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Paula Hagopian's talent on the soccer field is so obvious she was named Connecticut's Gatorade Player of the Year even though her Kingswood Oxford team finished with a record below .500 last season.

Hagopian, a senior forward, collected 13 goals and 10 assists as a senior, when Kingswood Oxford went 5-7-2. She was also the 2011 Connecticut Soccer Coaches' Association Player of the Year, and has twice been selected as an All-American by the National Soccer Coaches' Association of America.

“Paula is so strong that defenders bounce off her,” said Matt Micros, a club coach with Connecticut FC. “She can hold the ball up well and also spin defenders with ease. What she lacks in technique she more than makes up for with power and pace.”

Hagopian led Kingswood Oxford to the 2010 New England Prep School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) Class B championship and completed her career with 56 goals and 35 assists. She will continue her soccer career at Yale next fall.

Past winners of the award include Riley Houle (2010–11, Windham), Kate McCarthy, (2009-10, Loomis Chaffee), Jessica Schloth (2008–09, St. Joseph), Alex Uscilla (2007-08, St. Joseph), and Bianca D’Agostino (2006-07, Loomis Chaffee).

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Masuk High School quarterback Casey Cochran made it official Thursday when he signed a national letter of intent to play football at the University of Connecticut.

Cochran, Connecticut's Gatorade Player of the Year in 2010 and 2011, gave a verbal commitment to Connecticut in August, and said it's a honor to be able to play college football in his home state.

“Not that many college players get to stay at home and play for the state school,” Cochran said. “I believe Coach Pasqualoni (Connecticut coach Paul Pasqualoni) is a very good coach. I really like the coaching staff and everyone on it. I got closer with them during the offseason, so it was a very easy choice once the [scholarship] offer came.”

Cochran completed his high school career as Connecticut's career leader in passing yards, completions and passing touchdowns. He is scheduled to graduate from Masuk in early January and will begin college classes on Jan. 17.

His early enrollment will allow Cochran to participate in spring practice.

Cochran chose Connecticut over several Ivy League schools. His first scholarship offer came from Boston College, but BC pulled that offer last year after it changed offensive coordinators.

Cochran's father Jack has coached high school football at Bloomfield, New Britain and New London. He guided his teams to 14 state championship games and won eight state titles during his 16-year coaching career.

He coached Casey during his freshman season at New London. Casey transferred to Masuk for his final three years of high school.

“UConn became a very good option for him once Pasqualoni took over,” Jack said. “We have a relationship that goes back to his days as the coach at Syracuse. I think Casey felt very comfortable with his decision. Looking forward to watching him play in college.”

STAR POWER

Cochran was one of 26 players named to the 2011 Connecticut High School Coaches' Association All-Star Football Team. Here is the complete team:

OFFENSE
QB — CASEY COCHRAN, Masuk
WR — AARON BERARDINO, Windsor
WR — NICK VITALE, Hand
WR — THOMAS MILONE, Masuk
RB — ARKEEL NEWSOME, Ansonia
RB — MIKE MASTROIANNI, Xavier
RB — ALEX MANWARING, Ledyard
RB — BRENDAN LYTTON, Torrington
RB — KYLE McKINNON, New London
RB — DAVE DiGIORGI, Holy Cross
OL — AUSTIN WEZENSKI, Xavier
OL — DYLAN VANO, Ansonia
OL — RENNICK BRYAN, Hillhouse

DEFENSE
DL — SEAN MARINAN, Xavier
DL — JOE DeMICHELE, Hand
DL — LUDOVIC RICHARDSON, Notre Dame-West Haven
DL — COLE ORMSBY, Windsor
LB – TYLER WOOD, Ansonia
LB — SHANE NASTAHOWSKI, Greenwich
LB — AUSTIN CALITRO, Danbury
LB — KEVIN McDONOUGH, New Canaan
LB — MARK ZURLIS, North Haven
DB — DELSHAWN WILSON, Norwalk
DB — RYAN MURPHY, Xavier
DB — TOMMY UNDERCUFFLER, Berlin
DB — RYAN JACOBUCCI, Xavier

NEW LONDON'S STREAK HALTED

Richard Bronson scored a team-high 21 points to lead the Hillhouse boys basketball team to a 64-61 triumph over New London in the Doc Hurley Classic at Weaver High School.

