High School: Windsor
Has Mark Ecke's tenure as Cheshire High School's varsity football coach come to an end?
Right now that's a question Ecke can't answer.
Ecke was suspended following an incident during a junior varsity lacrosse game between Cheshire and Glastonbury on May 3. According to published reports, Ecke berated officials after his son Tucker, a freshman who plays for Cheshire, was hit by a Glastonbury player. Ecke apparently felt the hit was illegal and was upset that no penalty was called.
“Whatever happen with my future as a coach at Cheshire High, it doesn't matter,” Ecke told the Connecticut Post. “For me, my family is first priority. This was about my son and I'm very protective of him. That's what this was about.”
Ecke was reportedly escorted from the field by three police officers. According to the incident report, police were summoned to deal with “unruly behavior.”
Ecke, who is employed as a Cheshire police officer, is awaiting a personnel hearing with the Cheshire Board of Education. He was reportedly asked to resign, but refused.
“It was among one of the worst hits I've ever seen in lacrosse,” Ecke told the Post. “I've been involved in lacrosse for 15 years. I've been a player. I've been a coach. I've taken officiating courses. The official didn't call a blatant illegal hit.
“That's what got me. That's what brought this all about. And as a father, watching this happen, I got upset. I probably yelled more than I should have and I regret that it went down the way it did.”
Ecke has guided Cheshire to four state titles in his 17 years as the program's head coach. He coached under current Temple coach Steve Addazio on the Cheshire staff, and was promoted to head coach after the 1994 season.
Cheshire had a 49-game winning streak, which ended in 1996.
Ecke's overall record is 118-64-3.
SOFTBALL STREAK ENDS
When the St. Joseph softball team defeated Westhill 10-6 on May 7 it ended the Vikings' 54-game winning streak in FCIAC games.
Westhill grabbed a two-run lead by scoring three runs in the sixth, but the Cadets responded with a six-run seventh. Taryn Figmic collected the game's big hit, a three-run double with two outs in the seventh and the score tied, 6-6. Figmic had two hits and five RBIs in the victory.
It was Westhill's first regular-season FCIAC loss since a 3-2 setback against Darien in 2009. The program's only other conference loss since then came against Fairfield Ludlowe in the opening round of last year's playoffs.
RALLY KILLER
The Simsbury baseball team was in position to hand Northwest Catholic-West Hartford its first loss of the season. Trailing 7-5, Simsbury loaded the bases with no outs in the seventh, but Northwest Catholic-West Hartford erased the threat by turning a game-ending triple play.
Second baseman Ryan Coursey fielded a soft liner for the first out. The runners were moving on the pitch, so Coursey stepped on second for the second out and then threw to to first for the game's final out.
KINGS OF THE HILL
The first victory of Noah Hahn's varsity pitching career was a memorable one. Hahn, a sophomore, pitched a no-hitter to lead the Avon baseball team to a 12-0 victory over Windsor on April 30.
Hahn, who plays shortstop when he's not pitching, struck out 12 and walked three.
Three other no-hitters have been thrown since that contest. Bristol Central's Matt Blandino didn't allow a hit during a 7-0 triumph over Maloney on May 7, Hamden Hall's T.J. Linta tossed a no-hitter in a 4-0 victory over Greens Farms Academy on May 8 and John Amoroso tossed a no-hitter to help St. Joseph defeat McMahon on May 12.
Blandino struck out 16 and walked one. Linta, a sophomore, struck out six. Amoroso struck out seven and walked two, but wasn't in position to collect the win until Mark Hirschbeck singled in the go-ahead run in the seventh.
LAX POWERS
Henry West and Peter Lindley each scored four goals and Case Matheis collected five assists as the Darien boys lacrosse team defeated Ridgefield 14-11 on May 8 in a matchup between teams that entered the contest undefeated in the FCIAC.
Roger Brown is a freelance writer who has been reporting on high school sports in New England since 1992.
Right now that's a question Ecke can't answer.
Ecke was suspended following an incident during a junior varsity lacrosse game between Cheshire and Glastonbury on May 3. According to published reports, Ecke berated officials after his son Tucker, a freshman who plays for Cheshire, was hit by a Glastonbury player. Ecke apparently felt the hit was illegal and was upset that no penalty was called.
“Whatever happen with my future as a coach at Cheshire High, it doesn't matter,” Ecke told the Connecticut Post. “For me, my family is first priority. This was about my son and I'm very protective of him. That's what this was about.”
Ecke was reportedly escorted from the field by three police officers. According to the incident report, police were summoned to deal with “unruly behavior.”
Ecke, who is employed as a Cheshire police officer, is awaiting a personnel hearing with the Cheshire Board of Education. He was reportedly asked to resign, but refused.
“It was among one of the worst hits I've ever seen in lacrosse,” Ecke told the Post. “I've been involved in lacrosse for 15 years. I've been a player. I've been a coach. I've taken officiating courses. The official didn't call a blatant illegal hit.
“That's what got me. That's what brought this all about. And as a father, watching this happen, I got upset. I probably yelled more than I should have and I regret that it went down the way it did.”
Ecke has guided Cheshire to four state titles in his 17 years as the program's head coach. He coached under current Temple coach Steve Addazio on the Cheshire staff, and was promoted to head coach after the 1994 season.
Cheshire had a 49-game winning streak, which ended in 1996.
Ecke's overall record is 118-64-3.
SOFTBALL STREAK ENDS
When the St. Joseph softball team defeated Westhill 10-6 on May 7 it ended the Vikings' 54-game winning streak in FCIAC games.
Westhill grabbed a two-run lead by scoring three runs in the sixth, but the Cadets responded with a six-run seventh. Taryn Figmic collected the game's big hit, a three-run double with two outs in the seventh and the score tied, 6-6. Figmic had two hits and five RBIs in the victory.
It was Westhill's first regular-season FCIAC loss since a 3-2 setback against Darien in 2009. The program's only other conference loss since then came against Fairfield Ludlowe in the opening round of last year's playoffs.
