History Class at Middletown High School?

Blue Dragons Female Captain To Be?

Nothing will be official until preseason camp breaks next fall for the Middletown football team, but signs are pointing toward Sarah Strickland being elected as one of the team’s captains for her senior season. That would seem to be history making – as no one I’ve spoken with can recall a female captain of a Connecticut high school football team.

Captains at Middletown are chosen based on a team vote and a point system – in which players earn points for attendance at team events (off-season weight lifting sessions, etc.)

Tonight at 5:30pm on Eyewitness News and again on the FNF show at 11:15pm I’ll profile Sarah. She’s been playing football with the boys since age 12 and while at first her father Martin did not like it, he’s now her biggest supporter and he shares some very interesting comments in our story. For one, he says when Sarah first began playing he got a call from the Department of Children and Families (DCF) inquiring about the bruises on his daughter’s body.  When Martin said she played football, they didn’t believe him.  To this day, Sarah wears such bruises as badges of honor, proof of membership in the Boys’ Football Club so to speak.

While there has not been a female high school football captain in Connecticut, female players have made an impact.  State high school football historian Bob Barton points out that Ledyard high school had a young lady catch a touchdown pass and Wilcox Tech / Meriden had a female player rush for a touchdown. Then of course, there’s the current #1 team in the state, New Canaan, who’s #1 placekicker is former girls soccer player Brianna Valente.

Playoff Plan Details Emerging

The push for an expanded football postseason in Connecticut picked up steam Tuesday when the CIAC football committee embraced the latest proposal.  The basics:

* 4 Divisions Instead of 6

* 8 teams per division instead of 4

* 32 teams total instead of 24 (8 additional teams)

* 3 rounds per division (quarterfinals, semifinals, finals)

*  Thanksgiving games remain intact. Playoffs start the Tuesday after Thanksgiving (quarters) followed by semifinals on Saturday and the finals a week after that on the second Saturday of December.

* Is the weather measurably colder or more storm prone a week deeper into December? The football committee doesn’t seem to believe so. Let me check with our Chief Meteorologist Bruce Deprest and I’ll get back to you.

* One more week (for 8 teams at least) does mean football players that play winter sports will delay the start of their respective winter seasons.

H1N1 Knocks Out Rams

With 40 percent of the team ill this week with the flu , Cheshire has postponed its’ scheduled game with West Haven until Saturday November 21st.

With things seemingly getting worse by the week, what happens when a playoff team is struck with the flu later this season – when does that game get rescheduled for?

Quick Hits

* Though the behind the back pass has always been my bread and butter in pickup hoops, this hot dog play has a little bit too much mustard for my taste.

* The Woodstock Academy Centaurs  (half man/half horse) have one of the great nicknames in Connecticut High School football. But did you happen to read this week that Yankees egomaniac Alex Rodriguez reportedly has not one but two Centaur portraits of himself hanging over his bed?  What an insult to the fine people in Woodstock and the Quiet Corner.

* Congratulations to Ansonia Head Coach Tom Brockett. He and his wife Nicole welcomed their first child this week, Alyssa Rose Brockett.  Tom missed practice on Monday but he has since returned to the team and will be coaching Friday night vs. St. Paul / Goodwin Tech.

3 Games We’ll Be Watching

New Canaan at Greenwich 7pm Friday -  New Canaan’s biggest test to date this season. A win here and the Rams emphatically cement their claim to the top spot in the state.  A growing question: Is UConn likely to recruit  New Canaan QB – Turner Baty?

Glastonbury at New Britain 7pm Friday - Back on the field where they won a Class LL State Championship a year ago, the visiting Tomahawks can take a serious step towards a second straight undefeated regular season. Beware, the Golden Hurricanes can be explosive on offense and defense.

St. Paul / Goodwin Tech at Ansonia 7pm Friday- Is (6-1) St. Paul for real? We’ll find out as they hit the road for a stiff test from a 2 loss Ansonia team that will cook any remaining playoff hopes it may have with another defeat. Look for Coach Brockett to pull out all the stops in defending the home turf on Senior Night including a calling a few plays for little Alyssa Rose if need be.

Completely Unrelated Thought of The Week

When it comes to hand sanitizer have we officially reached the point of no return on the evolutionary spectrum of sanitary behavior? No going back now, right? Who doesn’t use this stuff? At the same time who was using it 10 years ago? Only the neat freaks right?

In the evolution of man there came a time that nothing short of toilet paper was acceptable,  can hand sanitizer now join that club?

Playoffs? Don’t Talk About Playoffs

Supersizing the Post Season In Massachusetts

With growing support here in Connecticut to expand the number of playoff teams in high school football, a cause championed by Hand of Madison Head Coach Steve Fillipone, I bring to your attention  a push in Massachusetts that would see a whopping 50 percent of the high school football teams make the playoffs.  In Eastern Massachusetts alone the number of participating schools would  increase from 28 playoff teams to 96.  Check out the article in this morning’s Boston Globe.

And while you’re at it take 49 seconds to enjoy Jim Mora’s classic rant one more time.

Viewer Emails

We regularly get viewer emails to the FNF show (sports3@wfsb.com) and I wanted to share some examples of the type of questions we’re asked:

I like your new show FNF Overtime, but couldn’t you have thought of a more creative name?

- Sandy in Norwich

Well Sandy we did have some other possibilities, but they didn’t seem to work in the end. A couple potential show names that ended up in the circular file were:

“S’More  FNF” - Joe Zone’s personal homage to his favorite campfire snack

“Sleep? It’s overrated!” -  We’re desperate to keep people up and watching at that hour but this one doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue now does it? “Flip over to WFSB.COM and join us for Sleep? It’s overrated!” – That’s next!”

