Long time fans of the Ansonia football program (Hello Ed Morse) love to remember the pre-Charger days when Ansonia was known as The Lavender. Like Harvard being The Crimson, Dartmouth being The Big Green. The last 6 days will be hard to forget for The Lavender. It started last Friday when its’ 35 game win streak bit the dust at the hands of Crosby. What followed was 6 days of hand wringing, a 5 to 6 hour practice on Sunday and then, last night, a HUGE bounce back win over previously undefeated Seymour. The Lavender may not be #1 in the polls anymore but the streak of honoring the name on the front of the jersey lives on. Ed Morse is smiling.
You can see the Ansonia Seymour game on MSG plus Sunday morning at 11. The broadcast includes a passionate pregame speech from Ansonia Head Coach Tom Brockett. We’ll share a clip of that speech with you tonight on FNF.
Time to Play The Rent
A memorable experience awaits tonight for the kids from New Britain and Southington. Their key Week 10 match up goes down at the Home of the Huskies, Rentschler Field. East Hartford and Manchester will do the same thing the night before Thanksgiving.
This is not the first time the Blue Knights will play a big house. They opened the season at Giants Stadium. A loss in tonight’s game almost assuredly ends the playoff hopes for the loser.
I never played in an real game at a big venue, did you? The closest I’ve come is a media basketball game at The Carrier Dome. I played for the student radio station against a team of All Americans from the student newspaper, The Daily Orange. I can’t remember the exact details - but I’m pretty sure I finished with 4 points (both baskets on dunks).
This Was Local Sports At Its Finest
That was the headline in The Day of New London for Mike DiMauro’s column detailing the reaction to last Friday’s thrilling game between New London and Montville. Mike was heartened by the response The Day got by posting the video story of the game that included New London’s incredible Hail Mary pass play. If you haven’t seen the play, go ahead and do it:
In the wake of news that local institutions, The New Britain Herald and The Bristol Press, may cease operation come January it’s wise to remember just how powerful and meaningful the coverage of high school sports can be. Losing those papers would leave a significant void in Central Connecticut. I hope a buyer swoops in to save The Herald & The Press. High school athletes in New Britain and Newington, Berlin and Southington deserve it. Just like kids in New London and Montville.
Who you gonna call? The Bellamo Brothers
House on fire in Cromwell? Call Deputy Chief Bellamo or his son Chris, a Cromwell firefighter and dispatcher. Giving of themselves to others is in this family’s DNA. Ask Cromwell football coach Sal Morello. For each of the 8 years of his program’s existence he’s had a Bellamo Brother – first Chris and now Josh – as team equipment manager. The Panthers have been a varstiy program for 6 of those 8 years, losing just a combined 4 regular season games. Think the Bellamo Brothers have had something to do with it? For sure. Watch FNF tonight at 11:15pm for a feature story on Josh Bellamo, the kid the Panthers affectionately call “Bells”.
3 Games We’ll Be Watching
Bristol Eastern at Platt Friday 6:30pm - The host Panthers are currently 7th in the Class MM playoff point standings, the Lancers 4th. A win tonight gets the victor a slew of playoff points.
Prince Tech at Cheney Tech Friday 7pm - The Constitution State Conference Championship is on the line. Cheney is having an undefeated season and fighting the big battle for statewide respect
Berlin at Northwest Catholic Saturday 10:30am - Anyone notice that the 2 loss Indians have quietly rallied to move into the 4th spot in Class S? Berlin can’t afford a third loss as they cling to the 5 spot in Class M.
Completely Unrelated Thought of The Week:
I put my blinker on even when I’m the only one on a quiet road turning into my driveway late at night. Anyone else?
See You Tonight at 11:15pm for FNF!
John
Thanks for pointing out the void that the loss of the Bristol Press and New Britain Herald would create. Every little bit helps!
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?