RALLY KILLER
The Simsbury baseball team was in position to hand Northwest Catholic-West Hartford its first loss of the season. Trailing 7-5, Simsbury loaded the bases with no outs in the seventh, but Northwest Catholic-West Hartford erased the threat by turning a game-ending triple play.
Second baseman Ryan Coursey fielded a soft liner for the first out. The runners were moving on the pitch, so Coursey stepped on second for the second out and then threw to to first for the game's final out.
KINGS OF THE HILL
The first victory of Noah Hahn's varsity pitching career was a memorable one. Hahn, a sophomore, pitched a no-hitter to lead the Avon baseball team to a 12-0 victory over Windsor on April 30.
Hahn, who plays shortstop when he's not pitching, struck out 12 and walked three.
Three other no-hitters have been thrown since that contest. Bristol Central's Matt Blandino didn't allow a hit during a 7-0 triumph over Maloney on May 7, Hamden Hall's T.J. Linta tossed a no-hitter in a 4-0 victory over Greens Farms Academy on May 8 and John Amoroso tossed a no-hitter to help St. Joseph defeat McMahon on May 12.
Blandino struck out 16 and walked one. Linta, a sophomore, struck out six. Amoroso struck out seven and walked two, but wasn't in position to collect the win until Mark Hirschbeck singled in the go-ahead run in the seventh.
LAX POWERS
Henry West and Peter Lindley each scored four goals and Case Matheis collected five assists as the Darien boys lacrosse team defeated Ridgefield 14-11 on May 8 in a matchup between teams that entered the contest undefeated in the FCIAC.
Roger Brown is a freelance writer who has been reporting on high school sports in New England since 1992.
New England Roundup: Connecticut
February, 10, 2012
Feb 10
1:52
PM ET
By Roger Brown | ESPNBoston.com
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).
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).
New England Roundup: Connecticut
January, 12, 2012
Jan 12
7:03
PM ET
By Roger Brown | ESPNBoston.com
Temple coach Steve Addazio's familiarity with the football landscape in Connecticut has paid off this month, when Temple received verbal commitments from two former Connecticut high school standouts: running back Montrell Dobbs (Ansonia) and 6-foot-1, 215-pound linebacker Tyler Matakevich (St. Joseph).
Both Dobbs and Matakevich graduated from high school in 2011, and played prep school football at Milford Academy in New Berlin, N.Y., last season.
Addazio is a Connecticut native who played at Central Connecticut State (1978-81) and coached at Cheshire High School (1988-94).
Dobbs originally committed to Connecticut, but could not gain admission because of an academic issue. He said he thought about playing for Marshall, until Temple entered the picture. He met with Addazio and Temple assistant coach Sean McGowan last Friday. Temple extended a scholarship offer Tuesday.
“I really didn't have to think about it much, especially since Tyler and I have become good friends and he's going there,” Dobbs said. “I wanted to stay closer to home anyway. I was a good fit for me.”
Dobbs rushed for 3,445 yards and scored 45 touchdowns during his senior season at Ansonia. He was Milford Academy's offensive MVP last season.
Dobbs said he may be a partial qualifier and not allowed to play next season.
“I don't know if I'm going to be playing this year,” he said. “I'm gonna find that out. All I know is I'm definitely going to school at Temple.”
An injury forced Matakevich to miss the first five games of his senior season, when he helped St. Joseph win the second of back-to-back Class S championships. St. Joseph beat a Dobbs-led Ansonia team 49-28 to win the 2010 championship. Matakevich scored four touchdowns in that victory.
Matakevich was a two-time all-state selection who caught Temple's eye at a postseason college combine.
“I love everything about Temple,” Matakevich told the Connecticut Post. “I'm so happy to finally get this done after all that hard work. It's finally paid off.”
Both Dobbs and Matakevich graduated from high school in 2011, and played prep school football at Milford Academy in New Berlin, N.Y., last season.
Addazio is a Connecticut native who played at Central Connecticut State (1978-81) and coached at Cheshire High School (1988-94).
Dobbs originally committed to Connecticut, but could not gain admission because of an academic issue. He said he thought about playing for Marshall, until Temple entered the picture. He met with Addazio and Temple assistant coach Sean McGowan last Friday. Temple extended a scholarship offer Tuesday.
“I really didn't have to think about it much, especially since Tyler and I have become good friends and he's going there,” Dobbs said. “I wanted to stay closer to home anyway. I was a good fit for me.”
Dobbs rushed for 3,445 yards and scored 45 touchdowns during his senior season at Ansonia. He was Milford Academy's offensive MVP last season.
Dobbs said he may be a partial qualifier and not allowed to play next season.
“I don't know if I'm going to be playing this year,” he said. “I'm gonna find that out. All I know is I'm definitely going to school at Temple.”
An injury forced Matakevich to miss the first five games of his senior season, when he helped St. Joseph win the second of back-to-back Class S championships. St. Joseph beat a Dobbs-led Ansonia team 49-28 to win the 2010 championship. Matakevich scored four touchdowns in that victory.
Matakevich was a two-time all-state selection who caught Temple's eye at a postseason college combine.
“I love everything about Temple,” Matakevich told the Connecticut Post. “I'm so happy to finally get this done after all that hard work. It's finally paid off.”
New England Roundup: Connecticut
December, 31, 2011
12/31/11
3:45
PM ET
By Roger Brown | ESPNBoston.com
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.
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.
It was not the outcome Bob Davis was hoping for in his final game as a high school football coach, but Davis said the South's 35-8 victory over his North team in the 11th Annual Senior Bowl was a memorable experience nonetheless.
“It was a great experience,” Davis said. “These games are what they are: an exhibition to get the kids out there for [college coaches] to see. But more importantly it's about having fun, and the kids did.”
Davis, who announced that he wouldn't return as North Country's coach next season after the Falcons lost in this year's Division II semifinals, watched the South score on each of its first four second-half possessions to build a 28-0 lead early in the fourth quarter.