———

On the October 16th show you guys mistakingly ran the scores from the week before on the bottom line ticker all show.  The talking head dopey anchors didn’t even seem to notice either. What gives?

- Brad in Windsor

Brad, there was a method to our madness. At first I was certain it was a technical glitch. But upon further thought, I now realize that there were higher powers at work that night.  By running the scores from a week earlier the powers that be were doing their best to go back in time, back when the Red Sox were still alive in the playoffs and all was right in the world.  In retrospect, I endorse that plan.  Next time I’ll make sure we enlist Doc Brown to give our time travel a better chance of working.

Hey Doc, any hope for Red Sox Nation?

A Good Reed

I saw an update recently on former New London High School Quarterback Jordan Reed.  Jordan is a freshman at Florida and it  seems he now has a chance of seeing time at tight end where Bristol’s Aaron Hernandez excels with the Gators.   With John Brantley as the heir apparent to Tim Tebow at QB, tight end may be Jordan’s best opportunity to get on the field for the talent rich Gators.

CCC Newcomers

With the newly expanded CCC having realigned to accommodate 32 teams, some schools have fared well in the new alingment, others have not.

Essentially the CCC is divided into 4 divisions.  The larger schools in Division 1, the smaller schools in Division 2 with each division broken into A and B subgroups based on the program’s win percentage in recent seasons.  The new CCC also took in former Nutmeg schools like Berlin, Rocky Hill, Northwest Catholic and Middletown. Middletown appears to have gotten the short end of the stick with a Division 1A placement. The Blue Dragons are (0-6) against an unforgiving schedule of  with larger enrollments. When the CCC revisits the divisional alignment in the future look for Middletown to be reassigned.

Former Nutmeggers Berlin and Northwest Catholic have held up nicely in their new conference while former Pequot member Tolland has been more than competitive but struggled to get wins in the CCC with a (1-5) mark.  Conard and Bloomfield – both solid unbeaten teams have benefited from soft schedules, true tests will come in time for the Chieftans and Warhawks.

Wonder Twin Powers Activate

For the first time in the history of our FNF Athlete of The Week Online Poll brothers have won the award in the same season. The honor goes to St. Paul / Goodwin Tech twin brothers Tanner and Chris Bachand.  Tanner is the lefthanded QB for the Falcons, Chris the starting tailback.  Both won a Property of Friday Night Football t-shirt.  Along with their sophomore brother Tucker this is the Bachand Boys first season at St. Paul after transferring from a high school in Lee, Massachusetts. How fortuitous for St. Paul Head Coach Jude Kelly!

3 Games We’ll Be Watching

Simsbury at Southington Friday 7pm

Simsbury will go entire games without completing a pass – often by choice. Southington throws its’ first pass before the pregame meal is digested. A matchup of contrasting styles tonight on Pleasant Street.  Southington is very tough at home and can’t afford a third loss, Simsbury is looking to rebound after losing its’ first game of the season a week ago to New Britain.

Bloomfield at Rockville  Friday 6:30pm

Bloomfield coach Roy Roberts calls his senior Quarterback Denzel Jones (who also stars on the basketball court for the Warhawks) a “freakish” athlete. The Warhawks come to Vernon undefeated and and could get their first serious test of the season tonight. Then again, maybe not…it’s been 4 weeks since anybody has scored a point on Bloomfield.

Morgan at Cromwell -  Saturday 1pm

At the moment, Cromwel is on the outside looking in in the Class S playoff standings. They may need to win out to make the postseason. They are clearly one of the top 4 teams statewide in Class S and Saturday is a chance to prove it against the more than solid visitors from Clinton.

Completely Unrelated Thought of the Week:

When did having the flu (any flu) become so nebulous? I predict that the phrase “flu-like symptoms” will be the most overused expression of the winter. Do you have the flu or don’t you? Is it legit or are “flu-like symptoms” just the phrase you throw  around on your boss’ voicemail to explain your absence from work?

See You Tonight at 11:15pm for Week 7 of FNF!

John

Jack Who?

New London and Its’ New Coach

Twice last year, including in dramatic last second fashion in the regular season  (Video),  Jack Cochran coached New London beat ECC rival Montville.  Tonight they schools meet again but hardly a word has been spoken all week about Cochran, one of the winningest coaches in state history.

That’s because in the off season Cochran was removed from the position and Bulkeley head coach Jeff Larson came to New London to be both the head football coach and the Athletics Director.  Larson could be looking at his first loss as New London head coach tonight but as of yet, there is nothing to be disappointed with on or off the field.  Do the players still think about their beloved Coach Cochran? Sure. But as Norwich Bulletin Sports Editor Marc Allard said on CTSN’s Game Time show this week the kids don’t even refer to Cochran by name anymore when asked. Instead it’s “the situation that occurred” and nothing more.

Larson came out of South Windsor and went on to play for and later coach with Randy Edsall as a UConn Husky. In fact, Jeff was on the UConn team that scored the program’s first watershed victory in Division 1, a 37-20 road win over Iowa State in 2002.

As for Jack Cochran, he’s been discreetly watching from the stands this season with his sophomore son Casey leading the Masuk Panthers to a (5-0) record as quarterback. Will Jack coach again and coach soon?  Don’t count on it, though I was told that in the off season certain people at one parochial school wanted him to lead their program but the ultimate decision makers wouldn’t go for it.

H1N1 Concerns

A couple weeks back in this space I speculated that it wouldn’t be long before a Connecticut high school has its’ sports schedule impacted by an H1N1 flu outbreak. It’s happened and quite early in the flu season for that matter.

Guilford has been forced to reschedule its’ game with Amity from tonight until Thursday November 19th at 6pm

FNF has deal with swine flu concerns as well this season. First on our website staff, now with one of our interns.

