Well football is behind us and what a season it was! I WILL get to a wrap up column once I finish up a review of my notes and put together my thoughts.
In the meantime, statman and I jump start a new basketball season tonight........(my god already??) when we bring you a girl's contest. Naugatuck will be visiting Sacred Heart. Boy's action begins next week.
Feel free to comment on what you thought were the highs & lows of the football season and what we shouyld look for this hoop season.
More Anon
Friday, December 11, 2009
Friday, December 4, 2009
Championship Game Notes
Here are just some random thoughts and facts on each of the championship games.
Class S - Hyde vs. Northwest Catholic. After a combined record of 4-16 their first two years of play in 1998-1999 Hyde has gone 100-13 this decade including a 3-0 record in championship games. Their last title came in 2005. NWC is making a first ever appearance in the title game after it's shutout over Ansonia. Interesting fact, NWC is one of two CCC teams still alive (four lost in the semi-finals) with the other being Berlin. Both, along with St. Paul, were members of the Nutmeg Conference a year ago.
Class M - Bethel vs. Berlin The previously mentioned Berlin is making its sixth championship game appearance and is looking for the first state title in school history. The Redcoats mark of 0-5 in title games is a state record for futility. Bethel advanced to the title game by shocking the east half of the state with its win over New London. Bethel is also looking for a first state title, the only previous appearance in a title game for the school coming in 1988.
Class MM - East Lyme vs. New Canaan New Canaan is looking to lay claim to the team of the decade, trying for a fourth straight state title and sixth since 2001. The Rams are 7-2 in state championship games and are tied for fourth with the most titles. East Lyme is 1-3 in title games, winning the championship in 2003.
Class L - Pomperaug vs. Notre Dame Notre Dame is making its sixth championship game appearance with a record of 2-3 in title games. Their last title and appearance came in 2001. Pomperaug is making just its second appearance in a title game, winning the championship in 2004.
The two games that we will be covering:
Class SS - Montville vs. St. Joseph Montville will be playing in their fourth state championship game and are looking for their first title. The Indians last trip to the finals was in 2002. St. Joseph is looking to tie Hand of Madison for second in state history with nine titles. Of teams with at least five championship game appearances, St. Joseph owns a state best record of 8-2 in championship games winning all eight of those titles between 1980 and 1990 and have won nine consecutive state playoff games including their 56-7 win over Holy Cross in the semis.
Class LL - Staples vs. Cheshire Staples is 3-3 in state championship games. They appeared five straight years from 2002 thru 2006 winning three times, the last in 2005. The Wreckers have 100 wins this decade to tie Greenwich and Hyde in that category, four behind Ansonia at 104. Cheshire was the team of the 1990's, winning six consecutive championships (a state record) from 1992 to 1997. They are 6-2 all time in title games, losing a year ago to Glastonbury.
Class S - Hyde vs. Northwest Catholic. After a combined record of 4-16 their first two years of play in 1998-1999 Hyde has gone 100-13 this decade including a 3-0 record in championship games. Their last title came in 2005. NWC is making a first ever appearance in the title game after it's shutout over Ansonia. Interesting fact, NWC is one of two CCC teams still alive (four lost in the semi-finals) with the other being Berlin. Both, along with St. Paul, were members of the Nutmeg Conference a year ago.
Class M - Bethel vs. Berlin The previously mentioned Berlin is making its sixth championship game appearance and is looking for the first state title in school history. The Redcoats mark of 0-5 in title games is a state record for futility. Bethel advanced to the title game by shocking the east half of the state with its win over New London. Bethel is also looking for a first state title, the only previous appearance in a title game for the school coming in 1988.
Class MM - East Lyme vs. New Canaan New Canaan is looking to lay claim to the team of the decade, trying for a fourth straight state title and sixth since 2001. The Rams are 7-2 in state championship games and are tied for fourth with the most titles. East Lyme is 1-3 in title games, winning the championship in 2003.
