The New Britain Rock Cats will soon be no more as they become the Hartford Yard Goats when play begins at Dunkin’ Donuts park in April, 2016. However, the Rock Cats left their old home with a bang, Sunday in a 7-5 extra-inning victory over the Portland Sea Dogs (Boston Red Sox).
Jordan Patterson clubbed a 2-run, walk-off homer in the 15th inning Sunday to end the final game for the Rock Cats in New Britain. Patterson extended the game in the bottom of the 11th with an RBI double that scored Pat Valaika, tying the game at 5.
Colorado Rockies first baseman Justin Morneau, playing in his third straight rehab game with the Rock Cats (neck), went 2-for-4 with a double and 3 RBI. Morneau played 156 games in a Rock Cats uniform from 2001-2003, when the team was affiliated with the Minnesota Twins.
Watch the highlights to witness the splendor of the final game in New Britain, the walk-off home run, and comments from Patterson after his blast!
You can catch a replay of this game on CPTV Sports, Wednesday September 2nd at 9 p.m. Visit CPTVSports.org for more Rock Cats baseball listings and highlights!
On November 1, 2014, Norwich Free Academy assaulted Bacon Academy 74-38, compiling 676 yards on the ground. Outgoing stud running back (now at Trinity-Pawling Prep School) Khaleed Exum-Strong collected six rushing touchdowns and 319 yards!!! His performance in the game was un-matched, but Connecticut high school football fans knew Exum-Strong had amazing abilities.
I will not be minimizing Khaleed’s performance in any way during this article. I just want to point out that this game will also be remembered for another outstanding performance by some one else. It would be the game that folks around the state truly felt Jawaun Johnson’s presence for the first time.
Jawaun Johnson will look to pass more in 2015, a ploy that NFA hopes will get them an elusive state title.
The sophomore rushed for 345 yards and three touchdowns. A few weeks later, LIVE on CPTV Sports, Johnson torched New London for 7 scores and 303 yards rushing. Norwich Free Academy clinched a playoff berth in that 63-40 disposal of the Whalers and would ultimately play for a CIAC Class LL-Large championship.
It certainly did not go the way that Johnson and NFA had planned. The Wildcats lost 49-0 to Southington. It was an eye-opening defeat that cajoled NFA toward a new approach this offseason.
“Every day we came here and lifted at 7 o’clock in the morning and just lifted, lifted, and lifted, and we would be like: “Is Southington doing this now?” exclaimed Johnson.
Head Coach Jemal Davis has led his team to the playoffs for three consecutive seasons, including two Class LL title games. However, the Wildcats have lost by 30 or more points in each time they were eliminated. Davis decided that his team should add an aerial assault to their game-plan in hopes of bringing an elusive state title to the Rose City.
“We need to be balanced,” declared Davis. “We knew that he would be very talented in terms of running our option aspect of the game. This year, we just want to get better to be able to throw the ball so we have been working extremely hard and improving his mechanics and also our route running.”
Coach Jemal Davis has led the Wildcats to three straight playoff berths.
Jawaun must have thrown a million passes in practice on the day that the CPTV Sports crew was at NFA. Jemal gave it a rest here-and-there and also made sure that a trainer checked in on his prized quarterback’s arm. It was apparent Johnson was going to have to rely on more than just his speedy legs (the guy is a CIAC Class LL Outdoor Track champion in the 100 and 200M events!!!).
Coach has been teaching me how to read the defense more and more so I think that should help us,” reputed Johnson. “I’m feeling great and hoping to get some balls in the air this year to bring up the team.”
Johnson did throw some short passes in practice, but he spent a lot of time throwing passes of more than 30 yards. He did not disappoint, whether is was a slant route or a ball thrown outside. We also got to see the weapons that he will be playing with this season.
Griffen Gooden appeared to be the most athletic of the bunch, showing off impressive route-running skills as he shed defenders for a couple of big gains. The chemistry between the two was off the charts, as Johnson had no problem throwing to Gooden’s inside shoulder.
“Griffin is just an athlete and he can do whatever you want him to do,” explained Johnson.
NFA boasts an array of new receiving weapons for Johnson in 2015. Each player on the team watches each passing drill closely, as the pass becomes more of an important function of the Wildcat offense.
6’2″, 210-pound newly converted tight end Keenan Jackson has been turning heads in practice because of his ability to quickly pick up the offensive scheme. Marquis Ward, Johnson’s track teammate, missed last season due to injury, but will be available as a receiver for Jawaun in 2015. DeJean General, who transferred to NFA from Fitch-Groton, is expected to make a contribution as well because he can run and block.