Seeing Through The Fog

That’s what any family and high school football player must do together when their son is being recruited by schools to play in college. Last night, I had the pleasure of meeting the Narcisse family at their Windsor home. Speaking to their son Pierre (Windsor’s star QB) along with dad Ron and mom Sharon gave me insight into what they’e learned as schools from all over the country have sent mail and made phone calls in the pursuit of Pierre. Let me tell you, this family has it all together and is providing Pierre with tremendous support. I can only imagine high school football players left to navigate the mine fields of recruiting without a strong family base to rely on.  Tonight at 11:15 on FNF I’ll have a feature story on Pierre, his family and his football future.

Attacked at a Local High School Football Game?

Aren’t these games supposed to be safe?  Would you believe that one of the best high school football writers in the state was hit with a punch by a spectator after last week’s Ansonia at Wolcott game? It’s true and it’s deeply disturbing.

The FNF Top 10

These would be The Top 10 most underexposed schools on the FNF show to date.  We promise to make amends with highlights in the coming weeks.

1. Pomperaug

2.  Staples

3. Conard

4. Manchester

5. Vinal Tech / Coginchaug

6. Morgan

7. Holy Cross

8. St. Joseph

9. Bethel

T10. Bloomfield

T10. Fitch

3 Games We’ll Be Watching

Morgan at Vinal Tech / Coginchaug Friday 6:30pm

Vinal is (5-0) and #1 in the Class MM playoff point rankings. Morgan comes in riding a 3 game win streak. I’m very curious to see who wins tonight.

Conard at Manchester Friday 7pm

Conard is (5-0) and has outscored opponnets a whopping 188 to 6. Still, they’re getting no  respect in the state polls. Tonight they can begin to build respect with a win over a good Manchester team.

St. Joseph at New Canaan Saturday 1:30pm

Far and away Saturday’s best game.  Both teams are (5-0). New Canaan is a 3 time defending state champ with a female place kicker (very cool!). St. Joseph is lead by running back Tyler Matakevich, the best player statewide in the junior class.

Completely Unrelated Thought of The Week

I’m this close to buying a best of Earth, Wind and Fire CD.  Two questions.:

Good Move?

and

Do they still sell CDs or am I just woefully behind the curve in this IPOD world most of you live in?

See you tonight at 11:15pm for FNF and be sure to become a fan of the show on Facebook while you’re at it.

John

Could You Use Some New Clothes?

Friday Night Facebook

The show has officially gained enough fans on Facebook to have its’ own URL: www.facebook.com/fridaynightfootball

To add to the fan base even more we’re giving away Property of Friday Night Football t-shirts to the best Facebook posts on our wall.  Give it a try, get a shirt, be the coolest football fan on your block.

No Hamden, No Greenwich, No Worries?

Though Hamden and Greenwich are the consensus #2 and #3 teams in the state, they wouldn’t be in the Class LL playoffs if the season ended after Week 4.  At the moment, they rate as #5 and #6, both out of the Top 4 that qualify.  The standings are likely to see  big changes between now and Thanksgiving night  though so no need to start cursing the CIAC like it was the BCS.

Falcons and Panthers In An Instant Classic

The Game of the Week in Week 4 had to be unbeaten Avon’s last second win over Cromwell. The Panthers suffered their first loss of the season when Avon’s Ross McDonald ran the ball 57 yards on a reverse inside handoff as time expired.  37-31 the final.  There were 3 touchdowns in the final 1:15 of the game, one by Cromwell and two by Avon.  Look for video of the wild finish on our 6pm sportscast Friday night.

Newington 3 Hall 2

That was the final last Saturday in West Hartford. I can’t ever remember seeing a score like that in football.  Baseball, yes…football, no.  It wasn’t a walk off home run that won it but rather a 23 yard field 4th quarter field goal from Newington’s Jeremy Rodriguez.

Quick Hits

* Glastonbury senior quarterback Sean McQuillan is the real deal.  He already has multiple offers to play QB in college at the Division 1AA level and I’m told there’s plenty of interest from Division 1A schools as a Tight End / H-Back.  He’s got great size at 6-4, 221 pounds.  Temple, Buffalo, Boston College, Penn State and UConn have all been in touch with McQuillan and his family

* Can you imagine losing this way?

* Disturbing high school football video of the week (out of the Boston area)

3 Games We’ll Be Watching

Greenwich at Trumbull  Friday 7pm

Greenwich is averaging 41 point a game, Trumbull has allowed 7 points all season and shutout its opponents the last 3 weeks. Someone leaves (5-0), someone (4-1)

Simsbury at Berlin Friday 7pm

Another intriguing matchup produced by the expanded Central Connecticut Conference. Both have yet to lose. The trip to Simsbury is a little out of the way for most schools and Berlin will be severely tested.

Ansonia at Wolcott Friday 7pm

Wolcott has had this game circled for months. The visiting Chargers are down a bit this season but it’s no guarantee that Wolcott ends the the night still undefeated.

* At the start of the year I figured New Canaan’s trip to Seymour would be a slam dunk game to include this week but while the 3 time defending state champion Rams are undefeated Seymour has struggled with major injuries and has yet to win under new coach Tom Lennon

Completely Unrelated Thought of the Week

I have a dilemma on my hands I need your help with. There is a kind older gentleman that I talk with at the gym.  We’ve been chatting on and off for 5 to 6 weeks.  Trouble is, he calls me Bill.  Don’t know why he thinks that’s my name. I introduced myself as John when we first met (his name is Chuck). I don’t have the heart to tell him my name isn’t Bill though it gets awkward when he says “Hello Bill” in front of other gym members who know my name is John.  Should I break the news to him or harmlessly keep playing along?

See You Tonight at 11:15pm for FNF!