The loss ended New London's 28-game winning streak. The Whalers were 27-0 last season, when they won the Class L title.

Providence-bound guard Kris Dunn scored 26 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in the loss.

New London led 49-45 entering the fourth quarter, but missed seven of its nine free throw attempts in the final eight minutes. The Whalers missed 15 of 36 free throw attempts in the game.

BROOKFIELD COACH STEPS DOWN

Brookfield girls basketball coach Tom Marks handed in his letter of resignation last week, days after the season began. Marks cited personal reasons.

Lisa Schang has been named Brookfield's interim coach. Brookfield is off to a 1-5 start this season.

Marks has also coached the cross country team at New Milford for the last 15 seasons.

Roger Brown has covered high school sports in New England since 1992. He currently covers high school and college football in the Northeast for ESPN/Scouts Inc.

In its 27th year of honoring the nation’s best high school athletes,, The Gatorade Company, in collaboration with ESPNHS, today announced Casey Cochran of Masuk High School as its 2011-12 Gatorade Connecticut Football Player of the Year. Cochran is the first Gatorade Connecticut Football Player of the Year to be chosen from Masuk High School.

The award, which recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field, distinguishes Cochran as Connecticut’s best high school football player. Now a finalist for the prestigious Gatorade National Football Player of the Year award announced in December, Cochran joins an elite alumni association of past state award-winners in 12 sports, including Mark Sanchez (2004-05, Mission Viejo HS, Calif.), Wes Welker (1999-00, Heritage Hall HS, Okla.), Terrell Suggs (1999-00, Hamilton HS, Ariz.), Anquan Boldin (1998-99, Pahokee HS, Fla.) and Jerome Bettis (1989-90, Mackenzie HS, Mich.).

The state’s returning Gatorade Football Player of the Year, the 6-foot-2, 205-pound senior quarterback led the Panthers to an 11-0 record and a berth in the Class L state semifinals against Hand High, scheduled for Dec. 3. Cochran passed for 2,801 yards and 36 touchdowns through 11 games, completing 119-of-167 attempts while throwing just four interceptions. He also rushed for four touchdowns. Cochran won a Class SS state title with New London High as a freshman in 2008 and with Masuk in 2010. He is the state’s career leader in two categories with 10,501 yards passing and 108 touchdowns.

Cochran has maintained a 3.92 GPA in the classroom. The winner of the Masuk High Book Award for Introduction to Engineering and Algebra I and Geometry, he has volunteered locally at area food banks for the needy, as a youth football coach and as a peer tutor.

“It’s scary how someone can be that accurate,” said Joe Lato, head coach of rival Weston High. “It’s unbelievable what Casey Cochran can do. I haven’t seen a high school quarterback like him. He makes everybody look silly.”

Cochran has verbally committed to play football on an athletic scholarship at the University of Connecticut beginning in the fall of 2012.

Cochran joins recent Gatorade Connecticut Football Players of the Year Kevin Pierre-Louis (2009, King Low Heywood Thomas), Mike Osiecki (2008, Seymour) and Alex Thomas (2007, Ansonia) among the state’s list of former award winners.

In Massachusetts, Jonathan DiBiaso of Everett High took home Gatorade Player of the Year honors. Here are the four other winners from New England:

RHODE ISLAND: JOSH MORRIS, LA SALLE

The 5-foot-9, 170-pound junior running back and cornerback led the Rams to a 10-1 record and a berth in the Division I state championship against Bishop Hendricken High, scheduled for Dec. 3. Morris rushed for 1,278 yards and 16 touchdowns on 134 carries through 11 games and caught nine passes for 175 yards and a score. A 2010 First Team All-Division I selection, he is averaging 39.8 yards per kickoff return, with one touchdown, and has recorded two interceptions on defense.

