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Reader Mail Time: A What-If in Stratford

It's reader mail time (lol)! I got an interesting e-mail last Sunday while I was away on business, and only got a chance to just write the guy back the other day saying "thanks for the e-mail." But with some teams' beginning their spring practices, it's an interesting concept: What if there was just ONE public high school in Stratford? How well would a combined Stratford-Bunnell football program fare with the rest of the state?

The author told me is that it would sure get the Staples fans riled up (even though they will meet in a scrimmage this August and probably not again until the following year, based on their new CIAC class designations). And that's a shame, though it's great fodder for another post some day and some time.

Here's the letter:

Tim,

I was looking on the SWC blog and tried to post
something on the FCIAC blog to stir up a hornets nest and was hoping
you could help me out.

When talking with a prominent senior running
back from Stratford High and a prominent wide receiver from Bunnell, we
all asked each other, "why the hell is Stratford 2 schools?!"

We
talked about the recent teams, and what it would be like. I won't get
to detailed about it and I'll keep it short, but even the FCIAC
heavyweights can't deny this.

Sean Murray, Steve Smith, and Chris
Sloat were the best quarterbacks in recent years in the SWC - and all
from Bunnell. Murray had EJ Yearwood and Daryl Staley, Smith had Marcus
Easley, Franklin, Mike Easley and Jackson. Sloat had Jackson Easley Harrison and Rosario. Obviously, Bunnell turned these players into championships. Stratford took great players, most notably from the past 2 years, and were on the brink of greatness.

Honostly
Tim, do you think that Ansonia or Greenwich would even stand a chance
of a team with Smith/Sloat in a spread with Torrey or Ox in the
backfield, with Easley, Harrison, Jackson, Ox/Torrey, Stenson, or
Vasquez to throw to? I could go on making a super team but am too tired.

Do you really think anyone in the state could hang with that?

Some even went as far as thinking that team would be nationally ranked!

Just wondering what an unbiased person thought about this.

E-mail me back or put it up on the blog, I'm sure that would be interesting for Staples fans haha.

-(Name withheld, unless the author let's me post it)

For such a small town, Stratford has a TON of talent. So in a way, the students are I guess fortunate enough to have two high schools. I would have loved to see some of these kids play Pop Warner since, if I recall, the town has just one team.

Yes, on paper, a 2007 version of this dream-team could very well be placed ahead of Ansonia in the state polls. Unless, of course, Masuk shines in the second half of the state championship game as it did and Ansonia steamrolled New London as it did.

But here's a bunch of other things to consider:

• If there was one high school in Stratford, how many of these athletes would have gone to St. Joseph, Fairfield Prep, or Notre Dame-Fairfield instead? Would all three if those programs had improved and made states?
• Would Craig Bruno be the coach, or Duane Shirden? In an alternate world, maybe Bruno would be the head coach at Bassick (where he is a teacher) or Harding (where he was once an assistant) and had one of those schools winning back-to-back titles?
  
• Would Torrey Mack or Octavias McKoy become slot receivers at Bunnell, or would Mario Guerrero become an every-down back at Stratford, alongside Oliver Aurelia? Or would you play a two-back spread offense instead (like New Canaan). What would be the best offense?
• Two platoon football could be alive in Stratford, and maybe Torrey and Ox become defensive specialists?
• Would Justin Shumyhora, who hasn't had to throw the ball much in his career, have been this year's Chris Sloat, and thrown for close to 3,000 yards?

Unless Stratford is REALLY facing a budget crisis, I don't see the town going back to one high school (unless Stratford High's building is past it's prime and they look to add on to Bunnell instead - Fairfield tried that in 1987, and it didn't work). But until then, the what-if aspect of football in Stratford could be pretty fun.

Courant Announces All-State Team

Oh yeah, The Courant has an All-State team, too...

And it's an interesting one. It's set up more like a 50-man roster than a first-team and whatnot. And there's a slew of honorable mentions.

There are a lot of FCIAC players on the team though, so it's worth checking out.

Click here for the offense.

Click here for the defense. (Honorable mention defense is not shown... bummer)

FCIAC and Bunnell Dominates Register's All-State Team

Looking online for the New Haven Register's All-State team? Yeah, you an everyone else. At least last year you could find the previous All-State teams. This year - nada. So I schlepped out to the store and picked up the paper so I could tell you who from the area is on the team, which I always consider to be the "real" All-State team.

The FCIAC is well represented, and so is the SWC. Alex Thomas, of course, is the Player of the Year (that one made it online, so someone there is slacking, or a dopey marketer thinks newsstand sales will skyrocket if they keep the team offline).

