Florida Bound

Just to let you all know, I will be away in Florida through Sept. 30. Consider this the "out of office" reply, though I plan on checking in every morning.

The wife wanted to go away in September, and how could I say no? Yes, I'll be missing a week of high school football, but you guys can fill me in. Heck, I consider it a bye week!

I'll tell the Mouse you said hello. Shamoo, too.

Sunday: Joe Lato on Live From the FC

Does Matt Levine have timing or what? Not only will he be filling in for me doing Live From the FC, but he told me Thursday morning he booked Weston head coach Joe Lato as a guest.

Lato picked up his first career win on Thursday and the Trojans snapped a 22-game winless streak in the process.

So Sunday morning, 10 a.m., log onto Live From the FC. Can't listen live? Check back in at the same link for the archive.

Press Clippings

I was about to post a few links for Cyberspace when I went to the Connecticut Post's blog and read about the passing of Robert Szymaszek, the long-time Maloney head football coach who succumbed to brain cancer yesterday. Please click to read Sean Patrick Bowley's thoughts, and the Meridan-Journal's tribute page. May he rest in peace.

I guess there's no great way to segue into last night's games. So here we are:

Stratford 43, Brookfield 13:

• (Connecticut Post) Mack, McKoy Power Stratford

Bunnell 42, Notre Dame-Fairfield 15

• (Connecticut Post) Bunnell rolls over ND-Fairfield

Newtown 21, New Fairfield 14

• (News-Times) Last second heroics

Immaculate 35, Nonnewaug 0

• (News-Times) Immaculate gets off to fast start

Pomperaug 28, Barlow 0

• (News-Times) Pomperaug runs over Barlow

Weston 34, New Milford 7

• (The Hour) Weston breaks through
  

Clip of the Week: Don't Forget to Enter

There's nothing I'd love to do more next week in Florida than set up the Clip of the Week contest. It will mean we have entries. I'd love to give away a free t-shirt to the winner. And so would Digital Sports Video, the sponsor of the contest.

So click here for more details about the contest, or click below for MY video from the New Milford-Weston game, which I think came out pretty cool. Then click HERE for details on how to enter the contest.

Coaches, feel free to enter a clip. If you don't want the shirt for yourself, give it to your human highlight. Parents, enter your kid and earn those bragging rights!

Weston's Day in the Sun

Last season, with the FCIAC Football Blog, I thought I was going to be in the right-place, right-time to witness then end of Bassick's epic state-record losing streak. Alas, Fairfield Ludlowe pulled together in the second half and took home a 14-6 win.

I didn't go to Weston yesterday with any expectations. If anything, it was a 4 p.m. game, and was great for shooting (photos will be up soon). When Nick Figliola returned an interception 68-yards for a touchdown, I started sensing history. When the extra-point snap was bobbled by Figliola, and the team put the ball on the ground twice in the first half, I was thinking it was just another SWC game.

But Dylan Hannum had a career day - one that can turn you from just another player into a legend. Four second-half touchdowns on runs of 37, 70, 77, and 19 yards. And the defense made up for the first half turnovers. Figliola and Bryan Turkel had interceptions, and Josh Bombart, Tom McGee, and Ben O'Brien recovered fumbles.

Congratulations to the Trojans, now listen to what the coach, Joe Lato, had to say after the game. The Hour's Tom Evans and The Weston Forum's Rocco Valluzzo also participate.

Weston: The Streak Is Over

The highlight of my day: I got to witness history. The Weston Trojans won its first game in 22 tries, and did it in a convincing fashion, 34-7 over New Milford.

Video to come, photos to come, just gimme a little more time.

Press Clippings: News From Today's Papers

Yes, the Weston-New Milford game (which I am heading to) starts in less than an hour), but here's some pre-game reading material:

• (News-Times) Biasetti powers Mustangs ground attack
• (Weston Forum) Turnovers plague Weston
• (Redding Pilot) Red Devils ground Falcons
  

Bethel-Notre Dame Photos Are Online

Photos from the Bethel-Notre dame game are (finally!) available online: Click here to enter my photo store.

Once there, roll over "Gallery" and then "High School Football" and scroll down to Bethel at Notre Dame 9-15-07.

Click on the photo you want to see for a sample. If you're interested in buying, click on "pricing and options" (a pop-up window will come up, so please disable that feature). I accept online payments.

Enjoy!