“I think we now have the weapons so that we are able to be more balanced than we were the previous year,” proclaimed Davis.
It is clear that team speed, along with complete balance in play selection, will dictate how well the Wildcats will play in 2015. Johnson is well on his way to becoming a complete quarterback at the high school level. You still may want to keep your eyes on those legs of his, though, if you play for an opposing defense.
Norwich Free Academy visits Ledyard, LIVE on CPTV Sports, Friday, October 30th at 6:30 p.m. Follow the #TrainingCampTour as it happens on Twitter. For more on the Wildcats, tune in to the 2015 High School Football Training Camp special on September 4th.
The Colonels will play “next man up” this season without 2014 all-CT star Jo-Jo Shumaker.
Finding Jo-Jo…
The incomparable Josiah Shumaker carried the pigskin 190 times in 2014 for 2,246 yards and 40 TD. Jo-Jo helped the Colonels win 21 games in the last two seasons. He’s also a rather large reason as to why Ledyard appeared in a state title game in 2014.
Shumaker graduated from the school this past June, leaving behind a huge void for the Colonels’ backfield on his way to Milford Academy.
“There’s going to be a lot of guys trying to fill those shoes and those are pretty big shoes to fill,” articulated head coach Jim Buonocore. “I’m not so sure that we can replace Jo-Jo, but we will do our best or try to account for the yardage, the touchdowns. He was a record-setting back, arguably the best back to come out of this school.”
Ostensibly, Manny Sanabria will be the guy who receives the lion’s share of the 2014 CHSCA All-State selection’s carries. Sanabria played on the defensive side of the ball as a sophomore in 2014, collecting 19 tackles as an outside linebacker. Buonocore has tabbed him to start at running back, mainly because of his versatility.
“We can get him the ball in many different ways, so he’s going to be used a little bit different than Jo-Jo, but he’s a big physical kid who runs well,” intimated Buonocore. “He will probably be the top guy right now that we are looking at to take up some of the yardage and points that Jo-Jo put up for us.”
“He’s a good mix of speed and power, almost like Jo-Jo,” added senior quarterback Ty Ebdon. “Nobody is really like Jo-Jo, but he’s a good replacement for him.”
Ty Ebdon has thrown 62 touchdown passes in the last two seasons, but would also like to add a rushing component to his game in 2015.
Ebdon has been the other cornerstone in building Ledyard’s most recent successes. His 63 touchdown passes are a school record for the now 50-year old program. That mark is good for 22nd in state history among all quarterbacks. Ebdon completed a career-best 32 touchdown passes in 2013 as a sophomore and picked up 30 last year. Shoutout to the man who runs the @LedyardFootball twitter account, Matt Edwards, for providing those numbers.
There is no doubt that we will all be watching this season to see how many touchdown passes will be thrown by the scrappy 5’11, 195-pound signal-caller. I have been told, though, that you should anticipate a little more from Ty this year.
“He can run the ball very well, we just haven’t had to use him in that manner with some of the talent we have had in the past few years in the backfield,” claimed Buonocore. “This year, we are going to open him up a little more and try to get a dual threat presence from him.”
Ahh, a bit of foreshadowing from Ledyard’s leading man! The running game is very vital to the bruising style of football that the Colonels like to play. It certainly helps that Ebdon is a stalwart in the passing game, but he is working to prove to his coach that he is multi-faceted.
“I’m working on my conditioning for running the ball and lifting to get stronger so that I can take those hits that I’m going to have to take,” expressed Ebdon.
Luke Saccone, in addition to Ebdon and Sanabria, will be a playmaker for Buonocore. The speedy receiver is a sight to see, especially when lined up on the outside. Ebdon tells me that his chemistry with the wide-out has been on-point in the preseason and that he was able to hit two long fade attempts to Saccone in a scrimmage versus SCC studs Hand-Madison.
Mike Leandri will be the main protector on the offensive line in Ledyard this season. He is expected to play in Week 1, but will be really toughing it out to do so. Watch the one-hour long special to learn more about his bravery, along with the rest of the happenings surrounding the 2015 Ledyard football team.
Ledyard’s Alpaca wanted nothing to do with myself and this football.