Hartford running back Troy Bell rushed for 142 yards and two touchdowns in the victory. Bell scored on runs of 20 and 62 yards.
Mill River’s Adam Mackey opened the scoring with a 1-yard run 5:04 into the third quarter.
Bell’s 20-yard TD run made it 13-0, and then Fair Haven quarterback Robert Coloutti hooked up with Levi Ellis, one of his Fair Haven teammates, for an 18-yard touchdown pass with 2:39 left in the third quarter. Hartford quarterback Tucker Stone connected with Middlebury’s Marshall Hastings for the two-point conversion and a 21-0 lead.
Bell’s 67-yard TD run extended the South's lead to 28-0 34 seconds into the fourth quarter.
The North got on the scoreboard on a 2-yard touchdown run by North Country quarterback Tre Sanville early in the fourth quarter. Sanville hooked up with Winooski’s Devon Rollins for the two-point conversion.
The South capped the scoring on an 18-yard touchdown sprint by Windsor’s Matt Rafus.
“Our offense never found a rhythm,” Davis said. “You have different players coming in on every series so it's not like the regular season.
“I've been running on adrenaline since August. Now the reality [of retirement] is going to settle in.”
“It was a great experience,” Davis said. “These games are what they are: an exhibition to get the kids out there for [college coaches] to see. But more importantly it's about having fun, and the kids did.”
Davis, who announced that he wouldn't return as North Country's coach next season after the Falcons lost in this year's Division II semifinals, watched the South score on each of its first four second-half possessions to build a 28-0 lead early in the fourth quarter.
Hartford running back Troy Bell rushed for 142 yards and two touchdowns in the victory. Bell scored on runs of 20 and 62 yards.
Mill River’s Adam Mackey opened the scoring with a 1-yard run 5:04 into the third quarter.
Bell’s 20-yard TD run made it 13-0, and then Fair Haven quarterback Robert Coloutti hooked up with Levi Ellis, one of his Fair Haven teammates, for an 18-yard touchdown pass with 2:39 left in the third quarter. Hartford quarterback Tucker Stone connected with Middlebury’s Marshall Hastings for the two-point conversion and a 21-0 lead.
Bell’s 67-yard TD run extended the South's lead to 28-0 34 seconds into the fourth quarter.
The North got on the scoreboard on a 2-yard touchdown run by North Country quarterback Tre Sanville early in the fourth quarter. Sanville hooked up with Winooski’s Devon Rollins for the two-point conversion.
The South capped the scoring on an 18-yard touchdown sprint by Windsor’s Matt Rafus.
“Our offense never found a rhythm,” Davis said. “You have different players coming in on every series so it's not like the regular season.
“I've been running on adrenaline since August. Now the reality [of retirement] is going to settle in.”
New England Roundup: Connecticut
November, 28, 2011
11/28/11
2:21
PM ET
By Roger Brown | ESPNBoston.com
Until this year, the Glastonbury High School girls' soccer program had always lacked a finishing kick.
Glastonbury had reached the Class LL championship game six times since 1983, and came away second best each time. That all changed when top-seeded Glastonbury defeated 18th-seeded Trumbull 2-1 Friday to win this year's Class LL title.
“I was doing this for all the [Glastonbury] girls who have been here before us,” Glastonbury senior midfielder Liz Otto said. “I'm just so excited we finally got it done.”
Otto gave Glastonbury a 1-0 lead when she headed Kayla Orozco's corner kick into the Trumbull goal with 19:45 to play. The Tomahawks doubled their lead when junior Kristen Dragotta scored with 2:41 left.
Trumbull made things interesting by scoring with 2:23 to play, but the Tomahawks hung on to finish the season with a 17-0-2 record.
In last weekend's other girls soccer championship games No. 2 Avon defeated No. 8 Farmington 2-1 to win the Class L title; No. 1 Northwest Catholic beat No. 2 Granby Memorial 4-0 in the Class M championship game; and No. 5 Immaculate defeated No. 7 Litchfield 3-0 to win the Class S title.
Glastonbury had reached the Class LL championship game six times since 1983, and came away second best each time. That all changed when top-seeded Glastonbury defeated 18th-seeded Trumbull 2-1 Friday to win this year's Class LL title.
“I was doing this for all the [Glastonbury] girls who have been here before us,” Glastonbury senior midfielder Liz Otto said. “I'm just so excited we finally got it done.”
Otto gave Glastonbury a 1-0 lead when she headed Kayla Orozco's corner kick into the Trumbull goal with 19:45 to play. The Tomahawks doubled their lead when junior Kristen Dragotta scored with 2:41 left.
Trumbull made things interesting by scoring with 2:23 to play, but the Tomahawks hung on to finish the season with a 17-0-2 record.
In last weekend's other girls soccer championship games No. 2 Avon defeated No. 8 Farmington 2-1 to win the Class L title; No. 1 Northwest Catholic beat No. 2 Granby Memorial 4-0 in the Class M championship game; and No. 5 Immaculate defeated No. 7 Litchfield 3-0 to win the Class S title.
Woodstock Union High School football coach Jim McLaughlin won the 200th game of his coaching career Saturday, and it couldn't have come at a better time.
McLaughlin guided top-seeded Woodstock to a 27-7 victory over third-seeded Windsor in the Division III championship game at Castleton State College. It was the eighth state title McLaughlin's teams have won in his 30 years as a head coach.
Junior fullback Ed Doton did most of the damage for Woodstock, which began the season with back-to-back losses before winning nine in a row. Doton rushed for 255 yards and three touchdowns.
“If you look at it as a puzzle, the pieces really came together for us as the season went along,” McLaughlin said.
Woodstock, which led 14-0 at halftime, held Windsor running back Matt Rafus to 40 yards on 14 carries. Rafus finished the season with 1,881 yards rushing and 27 touchdowns.