Bill John

Big Stage, Big Drama

Golden Hurricanes and Blue Knights at the Rent

For the second straight season, New Britain and Southington will play at Rentschler Field.  While some opposing coaches wonder if the cost to rent The Rent for the night and the 40,000 seat stadium feeling a bit empty with a whole lot less than capacity in the stands makes this a wise move, you have to believe the players welcome the chance to take the field at the home of the Huskies.

This year the  big stage comes complete with big drama surrounding the game.  During the off season, 3 of Southington head coach Bill Mella’s assistant coaches resigned – believing that Mella mishandled $4,000 from a Southington Booster Club Fund.  Mella was later formally reprimanded by the school system, but just recently a Southington Police investigation cleared him of any wrongdoing.

Mella was deeply stung by the allegations and the story lingers because 2 of the assistants that resigned (Frank Stamilio Mike Prairie)  later joined Paul Morrell’s staff at New Britain.  Friday night the parties in question get reacquainted.  Wonder what the post game handshake / non handshake  might be like between Mella and the New Britain staff?  Can you say Belichick-Mangini?

Mella and Morrell Come Friday Night?

Fortt Chooses Penn State

The top recruit in the state, Stamford linebacker Khairi Fortt has chosen to attend Penn State and play for Joe Paterno at Linebacker “U”. In selecting the Nittany Lions, Fortt joins Silas Redd, a highly recruited running back who is a senior at the King and Low-Heywood Thomas prep school in Stamford.

Oklahoma is Not OK!

The suspension of a high profile high school football coach in Oklahoma makes the Southington situation seem a little tame in comparison now doesn’t it?

(http://www.maxpreps.com/news/_iICcbH2Ed6OEwAcxJTdpg/weekend-notes–oklahoma-power-jenks-facing-controversy.htm)

CIAC Comes To Its Senses

I was happy to learn late this week that a Connecticut high school football player finally had his eligibility restored after his family endured an appeals process that robbed him of the ability to play in his school’s first 3 games.  The player will go unnamed in this post but was being forced to sit out after transferring from a private school to a public school in the same town.

The CIAC has an eligibility rule in effect that helps combat what is often players going in the other direction.  Being “recruited” to leave a public school to play at the local private (Catholic) school. This case was the opposite. There was no ulterior motive by the family. The move from private to public was a matter of decreased family finances in a difficult economy.  It’s  a shame that it took the CIAC a month to see the distinction.

Rookie of The Week, Season Over

That’s the story for former Cheshire standout Billy Ragone. Now playing at the University of Pennsylvania,  Ragone scored a touchdown and rushed for 62 yards in a win last week at Dartmouth for which he was named Ivy League Rookie of the Week. However, later in the game he suffered a broken collarbone and his season is over after playing in just 2 games for the Quakers.

On a brighter note,  Cheshire has found life after Billy with the 1-2 QB combination of Greg Palmer and Max Slade. More on their story this week on Friday Night Football.

Rise of the Fall Bloggers

We’re happy to introduce our Fall 2009 student -athlete bloggers from across the state. One for each fall sport – Boys Soccer, Girls Soccer, Field Hockey, Boys Cross Country, Girls Cross Country, Girls Swimming, Football and Girls Volleyball.

They will be doing weekly updated entries.

This state map allows you to drag and click over the sports icon of your choice:

www.wfsb.com/sportsblogs/index.html

Quick Hits

* Ray Curren’s SCC Football Report  (CTSPORTINGNEWS.COM) nailed it this week with this apt comparison:

” (Daniel Hand QB) Nick Merullo does his weekly best Tim Tebow impersonation, trampling poor defenders and throwing a good ball when he has to. He certainly will have a case for league MVP at his current pace.”

* Connecticut radio legend George “Coach” DeMaio joined us in studio Wednesday night  for our taping of Game Time (seen Thursdays at 7pm on the Connecticut Sports Network). He didn’t disappoint, though I could have done without the New York Yankee logo tie he wore.  Ansonia Head Coach Tom Brockett and Simsbury Head Coach Jeff Osborne are also guests on this week’s Game Time show

* Did you know current Cincinnati Bengals QB Carson Palmer had a very brief stay at St. Joe’s high school in Trumbull before moving on? Never played in a game for the Cadets before heading elsewhere on his way to USC and the NFL.  Thanks to the Connecticut Post’s Sean Patrick Bowley (and Coach DeMaio) for bringing this to my attention.

3 Games We’ll Be Watching

Crosby at Wolcott – 7pm Friday

This is the first of two consecutive huge Friday night home games for Wolcott with Ansonia visiting the Eagles next Friday. Is it too early to say that Thanksgiving rivals Wolcott and Holy Cross are the class of the NVL this season? We’ll know better in the near future.

One thing that is certain? Wolcott Head Coach Patrick Russo is one very committed coach. When scheduling a pre-season visit to Wolcott I asked Russo what time the team practiced? His answer? “We practice 24/7.” I think he’s exaggerating, but then again maybe not.

Windsor at Glastonbury – 3pm Saturday

A road trip to meet the defending (and unbeaten) Class LL State Champs ends a brutal 4 game opening season stretch for Windsor – Simsbury, New Britain, Southington and Glastonbury. A win by Windsor to move to (3-1) and they deserve a spot in the State Top 10.

Cromwell at Avon – 3:30pm Saturday

Write it down, the winner of this game finishes the regular season undefeated.  How’s that for huge implications?

Completely Unrelated Thought of the Week

Do men really drink hot tea? I hear Joe Torre and Terry Francona doing ads telling us about their daily rituals of tea drinking. I have no interest in hot tea and drink just one hot beverage period and on one occasion only: Hot chocolate after shoveling snow.

See you at 11:15pm for FNF!

John

Story of the Year?

Unforgettable Sportsmanship

Last Saturday late in a blowout loss to visiting Avon, Wolcott Tech senior Nick Reardon scored an 82 yard touchdown – the one and only of his high school career.  The touchdown came just days after Nick had surgery to treat testicular cancer and just 2 days before he began chemotherapy.