Morris has maintained a B average in the classroom. He has volunteered locally as a youth mentor and football coach and as part of multiple community service initiatives in association with his church community.

“Every game, he’s getting better,” said Geoff Marcone, La Salle Academy’s head coach. “The kid wants to be great in everything that he does. A lot of high school kids say they want to be the best, but very few work to be the best. He’s doing everything he can to make himself better.”

Morris will begin his senior year of high school next fall.

Morris joins recent Gatorade Rhode Island Football Players of the Year Ben Willett (2010, Portsmouth) Mike Read (2009, Barrington), Dave D'Errico (2008, North Kingstown) and Bobby Bentsen (2007, Warwick Veterans) among the state’s list of former award winners.

NEW HAMPSHIRE: JAKE KILEY, NEW HAMPTON

The 6-foot-2, 180-pound senior quarterback, running back and defensive back rushed for 358 yards and 11 touchdowns on 62 carries this past season, leading the Huskies (7-2) to the New England Prep School Athletic Council’s Jack Etter Bowl. A two-time Evergreen League Player of the Year, Kiley also passed for 235 yards and three touchdowns, caught 15 passes for 328 yards and five touchdowns and returned a kickoff for a score. On defense, he recorded 46 tackles and four interceptions, and he averaged 40.3 yards on 16 punt attempts.

Kiley has maintained a B average in the classroom. He has volunteered locally as a New Hampton School campus tour guide, a youth basketball referee and as part of multiple community service initiatives in association with the New Hampton School Service Learning Program.

“I have coached against Jake Kiley for three years and have marveled at his athletic talent each time he steps on the field,” said Ben Rulli, head coach at rival Proctor Academy. “He has progressed throughout the years as one of the most athletic players I have seen. Jake is fast, agile and always a threat to make a big play.”

Kiley has verbally committed to play football on an athletic scholarship at Penn State University beginning in the fall of 2012.

Kiley joins recent Gatorade New Hampshire Football Players of the Year Max Jacques (2009-10, Salem), David Zocco (2008, Nashua South) and Billy Ferriter (2007, Nashua South) among the state’s list of former award winners.

MAINE: LOUIS DiTOMASSO, WELLS

The 6-foot, 180-pound senior linebacker and fullback led the Warriors to a 12-0 record and the Class B state championship this past season. DiTomasso rushed for 1,559 yards and 18 touchdowns on 203 carries. The 2011 Campbell Conference Player of the Year, DiTomasso recorded 133 tackles, forced a fumble, recovered a fumble and blocked a field goal. He ran for 134 yards and a touchdown in the state final win over Leavitt High.

DiTomasso has maintained a B-plus average in the classroom. An avid photographer and artist, he has volunteered locally as a youth football coach.

“Louis DiTomasso has great instincts at linebacker and flies to the play,” said Jeff Guerrette, head coach of rival Westbrook High. “At the point of attack he is extremely physical and consistently delivers the blow.”

DiTomasso remains undecided upon a collegiate destination.

DiTomasso joins recent Gatorade Maine Football Players of the Year Peter Gwilym (2010, Cheverus) Jack Mallis (2009, Windham), Jack Heary (2008, Deering) and Justin Villacci (2007, Gorham) among the state’s list of former award winners.

VERMONT: JAKE STALCUP, BURR & BURTON

The 6-foot-4, 185-pound junior quarterback passed for 2,448 yards and 31 touchdowns this past season, completing 163-of-286 passes while throwing 10 interceptions, leading the Bulldogs (7-4) to the Division 2 state final. A 2011 ESPNHS preseason All-State selection, Stalcup passed for 202 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the Division 2 semifinal win over North Country Union.

Stalcup has maintained a 3.54 GPA in the classroom. He has volunteered locally as a youth football and baseball coach and has assisted in relief efforts for Hurricane Irene flood victims.

“Jake Stalcup has become a first rate quarterback in every sense,” said Burr and Burton Academy head coach Jason Thompson. “Every single week he gave us a chance to win and he will only keep getting better.”