By the way, the Colonels had a non-CPTV Sports camera in the house on the day of my visit. It must have something to do with the team’s 50th anniversary celebration! I did not ask because I want to be surprised if it is true. The celebration of this anniversary for the tradition-rich program sounds like a good “Best in Connecticut Sports Spotlight” story. Hit @FrankieGrazie6 up on twitter if you like that idea.
Ledyard hosts Norwich Free Academy LIVE on CPTV Sports, Friday, October 30 at 6:30 p.m. Follow the #TrainingCampTour as it happens on Twitter. For more on the Colonels, tune in to the 2015 High School Football Training Camp special on September 4th.
If you are a Colonel and you’re still sad about losing Jo-Jo… …Maybe Valentino’s Restaurant is the spot for you to wipe your tears away… or just grab a hot slice!
The “Grandma” of Colonel Ledyard Highway.
I spent most of my time there on Friday yappin’ with Santos and Anthony, the co-managers of the legendary Ledyard establishment. They wanted me to know that the place is more than just a pizzeria. They make sandwiches with fresh bread that comes in from the Bronx. They have got the best ingredients that Napoli foods has to offer. They even like to mix-in the catch of the day from time-to-time just to surprise you!
All of that being said, I would not go in there without grabbing a slice of the pizza. The dough is made fresh in-house. The “Grandma” pizza is a winner. It is baked on a pan with oregano, Parmesan, and a little olive oil to tickle your fancy. Fresh marinara sauce and mozzarella top this Italian delight.
These guys are smart. They know that people don’t want everything Italian style! So, they make other pies like a nice take on the “Buffalo Chicken” and a loaded baked potato pizza.
I think you know where I will be before our telecast on October 30th.
Xavier was one of two schools visited on Day VIII!
Watch Rock Cats baseball LIVE on CPTV Sports tonight at 7. Don’t miss the final Rock Cats game ever in New Britain Sunday, LIVE at 1:30. Frankie Graziano is on his way to Ledyard, followed by Norwich on the #TrainingCampTour! It’s Day IX! School’s 17 and 18 visited out of 20! Visit our website for team previews and photos.
The CPTV Sports WIRE, a sports radio update by Francesco Graziano Jr. can be heard on our exclusive radio partners, sports stations ESPN 97.9 FM and Fox Sports Radio 1410 in Hartford.
A sixth state football title may be around the corner for the Falcons. The defense of their fourth title in five years begins LIVE on CPTV Sports at West Haven on 9/11.
One For The Thumb…
If New Britain (our other visit on Day VIII of the #TrainingCampTour) was No. 1 on the most unlikely team to make it to the 2014 CIAC Football Playoffs, then maybe Xavier is number 2, but for totally different reasons.
The Falcons have the pedigree that would make you bat an eyelash at my previous assertion multiple times. Heck, they won three Class LL state titles in four years, and that was in the time before the CIAC decided to play eight state championships for the 2014 season only. Heading into Week 7, they were 6-0. It just so happens that Week 7 is when the Southern Connecticut Conference schedule reared its ugly head in the direction of Middletown. Xavier lost three straight games against ND West Haven, Hand-Madison, and Shelton. In just three weeks, it seemed as though Xavier would be sitting out the postseason.
“It really started before the Fairfield Prep game,” opined Xavier head coach Sean Marinan. “We were worried about a lot of other things. There was a lot of doubt. I just said: we are what we are. We’ve got some things we need to do well and we have some talented kids so just go out and play football. Stop worrying about everything else!”
One of Sean Marinan’s legendary pep talks to his team resulted in mandatory Monday lifting before practice and increased conditioning.
The Falcons have started practice late this year, at the behest of the CIAC, after participating in spring football
“That definitely helped, but kids mature,” reputed Marinan. “Certain things happen at different levels with kids and sometimes you hope it happens sooner than later. Two or three of those kids really grew up. It coincided with the Fairfield prep game.”
It looked like the Falcons would lose a fourth straight game on that November 14th evening. Xavier trailed for most of the game, including twice in the fourth quarter. They scored three touchdowns in that stanza and stunned Fairfield Prep 35-28.
“We said alright, coach, we will listen to you,” recounted running back Glenn Cunningham. “Tell us all what to do. And we did it.”
The Falcons sat two weeks after they complete their 10-game schedule much earlier than everyone else. When the dust settled, Xavier was going back to the playoffs with a 7-3 mark, ranked sixth out of eight ClAC Class LL Football teams. The rest is history: the Falcons held Newtown down 13-7 in the Class LL-Small semis and then a Kaleb Lutton blocked PAT paved the way for a fourth state championship in five years, 28-27 over SCC rivals Shelton.