Nick ran untouched into the endzone after Avon Coach Brett Quinion instructed his defense to not tackle Nick – who was off limits to physical contact following surgery.  Coach Quinion’s gesture is one of such unique decency and sportsmanship I’m convinced it will stand as the 2009 Connecticut sports story of the year when the calenadar turns  to 2010. We will have a feature story on the wonderful moment (including video of the touchdown and interview comments from Nick Reardon himself tonight at 11:15pm on FNF)

The Story That Almost Didn’t Happen? Yes.

What’s gone largely underreported in the chronicling of Nick Reardon’s touchdown is that just days before the start of the school year it appeared there would be no sports at all at the state funded and operated vocational/technical high schools.  That was the proposal being pushed forward in the planned state budget.  Fortunately the funding was restored just days prior to the start of school.

Do the math. No sports teams at any of Connecticut’s technical high schools would have meant, among other things, no football at Wolcott Tech.  By extension,  no chance for cancer patient Nick Reardon to score the touchdown he had always dreamed of and no chance for two teams of young men (Wolcott Tech and Avon) to learn valuable life lessons about humility and sportsmanship.

Don’t ever doubt the power and impact of high school sports.

Siding With Vinal

Speaking of tech schools, to me the single most surprising final score last week was Vinal Tech/Coginchaug 28 Hyde Leadership 21. That’s a win for the Vinal – Coginchaug co-op over a Hyde program that is a perennial Class S playoff contender and it follows Vinal Tech’s 47-0 win over Windsor Locks/Suffield in Week 1.

Heart-Breaking

For the second straight Thursday night, the Sacred Heart Hearts lost a heartbreaker at Waterbury’s Municipal Stadium.  Last week Derby/O’Brien Tech beat Sacred Heart 42-40 on a field goal as time expired. Then last night, Crosby broke the Hearts with a go ahead touchdown pass with just 3.5 seconds remaining.  If tough losses build character, Sacred Heart is cornering the market.

By the way, freshman sensation Dave Coggins followed up his eye popping total off 333 yards receiving (3rd all time in state history) last week with a  total of 3 catches for 39 yards last night.

Competition In The Central Connecticut Conference

The last 2 weeks on the Connecticut Sports Network’s Game Time show (7pm – Thursday nights) CCC coaches have offered their opinions on how stout the new jumbo sized 32 team conference is.  New Britain Head Coach Paul Morrell says unlike years past when you could circle certain conference games as likely victories, that’s no longer the case.  Berlin Head Coach John Capodice is convinced that by knocking each other off all season,  a superior 3 loss CCC team will miss the playoffs with 2 loss teams from much lesser conferences qualifying.

Protecting the Fortt

With our FNF cameras headed to Norwalk tonight for the Brien McMahon / Stamford game, we’re hoping to catch some highlights of Top 50 national recruit Khairi Fortt – Stamford’s senior linebacker. Fortt may miss a second straight week of action though with the Connecticut Post’s Dave Ruden reporting that Khairi is 50/50 to play as he works his way back from a small tear in the cartilage behind the patella of his right knee

3 Games We’ll Be Watching

Ledyard at New London Friday 6:30pm

It’s no longer Buonocore vs. Cochran in the coaching matchup but even with new head coach Jeff Larson the Whalers haven’t forgotten that their only loss a year ago came at the hands of the Colonels.

Southington at Windsor Friday 7pm

Two (1-1) CCC teams but both coming off very different results a week ago. Southington saw a 24 point lead slip away in a 49-46 loss to Glastonbury while Windsor and Division 1 quarterback recruit Pierre Narcisse rallied from an early 2 touchdown deficit to beat New Britain. The losing team in this one may be in a hole too deep to dig out of when it comes to making the postseason.

Cheshire at Wilbur Cross Friday 4pm

Two (2-0) SCC teams each with their own dynamic playmakers on offense. Cross with wideout Maurice Morrison, Cheshire with quarterback Greg Palmer. Palmer and teammate Max Slade have combined at QB to fill the shoes of the do-it-all (now graduated) Billy Ragone in a way very few expected.

Speaking of Vermont

My wife and I have been speaking quite a bit about Vermont because we’re headed with our girls to Burlington for a Columbus Day weekend vacation. Please email (jholt@wfsb.com) with any suggestions for what to do and see in that  neck of the Green Mountain State.

Anyhow, there’s another reason to be talking about Vermont when it comes to  high school football.

Have you seen this unbelievable ending to a game last week?

For more details read this

Then of course there’s the all time, all time wild ending in high school football. (BTW – Love it when the color guy says “We’re gonna celebrate, break out the Oreos” and later  “I done wet my britches”.

Completely Unrelated Thought of the Week

There’s a lot to love about the State of Connecticut. 3 of my favorite things? New Haven style pizza, a hike up Sleeping Giant, the absolutely magnificent Farmington Valley Greenway (bike trail). Why is it then that annually Connecticut has the most underwhelming state house on the Avenue of the States at The Big E in West Springfield?

I want to love CT, but at the Big E I’m definitely more a Maine and Rhode Island guy.

See You Tonight at 11:15pm for FNF!

John

Chief Concerns

Nonnewaug Moves Down To Junior Varsity

Following a 53-7 Week 1 loss to North Branford,  Nonnewaug of Woodbury made the decision to eliminate Varsity football this season and compete as a Junior Varsity team instead. Nonnewaug Athletics Director Dan Scavone wrote in a letter to parents,  “At some point, common sense and logic must prevail. Realistically, we are not prepared physically to compete against varsity competition at this time.”  The players were notified of the decision after Monday’s practice.