Windsor's only touchdown came on a blocked field goal attempt that Ethan Hill returned 75 yards. Windsor completed its season with a 7-4 record.
In Saturday's other championship games top-seeded Hartford beat third-seeded Middlebury 42-6 to win the Division I title; and third-seeded Fair Haven outscored fourth-seeded Burr and Burton 57-34 to win the Division II title.
Hartford 42, Middlebury 6
Hartford dominated on both sides of the ball and won its fourth championship in the last five years.
Miles Latham rushed for 102 yards and two touchdowns, and Troy Bell ran for 109 yards to help the Hurricanes completed an unbeaten season (11-0). Hartford scored four second-half touchdowns.
Middlebury (9-2) played without quarterback Dillon Robinson, who was injured in the team's semifinal victory over BFA-St. Albans. Middlebury's only touchdown came when Marshall Hastings returned a kickoff 79 yards for a score.
Hartford, which had a 444-88 edge in net offense, outscored its opponents 508-112 this season.
McLaughlin guided top-seeded Woodstock to a 27-7 victory over third-seeded Windsor in the Division III championship game at Castleton State College. It was the eighth state title McLaughlin's teams have won in his 30 years as a head coach.
Junior fullback Ed Doton did most of the damage for Woodstock, which began the season with back-to-back losses before winning nine in a row. Doton rushed for 255 yards and three touchdowns.
“If you look at it as a puzzle, the pieces really came together for us as the season went along,” McLaughlin said.
Woodstock, which led 14-0 at halftime, held Windsor running back Matt Rafus to 40 yards on 14 carries. Rafus finished the season with 1,881 yards rushing and 27 touchdowns.
Windsor's only touchdown came on a blocked field goal attempt that Ethan Hill returned 75 yards. Windsor completed its season with a 7-4 record.
In Saturday's other championship games top-seeded Hartford beat third-seeded Middlebury 42-6 to win the Division I title; and third-seeded Fair Haven outscored fourth-seeded Burr and Burton 57-34 to win the Division II title.
Hartford 42, Middlebury 6
Hartford dominated on both sides of the ball and won its fourth championship in the last five years.
Miles Latham rushed for 102 yards and two touchdowns, and Troy Bell ran for 109 yards to help the Hurricanes completed an unbeaten season (11-0). Hartford scored four second-half touchdowns.
Middlebury (9-2) played without quarterback Dillon Robinson, who was injured in the team's semifinal victory over BFA-St. Albans. Middlebury's only touchdown came when Marshall Hastings returned a kickoff 79 yards for a score.
Hartford, which had a 444-88 edge in net offense, outscored its opponents 508-112 this season.
One of biggest questions when the Vermont high school football season began remains unanswered: Can anybody beat Hartford?
The Hurricanes, who won last year's Division I title, are off to a 5-0 start even though they played without starting quarterback Tucker Stone (suspension) for the last two games. Hartford is averaging 40 points per game and has allowed 52 points in its five contests.
Any thought of Champlain Valley Union (4-1) challenging Hartford this season seemed to disappear following last weekend's 48-0 loss to BFA-St. Albans.
CVU, which moved from Division II to Division I following the 2010 season, committed five turnovers and allowed 451 yards on the ground in the loss. BFA-St. Albans received 177 yards rushing and two touchdowns from Sam Rose, and 123 yards rushing and two touchdowns from Doug Saffo.
BFA-St. Albans (4-1) lost to Hartford in last year's Division I championship game and dropped a 21-0 decision to Hartford earlier this season.
Other than Hartford, Middlebury (5-0) is the only unbeaten teams in Division I. Middlebury, which will not play Hartford during the regular season, will face BFA- St. Albans on Friday night.
The Vermont Principals' Association released its first official football standings this week. Each team's win-loss record and Quality Point Rating (QPR) appears in parenthesis. The QPR determines playoff seedings for each division:
Division I
1. Hartford (5-0, 8.500)
2. BFA (4-1, 8.500)
3. Middlebury (5-0, 7.625)
4. Champlain Valley (4-1, 6.250)
5. South Burlington (4-1, 6.000)
6. Rutland (3-2, 4.250)
7. St. Johnsbury (3-2 4.000)
8. Colchester (3-2, 3.750)
9. Brattleboro, 1-4, 1.500)
10. Essex (1-4, 1.250)
11. Mt. Anthony (1-4, 1.250)
12. Burlington (0-5, 0.000)
13. Mt. Mansfield (0-5, 0.000)
14. Spaulding (0-5, 0.000)
The Hurricanes, who won last year's Division I title, are off to a 5-0 start even though they played without starting quarterback Tucker Stone (suspension) for the last two games. Hartford is averaging 40 points per game and has allowed 52 points in its five contests.
Any thought of Champlain Valley Union (4-1) challenging Hartford this season seemed to disappear following last weekend's 48-0 loss to BFA-St. Albans.
CVU, which moved from Division II to Division I following the 2010 season, committed five turnovers and allowed 451 yards on the ground in the loss. BFA-St. Albans received 177 yards rushing and two touchdowns from Sam Rose, and 123 yards rushing and two touchdowns from Doug Saffo.
BFA-St. Albans (4-1) lost to Hartford in last year's Division I championship game and dropped a 21-0 decision to Hartford earlier this season.
Other than Hartford, Middlebury (5-0) is the only unbeaten teams in Division I. Middlebury, which will not play Hartford during the regular season, will face BFA- St. Albans on Friday night.
The Vermont Principals' Association released its first official football standings this week. Each team's win-loss record and Quality Point Rating (QPR) appears in parenthesis. The QPR determines playoff seedings for each division:
Division I
1. Hartford (5-0, 8.500)
2. BFA (4-1, 8.500)
3. Middlebury (5-0, 7.625)
4. Champlain Valley (4-1, 6.250)
5. South Burlington (4-1, 6.000)
6. Rutland (3-2, 4.250)
7. St. Johnsbury (3-2 4.000)
8. Colchester (3-2, 3.750)
9. Brattleboro, 1-4, 1.500)
10. Essex (1-4, 1.250)
11. Mt. Anthony (1-4, 1.250)
12. Burlington (0-5, 0.000)
13. Mt. Mansfield (0-5, 0.000)
14. Spaulding (0-5, 0.000)
New England Roundup: Connecticut
September, 28, 2011
9/28/11
2:21
PM ET
By Roger Brown | ESPNBoston.com
The most controversial rule in high school sports may be the “Score Management policy” Connecticut instituted for high school football in 2006.
