Video: Jose Offerman Goes Nutzoid

I have to give credit where credit is due. Maybe it's because I'm a news-geek and am always intrigued when I see my journalism colleagues in action.

Big thumbs-up to Connecticut Post's Christian Abraham (top) and News 12's Bill Gonillo, who you'll see on SWC sidelines this fall. Their images -- still and video -- have been seen all over the world today.

Yep, they were there for the whole Jose Offerman incident that took place last night at Harbor Yard. Both were thrust into the spotlight because they were doing their job, but I give them the big thumbs-up because they did their job extremely well when they could have missed out.

Christian was definitely in the right place at the right time, and his still photos show Jose Offerman swinging the bat at Bridgeport Bluefish pitcher Matt Beech and catcher John Nathans. Bill got to the game after the incident, but went into investigative reporter mode, catching Offerman being taken away by policemen, and asked Offerman, "Is there anything you'd like to say?"

A journalists' job is not as easy as it looks, and I just want to congratulate them on a job well done. If you see either of these guys under the Friday Night Lights, give them a pat on the back.

Connecticut Post: Oxford Hoping For Stadium

High schools are always looking to improve their football facilities, and usually the booster club, or a private donor, comes through to help foot the bill.

But what if you are Oxford High, and your program is just starting off?

The can play at a junior high with no stands - like they will as a JV program. But they are hoping to get $4.1 million for something a lot of school have now: an artificial turf multipurpose stadium, lights, a stadium setting, etc.

Click here to read the latest on this from the Connecticut Post.

Off Topic Video: My Trailer Park Neighborhood

Here's the infamous neighbor across the street (Check the FCIAC Football Blog for the latest war), mowing the lawn about 15 minutes ago, when it's pitch black out. But it's OK - his John Deere has headlights! (Cue "Dualing Banjos") Welcome to MY North End of Bridgeport!

Video: 60 Seconds With Mike Laccavole

Mike Laccavole is a senior captain of the Joel Barlow football team, and a returning starter. But does that mean he is assured a starting position? Not quite, Laccavole says in this video. It's all about right-now for the Falcons, not back-then.

Post/News-Times: Lutrus Endures On-the-job Training

Chris Elsberry filed a column on former Brookfield linebacker Scott Lutrus who, as Elsberry co-worker Neal Ostrout wrote the other day, is fighting for a starting role on the UConn defense.

The Connecticut Post crew is now handling UConn sports for the News-Times, which makes some sense since they are now sister papers. But hopefully the News-Times' high school sports coverage will still be as thorough as it has been over the years.

I'll give a call over there (off deadline) to find out what's up.

Video: Barlow Captain Rob Fiore

If ever there was a need for lights at Staples, it would be for the press. Tough to do video interviews of players after the All-County Football Camp's 8 p.m. dismissal.

But if you can't watch Barlow captain Rob Fiore, you can at least listen in. Fiore, a linebacker, talks about the Falcons rise to 7-3 last season, and what the team needs to do to improve on that.

New Feature: Message Board Launched

Here we grow again! Please check out The FC, a new message board for users of the FCIAC Football Blog and SWC Buzz. Registration is required, but there is no charge to join. I have fed the board with some simple questions to start, so jump on over there and give your two cents. It's not the most glamorous thing you've ever seen, but it'll get there...

QUICK NOTE: if you haven't registered yet, and are trying to access the board, just hit cancel a few times, then a link to register will pop up.

The Buzz on Scott Lutrus: Battling at UConn

What's the buzz on former Brookfield all-everything Scott Lutrus? Right now he's locked in a tight battle for a starting role at UConn. The redshirt freshman, right now, is atop the charts as the team's "Husky" linebacker - a position played last season by Justin DeRubertis of Bethel.

UConn coach Randy Edsall pretty much has turned UConn's preseason camp into an every-man-for-himself competition. He was ticked off by last season's team effort, and is promoting and demoting players during practices. It will be interesting to see how this blue-collar approach takes off. Will it force the team to gel, or will it be total anarchy?

Anyway, here's an article about Lutrus and others that was filed by Connecticut Post UConn beat writer Neill Ostrout, The article also appears in The News-Times, which is now a sister paper of The Post.