It’s the absolutely  right move by Scavone though it does no favors to what were to be Nonnewaug’s opponents this season including Class S defending champ Cromwell – who was to host the Chiefs on Friday night.  The remaining teams on the schedule will be awarded forfeits but that won’t be as valuable in the playoff points race as an outright win would have been.

This was to be the third year of varsity competition for the Nonnewaug program – all be it with a third different head coach after seasoned coaching vagabond Rico Brogna  opted out after just one season a year ago.

Capital Losses

At many inner-city schools  it’s becoming increasingly difficult to maintain winning high school football programs. Hartford may be headed in that direction. The city’s 3 main schools – Bulkeley, Weaver and Hartford Public combined to lose their Week 1 games by a collective score of 94-0.  Bulkeley and Weaver are programs with first year coaches leading the way.

Things weren’t much better in Waterbury in Week 1 where Wilby, Crosby and Kennedy lost by a combined score of  105-6.  It’s not just football either where city schools can struggle to compete

It’s disheartening to see this. Connecticut high school football is always better off when the city schools are competitive.

East Haven Suspensions

After serious outcry from parents, East Haven high school revised its’ alcohol suspension policy this week.

Originally 4 football players and 2 cheerleaders were suspended for the rest of the season after being found in possession of alcohol. The suspensions have since been reduced to 2 games – more in line with the penalties at other high schools for a first such offense.

Where do you stand on the issue? Emails to sports3@wfsb.com

It’s not much better on the field for the Yellowjackets who are trying to snap a 21 game losing streak.

Courageous Recovery

Join us tonight at 11:15pm for Friday Night Football and the story of 15 year old Windham High School sophomore quarterback/linebacker Alex Partosan.  Alex is 4 years removed for an incident in which he suffered third degrees burn and had to spend 2 and a half weeks in a coma before recovering enough to resume his life with a body saved by 12 surgeries.

Quick Hits

* I get the terrible feeling that at least one Connecticut high school football team will have to cancel a game or games this season because of swine flu concerns.

* Why stop at the 2 yard line when a touchdown is a sure thing?

* Sacred Heart freshman wide receiver Dave Coggins burst onto the scene last night with 333 yards receiving and 5 touchdowns in a loss to Derby.  If that’s what he does in his freshman debut what does he have planned going forward? Wow! The 333 yards receiving is the 3rd best single game total in state history.

3 Games We’ll Be Watching

Southington at Glastonbury 7pm Friday

It looked like the defending Class LL champion Glastonbury Tomahawks might have been wiped out by graduation. Not so fast! Tonight we’ll know for sure as they welcome Southington and Quarterback Connor Butkiewicz to town.  Butkiewicz (pronounced buck-a-witz) threw a school record 7 touchdown passes in a Week 1 win over Hall.

Northwest Catholic at Berlin 7pm Friday

Sage Park will be one of the hot spots this Friday night. Berlin hosts Northwest Catholic in a matchup of recent playoff teams. Former Nutmeg Conference rivals, these two now meet as new members of the Central Connecticut Conference.

Norwich Free Academy at Montville 6:30pm

It always seems to be a little tougher to gain statewide notoriety when your play in Eastern Connecticut.  Watch out for Montville though. Coach Tanner Grove and the Indians have the talent to finish the season in the Top 10 in the state. Their running back duo of Tyler Girard-Floyd and Skyler McNair may be unmatched in Connecticut this season.

Game Time and FNF Overtime

Be sure to check out all the additional high school football programming we’ve added this season. Thursday nights at 7pm on the Connecticut Sports Network (Comcast 185 or 187 and Cox 144) Joe Zone and myself preview the week’s game with statewide coaches and media members on Game Time.

Then Friday’s at 11:35 (following FNF on Channel 3) join us for more high school football coverage on FNF Overtime.  FNF Overtime can be seen streaming online at WFSB.COM and on our cable channel, Eyewitness News Now. Click here for a channel listing of Eyewitness News Now in your area. In many cases the show can be found on Comcast channel 247 and Cox channel 801.

Completely Unrelated Thought of The Week

Do you still read books or do you Kindle? My wife Kindles and I don’t see the pleasure in that.  How exactly does one cuddle up with a good Kindle? How do you get an author to autograph your Kindle?

See You Tonight at 11:15pm for Friday Night Football!

John

Better Late Than Ever

Later than almost anybody in the country, the State of Connecticut plays its’ first Friday night of high school football this week.  It may have been a long wait, but FNF on Channel 3 promises to be better late than ever.  We’ve enhanced our high school football coverage with Friday Night Facebook, the new Game Time show on the Connecticut Sports Network and FNF Overtime which will keep us on the air until close to 11:45pm on Friday nights.

Become a Facebook fan of Channel 3’s Friday Night Football show.  Each week on the show we’ll highlight the Friday Night Facebook comments of the week.  Tell us something interesting that went on at the the game you attended that night, the game you’re looking forward to the next day or perhaps offer a suggestion on how Joe Zone and I can improve our wardrobes!

Every Thursday night at 7pm on the Connecticut Sports Network, Joe and I will preview the week’s games with in studio guests including coaches and statewide media members.  The 30 minute CTSN show is called Game Time.  CTSN can be seen on Comcast channel’s 185 or 187, or Cox Communications channel 144.  To learn more about the network, visit CTSN.TV

FNF Overtime will follow our 11:15pm to 11:30pm Friday Night Football show each week. Once we’re done on Channel 3 at 11:30pm, and if you’re still craving more high school football coverage (and we know you are), flip over to our digital channel Eyewitness News Now to watch FNF overtime or view it streaming at WFSB.COM

On most Comcast systems Eyewitness News Now is on channel 247 and most Cox systems have it at  801.  Click here for a complete listing

Holiday Considerations

With the Jewish Holiday of Rosh Hashanah beginning Friday at sundown, many schools have opted to avoid Friday games in Week 1.  62 teams played on Thursday night with 48 more set to go tonight.