Also known as the “50-point rule,” the Score Management policy can result in a one-game suspension for any coach whose team wins a game by more than 50 points. Bridgeport Central's Dave Cadelina became the first coach penalized when he was suspended after his team beat Bassick 56-0 in the first week of the 2006 season. Central topped 50 points when a reserve running back scored in the second half.
The suspension was later lifted, but Cadelina – and the rule – made plenty of headlines.
The rule received even more publicity last season, when Cadelina's team had a 49-0 lead at halftime and punted on first down throughout the second half.
Connecticut had gone three seasons without a team violating the rule, but that ended Saturday, when Northwest Catholic defeated Weaver 52-0. The rule was modified before the 2011 season, however, and that modification allowed Northwest Catholic coach Mike Tyler to appeal the penalty and avoid a suspension.
Now when a team wins by more than 50 points the game is reviewed to determine if the winning coach used proper sportsmanship.
Here is the press released issued by the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Association regarding the Northwest Catholic/Weaver game:
Tyler will be able to coach this weekend's game against Bloomfield.
Also known as the “50-point rule,” the Score Management policy can result in a one-game suspension for any coach whose team wins a game by more than 50 points. Bridgeport Central's Dave Cadelina became the first coach penalized when he was suspended after his team beat Bassick 56-0 in the first week of the 2006 season. Central topped 50 points when a reserve running back scored in the second half.
The suspension was later lifted, but Cadelina – and the rule – made plenty of headlines.
The rule received even more publicity last season, when Cadelina's team had a 49-0 lead at halftime and punted on first down throughout the second half.
Connecticut had gone three seasons without a team violating the rule, but that ended Saturday, when Northwest Catholic defeated Weaver 52-0. The rule was modified before the 2011 season, however, and that modification allowed Northwest Catholic coach Mike Tyler to appeal the penalty and avoid a suspension.
Now when a team wins by more than 50 points the game is reviewed to determine if the winning coach used proper sportsmanship.
Here is the press released issued by the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Association regarding the Northwest Catholic/Weaver game:
“After a review of reports received from both schools involved and the game officials in regards to Northwest Catholic High School's 52-0 varsity football victory over Weaver High School on Saturday, it has been determined that the proper sportsmanship protocols were followed, and that there was no violation of the CIAC Score Management policy by the winning school's head coach.”
Tyler will be able to coach this weekend's game against Bloomfield.
Super conferences may be the thing of the future in college football, but the concept is getting a test drive at the high school level in Vermont this fall.
Four teams – Champlain Valley Union, Colchester, Middlebury and Mount Mansfield – moved from Division II to Division I in the offseason, which created a 14-team league at the top of Vermont's three-division format.
“In the past we always tried to have an even number of teams in each division,” CVU coach Jim Provost said. “What was happening is there were schools in Division II that started to do well and belonged in Division I.
“In the last two years, from top to bottom, there was more parity in Division II than there was in Division I. I think there's better balance across the division now.”
The following alignments will be in place through the 2012 season:
Division I:
Essex; Champlain Valley; BFA-St. Albans; Rutland; Mount Mansfield; Colchester; Middlebury; Spaulding; Mount Anthony; Hartford; Burlington; Brattleboro; South Burlington and St. Johnsbury.
Division II:
North Country; U-32; Lyndon; Milton; Springfield; Bellows Falls; Burr and Burton; Fair Haven; Rice Memorial and Otter Valley.
Division III:
BFA-Fairfax; Windsor; Mount Abraham; Mill River; Woodstock; Poultney; Montpelier; Oxbow; Winooski and Mount St. Joseph.
Four teams – Champlain Valley Union, Colchester, Middlebury and Mount Mansfield – moved from Division II to Division I in the offseason, which created a 14-team league at the top of Vermont's three-division format.
“In the past we always tried to have an even number of teams in each division,” CVU coach Jim Provost said. “What was happening is there were schools in Division II that started to do well and belonged in Division I.
“In the last two years, from top to bottom, there was more parity in Division II than there was in Division I. I think there's better balance across the division now.”
The following alignments will be in place through the 2012 season:
Division I:
Essex; Champlain Valley; BFA-St. Albans; Rutland; Mount Mansfield; Colchester; Middlebury; Spaulding; Mount Anthony; Hartford; Burlington; Brattleboro; South Burlington and St. Johnsbury.
Division II:
North Country; U-32; Lyndon; Milton; Springfield; Bellows Falls; Burr and Burton; Fair Haven; Rice Memorial and Otter Valley.
Division III:
BFA-Fairfax; Windsor; Mount Abraham; Mill River; Woodstock; Poultney; Montpelier; Oxbow; Winooski and Mount St. Joseph.
At halftime of Saturday’s Governor’s Cup All-Star football game there were those who probably thought Connecticut’s eight-game winning streak against Rhode Island was in jeopardy. If so, those thoughts disappeared early in the second half.
Connecticut, which led by four points at halftime, scored three touchdowns in the first 7:18 of the third quarter and cruised to a 37-6 triumph over Rhode Island at Southington High School.
It was Connecticut’s 10th victory in the 13-year history of the event.
Things began to turn sour for Rhode Island when Montrell Dobbs (Ansonia) scored on a 77-yard run to help Connecticut increase its lead to 17-6.
Dobbs, who was held to two yards on five carries in the first half, finished the game with 96 yards on 10 carries. He was selected as Connecticut’s offensive MVP.