Marinan attributes this success to the bravery of his football players that certainly did not come overnight.
“We’ve got really good kids that are high quality and nice kids,” intimated Marinan. “Particularly with kids that are big at a young age, they are always told: “Don’t hurt anybody, take it easy, be nice.” We have to train that out of them because when you step across that white line, you have to be pretty mean and nasty.”
Kevin Lawrence put on 20 pounds this offseason. He is not fat…at all!
A big boy on the Xavier offensive line is Kevin Lawrence. His unit was responsible for the turnaround last year as they gave quarterback Mike Scherer and Cunningham ample space to run downhill. Lawrence is 6-foot-3, 300 pounds and wears a size 15 boot. He will not be leaving behind an aggressive attitude adopted in 2014.
“We have to be more aggressive this year to get a shot at the playoffs, stated Lawrence. ” I want to be a better teammate, be a better leader, and show my teammates an example of what to do out there.”
Lawrence has backed that claim up by putting on 20 pounds this offseason, thanks to some extra time spent in the weight room. That should bode well for Cunningham, who rushed for two touchdowns in the 2014 championship game.
“I had a great line and some big boys up there,” stated Cunningham. “I just followed them and it made my job easy. We will definitely be a younger team. We graduated a lot of seniors. There will definitely be a lot of progress throughout the year.”
Mike Scherer will most likely be replaced by former back-up Luke Schoonmaker. Look out for Jalen Williams to break-through as a rusher after missing all of 2014 due to a torn achilles injury. Other dazzling seniors from last year’s team such as Lutton, Edwin Luster, and all-state players Andrew Verre, John Sullivan, Tanner Kern, and Paul Marinan, will also have to be replaced.
If 2014 tells us anything, it proves that there is no coaching job that is too big for Sean Marinan. Eyes will be locked on Xavier across the state as they attempt to win a fifth title in six years.
The Xavier Falcons help open up our Friday Night LIVE Football slate on CPTV Sports, Friday, September 11 at 7 p.m against West Haven. Follow the #TrainingCampTour as it happens on Twitter. Please check in to cptvsports.org nightly for other team training camp recaps. For more on the Falcons, tune in to the 2015 High School Football Training Camp special on September 4, 2015.
Cunningham rushed for 536 yards and 5 TD in 2014, but got hot as the year went out. What can he do behind a big o-line in 2015?
New Britain’s tough play down the stretch allowed for the Golden Hurricanes to make the playoffs in 2014. Can Tebucky Jones get his team back there in 2015?
You can make the case that the Golden Hurricanes of New Britain were 2014’s most unlikely playoff team. They were forced to navigate their way through an arduous CCC large school schedule that included Glastonbury, Southington, and Hall-West Hartford among others. The team suffered three losses before their final game and due to injuries, were forced to go through three quarterbacks! Finally, New Britain was ranked 13th in the Class LL rankings before a final regular season matchup against eventual CIAC Class M-Large runner-up Berlin.
The Golden Hurricanes jumped into the sixth place with a 7-zip shutout victory over the Red Coats, eventually settling into seventh, thanks to a very New Britain effort in that final game last November.
Coach Tebucky Jones, who always plays his cards close to the vest, sent out Dajion Hill to be the starting QB without advanced notice. CJ Gaskin did not flinch when he found out he would not be the starter. His interception, with an injured arm that forced him to previously sit from the quarterback arm, clinched the victory that sent the team to states. It was an improbable berth for New Britain to say the least, but it became possible in part because the team lived by every word spewed from their coach’s mouth. When a guy who played in the NFL for eight seasons (and has a Super Bowl ring) talks, you listen.
“The biggest thing {I told them}, and it started in the beginning of the year, was everyone do their own job,” stated Jones. “We would watch film and everyone would be acting like super heroes, doing their job for other guys, but we would tell them, you have to do your job in order for us to see who’s doing their job. Guys got more disciplined and we were able to correct some things.”
“The key for me was making sure I got the ball in the right person’s hand at the right time,” offered Gaskin. “I stepped up and played defense late for my team later in the season, making sure I had to lock the guys down and do whatever I could to help my team win.”
Jones intimated to me that Karell Largent and Josh Graves, linebackers from the 2014 season, were the heart and soul of the team. Alex Swaby picked up two sacks in that Berlin game. All three of these gentlemen have graduated. The Golden Hurricanes also lost some undisclosed transfers. Thankfully for New Britain, Gaskin and Kyshawn Gunn, impactful defensive backs who will also make a difference on offense, will return in 2015. It is their turn to lead the team.