Class L - Pomperaug vs. Notre Dame Notre Dame is making its sixth championship game appearance with a record of 2-3 in title games. Their last title and appearance came in 2001. Pomperaug is making just its second appearance in a title game, winning the championship in 2004.
The two games that we will be covering:
Class SS - Montville vs. St. Joseph Montville will be playing in their fourth state championship game and are looking for their first title. The Indians last trip to the finals was in 2002. St. Joseph is looking to tie Hand of Madison for second in state history with nine titles. Of teams with at least five championship game appearances, St. Joseph owns a state best record of 8-2 in championship games winning all eight of those titles between 1980 and 1990 and have won nine consecutive state playoff games including their 56-7 win over Holy Cross in the semis.
Class LL - Staples vs. Cheshire Staples is 3-3 in state championship games. They appeared five straight years from 2002 thru 2006 winning three times, the last in 2005. The Wreckers have 100 wins this decade to tie Greenwich and Hyde in that category, four behind Ansonia at 104. Cheshire was the team of the 1990's, winning six consecutive championships (a state record) from 1992 to 1997. They are 6-2 all time in title games, losing a year ago to Glastonbury.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
How a season progesses
As I prepare for the two championship games I will call on Saturday at West Haven, a review of notes and clippings kept.... prove to be interesting! For example, and probably the most glaring, the pre-season poll of media and sportswriters. The New Haven Register Poll had Seymour #5, Ansonia #10. The CT. Sportswriters Alliance had Seymour #4, Ansonia #5 and Crosby #22. What a difference 12 weeks makes!
As many observers of the NVL have noted in other blogs, it was clearly a down year in the league. For the first time since 2000 and just the third time since 1976 when the CIAC Playoffs began, the NVL will not have a team in the championship round. I don't think too many league followers would have thought, at the beginning of the season, the NVL would be without a representative on championship Saturday.BUT, two games have NVL connections!
The Cheshire QB is Greg Palmer, son of Dr. Terry Palmer, nephew of Gary and Bernie Palmer! All three were fine Naugatuck QB's. Bernie, then Gary, then Terry. Bernie went on to start at UCONN when the Huskies played in the old Yankee Conference. NVLstatman was both a high school and college classmate of Bernie. The other NVL connection that I know of is Bethel and their head coach, Jason Gill. Bethel and Gill were coached by one of the really good men in life, the late Ralph DeSantis. Ralph was a PE teacher and assistant FB coach at Naugatuck High before accepting the head job at Bethel. I had the pleasure of knowing Ralph both as a student and acquaintance. A terrific,terrific man.
Back to the polls.
Not one media member, be it print or electronic or any of the voting coaches had St.Joseph's on their radar screen! As a matter of fact, a scan of the Register and Alliance top ten polls shows only one team that has made it to the championship game, New Canaan. Lou Marinelli's Rams are seeking their 4th consecutive crown and 8th overall. Their first? 1982 against Naugatuck. Nvlstatman and I called the game on WATR-AM, the Naugy tight end that day? Non other than Pomperaug Offensive coordinator Steve Croce. The coach may be joining statman and me in the booth Saturday for the Cheshire-Staples game.
Both games may be affected by weather as forecasts show a threat of rain then snow with declining temperatures. The wind? Ah we all know West Haven and the wind, forecast to be out of the North, 6-9mph, increasing to 10-14mph by the evening. Temperatures start out in the low 40's and will fall off into the low 30's. This should give the upper hand to the defenses and whomever plays the best defense, wins the trophy. Three coaches told me that Wednesday at the football luncheon......defense, defense, defense.
More anon.
As many observers of the NVL have noted in other blogs, it was clearly a down year in the league. For the first time since 2000 and just the third time since 1976 when the CIAC Playoffs began, the NVL will not have a team in the championship round. I don't think too many league followers would have thought, at the beginning of the season, the NVL would be without a representative on championship Saturday.BUT, two games have NVL connections!