“At halftime we talked about taking care of business in our house, and that’s what we did in the second half,” Dobbs said.
Rhode Island fumbled the ball away on the next play from scrimmage. Two plays later Connecticut’s Max Delorenzo scored on a 15-yard run to help made it a 24-6 contest.
Jack DeBiase intercepted a pass on Rhode Island’s next possession, and Connecticut cashed in when Joe DellaVecchia tossed a 20-yard touchdown pass to Brian Kelly.
Kelly also caught a 13-yard TD pass from Kyle Nolan. He had three receptions for 69 yards in the victory.
“We just had to fix some problems,” Kelly said. “Our coach [Masuk’s John Murphy] told us that if we fix our mistakes we’d win.”
Connecticut’s only TD in the first half came on a 59-yard TD catch by Temple-bound wide receiver Nainy Bah.
Matt Cassidy’s fourth point-after kick followed Kelly’s second TD reception and capped the scoring. Cassidy also made a 33-yard field goal in the first half.
The Connecticut defense set a Governor’s Cup record by holding Rhode Island to six points. It was also the first time a team didn’t score a touchdown in the contest. Rhode Island scored on two Chad Bacon field goals.
Defensive lineman Wille Maxen (Pomperaug) was named Connecticut’s defensive MVP. Maxen, who will play at Central Connecticut State next season, made three tackles behind the line of scrimmage.
Murphy said although his team had a slim lead at halftime, he had plenty of confidence entering the third quarter.
“I watched this defense for two weeks so I knew how good we were,” he said. “I knew they weren’t going to score a lot of points on that defense.”
Connecticut, which led by four points at halftime, scored three touchdowns in the first 7:18 of the third quarter and cruised to a 37-6 triumph over Rhode Island at Southington High School.
It was Connecticut’s 10th victory in the 13-year history of the event.
Things began to turn sour for Rhode Island when Montrell Dobbs (Ansonia) scored on a 77-yard run to help Connecticut increase its lead to 17-6.
Dobbs, who was held to two yards on five carries in the first half, finished the game with 96 yards on 10 carries. He was selected as Connecticut’s offensive MVP.
“At halftime we talked about taking care of business in our house, and that’s what we did in the second half,” Dobbs said.
Rhode Island fumbled the ball away on the next play from scrimmage. Two plays later Connecticut’s Max Delorenzo scored on a 15-yard run to help made it a 24-6 contest.
Jack DeBiase intercepted a pass on Rhode Island’s next possession, and Connecticut cashed in when Joe DellaVecchia tossed a 20-yard touchdown pass to Brian Kelly.
Kelly also caught a 13-yard TD pass from Kyle Nolan. He had three receptions for 69 yards in the victory.
“We just had to fix some problems,” Kelly said. “Our coach [Masuk’s John Murphy] told us that if we fix our mistakes we’d win.”
Connecticut’s only TD in the first half came on a 59-yard TD catch by Temple-bound wide receiver Nainy Bah.
Matt Cassidy’s fourth point-after kick followed Kelly’s second TD reception and capped the scoring. Cassidy also made a 33-yard field goal in the first half.
The Connecticut defense set a Governor’s Cup record by holding Rhode Island to six points. It was also the first time a team didn’t score a touchdown in the contest. Rhode Island scored on two Chad Bacon field goals.
Defensive lineman Wille Maxen (Pomperaug) was named Connecticut’s defensive MVP. Maxen, who will play at Central Connecticut State next season, made three tackles behind the line of scrimmage.
Murphy said although his team had a slim lead at halftime, he had plenty of confidence entering the third quarter.
“I watched this defense for two weeks so I knew how good we were,” he said. “I knew they weren’t going to score a lot of points on that defense.”
Rice Memorial guard Reagan Jewell and Essex guard Ben Ferris have been selected as Vermont’s Miss Basketball and Mr. Basketball, respectively, for the 2010-11 season.
The awards, which are given to the top boys and girls player in the state, are determined by the Burlington Free Press.
Jewell helped Rice win last season’s Division I championship by beating Champlain Valley Union 45-36 in the title game. The Green Knights completed the season with a 19-5 record and won the program’s first state championship since 2001.
Jewell led Rice in scoring (14 points per game), rebounds (10.0), assists (4.2), steals (3.0) and blocked shots (3.0).
She will continue her basketball career at Holy Family University, a Division II school in Philadelphia.
Ferris helped Essex win the 2009-10 Division I title. He was the only returning starter from that team and averaged 23.4 points, 10.2 rebounds and 6.5 assists per contest last season.
Essex finished the season with an 11-10 record after it won eight of its last 11 games. The Hornets were one of two teams to defeat Division I champion Rice during the regular season.
Ferris became the fifth player in the program’s history to score more than 1,000 career points in high school. He will play college basketball for Division III Tufts University.
Ferris was also selected as Vermont’s Gatorade Player of the Year following the 2010-11 season.
The awards, which are given to the top boys and girls player in the state, are determined by the Burlington Free Press.
Jewell helped Rice win last season’s Division I championship by beating Champlain Valley Union 45-36 in the title game. The Green Knights completed the season with a 19-5 record and won the program’s first state championship since 2001.
Jewell led Rice in scoring (14 points per game), rebounds (10.0), assists (4.2), steals (3.0) and blocked shots (3.0).
She will continue her basketball career at Holy Family University, a Division II school in Philadelphia.
Ferris helped Essex win the 2009-10 Division I title. He was the only returning starter from that team and averaged 23.4 points, 10.2 rebounds and 6.5 assists per contest last season.
Essex finished the season with an 11-10 record after it won eight of its last 11 games. The Hornets were one of two teams to defeat Division I champion Rice during the regular season.
Ferris became the fifth player in the program’s history to score more than 1,000 career points in high school. He will play college basketball for Division III Tufts University.
Ferris was also selected as Vermont’s Gatorade Player of the Year following the 2010-11 season.
Champlain Valley Union football coach Jim Provost likes what he sees when he looks at the Vermont roster for this summer’s Shrine Maple Sugar Bowl.