The team joined Capital Prep-Hartford at the Camp Niantic Army National Guard Training Site last weekend. It was an invaluable session for coach Jones, as it became apparent that Gunn would be named a captain in this 2015 season, thanks to his demonstration of leadership at Camp Niantic. Jones was impressed with Gunn’s organization of the groups in preparation of National Guard-run drills, along with initiative taken to approach New Britain coaches to ask what can be done next to wrangle his fellow teammates.
“I love going up there because it is more than just conditioning, you get a chance to get away,” said Jones. “We can work with the national guard and they teach teamwork and family.”
Kyshawn Gunn will play running back and corner back this year. He will be a captain.
With leadership comes the pressure of the position. Speaking of positions, Gunn will face even more pressure from coach to succeed since Jones was a defensive back at the highest level.
“I feel the pressure all the time,” said Gunn. “Since he was a DB in the NFL, I’m trying to fill his footsteps and be as great as him to make it their hopefully.”
Gunn’s fellow senior defensive back, Gaskin, will also heed the call to lead on the field. After all, it was Gaskin’s ability to put himself second last year that allowed New Britain to use Hill at quarterback and spread the ultra-athletic Gaskin around the field. That is what coach Jones will do this year as the Golden Hurricanes attempt to get back to the playoffs.
“Wherever they put me, I’ll go 100 miles per hour,” boasted Gaskin. “I don’t’ really have a certain position. I’m an athlete and I’ll go out and make plays for my team.”
Follow the #TrainingCampTour as it happens on Twitter. Please check in to cptvsports.org nightly for other team training camp recaps. For more on the Torrington team, tune in to the 2015 High School Football Training Camp special on September 4, 2015. Finally, the Golden Hurricanes will play LIVE on CPTV Sports, November 20th at 7 p.m. against Berlin.
On the Fast-Track to Main Street
I recommend eting a hot dog on #NationalDogDay and maybe every other day. #Murica
Wednesday was a big day in New Britain. Governor Dannel P. Malloy joined Mayor Erin Stewart downtown to tout the early success of the CTfastrak busway that opened back in March. This service connects Hartford to New Britain and was created to ensure a speedy commute.
Malloy stopped at Capitol Lunch on Main Street for a treat because obviously he wanted to celebrate National Dog Day right??? Maybe not, but that’s why I was there.
Capitol Lunch opened up in 1929, across the street from where it presently stands today. Current ownership took the reins back in the 50’s, but share a commonality with the previous guys: they are both Greek! This could explain something about the Famous Sauce that goes on the Hot Dogs.
All that we know about this sauce is that it has meat in it and that the owner is willing to share that it is has a Grecian influence. That’s pretty much it.
Oh, and it goes really well with mustard and onions 😉
The current owner’s son mixes this bad boy up a few times a week, What’s in the famous sauce? I don’t know, it’s a secret!
The #TrainingCampTour made its 13th and 14th stops yesterday in Torrington and Canton. Find out where we will be today! We will have the final Rock Cats home game of all-time, LIVE on TV for y0u, Sunday at 1:30pm as part of this week’s two Rock Cats telecasts. Listen in for details on Friday Night LIVE Football!
The CPTV Sports WIRE, a sports radio update by Francesco Graziano Jr. can be heard on our exclusive radio partners, sports stations ESPN 97.9 FM and Fox Sports Radio 1410 in Hartford.
Chris Currier is 37 years old. He comes from Montville and currently resides in Colchester. He has two kids and a mane of facial hair that has been touched by hues of grey. He wears a gold chain adorned with a maroon “Tomahawk” that appears to be a nod to the colors worn by his new team, but swears that it is a coincidence as it is a salute to his Native American heritage.
The Warriors are off and running toward a goal of getting back to the playoffs. They have a whole new team and organizational philosophy.
“Coach Philippon left for whatever reasons that he did, but I still think that there is a lot of talent here and it just needs to be developed properly,” reputed Currier. “I’m a young enough coach to where I want to do that and I want to have the time to do that. I want to develop these guys into being great football players.”
Currier was selected by a search committee in Canton this past June to succeed Philippon as head coach. The former coach left in December after the team had made the CIAC playoffs and finished the regular season 10-1. The team graduated 9 all-conference players. Philippon told the Collinsville Press that he did all the could to bring more kids into the program, but left due to the fact that 18 kids were returning and he had no idea if his staff could wrangle in more.