Stalcup will begin his senior year of high school next fall.

Stalcup joins recent Gatorade Vermont Football Players of the Year Christian McCormick (2010, Rice Memorial) Max Librizzi (2009, Essex), Mick Wong (2008, Hartford) and James Durham (2007-08, Spaulding) among the state’s list of former award winners.

One interesting subplot that's developed during the Connecticut high school football season is the competition for the state's Gatorade Player of the Year.

Through eight weeks the prime contenders are a pair of senior quarterbacks: Masuk's Casey Cochran and Cromwell's Anthony Morales.

Cochran, who won the award last year, has directed Masuk to 21 consecutive victories and may play for the best team in the state. He's completed 88 of 111 passes for 2,123 yards this season. Cochran has thrown 27 touchdown passes and has been intercepted three times.

Despite Cochran's gaudy numbers, it's Morales who leads the state in touchdown passes (30) and passing yardage (2,376). Morales, who is playing for his third coach in as many years, has completed 105 of 147 passes and has been intercepted four times. He has thrown for at least four touchdowns in five of Cromwell's eight games.

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His name is Casey Cochran, and he's the most prolific quarterback who's ever played high school football in Connecticut.

Cochran, who's in his senior season at Masuk High School in Monroe, owns the state record for career passing yards (9,797), career completions (573) and career touchdowns (104). He passed the century mark in touchdown passes when he threw for five touchdowns in a 55-6 victory over New Milford on Oct. 28.

Cochran guided New London High School to Connecticut's Class SS title in 2008 before he transferred to Masuk. His father, Jack, coached that New London team. It's one of eight teams Jack has guided to a CIAC state title (he's tied with New Canaan's Lou Marinelli for most state titles by a Connecticut head coach).

Cochran helped Masuk win the Class L title last season, when he passed for 3,345 yards and 40 touchdowns (seven interceptions). Following his junior season he was named Connectcut's Gatorade Player of the Year. Cochran has completed 88 of 111 passes for 2,097 yards and 29 touchdowns in eight games (all victories) this season. Masuk extended the program's winning streak to 21 games by beating Pomperaug 49-3 on Saturday night.

Cochran recently spoke with ESPNBoston.com and was asked him about his passing records, his decision to attend the University of Connecticut and the possibility of winning another state championship this season:

Q: You've set quite a few records this season. Are you proudest of one more than the others?

A: "Not necessarily. Coming into the year I had heard that there were a couple records coming up, but I tried to keep my mind away from them. I've found that not looking at the stats and just going out and playing, going out and winning games, you'll eventually get there. So my mindset has kind of shifted. Early in my career it was all about getting the best stats, the awards and everything. Quarterbacks are measured too much about their stats. I feel like wins are a lot more important than how many yards you threw for … how many touchdowns you threw. Completion percentage is also very important. There are a lot of guys who go out and throw 50 touchdowns, but they might have only completed 50 percent of their balls. I think a high completion percentage and winning percentage are the true stats people should look at."

Q: What do you consider your strength to be as a quarterback?

A: "I believe accuracy, and I believe reading coverages. That's what it's come down to the past two years – reading coverages and putting the ball where it needs to be. Getting my offense out of plays that can't work versus a defense pre-snap, and getting it to the right receiver post-snap."

Q: What was it like to play for your father and how much has he contributed to your success growing up as a football player and as a quarterback?

A: "It was a great experience playing for my father. Not many kids get to play for their father at a high level in high school. He instilled a great work ethic in me and that really carried through into my years in high school. He's taught me to have a great work ethic in everything I do -- not just in sports. If you're gonna do something, do it right. That's really rubbed off on me. I've taken that stuff to heart, and I really think that all my accomplishments have come down to hard work. He's really helped me a lot in both aspects – work ethic as well as learning the game."

Q: Are you still on pace to graduate from high school in December?

A: "Yes, and I'm supposed to start up in Storrs in January as well."

Q: What were some of the things that sold you on Connecticut as a college and a football program?