Provost, who will coach Vermont in the all-star game against New Hampshire, sent out invitations to 36 players and all 36 committed to play in the contest. Vermont wasn’t able to put its best team on the field last year, when Essex quarterback Max Librizzi – the state’s Gatorade Player of the Year declined to participate while he prepared to begin his college career at Holy Cross.
“We were 36 for 36,” Provost said. “I was very happy about that. I like our depth at the receiver position. We’re hoping that will be a position of strength for us. We like the backs we took too.”
Rice quarterback Christian McCormick and Hartford running back Trevor Wood are among the players on the Vermont roster, which was announced last Friday. McCormick, who guided Rice to last year’s Division II state championship, was named the 2010 Gatorade Player of the Year. Wood helped Hartford win the Division I state title.
“Picking the linemen was the toughest part,” Provost said. “New Hampshire has more kids to pick from, so hopefully our depth will be as good as their depth. I think our starters have been comparable to their starters the last few years. It always comes down to that second group.”
New Hampshire extended its winning streak to 10 games when it posted a 34-20 victory over Vermont last year. New Hampshire leads the all-time series 42-13-2.
This year’s game will be played Aug. 6 at Windsor High School.
This is the second time Provost has served as Vermont’s head coach. He was also Vermont’s head coach for the 1990 game. New Hampshire prevailed 35-0 that year.
Provost, who will coach Vermont in the all-star game against New Hampshire, sent out invitations to 36 players and all 36 committed to play in the contest. Vermont wasn’t able to put its best team on the field last year, when Essex quarterback Max Librizzi – the state’s Gatorade Player of the Year declined to participate while he prepared to begin his college career at Holy Cross.
“We were 36 for 36,” Provost said. “I was very happy about that. I like our depth at the receiver position. We’re hoping that will be a position of strength for us. We like the backs we took too.”
Rice quarterback Christian McCormick and Hartford running back Trevor Wood are among the players on the Vermont roster, which was announced last Friday. McCormick, who guided Rice to last year’s Division II state championship, was named the 2010 Gatorade Player of the Year. Wood helped Hartford win the Division I state title.
“Picking the linemen was the toughest part,” Provost said. “New Hampshire has more kids to pick from, so hopefully our depth will be as good as their depth. I think our starters have been comparable to their starters the last few years. It always comes down to that second group.”
New Hampshire extended its winning streak to 10 games when it posted a 34-20 victory over Vermont last year. New Hampshire leads the all-time series 42-13-2.
This year’s game will be played Aug. 6 at Windsor High School.
This is the second time Provost has served as Vermont’s head coach. He was also Vermont’s head coach for the 1990 game. New Hampshire prevailed 35-0 that year.
Quarterback Christian McCormick produced a season’s worth of highlights during the final week of his high school football career.
A week after he led Rice Memorial to the Division II state championship, McCormick guided the North to a 74-48 victory over the South on Saturday in the 10th Annual Vermont Senior All-Star Game.
McCormick completed 19 of 28 passes for 347 yards and six touchdowns in the victory, even though he played a little more than half of the game. The teams set a record for points scored in the all-star game (122).
“I had a lot of weapons and that made it a lot of fun,” McCormick said. “There were a lot of guys out there who can make plays. It makes it a lot easier when you can just throw it up there and you have guys who can go get the ball.”
The North also received a strong performance from Burlington quarterback Grady Breen, who completed 9 of 17 passes for 167 yards and three touchdowns. Burlington’s Ben Vachereau caught five pass for 98 yards and three TDs.
The North’s Mike DiMambro (Essex) and Nicky Elderton (Rice) each had two TD receptions.
South running back Tyler Wood (Hartford) rushed for 111 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries, but the South had five passes intercepted, including four in the second half.
South quarterback Troy Davine completed 16 of 32 passes for 293 yards and three touchdowns. Fair Haven’s Nick Bruno, the South’s other QB, was 20 of 34 for 170 yards and two TDs.
Mac Stannard (Fair Haven), Lance Elithorpe (Mount Anthony), Mike Marino (Burr and Burton), and Brendan Hacket (Bellows Falls) each had a TD catch for the South.
The North has a 6-4 edge in the series.
FOOTBALL REWIND
Highlights from Vermont’s three state championship football games:
The Champlain Valley, Colchester, Mount Mansfield and Middlebury football programs will move from Division II to Division I next season. Division I will have 14 teams and will expand its playoff format from four to eight teams.
Each Division I team will play an eight-game schedule to determine the playoff field. The six teams that do not qualify for the playoffs will meet in Week 9, when the Division I quarterfinals will also be played.
Divisions II and III will each have 10 teams, four of which will advance to the postseason.
Bellows Falls and Springfield will also change divisions next season. Each program will move from Division III to Division II.
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.
A week after he led Rice Memorial to the Division II state championship, McCormick guided the North to a 74-48 victory over the South on Saturday in the 10th Annual Vermont Senior All-Star Game.
McCormick completed 19 of 28 passes for 347 yards and six touchdowns in the victory, even though he played a little more than half of the game. The teams set a record for points scored in the all-star game (122).
“I had a lot of weapons and that made it a lot of fun,” McCormick said. “There were a lot of guys out there who can make plays. It makes it a lot easier when you can just throw it up there and you have guys who can go get the ball.”
The North also received a strong performance from Burlington quarterback Grady Breen, who completed 9 of 17 passes for 167 yards and three touchdowns. Burlington’s Ben Vachereau caught five pass for 98 yards and three TDs.
The North’s Mike DiMambro (Essex) and Nicky Elderton (Rice) each had two TD receptions.
South running back Tyler Wood (Hartford) rushed for 111 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries, but the South had five passes intercepted, including four in the second half.
South quarterback Troy Davine completed 16 of 32 passes for 293 yards and three touchdowns. Fair Haven’s Nick Bruno, the South’s other QB, was 20 of 34 for 170 yards and two TDs.
