And they're off...........

So another NVL season is underway with week one into the books.  The league goes 3-1 in out of league play with Crosby absorbing the only loss, to St.Joseph's.  Really no surprise there as the Cadets are a powerhouse, loaded with talent and very well coached. NVLSTATMAN and I called the St.Joseph championship game last December in West Haven and were impressed with what they accomplished.
Sacred Heart showed what we already know....they can score points. The question that needs answering is.....can their defense develop. Wolcott? Again no surprise there as the Eagles seem to be one of the favorites to capture the NVL title. And then there was Torrington. A very nice win by the Red Raiders "out east" against The Vikings of East Lyme. Say what you will........but taking that long bus ride to the eastern part of the state and coming home with a 20-14 win is very impressive.  It may set the tone for Torrington's season.

I'm not sure anyone expected the way Ansonia - Woodland turned out. Talk about wacky. Start the game 90 minutes earlier to avoid weather, play right into the heart of the weather, stop, wait a day, then finish. Hey, at least it gave the coaches a chance to review film and make adjustments. I have a feeling we'll see and hear the names Dobbs & DiBiase quite a bit. The Watertown Indians start off in nice fashion against Kennedy, but really, was the outcome a surprise? Same can be said for Holy Cross and Wilby, St. Paul and Derby.

I think what raised eyebrows was the Naugatuck - Seymour result. The 54 points put up by the Greyhounds were the most ever versus Seymour! That's right, Naugy has never put up that many points on their longtime rival!  It was an impressive display by The 'Hounds, dominating all phases of the game, something we've not seen from the Veterans field crew in a long time. But to me, what was most impressive was not the margin of victory, nor the victory itself. It was the unity, cohesiveness, chemistry and continuity shown by Rob Plasky's team. There was an outward display of leadership by senior players, there was passion for the game and a sense of urgency that too often has been missing.
Those ingredients, should they remain intact, will make the Greyhounds an exceptionally tough team to defeat. A team, believing in itself, committing to it's collective whole, working together for a common goal, will be a winner.

But as impressive as wins on opening weekend are, let's remember the dance has just begun. Things to think about.....who will have the best scouts out there, what coaching staff will best utilize their scouting material and develop effective game plans. What will the toll of the season be on players. Physically, mentally AND academically. How will teams, individual players AND coaches respond to adversity.  What will happen when things go wrong or not the way they were envisioned? And what will the weather do?

Bill Parcells had it right during the 1986-87 season when he told his Giants............."remember, this a marathon, not a sprint........"