A: "First of all, it's the home-state team. It's really an honor to play for your home state. The coaching change (Connecticut hired Paul Pasqualoni to replace Randy Edsall when Edsall became Maryland's head coach). I believe Coach Pasqualoni is a very good coach. I really like the coaching staff and everyone on it. I got closer with them during the offseason, so it was a very easy choice once the [scholarship] offer came."

Q: Are you concerned at all with all of the conference reshuffling? Is that troublesome to you at all?

A: "No. I've been trying not to worry about it too much during the season. I made a commitment to Coach Pasqualoni and the UConn football team. I trust that the athletic director, the UConn president as well as the Big East commissioner will put UConn and entire Big East in a great position."

Q: Is this year's team the best team you've played on.

A: "I think every year has been a little different. I think this year we're very tight-knit as an offense. We have a lot of timing. We've done a lot of work together. Being able to do passing leagues in the winters and the summers and just the work we've put in in the offseason has contributed to us being a great offense this year. Our running back, Colin Markus, is a great runner, and he sets up a lot of our passes. The play action is when he's running so hard and the defense tends to come up a little bit. That's when we can get over the top. Our O line, coming into the year they were a pretty young O line, but they've stepped it up. As an offense together we really work together well and a lot of hard work is paying off for all of us."

ESPN's Roger Brown checks in today on the East Region football recruiting blog with Masuk (Conn.) quarterback Casey Cochran, who remains committed to UConn in spite of the changes and overall uncertainty surrounding the Big East Conference.

“I made a commitment to coach [Paul] Pasqualoni and the UConn football team,” Cochran told Brown. “I trust that the athletic director, the UConn president as well as the Big East commissioner will put UConn and entire Big East in a great position.”

Cochran, the state's reigning Gatorade Player of the Year, has Masuk at 7-0 entering Saturday night's game against Pomperaug. He set the state record for career touchdown passes (102) and career passing yards (9,546) this season, and already owned the Connecticut record for career completions entering 2011.

Brown writes:

He said accuracy and his ability to read defenses are his strengths as a quarterback.

“That's what its come down to the past two years – reading coverages and putting the ball where it needs to be,” Cochran said. “Getting my offense out of plays that can't work versus a defense pre-snap and getting it to the right receiver post-snap.”

Cochran's first scholarship offer came from Boston College, but BC pulled that offer after it hired a new offensive coordinator. Cochran considered playing Ivy League football at Yale or Princeton, but said his decision to play at UConn wasn't difficult.

“First of all, it's the home-stat e team,” he said. “It's really an honor to play for your home state. I believe Coach Pasqualoni is a very good coach. I really like the coaching staff and everyone on it. I got closer with them during the offseason, so it was a very easy choice once the [scholarship] offer came.”

We're starting off this week with five games to watch during Week 7 of the Connecticut high school football season:

DARIEN (6-0) at STAPLES (5-0), Saturday, 10:30 a.m.
This may be the most important game during the FCIAC regular season, since the winner will have an excellent chance to reach the FCIAC championship game Nov. 18 at Trumbull.

Darien overcame an eight-point deficit in the final minute and remained unbeaten by defeating Wilton 35-34 in double overtime last weekend. The Blue Wave has outscored its opponents 178-94 this season.

Staples has given up more than 16 points once in its five games and has allowed 64 points this season.

HILLOUSE (4-2) at XAVIER (6-0), Friday, 7 p.m.
Xavier quarterback Tim Boyle is expected to return from a shoulder injury suffered in Week 1. Boyle, junior, has scholarship offers from Boston College and Syracuse.

The Xavier defense has allowed 34 points (three shutouts) this season. Cheshire is the only team that has scored more than seven points against Xavier.

Hillhouse has won four in a row and nearly knocked off an unbeaten Xavier team last year (9-6). Hillhouse has scored 182 points during its four-game winning streak.

WEST HAVEN (5-1) at HAND (6-0), Friday, 7 p.m.
Intriguing matchup between a team from Class LL (West Haven) and a team from Class L (Hand). Both teams have scored 214 points through six games.