Anyway, here it is, with the SWC players bolded:

OFFENSE:

QB - Charlie Westfal, New Canaan
RB - Nathan Pagan, Newington
RB - Geoff Schultz, Shelton
RB - Alex Thomas, Ansolia
WR - Marcus Cooper, Bloomfield
WR - Michael Easley, Bunnell
OL - Chris Bisanzo, Greenwich
OL - Jeff Farrell, Bunnell
OL - Mike Golic, Northwest Catholic
OL - Erik Kuraczea, Ansonia
OL - Keatrick Redding-Hall, Weaver
UT - Rob Moir, Seymour
K - Alfredo Frausto, Cromwell

DEFENSE:

LB - Scott Christy, Masuk
LB - Jack Cooper, Berlin
LB - Mike Flynn, Ansolia
LB - Josh Kozel, Staples
LB - Andre Lawrence, Hartford Public
LB - Jonathan Meyers, Greenwich
DB - Jonathan Jackson, Bunnell
DB - Torrey Mack, Stratford
DB - Rich Vitale, New London
DL - Masengo Kabongo, Fairfield Prep
DL - Trevardo Williams, Bridgeport Central
ST - Will Volage, Woodland
P - Christian Garcia, Norwalk

SWC Second-teamers:
QB - Chris Sloat, Bunnell
DB - Octavious McKoy, Stratford

SWC Third-teamers:
RB - Mike Leonetti, Pomperaug
WR - Mark Harrison, Bunnell
OL - Bobby Major, Pomperaug
OL - Bill Romanello, Masuk
DL - Hopeton Quarrie, Bunnell

SWC Honorable Mentions:
QB - Ray Palmer, Masuk; RB - Rob Fiore, Barlow; and Sean Macey, New Fairfield; OL - Greg McLain, New Fairfield; WR - Pat Cassidy, New Fairfield; DL - Matt Walker, Pomperaug, and Cody Wallace, New Milford; LB - Sly Accettullo, Notre Dame-Fairfield, and Mike Valenti, Bethel;P - Matt Charney, New Fairfield; K - Dan DeGeorge, Pomperaug.

Got photos? Here's the Long-awaited Newtown-Bunnell Gallery

Okay, I think the Newtown-Bunnell game was played when, early October? Well, I've FINALLY got around to doing the gallery of that game.

You can go to my photo store, to view the gallery. Once in, go to "Gallery," scroll down to "High School Football 2007," and select "Newtown at Bunnell."

And the photos are available for sale, too, and can be purchased direct from that site. $5 for a 4X6, $6 for a 5X7, $12 for an 8X10. Remember... the holidays are here (and so is the Weston-New Milford gallery).

Chris Elsberry: Play the CIAC Finals At the Rent

Matt Levine's been saying it on the air for a while, and now Chris Elsberry has it in print. But will the CIAC ignore common sense?

The CIAC Championship games DESERVE to be played at Rentschler Field.

Look, we all know the CIAC is frugal. But for one day a year, can't they go all out and play the greatest games of the season on the state's finest stage? Elsberry's column  points out all the states that have Super Saturdays, with championship games in major venues.

One thing missing (though it may be there - the RIF bus never dropped by my school). Alabama has its games at Legion Field in Birmingham.

I know the CIAC was going to hold two there a few years ago at The Rent, but a blizzard meant the postponement of all games, and the need for new venues.

But it can happen. Have a Super Saturday at The Rent. Ask some companies for sponsorship dollars and I'm sure the costs will be covered.

And it'll give the kids involved even more to remember...

Down at the bottom of Elsberry's column is a plug for Bill Gonillo night at The Arena at Harbor Yard on Sunday, when the Sound Tigers take on the Albany River Rats. Here's some more info on how you can get your discounted tickets to the event, and the pre-game reception, from BillGonillo.com.

And another great clip today from Elsberry. It's about former Bunnell wide receiver Marcus Easley, who is making a name for himself as a walk on receiver at UConn. The junior walk-on decided to concentrate on academics as a freshman, then walked on last season. This year he's seen action in six games.

Catch Craig Bruno on Live From the FC

Can't come down from the state championship football high? Neither can I. So tune in at 10 a.m. to Live From the FC and listen to interviews with the three Fairfield County coaches who won state championships this season. Have any questions for them? Send them via AIM to livefromthefc.

First up, New Canaan head coach Lou Marinelli, who had one for the ages Saturday with the Rams' come-from-behind 34-30 win over Daniel Hand to take the Class MM crown.

