a distant memory for the Hyde football team.

But the Howling Wolves, especially the seniors, never forgot how it felt to miss out on a state playoff berth.

Since becoming a varsity program in 1998, Hyde has qualified for the postseason eight times and won Class S titles in 2000, 2004, 2005 and 2009.

After a year’s absence, the Howling Wolves are back in the Class S field.

“We’re glad to be back,” Hyde coach Melvin Wells said. “We’re glad to be in the mix again. The kids have done a real nice job of sticking to the ground stone. This (reaching the playoffs) was their plan for the start.”

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WEEK 10 HIGHLIGHTS

OFFENSIVE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

♦Coventry/Windham Tech/Bolton Sr. RB Kyle Wing: Carried 18 times for a school-record 361 yards and six touchdowns in a 57-28 win over Granby on Saturday.

♦Guilford Jr. RB David Knapp: Rushed 13 times for 212 yards and two touchdowns in a 47-13 win over Foran on Wednesday. Knapp also returned an interception 81 yards for a touchdown.

DEFENSIVE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

♦Ansonia Sr. LB Hezekiah Duncan: Scored on a 35-yard interception return in a 56-26 win over Woodland on Thursday.

♦Oxford Jr. DB Kyle Chudoba: Made two interceptions, including one he returned 23 yards for a touchdown, in a 35-12 win over Bunnell on Saturday.

DEFENSIVE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

♦Ansonia Sr. LB Hezekiah Duncan: Scored on a 35-yard interception return in a 56-26 win over Woodland on Thursday.

♦Oxford Jr. DB Kyle Chudoba: Made two interceptions, including one he returned 23 yards for a touchdown, in a 35-12 win over Bunnell on Saturday.

TEAMS OF THE WEEK

♦Ansonia: Junior running back Arkeel Newsome rushed 23 times for 222 yards and three touchdowns and he also had a touchdown reception in a 56-26 victory over Woodland on Thursday in the Naugatuck Valley League championship game.

♦Barlow: Alex Lockwood had 171 rushing yards and two touchdowns in a 29-22 victory over Brookfield on Thursday.

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Latest CIAC Pairings
Hand, Staples, Ansonia remain the top 3 teams in the latest Register Top 10 Poll

Here is the ballot I submitted for the New Haven Register Top 10 football poll after Week 10. Voters are asked to vote for 15 teams. Points on tabulated on a 30-28-26-24-22-20-18-16-14-12-11-10-9-8-7 basis.

The poll should be up later tonight on the Register's website and will appear in Tuesday's print editions.
My Top 10 ballot stays the same from last week.

1. Hand
2. Staples
3. Ansonia
4. Xavier
5. Windsor
6. Greenwich
7. Newtown
8. Masuk
9. Southington
10. Norwich Free Academy
11. Hillhouse
12. West Haven
13. North Branford
14. Glastonbury
15. Middletown

The CIAC released 2012 football schedules on Thursday. Here are some interesting non-league games worth checking out. Times, dates and sites subject to change.

Week 2
Sept. 21
Hamden at Danbury, 7 p.m.: Hamden won just one game last season.

Week 3
Sept. 28
Whitney Tech at Sacred Heart, 7 p.m.: Whitney Tech fields first varsity team this fall.

Week 4
Oct. 5
North Haven at New London, 6:30 p.m.: Both teams qualified for state playoffs last season. 

Week 6
Oct. 20
Stamford at Norwich Free Academy, 1 p.m.: Stamford makes the long journey east to take on the Wildcats, one of the most consistent programs in the ECC.

Week 10
Nov. 15
Plainfield vs. Law at Sheehan, 6 p.m.:Law didn't win a game in 2011.

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

Despite a convincing win over Holy Cross in Week 4, Ansonia football coach Tom Brockett is well-aware how dangerous the Crusaders can be.

Holy Cross scored first in that contest on Oct. 7 before the Chargers settled down and rolled to a 45-13 victory.

The teams meet again Thursday night to decide the Naugatuck Valley League champion. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. at Municipal Stadium in Waterbury.

Like Ansonia (9-0), the Crusaders (8-1) have a plethora of skill players, and both teams thrive running the ball.

Senior Dave DiGiorgi is Holy Cross’ best overall player, while fellow running back Adrian Brown, a junior, and freshman sensation Isaiah Wright are also dangerous in the open field.

“Obviously they’re a very talented football team,” Brockett said. “They have great skill players. Every time you go against that you worry about the speed and how those kids can score on you on one play.”

Read the full story here.

Week 10 Predictions

Foran edged by Stonington