West Haven has won two in a row since suffering its only loss against Notre Dame-West Haven (28-15). The Blue Devils have scored at least 28 points in each of their five victories, but will be facing a defense that has surrendered 55 points all season.

MASUK (6-0) at NEW MILFORD (3-3), Friday, 7 p.m.
Masuk, the No. 2 team in ESPN Boston's New England Top 10, has been an offensive machine, scoring at least 49 points in each of its six victories, but has done so against opponents that are a combined 6-30. Masuk quarterback Casey Cochran, who has committed to the University of Connecticut, needs three touchdown passes to reach 100 for his career.

Things figure to get a little tougher for Masuk this weekend. New Milford has won three of its last four and has scored 106 points in those three victories.

COGINCHAUG (5-0) at VALLEY REGIONAL/OLD LYME (5-0), Friday, 6:30 p.m.
A matchup between unbeaten Class S teams that have each been playing excellent defense.

Coginchaug has won three games by shutout, and Valley Regional/Old Lyme has outscored four opponents 172-14 since opening the season with a 48-47 triumph over North Branford.

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Things couldn't be going any better for senior quarterback Casey Cochran and his Masuk High School football team.

Masuk is 4-0 and considered by many to be the best team in the state. Cochran, meanwhile, has been busy breaking records in the process.

Two weeks ago Cochran set the state record for career touchdown passes (86) in a 56-0 victory over Stratford. St. Joseph's Joe Della Vecchia set the previous record of 85 career touchdown passes last season.

Cochran extended that record when he completed 13 of 17 passes for 310 yards and four touchdowns in a 55-12 triumph over Barlow last Friday. The four TD passes gave him 15 this season and 90 in his career.

Cochran, who has committed to play at the University of Connecticut, has completed 50 of 63 passes for 1,221 yards this season. He's been intercepted twice.

Earlier this year he became Connecticut's all-time leader in career passing yardage when he completed 15 passes for 327 yards in a 49-14 victory over Oxford. That total gave him 8,027 career passing yards and allowed him to surpass Della Vecchia (7,710). Cochran has passed for 8,337 yards in his career.

“It's a great honor, but it's something I'd rather acknowledge after the season,” Cochran said following the Oxford game. “i want to keep my head clear.”

When the season began Cochran already held the state record for career completions (485).

It's unlikely Masuk will meet any serious resistance anytime soon since its next two opponents – Notre Dame-Fairfield and Immaculate – are 0-8 and have been outscored 112-349 this season.

Cochran is scheduled to graduate in December and enroll in college in January.

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Three-star quarterback Casey Cochran, the top-rated recruit in Connecticut, committed to the University of Connecticut on Sunday night.

Cochran led Masuk High School to a 13-0 record and the Class L state championship last season, when he was named Connecticut's Gatorade Player of the Year. He completed 200 of 295 pass attempts for 3,345 yards and 40 touchdowns as a junior

“It felt right,” Cochran said. “It's always been a dream for me to play in my home state for UConn. It wasn't too hard of a decision.”

Cochran, who is on pace to graduate from high school in January, said he was also considering Yale and Princeton. He led New London High School to Connecticut's Class SS championship during his freshman season, and then transferred to Masuk.

Cochran received a verbal offer from UConn last Thursday.

ESPN's Roger Brown checks in today on his recruiting blog with Masuk (Conn.) quarterback Casey Cochran, who was offered a scholarship by Boston College a year ago by an coach that has since moved on from the program.

Where the Eagles stand with Cochran -- considered one of New England's top prospects, and an ESPNU 150 Watch List candidate earlier this year -- figure to be made a lot clearer by the end of today.

Brown writes:

Quarterback Casey Cochran (Monroe, Conn./Masuk) will likely find out where he stands with Boston College after he attends the BC camp on Friday.

Cochran received an offer from BC last year, but that offer came from former offensive coordinator Gary Tranquill, who has since retired and been replaced by Kevin Rogers.