Next up: Rich Albonizio, whose Greenwich team completed back-to-back FCIAC and Class LL championship runs with a 28-14 victory over Shelton.

And last but not least, Bunnell head coach Craig Bruno, whose Bulldogs also completed back-to-back campaigns in the SWC and Class L with a 22-14 win over league rival Masuk.

Click the link above, or the logo, to listen live. Or check later Saturday for the archive.

State Coaches Poll: Bunnell Finishes 3rd, Masuk 9th

Ansonia has been named the No. 1 team in the state, according to The Day of New London's State Coaches Poll. Greenwich finished second, while Bunnell finished third.

The Day of New London Top 10 state coaches football poll

First-place votes in parentheses, record, points tabulated on a 30-28-26-24-22-20-18-16-14-12-11-10-9-8-7 basis and last week’s ranking:

1. Ansonia (9) 13-0 380 1
2. Greenwich (2) 11-1 364 2
3. Bunnell-Stratford (2) 13-0 346 4
4. Seymour 11-1 276 10
5. New Canaan 10-2 272 NR
6. Hand-Madison 11-1 236 3
7. Shelton 10-2 224 7
8. Ledyard 10-1 213 NR
9. Masuk-Monroe 10-3 170 NR
10. New London 11-1 140 5

Dropped off: Bristol Eastern (6), Staples-Westport (8) and Southington (9).

Also receiving votes: Bridgeport Central (8-2), 138; Southington (9-2), 125; Bristol Eastern (10-1), 106; Staples-Westport (8-2), 96; Berlin (10-2), 68; Conard-West Hartford (9-2), 45; Cromwell (10-1), 42; Tolland (9-3), 28; Woodland-Beacon Falls (8-4), 24; Weaver-Hartford (9-2), 14; Northwest Catholic-West Hartford (8-3), 8.

The following coaches voted: Chris Anderson, Woodland-Beacon Falls; Jim Buonocore, Fitch; Dave Cadelina, Bridgeport Central; John DeCaprio, Notre Dame-West Haven; Chuck Drury, Pomperaug-Southbury; Steve Filippone, Hand-Madison; Tanner Grove, Montville; Jude Kelly, St. Paul-Bristol; Tim King, Valley Regional-Deep River; Bill Mella, Southington; John Murphy, Masuk-Monroe; Marce Petroccio, Staples-Westport; Bob Zito, Maloney-Meriden.

Bunnell Players and Craig Bruno to Appear On The Fifty Yard Line

I just got an e-mail from Matt Levine, the host and producer of The Fifty Yard Line, a football show streamed in live video to his Web site, mattlevine.net, at 7 p.m. Tuesdays from Route 22 restaurant in Stamford.

Levine has confirmed that Bunnell head coach Craig Bruno and a few of his players -- most likely Class L championship game MVP Mario Guererro and WR-DB Mike Easley -- are scheduled to appear on the show.

So log in live, or come on down and join us (I'm the co-host) at Route 22 and download the archive later. Route 22 is located at 1980 W. Main St. in Stamford, between Exits 5 & 6 on I-95.

The Bunnell Three-Peat: Are The No. 1?

Let's face it. The state's coaches and the state's writers are going to to declare Ansonia No. 1. They went undefeated, put up some gaudy numbers, have the state's Player of the Year (Alex Thomas), and to top it off, they took down the Evil Empire (okay, maybe just Darth Vader) on Championship Saturday.

We'll probably see Greenwich take No. 2. They earned some respect with their showing in Florida (though it was a loss) and picked up some more votes in both polls with impressive performances against Staples and Central. But because they didn't dismantle Shelton in the Class LL championship game, they will miss out on the grand off-the-field prize.

But what about Bunnell?

A lot of people are talking No. 3, and I have to agree. Maybe they're even a No. 2?

The SWC doesn't get the credit it deserves. Maybe it's a down season, but who knows for sure? You can't take away the fact that Bunnell took down Staples, a team ranked 4th and 5th most of the season. And you can't brush off the fact the Bulldogs had to beat Masuk three times this season to claim its hardware.

It's tough to beat a team once in a season, even more so to take someone down twice. But three times in one season? You have to be a damn good team to do that.

I don't have a vote, but I'll give you my Top 3:

1. Greenwich
2. Bunnell
3. Ansonia
   

DING DING DING... Round Three Is Here...

Welcome to the biggest day of the high school football season. Can I have a, "No, duh?"