Senior fullback and inside linebacker Matt Bangs was a part of the search committee that chose to hire Currier.
“I think he knows what he’s doing,” articulated Bangs. “He’s established great relationships with the players. He’s very personal and personable. He can connect with players.”
Matt’s 65 tackles on defense in 2014 are the most of any returning player. The team lost three running backs that each rushed for at least 950 yards, so the senior captain, along with Eddie Melton will try to fill-in for a group that accounted for 300 yards rushing per game last year.
It is clearly a team that will change its ways from a year ago. Currier will institute the “Pistol Offense” in 2015, a style of play used to mask play selection for a rush-heavy, but not exactly passing-ignorant team. Coach wants to utilize his team speed to run 65% of the time and dictate possession, but he also wants his quarterback to throw the ball because “passing is a part of the game.”
“My philosophy is a little bit different than coach Phillipon’s was,” challenged Currier. “With low numbers, we condition a lot because we have to. It’s really just getting kids to buy into the program, because that’s what it is now, a program.”
“Compared to last year, it’s a whole new thing to us,” exclaimed Bangs. “This year: sprints before lifting, sprints after lifting. Endurance drills. Running up the field and down the field. Everything you can think of, we are doing it.”
We saw rain for the first time on the #TrainingCampTour forcing us to leave practice, but we got what we needed at Canton practice!
In other words, Currier knows he may not have a lot of football players, but he has some athletes and will take a classic approach to give his kids an opportunity to play. He has teamed with athletic director Craig DeAngelis to create a junior varsity team, three years after a lack of organizational depth forced the school to ditch the program. Currier has 38 kids on his roster, but does not want the young kids to play for the sake of filling out a roster sheet. Those guys will play on the JV team and watch the varsity kids go at it.
Guys like the team’s true leader, quarterback Alex Higley, will show the youngsters how it’s done so that Canton’s future will be a successful one. He is one of three captains, but I have got to say after watching him command the huddle, that he is the unquestioned leader. I was also pleasantly surprised at how quick he has picked up this pistol offense, especially when you consider the fact that coach was hired less more than three months ago! He rolled out well and demonstrated a quick, accurate ball.
Alex Higley has been cleared to throw the ball a year after completing seven passes in 2014 in just 17 attempts.
Higley told me what he did for the team last year. “Really just led the team down the field,” explained Higley. “Not much throwing, it was run-first, smash-mouth football. This year is a whole lot different and I’ve got a whole new role. We are throwing it more than last year.”
Higley attempted just 17 passes a year ago on a team that threw the ball 40 times for 302 yards. But there are realities associated with having a low rate of participation. Higley, one of the team’s finest athletes, will not play very much on defense because he has just one freshman behind him on the depth chart.
It is refreshing to know that Currier will be protecting his quarterback’s health, while ensuring that his young back-up can develop on the junior varsity team.
“Our freshman players will not just be tackling dummies.”
That message was brought to you by a coach who seems to know what he is doing as he jump-starts a program less than three months after taking the job. His team seems to be buying in as well…
Follow the #TrainingCampTour as it happens on Twitter. Please check in to cptvsports.org nightly for other team training camp recaps. For more on the Canton team, tune in to the 2015 High School Football Training Camp special on September 4, 2015. See Canton battle Coginchaug Regional on CPTV Sports, Tuesday, October 27 at 9 p.m.
“The Throwback Raiders” are looking to take a simple, but loud journey to the postseason in 2015.
A New Vibe In TTown…
Appetite for Destruction (1987), License to Ill (1986), and Kill ‘Em All (1983) each were seminal albums that were produced in the 1980’s. “Paradise City” (Guns N’ Roses), “No Sleep ‘Til Brooklyn” (Beastie Boys), and “Seek and Destroy” (Metallica) were all featured in a loud fashion at Red Raiders football practice Monday.
1980’s were a simpler time when citizens of the Earth looked to their heroes to defend their way of life. A little girl from Chicago defied the odds after being neglected. Michael and Madonna dictated what clothes you wore. Ronald Reagan, the country’s astute grandfather, shielded your eyes from a horrendous future by telling Mikhail Gorbachev to “tear down this wall.”
Many of the Torrington players were upset when the volume had been turned down momentarily and refused to get back to their jobs until order had been restored. “Turn up the music, man.” “Let’s bump, Dawg.” These were cries made aloud to keep the rhythm up for the Red Raiders, many of whom wore old, ragged jerseys that exposed their stomachs, like you would see in…the 80’s.