The Cheshire QB is Greg Palmer, son of Dr. Terry Palmer, nephew of Gary and Bernie Palmer! All three were fine Naugatuck QB's. Bernie, then Gary, then Terry. Bernie went on to start at UCONN when the Huskies played in the old Yankee Conference. NVLstatman was both a high school and college classmate of Bernie. The other NVL connection that I know of is Bethel and their head coach, Jason Gill. Bethel and Gill were coached by one of the really good men in life, the late Ralph DeSantis. Ralph was a PE teacher and assistant FB coach at Naugatuck High before accepting the head job at Bethel. I had the pleasure of knowing Ralph both as a student and acquaintance. A terrific,terrific man.
Back to the polls.
Not one media member, be it print or electronic or any of the voting coaches had St.Joseph's on their radar screen! As a matter of fact, a scan of the Register and Alliance top ten polls shows only one team that has made it to the championship game, New Canaan. Lou Marinelli's Rams are seeking their 4th consecutive crown and 8th overall. Their first? 1982 against Naugatuck. Nvlstatman and I called the game on WATR-AM, the Naugy tight end that day? Non other than Pomperaug Offensive coordinator Steve Croce. The coach may be joining statman and me in the booth Saturday for the Cheshire-Staples game.
Both games may be affected by weather as forecasts show a threat of rain then snow with declining temperatures. The wind? Ah we all know West Haven and the wind, forecast to be out of the North, 6-9mph, increasing to 10-14mph by the evening. Temperatures start out in the low 40's and will fall off into the low 30's. This should give the upper hand to the defenses and whomever plays the best defense, wins the trophy. Three coaches told me that Wednesday at the football luncheon......defense, defense, defense.
More anon.
Friday, November 27, 2009
Thanksgiving Day '09
What a day for football around the state and NVL this turkey day. As many of you know, nvlstatman and I aired the NVL Championship game between Holy Cross and Wolcott. It was a tail of two half's as Wolcott completely dominated the first half, then watched their NVL championship and playoff hopes slip away as the Crusaders made some very good halftime adjustments came out in the third and took the game over. 22 unanswered points in the second half propelled HC to the crown.
Nice job by the HC coaching staff, good job by the players in executing the changes. Good luck to HC Tuesday evening 12/1 as they host St.Joe's in the semi final of Class SS.
For the Eagles, they had a marvelous year, have become a force in the league and from this should learn. The next steps in becoming a championship team are consistency and closing. Wolcott is almost there and I know Pat Russo will get them to that top level.
Congratulations also go out to Tom Brockett, his staff and his Ansonia Chargers for their convincing victory over Naugatuck. Ansonia now heads up state to tangle with NW Catholic in the Class S semi final Tuesday 12/1.
As for Naugatuck, its so difficult to overcome so many injuries but good for the boys in battling through, playing hard and playing with pride. I think the program should examine very closely why there were so many injuries and how they can be prevented. Here's hoping Thanksgiving Day football between these two teams can once again be competitive.
Finally, what a nice flavor St.Paul's and Derby brought into the league! They made their mark and added a nice dimension. Good to have them on board.
More anon.
Nice job by the HC coaching staff, good job by the players in executing the changes. Good luck to HC Tuesday evening 12/1 as they host St.Joe's in the semi final of Class SS.
For the Eagles, they had a marvelous year, have become a force in the league and from this should learn. The next steps in becoming a championship team are consistency and closing. Wolcott is almost there and I know Pat Russo will get them to that top level.
Congratulations also go out to Tom Brockett, his staff and his Ansonia Chargers for their convincing victory over Naugatuck. Ansonia now heads up state to tangle with NW Catholic in the Class S semi final Tuesday 12/1.
As for Naugatuck, its so difficult to overcome so many injuries but good for the boys in battling through, playing hard and playing with pride. I think the program should examine very closely why there were so many injuries and how they can be prevented. Here's hoping Thanksgiving Day football between these two teams can once again be competitive.
Finally, what a nice flavor St.Paul's and Derby brought into the league! They made their mark and added a nice dimension. Good to have them on board.
More anon.
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