Six games will be played, six state titles will be awarded (in a state with less than 130 teams). You'll be able to see and hear every game, whether it's on TV, the Internet, or your old-fashioned transistor radio.

Start your day here with a cup of coffee at 10 a.m. and listen to Live From the FC. Our guests — Rob Adams of WGCH AM 1490, The One and Only Phil Soto-Ortiz of SportingNewsCT.com, and Mark Dwyer of New Canaan News-Review — will break down the Class LL, L, and MM games for you.

And if you can't make it to West Haven for Round Three of the Masuk-Bunnell series will be broadcast LIVE on CPTV, for those of you with cable television or rabbit ears, starting with pregame at 6:30. SportingNewsCT.com will also pick up the feed from CPTV.

Meanwhile, here's some press clippings to enjoy:

• (New Haven Register) Masuk-Bunnell to face off for a third time
• (New Haven Register) Bulldogs feature one of most versatile attacks in state
• (Connecticut Post) Bruno's creativity attracts opponents attention
• (Connecticut Post) Murphy, Masuk look to end title drought
  

Sites and times for Saturday's CIAC Football Championship Games

Driving directions to all sites can be found at
<http://www.casciac.org/scripts/fb_playoffs07.cgi>

-------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS LL
#1 Greenwich (10-1) vs. #2 Shelton (10-1)
7:00 p.m. at Jess Dow Field, SCSU, New Haven

-------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS L
#1 Bunnell (12-0) vs. #3 Masuk (10-2)
7:00 p.m. at Ken Strong Stadium, West Haven

-------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS MM
#1 Daniel Hand (11-0) vs. #2 New Canaan (9-2)
2:00 p.m. at McDougall Stadium, Trumbull

-------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS M
#4 Berlin (10-1) vs. #2 Ledyard (10-1)
2:00 p.m. at Arute Field, CCSU, New Britain

-------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS SS
#1 Seymour (10-1) vs. #2 Tolland (9-2)
7:00 p.m. at McDougall Stadium, Trumbull

-------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS S
#1 Ansonia (12-0) vs. #3 New London (11-0)
2:00 p.m. at Ken Strong Stadium, West Haven

Masuk-Bunnell to be Played at a Dump

The CIAC's favorite venue, Ken Strong Stadium at West Haven High School, will host Round Three of the Masuk-Bunnell series.

The game will be held at the dump.... I mean Ken Strong Stadium... at 6:30 p.m. Saturday. Both teams get a chance to play on the worst AstroTurf on the planet, but the game will be televised LIVE on CPTV.

Hello, Round Three...

Masuk vs. Bunnell, again, this time for the Class L title. Where and when? Who knows. Hopefully the CIAC will be smart enough to play this one at Trumbull, maybe as the day game...

The CIAC will determine sites and times tomorrow, at about 12:30 p.m. on CPTV.com.

Does Anyone Care About Masuk vs. Conard?

Of course. It's just that down here, that big Staples-Bunnell match-up happened. The Panthers should be happy that little attention is being paid to their game in West Hartford tonight.

What's there to know about Conard? Sean Patrick Bowley today considered them to be Pomperaugish, a team that pounds the ball from the I formation. Its quarterback, Nigel Gaynor, has run for about twice as many yards as it has passed for. Its leading rusher, Matt Markese, gained 310 of his team-high 1,205 yards (on 178 carries) in its win two weeks ago against Hall.

And the Chieftains have been burying opponents of late, having given up just 21 points while scoring 114 in November. They also do not take part in Thanksgiving Day football, so they are well-rested coming off that win over its crosstown rival.

From what I'm gathering though, they haven't faced a passing attack this season. So how Conard reacts to the Masuk spread offense should be interesting to say the least.

By the way, can't get to the game? You can listen live at 6:30 at 1290 AM WCCC in Hartford, either on the radio or via live stream.

Bunnell Should Beat Staples

Staples loses 37-0 to Greenwich on Thanksgiving, and suddenly the whole Bunnell-Wreckers rematch seems to be tainted. It's no longer a battle of undefeateds, and even more so, it's not for the Class L championship.

But it's still an intriguing battle. If Staples wins, then it gets its revenge on the Bulldogs, and has a shot at bringing back the Class L title to Westport. But if Bunnell wins, it has a shot at a three-peat over SWC arch-rival Masuk on its way to the crown.

The question is, how can Staples bounce back from an awful showing on national television against Greenwich? It won't be easy for the solid Wreckers defense to forget giving up 523 yards against the new-born Cardinals. Especially when they look at film on Bunnell, a team that runs the spread better than anyone else (other than Greenwich) in Fairfield County.