This 1980’s diatribe is not some cheap attempt at bringing popular culture into a Connecticut high school football team preview. It’s a nod to the past when Torrington football meant something. You see, the Red Raiders have not won a Naugatuck Valley League title since 1987. They have not played in the state playoffs since 1982. Coach Gaitan Rodriguez is hoping to change that by taking a simplistic approach with his team.
“We have certain packages that we are going to implement offensively to take advantage of our size and defensively, we are keeping it simple so that these guys can react and play and not think,” said Rodriguez.
There is a buzz on the banks of the Naugatuck River. People are talking up and down East Main Street about the 2015 football team. More than half of the players currently in camp are seniors (16/29). Senior captain quarterback Connor Finn is a year older, one year removed from a decent season where the completed 53% of his passes for a 1,072 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions. He is also very familiar with a lot of his teammates.
Connor Finn has been tapped to play behind what he calls a “skillful” offensive line. He’s hoping that on the other side of the ball, the defense won’t score, because then obviously “they can’t win!”
“Well I played with them forever, since 3rd or 4th grade, so a lot of kids I have known and have been good friends with,” stated Finn. “I’m just excited to play with them and really prove something for our senior year.”
I asked coach Rodriguez if the team chemistry, senior leadership, and knowledge of the system will lead the team to the playoffs. He laughed me off as if to say, “oh you outsider, it’s much simpler than that.”
“You know what? This is our approach: we take one game at a time,” exclaimed Rodriguez. “What we worry about is today. We have to have the best practice that we can have today and we want to have an even better practice the next day. If we put all of that together, good things our going to happen.”
Running back Newton Frias collected just 491 yards and 8 touchdowns for the Red Raiders last year, but wait a minute, he did that in just 3 games played!!! Flashy return man and receiver Zack Mancini got in the end zone 5 times in just four games played. Everyone returns on the offensive and defensive line as well including 6’0″, 300-pounder Kobe Covington.
A key building block from last year was a 5-game losing streak in the middle of the season. They were outscored 220-57 from October 11th to November 8th. Torrington was outscored by 90 points last year and managed 300 yards per game on offense when they know they could have done better.
“Last year was a disappointment to us,” intimated Finn. “We wanted to come out and prove something and we just didn’t do that. We will use it this year as fire just to drive us and something to fuel the fire.”
The team suffered a few injuries during that stretch, but none more debilitating than a right foot injury that sidelined TE/LB Nate Bresson. He is a go-to receiver for Connor Finn and the anchor of Coach G’s defense.
Torrington’s 33-year state playoff drought may come to an end this year thanks to some senior leadership.
“His character, not only his leadership, but the energy that he brings to practice, the energy that these guys are feeding off of a kid like Bresson has been incredible,” said Rodriguez. “That’s been also part of the buzz that has been created around here.”
That buzz, along with a natural approach to playing the game of football and a positive attitude toward a 2014 losing streak, have made the Red Raiders believe in themselves.
“We started getting healthier near the end of the year,” announced Rodriguez. “A lot of those kids that were getting experience at the time of those injuries were starting to play better, which has carried over to this year. There’s a lot of depth and there’s a lot of competition, so it has made things exciting.”
What would it mean to this team if they could break tradition and skip into the playoffs?
“It would be the best feeling in the world,” claimed Bresson. “We are just going to take It one game at a time and hopefully we end up there.”
Of course they are!
Follow the #TrainingCampTour as it happens on Twitter. Please check in to cptvsports.org nightly for other team training camp recaps. For more on the Torrington team, tune in to the 2015 High School Football Training Camp special on September 4, 2015. Finally, the Red Raiders will play LIVE on CPTV Sports September 25th at 6:30 p.m. against Naugatuck.
A Day to Remember in the Northwest Corner…
Our first stop in my hometown came at Salerno’s, which is home to my favorite sandwich in Torrington. I am very familiar with the owner and his family. Watch the special to learn more about my cheesy Torrington connection to Salerno’s.
This is THE Italian-American sandwich as cultures clash with tomatoes, lettuce, and mayo on top of meatballs, provolone, and crunchy bread.
The Johnny’s Hero is my sandwich because it includes Italian elements that I cannot ignore such as tender meatballs, sneaky grated cheese, and just-right melted provolone on a big, bad hard roll. It’s also my sandwich because it isn’t traditional by most standards. The meatballs are uniquely fried and then dressed with lettuce, tomato, and mayo. This combination is a winner though because the bread tastes wonderful when layered with mayo and tomatoes, while the meatball makes its way into your heart when touched by the provolone and grated cheese.