Connecticut towns do a respectful job scheduling around the religious holiday.  Such was not the case for a Friday high school track meet outside Boston.

Let’s Go Polling

2 statewide media polls produced their preseason editions this week while I’m told by Ned Griffen that The Day of New London’s State Coaches poll will wait a couple of weeks into the season before its’ first edition.

I vote in both the New Haven Register media poll.

and the new Connecticut Sportswriters Alliance Poll.

3 time defending Class MM State champion New Canaan was #1 in both polls.

Here was the Top 15 I submitted:

1) Hamden

2) New Canaan

3) Masuk

4) Daniel Hand

5) Shelton

6) New London

7) New Britain

Montville

9) Greenwich

10) Berlin

11) Cromwell

12) Windsor

13) Seymour

14) Ansonia

15) Crosby

New Quarterback at New Canaan

As Coach Lou Marinelli and his New Canaan Rams eye a 4^th straight state championship this December New Canaan has added a new quarterback to the mix at the last minute.  Just last Friday Turner Baty (the son of former NFL tight end Grey Baty) enrolled in school in New Canaan after transferring from California.  Willie Ouelette was and apparently still is the starting QB for the Rams but that could be subject to change.  Very interesting…..

3 Games We’ll Be Watching

Ansonia vs. Hillhouse – 7pm Friday (Veterans Stadium West Haven)

A juicy out of conference matchup to open the season.  Both were playoff teams a year ago and one will have a chance to make a strong statement about 2009 with a win.  The neutral site game was originally set for Jess Dow Field at Southern Connecticut State but will now be played at Veterans Stadium in West Haven instead.

St. Jospeh-Trumbull at Crosby – 7pm Friday

Another unusual out of conference pairing.  Crosby flirted with a playoff berth last season and while they graduated standout QB David Gondek (now at Southern Connecticut State)  they may be poised for a run at an NVL title.

Tolland at Rocky Hill – 7pm Friday

These schools come over to join the newly expanded 32-team, jumbo Central Connecticut Conference.  A year ago Tolland was in the Pequot and Rocky Hill was a member of the now defunct Nutmeg League.  Both teams are well coached and this could be the start of a nice rivalry.

Holy Hamden!

I had a chance to see Hamden (my preseason #1) in person last night as they played the second half in Madison vs. Daniel Hand.  Wow!  Good size and a lot of offensive weapons (QB Jason Lassister, Running Backs Jordan Teague and Jahmaal Harris & 2-way standout Franke Greene).  Oh yeah, then there’s the defense that went on the road and shut out a well coached Hand team.  A home game with Shelton in 3 weeks will be highly anticipated.

Running Up The Score

Former New London Coach Jack Cochran may be in the stands at Masuk this season watching his son Casey rather than coaching, but the issue of score management rages on in high school football.  In the case in the state of Florida (link = http://highschool.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=989089)

Completely Unrelated Thought of The Week

Is there a word in the English language whose pronunciation is so different depending on where you live and who you are than the word Jaguar?  If you’re from the South it’s apparently jag-wire, if you’re pretentious (or British) it’s jag-yoo-ahr and if you’re one of the rest of us it’s simply jag-wahr.

See You Tonight at 11:15pm for Friday Night Football & FNF Overtime! – John

A Day For Champions

Championship Saturday is upon us and with it comes the 15th and final FNF show of the season.  Again, Friday Night Football has proven to be the most enjoyable thing I do all year at Channel 3.  Your interaction and your enthusiasm for the program is very meaningful.

Class LL:  #1 Glastonbury vs. #3 Cheshire / 2pm / New Britain

If there’s one to watch above the others, it’s this matchup in Class LL.  The two individual stars alone make it worth the price of admission.  Billy Ragone plays quarterback, defensive back, placekicker, kick returner and punter for the Rams – he is a once in a decade type player for Cheshire.  Glastonbury running back Jordan Brown (he also plays defense) has 670 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns in his last 2 games (wins over New Britain and Newtown).

Prediction: Glastonbury 42 Cheshire 35

Class L: #1 Masuk vs. #3 Newington / 7pm/ West Haven

Masuk is peaking at the right time.  Slowed only by an unfortunate bus accident Thursday afternoon as the Panthers were making their way to West Haven to get a feel for Ken Strong Stadium.  No Masuk players or coaches were hurt in the accident.  Newington is the surprise of Championship Saturday to me.   Having lost All State running back Nate Pagan to graduation and with a first year coach (Clay Hillyer) I never figured Newington would be a state finalist.  Simsbury, their semifinal opponent, probably didn’t either.

Prediction: Masuk 39 Newington 17

Class MM:  #1 New Canaan vs. #3 Darien / 2pm/ Trumbull

Ten days ago these two met on Thanksgiving with state #1 New Canaan winning 28-20.  Darien earned its’ way back for a rematch by holding off the previously undefeated Hillhouse Academics on Tuesday night.  8,000 to 10,000 people may show up to see this border rivalry renewed again.  New Canaan is eyeing a 3-peat in Class MM.

Prediction: New Canaan 27  Darien 14

Class M: #1 Brookfield vs. #2 Ledyard / 2pm / Waterbury

Brookfield may be the home of the Governor, but Ledyard comes in as defending champs and playing as well as anybody in the state.  Colonels first year coach Jim Buonocore had big shoes to fill when he stepped in for the legendary Bill Mignault.  Those shoes will feel as comfortable as an old pair of slippers with a win Saturday.