Mac Stannard (Fair Haven), Lance Elithorpe (Mount Anthony), Mike Marino (Burr and Burton), and Brendan Hacket (Bellows Falls) each had a TD catch for the South.
The North has a 6-4 edge in the series.
FOOTBALL REWIND
Highlights from Vermont’s three state championship football games:
- Division I: Second-seeded Hartford claimed its third championship in four years by posting a 33-0 triumph over top-seeded BFA-St. Albans. Jackson Young (181 yards) and Wood (158 yards) led Hartford’s rushing attack. Each scored two touchdowns. Hartford (9-2) controlled the ball for nearly 38 minutes. BFA-St Albans (10-1) didn’t get a first down until the third quarter. The game couldn’t have been more different from the regular-season contest between the teams. BFA-St. Albans won that matchup 42-0. Hartford turned the ball over nine times in the loss. The Bobwhites were trying to win their first state championship since 1960.
- Division II: McCormick passed for 303 yards and four touchdowns to lead third-seeded Rice to a 38-20 victory over top-seeded Middlebury. Austin Robinson caught seven passes for 108 yards and two touchdowns for Rice, which had 403 yards of total offense. Rice (10-1) has 19 seniors on its roster. Middlebury (10-1) trailed 16-14 at halftime, but surrendered the first 22 points in the second half. Robison caught two touchdown passes in the third quarter. Marshall Hastings scored two touchdowns for Middlebury.
- Division III: Ryan Hayward scored four touchdowns to help top-seeded Bellows Falls (8-3) defeat second-seeded Windsor 39-22. Hayward rushed for 104 yards on 17 carries, and returned the second-half kickoff 92 yards for a score. The Bellows Falls program has won 10 state championships. Mount St. Joseph is the only Vermont program with more. Windsor (9-2) turned the ball over four times in the first half (three interceptions). Running back Matt Rafus ran for 177 yards and three touchdowns for Windsor, which won last year’s Division III title. Bellows Falls beat Windsor 20-0 during the regular season.
The Champlain Valley, Colchester, Mount Mansfield and Middlebury football programs will move from Division II to Division I next season. Division I will have 14 teams and will expand its playoff format from four to eight teams.
Each Division I team will play an eight-game schedule to determine the playoff field. The six teams that do not qualify for the playoffs will meet in Week 9, when the Division I quarterfinals will also be played.
Divisions II and III will each have 10 teams, four of which will advance to the postseason.
Bellows Falls and Springfield will also change divisions next season. Each program will move from Division III to Division II.
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.
Vermont will hold its three state championship football games Saturday at Castleton State College. It will be the first year all three games will be played on the same day at the same location.
The schedule:
Division I
No. 1 BFA-St. Albans (10-0) vs. No. 2 Hartford (8-2), 2 p.m.
Division II
No. 1 Middlebury (10-0) vs. No. 3 Rice Memorial (9-1), 5 p.m.
Division III
No. 1 Bellows Falls (7-3) vs. No. 2 Windsor (9-1), 11 a.m.
Windsor will be trying to avenge its only loss – a 20-0 setback to Bellows Fall on Oct. 9 – in the Division III matchup. Another shutout seems unlikely, since Windsor running back Matt Rafus gained 437 total yards and scored six touchdowns in last weekend’s 55-28 semifinal victory over BFA-Fairfax.
Rafus gained 375 yards and five touchdowns on the ground, and caught a 62-yard TD pass from quarterback Austin Soule. Rafus has rushed for 1,701 yards and scored 28 touchdowns this season.
“Matt is probably one of the two fastest kids in the state,” Windsor coach Jim Taft said. “He’s a track guy, but he’s really a football guy who does track. A lot of his runs have been for 40 yards or more.”
“If you don’t get (Rafus) right away he’s gone,” Bellows Falls coach Bob Lockerby added. “They have other weapons, but it all starts with him.”
Windsor, last year’s Division III champion, is playing in the Division III title game for the fourth consecutive year.
The schedule:
Division I
No. 1 BFA-St. Albans (10-0) vs. No. 2 Hartford (8-2), 2 p.m.
Division II
No. 1 Middlebury (10-0) vs. No. 3 Rice Memorial (9-1), 5 p.m.
Division III
No. 1 Bellows Falls (7-3) vs. No. 2 Windsor (9-1), 11 a.m.
Windsor will be trying to avenge its only loss – a 20-0 setback to Bellows Fall on Oct. 9 – in the Division III matchup. Another shutout seems unlikely, since Windsor running back Matt Rafus gained 437 total yards and scored six touchdowns in last weekend’s 55-28 semifinal victory over BFA-Fairfax.
Rafus gained 375 yards and five touchdowns on the ground, and caught a 62-yard TD pass from quarterback Austin Soule. Rafus has rushed for 1,701 yards and scored 28 touchdowns this season.
“Matt is probably one of the two fastest kids in the state,” Windsor coach Jim Taft said. “He’s a track guy, but he’s really a football guy who does track. A lot of his runs have been for 40 yards or more.”
“If you don’t get (Rafus) right away he’s gone,” Bellows Falls coach Bob Lockerby added. “They have other weapons, but it all starts with him.”
Windsor, last year’s Division III champion, is playing in the Division III title game for the fourth consecutive year.
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Scott Barboza
Scott Barboza joined ESPNBoston.com as a high schools editor/reporter in May 2010. He spent the previous three seasons working in the New England Patriots media relations department after a stint at the Taunton Daily Gazette, where he covered everything from Little League baseball to the Boston Red Sox. The Fall River native is a graduate of Emerson College. He can be reached at sbarboza@espnboston.com.
Brendan Hall
Brendan Hall joined ESPNBoston.com as a high schools reporter/editor in May 2010, after four years covering high schools for The Boston Globe. The Westminster, Mass. native also served on the Globe's Bruins beat last season. Hall is a graduate of UMass Amherst. He can be reached at bhall@espnboston.com.
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