It was a nice time reconnecting and rekindling on North Main Street. Brian Brennan, the owner of Salerno’s, is also a huge fan of the Amazin’ Mets, so that makes things even better (especially with a 5.5 game lead in the division heading toward September!!!).
We had a little time before football practice, so I directed driver/camera man Mike Dunphy to 139 Turner Avenue: casa di Graziano. I surprised my mother Rosie and my father Francesco Sr. with a visit, but wouldn’t you know, they were ready to go at a moment’s notice with home-made soppressata (dried meat, Italian- style).
It was a successful day in Torrington because I ate well and received all of the necessary footage. It’s that much better when you are greeted by your mother’s beautiful smiling face!
I’m holding Soppressata. I ate it already. Thanks, mom and dad.
Jasen Rose will look to connect with a fresh receiving corps after a most prolific trio graduated in June.
A Blue Knight Dynasty in the Offing?
Before a victory in the 2014 CIAC Class LL-Large championship game, Southington had never won back-t0-back titles. In fact, the only title that the Blue Knights had ever captured occurred back in 1998. Coach Mike Drury has built a program on Fontana Field’s turf, which is important to follow in 2015 as Drury and his staff aim to move on toward a third straight state title without some key parts from last year’s team.
Alex Jamele graduated from Southington this past June with an all-time Connecticut high school football mark of 50 touchdown receptions. He will play for the Blue Devils of CCSU instead of the Southington Blue Knights this fall. The trio of Jamele (18), Kyle Borawski (13), and Matt Maxwell (12) collected 43 touchdown catches in 2014. Borawski and Maxwell have also graduated.
Jasen Rose has not. He may play for either Syracuse, UConn, Wake Forest, or Wisconsin, among other NCAA FBS schools next year, but first, he will look to improve upon a remarkable 2014 campaign that saw him toss 47 touchdowns and just 9 interceptions. That means he essentially threw five touchdowns for every one interception.
Mike Drury called for his quarterback to get louder in 2015. Upon my visit to Southington, it seems like Drury is getting the most out of his guy,
“He’s captain now, he’s been taking control of the team,” said wide-out Austin Morin. “It’s Jay’s team this year. He definitely got bigger and better. His throws are there and I haven’t seen him make any mistakes.”
It was clear upon my arrival that the lead vocalist of the Blue Knights football team was Rose. He was quick to inform teammates of their assignments before the execution of plays. Mike Drury and his offensive coordinator wore headsets to simulate play-calling, relied that information to Rose, and watched as he organized the huddle. The situation pushed me to approach Rose about his confident demeanor.
“Something that I had definitely needed to pick up this year was leadership,” offered Rose. “We are coming in with kind of a new team and not a lot of returning players so one thing that needed to be picked up was the vocals. I know we lost a lot, Jamele, Maxwell, Borawski, but we’ve got Austin returning.”
Morin caught 36 balls in 2014 and averaged 15.8 yards per reception, good for second on the team. He also picked up 5 touchdown receptions.
“It was a prolific receiving corps, but we have one of those guys back and Austin Morin is looking to have a huge year,” said Drury. “He’s tremendous out there.”
How huge of a season is Morin expecting to have?
“I’m trying to break records this year,” exclaimed Morin. “I’m trying to have the biggest season of my career. I’m trying to go out there and win every game and win a state championship. A ton of touchdowns, a ton of yards.”
One area from 2014 that the Blue Knights essentially keep intact is the run game. The passing attack accounted for 273 yards per game last year. You must be thinking to yourself…how many yards per game could the running backs have contributed? The answer…a lot: 179.5. Alessio Diana and Vance Upham put up eerily similar numbers in 2014.
“We strive to push each other to be our greatest,” stated Upham. “If one of us slacking is on something, the other pushes us to be the best we can. I say that I am more of the power back and he brings more of the speed, but we can bring both to the table.”
As for the defense, Drury’s band of Blue Knights return just two starters. You can learn a bit more about that side of the ball for Southington inside of the 2014 High School Football Training Camp Special that airs Friday, September 4 at 7 p.m. Follow the #TrainingCampTour as it happens on Twitter. Please check in to cptvsports.org nightly for other team training camp recaps.
Southington appears LIVE on CPTV Sports against Glastonbury, Friday October 2 at 6:30 p.m.