"I'm sure a lot will depend on how he performs Friday," Jack Cochran, Casey's father, said.

Cochran led Masuk to a 13-0 record and the Class L state championship last season, when he was named Connecticut's Gatorade Player of the Year. He completed 200 of 295 pass attempts for 3,345 yards and 40 touchdowns.

Cochran, who is on pace to graduate in January of 2012, led New London High School to Connecticut's Class SS championship during his freshman season, and then transferred to Masuk.

For more recruiting updates on New England's top high school football talent, be sure to check out Brown's ESPN blog.

ESPN's Roger Brown checks in today on his recruiting blog with Masuk (Conn.) quarterback Casey Cochran, who will be hitting a handful of camps over the next two months in an effort to expand his number of offers.

Boston College is the only school offering the junior right now. In addition to BC's one day camp, he'll be going to UConn, Syracuse, Temple, Harvard, Penn, Princeton and Yale. Brown writes:

"The biggest thing the next two months are camps," Cochran said. "A lot of these schools probably aren't going to offer until they see me in person. BC came to my school recently and I receive letters from them every week, so the communication from them remains good.

"Besides BC I'd say Connecticut, Yale, Princeton and Penn, as well as Iowa and Temple, are the schools showing the most interest."

Cochran, who is scheduled to graduate from high school in January, led Masuk to a 13-0 record and Connecticut's Class L state championship last season. He completed 200 of 295 pass attempts for 3,345 yards and 40 touchdowns as a junior, when he was named Connecticut's Gatorade Player of the Year.

Cochran said he is looking at all the Ivy League schools, and has visited Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard, Princeton and Yale. He has also visited Connecticut, Syracuse, Temple and Villanova. He also said he'd prefer to choose a college before September.

"Hopefully some offers will come after the camps," he said. "That's the assumption."

For more recruiting updates on New England's top high school football talent, be sure to check out Brown's blog.

Five New Englanders are among the nominees for next year's U.S. Army All-American Bowl, to be played on Jan. 7 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, broadcast nationally on NBC.

Masuk (Conn.) quarterback Casey Cochran and New Hampton (N.H.) quarterback Jake Kiley join three Massachusetts natives on the list of nominees: Worcester Academy athlete Canaan Severin, and Catholic Memorial's Camren Williams and Armani Reeves.

From the list of more than 440 nominees nationally, 90 will ultimately be selected to the game. A full list of nominees can be found here.

Although the school has not extended a verbal scholarship offer, it appears that the University of Connecticut may be a likely landing spot for Masuk quarterback Casey Cochran.

Cochran, a 6-foot, 210-pound junior, took his second unofficial visit to Connecticut on Saturday, when he attended spring practice. He also attended a junior day in February.

"I wanted to get a look at the new offense," Cochran said. "It was up-tempo, and a lot of pro-style, which fits me.

"I don't think I'll get an offer until they see me in person at one of their summer camps. It would be an honor to play for my home state."

Cochran, the state’s Gatorade Player of the Year last season, has an offer from Boston College and said he will attend BC practice this weekend. He made an unofficial visit to Vanderbilt in March, and is scheduled to visit Rutgers, Harvard, Virginia, Duke, Penn State and Notre Dame this month.

Cochran is on pace to graduate in January. He led Masuk to a 13-0 record and the Class L state championship last season, when he completed 200 of 295 pass attempts for 3,345 yards and 40 touchdowns. He led New London to the Class SS championship during his freshman season, and then transferred to Masuk.

Cochran said Vanderbilt, Connecticut, Rutgers and Boston College are the schools he hears from most frequently.

"Hopefully I'll get more offers in the spring,” Cochran said. “I'm in no rush, but I'd like to have it done before my senior season to get the distractions out of the way. If it takes longer, it takes longer."

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It appears that the University of Miami still has a chance to reel in Brockton High four-star defensive back Albert Louis-Jean.

Louis-Jean committed to Miami in March, but was one of three players who de-committed earlier this month after the school fired Randy Shannon. Louis-Jean said Miami remains a potential landing spot.