Chris Sloat has thrown the ball for almost 2,400 this season, and has added 520 on the ground. The two-headed running back combo of Mario Guerrero and Oliver Aurelia has picked up 1,000 on the ground, and runs behind a huge and underrated offensive line.

And Bunnell's defense is stifling, too. The Bulldogs have picked off 22 passes, which should have the emerging Wreckers passing attack concerned. Staples quarterbacks have thrown for 11 touchdowns this season, and the only interception came on a halfback option by Colin O'Shea..

If the Staples offense can handle the ball the way it did against New Canaan, it should be able to hold its own against Bunnell. The Wreckers carried the ball 44 times for 222 yards, led by Hampus Hellermark and his 113 yards on 23 carries.

This game is Bunnell's to lose, but I don't see that happening. The Bulldogs have been playing perfect ball this seasons, and seem to be on a mission to repeat as Class L champions.

My prediction:
Bunnell 26, Staples 21

The Day of New London Top 10 State Coaches Football Poll

First-place votes in parentheses, record, points tabulated on a 30-28-26-24-22-20-18-16-14-12-11-10-9-8-7 basis and last week’s ranking:

1. Ansonia (8) 11-0 378 1
2. Greenwich (5) 9-1 372 2
3. Hand-Madison 10-0 314 5
4. Bunnell-Stratford 11-0 308 6
5. New London 10-0 270 7
6. Bristol Eastern 10-0 218 8
7. Shelton 9-1 203 9
8. Staples-Westport 8-1 183 4
9. Southington 9-1 171 3
10. Seymour 9-1 156 NR

Dropped out: Bridgeport Central (10)

Also receiving votes: Bridgeport Central (8-1), 148; Weaver-Hartford (9-1), 103; Conard-West Hartford (9-1), 101; Masuk-Monroe (9-2), 92; New Canaan (8-2), 91; Cromwell (10-0), 86; Ledyard (8-1), 38; Berlin (9-1), 32; Stratford (8-2), 17; Woodland-Beacon Falls (8-3), 14; Tie, Fairfield Prep (8-2) and Northwest Catholic-West Hartford (8-2), 10.

The following coaches voted: Chris Anderson, Woodland-Beacon Falls; Jim Buonocore, Fitch; Dave Cadelina, Bridgeport Central; John DeCaprio, Notre Dame-West Haven; Chuck Drury, Pomperaug-Southbury; Steve Filippone, Hand-Madison; Tanner Grove, Montville; Jude Kelly, St. Paul-Bristol; Tim King, Valley Regional-Deep River; Bill Mella, Southington; John Murphy, Masuk-Monroe; Marce Petroccio, Staples-Westport; Bob Zito, Maloney-Meriden.

Just In: Staples-Bunnell Moved to Trumbull

Tuesday's CIAC Class L playoff game between No. 4 Staples and No. 1 Bunnell has been moved to Trumbull High School, due to poor field conditions at Bunnell, the Connecticut Post reports. The start time is still 6:30 p.m.

Live From the FC: Talking State Playoffs

That's right, 10 a.m. Saturday, we'll be talking about the CIAC playoffs. Seven Fairfield County teams -- Greenwich, Bridgeport Central, Bunnell, Staples, Masuk, New Canaan, and Bullard-Havens Tech -- will play Tuesday with a trip to a state championship game on the line.

We'll talk about those games with Danbury head coach Rick Davis, New Canaan head coach Lou Marinelli, and Connecticut Post sportswriter Sean Patrick Bowley.

Click the logo to listen live Saturday at 10 a.m., or later to download or listen to the Podcast.

IM your comments and questions LIVE at AIM to livefromthefc

Clip of the Week Contest

Looked like a beautiful day to shoot some video yesterday, and hopefully you have some great footage for the Clip of the Week contest.

I mean, really, are the folks at Westhill the only people who own video cameras? Doesn't every kid have a camera phone now? Those of you with cameras who I introduced myself to, are you using Beta? I mean, it doesn't look it!

Anyway, here's your chance. E-mail your clip or clips to video@fciacfootballblog.com. Or if you have it posted somewhere other than a Varsity Network site (embedding issues), send us the embed code. All video clips/locations received before 11 p.m. Monday will be eligible for the contest this week... as long as they are shot during games played Week 11.

The owner of the winning clip, as voted on by the public, gets a t-shirt from FCIAC Football Blog and SWC Buzz sponsor Digital Sports Video.