Prediction: Ledyard 29 Brookfield 27

Class SS:  #1 New London vs. #2 Seymour / 2pm / West Haven

Seymour senior Mike Osiecki was named Gatorade State Player of the Year Thursday.  Had it non been for a midseason ankle injury, New London senior quarterback Jordan Reed would have given Osiecki some stiff competition for that honor.  It doesn’t look like Reed will play Saturday though retiring Seymour Head Coach Paul Sponheimer won’t be convinced until he sees Jordan in street clothes on the sidelines.

Prediction: Seymour 28  New London 20

Class S: #1 Cromwell vs. #2 Ansonia

With a late season loss to Crosby, Ansonia won’t finish #1 in the final State Coaches Poll but a 3rd straight state championship is still within their grasp.  What Cromwell Head Coach Sal Morello has done in the 6 years the Panthers have had a varsity program is remarkable.  The days of a 2003 55-0 state championship blow out loss to Ansonia are ancient history.  It’ll be a lot closer this time around

Prediction: Ansonia 20 Cromwell 13

Why Not Us?

If Curt Schilling has any of his “Why Not Us?” t-shirts leftover from 2004 he may want to ship them to Glastonbury.

Should the Tomahawks finish the season undefeated with a win Saturday over Cheshire, why shouldn’t they get equal consideration as New Canaan for the #1 spot in the final State Coaches Poll?

The two would finish as the only undefeateds in the state. New Canaan is rightly benefiting from state championship wins the last 2 years.  Glastonbury was late to the poll party this season due to no recent history of success.

As for 2008, Glastonbury is outscoring opponents by close to 32 points a game. In 9 of their 12 games, they scored 40 or more points while holding opponents to 8 points of less in 9 of 12 games.

Why not Glastonbury? Or as New Canaan Coach Lou Marinelli suggests why not have the CIAC play one more game:  Glastonbury vs. New Canaan.

See you Saturday at 11:15pm for the FNF finale!

John

Some Extra FNF Stuffing

We offer you an extra edition of Friday Night Football this week, tonight at 11:15pm (with 24 games being played statewide) and then again Friday at 11:15pm as The Day’s Ned Griffen joins us to preview the state playoffs which begin next Tuesday with 12 games

The Juiciest Thanksgiving Games (these games need no extra gravy)

Cheshire at Southington – Wednesday 6pm - Southington Coach Bill Mella never stopped believing the Blue Knights could squeak into the Class LL playoffs – even after a 3-0 loss 2 weeks ago to New Britain. The winner of the Apple Valley Classic tonight at least gives itself a chance to make the postseason – they’ll need a loss from New Britain or Newtown to make it a reality.  Southington no doubt remembers the disappointment on a Thanksgiving Day defeat to Cheshire a year ago.  I personally believe the state playoffs would be more interesting if Cheshire QB Billy Ragone is a part of them.  What a game tonight!

Kennedy at Crosby – Thursday 10:30am – Crosby needs a win to keep alive hopes of its’ first ever state playoff appearance in football. Some are telling me they are the most athletic (and maybe most talented) team in the state.  Win or lose, Crosby quarterback David Gondek can set the single season state record for touchdown passes with 3 more to get to 37.  Kennedy continues to be a program on the rise under tireless coach Chris Sarlo. They were the NVL Copper Division champs this season and want desperately to rule the Brass City on Thursday with a win over their city rival.

East Catholic at Cheney Tech – Wednesday 6pm – These two Manchester schools are so close to each other Mapquest has a tough time telling them apart.  Two years ago their co-op team broke up and this is the first time they have played each other since the split.  Former teammates against each other and a couple grand expected to be in attendance at Cheney’s brand new turf field facility. Oh, did I mention that East has a chance to end Cheney’s perfect season?  Either way, the Beavers will play again next Tuesday night in the Class M playoffs.

Hyde Leadership at North Branford – Wednesday 6:30pm – For everyone (me included) who doubted that North Branford could avoid a 2 game season ending losing streak at the hands of Cromwell and Hyde – last Saturday’s 6-0 win over Cromwell was a shocker!  The Thunderbirds have qualified for the Class S playoffs.  A win tonight gets them the #1 seed.  Hyde has even more to play for.  The Howling Wolves need a win to make the playoffs.  Should Hyde lose, the door is open for Northwest Catholic who will need to win on Turkey Day vs. Plainville.

Answers To Some Mailbag Questions

John:
Is anyone doing any broadcasts of any of the CIAC football Championship games this year or was that a one & done??
Thanks

Hank L

Hank:

The Connecticut Sports Network (launching in December on cable) will do all 6 games again this year.  Unlike last year though, none of them games will be broadcast LIVE.

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John:

Crosby fan here. What does anyone know about Bloomfield’s chances versus Windsor? What about Wethersfield v. Newington? Do either of these teams have a shot to knock off the favorite?

Crosby Fan:

While anything can happen in emotional Thanksgiving week rivalry games, I’m expecting both Windsor and Newington to win.  That means chances are Crosby gets outpointed for the 4th and final playoff spot in Class L.    The Bulldogs are a great story and they deserve a spot in the postseason.

———–

John:

John, I watch WFSB’s Thanksgiving Week coverage of high school football every year and I always hear you ask victorious players whether the turkey will taste better since their team won. Is that your postgame strategy again this year?

John:

Thanks for writing…all be it to yourself.  The answer is YES!  It’s a slam dunk question that never fails to get a good response.

Ansonia Star Has Plenty To Be Thankful For

Join us Friday night at 11:15pm on FNF when I bring you the story of Ansonia Senior running back Tristan Roberts.  Last year Roberts missed most of the season after an arrest for marijuana possession.  He has earned his way back onto the team and you’ll hear exactly what lessons he is taking to heart on a holiday where he’s thankful to have back what once was lost.

Completely Unrelated Thought of the Week:

Do you think chickens feel especially lonely or especially lucky around Thanksgiving?

See you tonight (and Friday night) at 11:15pm for FNF!

John