“Of course,” Louis-Jean said. “I’m going down there [for an official visit] this weekend.”

Louis-Jean, who is the top-rated recruit from New England, has already taken official visits to Boston College and Penn State. He said after this weekend, he does not have any other official visits planned.

Louis-Jean’s father, Albert Louis-Jean Sr., said at the moment it’s a three-team race between those schools.

“I’d say BC has just as good a chance as anybody,” Louis-Jean Sr. said. “We’ve heard from a lot of schools since Randy [Shannon] was fired, but I wouldn’t say we’ve had serious conversations with any of them. He’s not really interested in anybody else at this point.

“He’s always been interested in just a few schools. That’s why he committed early.”

Miami is scheduled to introduce former Temple head coach Al Golden as Shannon’s replacement today. Louis-Jean said as of Monday morning, he had not been contacted by Golden or anybody at Miami.

“I really don’t’ know anything about him,” Louis-Jean said.

Golden is a New Jersey native who played tight end at Penn State. Before he became Temple’s head coach, Golden served as an assistant coach at Virginia, Penn State and Boston College.

Miami has four commitments in its current recruiting class.

Louis-Jean is expected to announce his decision during the first week of January.

Cochran leads Masuk to title
ESPNU 150 Watch List quarterback Casey Cochran (Monroe, Conn./Masuk) completed 22 of 32 passes for 309 yards and three touchdowns in Masuk’s 50-20 triumph over New Canaan in Connecticut’s Class L championship game Saturday.

Cochran, who also ran for a touchdown, left the game with an ankle injury in the third quarter, but returned late in the fourth.

Masuk completed its season with a 13-0 record.

Connecticut’s best high school football teams cruised in Week 4, with the top four teams in the New Haven Register top 10 poll outscoring their opponents, 162-27, over the weekend.

Some of their counterparts could have used the extra points.

Five of the state’s ranked teams fell over the weekend, likely making for a revamped look of the polls when they are released Monday.

Notre Dame-West Haven (28-27 to West Haven), Cheshire (14-13 to Hand-Madison) and Windsor (20-17) — three teams ranked in at least one statewide poll since the start of the season — are in danger of falling out, with Notre Dame and Cheshire each suffering their second loss.

The Green Knights — ranked No. 6 in the state and seventh in the ESPNBoston.com New England top 10 — have to endure losing city bragging rights to the Westies (4-0). Notre Dame hosts Hand this weekend, just another possible knockout blow in the uber-competitive Southern Connecticut Conference.

Cheshire, meanwhile, has a matchup with Wilbur Cross — ranked No. 10 but likely not after a 21-12 loss to Ridgefield — awaiting it on Friday.

Windsor threw three interceptions in a 20-17 CCC loss to Glastonbury, and No. 5 Bridgeport Central fell, 34-12, to Trumbull.

In other games:

• Pat D’Amato got the passing games going for top-ranked Xavier — ranked No. 3 in the ESPNBoston.com New England poll — tossing two touchdown passes to Ryan Murphy in a 41-7 victory over Amity on Friday.
• Masuk-Monroe’s offense continued rolling in a 49-7 rout of Brookfield on Friday, with Casey Cochran throwing four touchdown passes. But its defense is starting to get noticed, too. The Panthers (4-0 and No. 7 in the ESPNBoston.com New England rankings) have outscored opponents, 187-14, and haven’t allowed more than a single score in any game.
  “In all honesty, I’ve seen a lot of good defenses and I’ve had a lot of good defenses,” Brookfield coach Rich Angarano told the Connecticut Post. “That Masuk defense is one of the best defenses I’ve ever seen around here.”
• Joe Della Vecchia ignited the St. Joseph offense and the once-ranked team finally got another win in a 55-50 shootout victory over Trinity Catholic. Della Vecchia had a hand in six touchdowns, throwing four and running two in, to stop a two-game slide.
• And he wasn’t the only one. Ansonia’s (4-0) Arkeel Newsome scored six times on his own and rushed for 268 yards in a 46-6 blowout of Wilby.