Our guys broke down what we did against Shelton in that first game, the things that didnt work, and said weve got to do this this and this, West Haven head coach Rich Boshea said . Likewise, Naugatuck athletic director Brian Mariano said there was an awful lot to like about Anderson, who was selected from a pool of eight candidates offered interviews. "I looked over and they had practically the whole team lined up on Jack," DellaVolpe said. Stats: The senior slinger is one of the better dual-threat QBs in the league. His teams became known for their unorthodox, aggressive style: always going for two points after touchdowns, attempting fourth-down conversions at traditionally inopportune times, odd formations and elaborate trick plays. And they ran, only mixing in a handful of passing plays but mostly chewing up yardage and burning the clock. Ansonia was disciplined, well prepared and it'd be a good game. "I'm leaving this situation on good terms. These guys arent guys who want to bang their chests and say how good they are, Boshea said. 5 (Trovarelli) is unbelievable. I just add a little bit here and there and say, Hey lets try this. Here are some top priorities. The game changes, said Lunea The thing what I like about this coaching staff is its very collegial. Westport Library Hosts 'Common Ground Initiative' Civility Event, Stunning Westport Home Has 'Easy Access To Long Island Sound'. Bunnell's signature win came in his fifth season. ", Johnson said the position would be posted immediately. But there was one title missing on Sollazzos resume that he wanted to fill: head football coach. 40. Im at the point now Im not the rookie anymore, but I still see it as a learning opportunity.. He was a defensive lineman at The Citadel from 1973-76. 7 Law no-hits Branford, Hamden Hall's Schoonmaker taken by Cowboys in NFL Draft 2nd round, Levis selected by Tennessee in NFL Draft 2nd round: 'Meant to be'. We thought we had to start executing, and we did it.. Theres a lot of years of experience here and weve all been involved in a lot of football games. "I mean that sincerely, I've been blessed. Image. Its a great program with a great reputation, and theyve won a lot of games, Sollazzo said. Naugatuck (8-2, 5-2) should be the fifth seed in the Class L tournament and face a trip to fourth-seeded, sixth-ranked New Canaan. Stew Leonard Sr. remembered at service: 'Most positive energy', Haar: Lamont deflects demands to spend CT surplus on education, Why a New York business wants to move its headquarters to CT, The CT legislature has 500 bills. Thirty-eight years of football coaching experience. He leaves as its most decorated coach after 12 years, four state playoff appearances, two state championships and a 94-36-1 record. As good a a coach Mastroni was regarded in town, Bunnell had never been to the state playoffs. Under Bruno, it took Bunnell just two years to qualify for the school's first state playoff game. This is a carousel. You may have a lot of enthusiasm and a lot of knowledge, but weve seen a lot of things between us.. The junior also contributes on defense and in the passing game. Especially in our system, where the RPO and run-people-over, were throwing the ball really well. The trophy will go home with the winner of the annual Ansonia-Seymour game. It also presented a new challenge. It's 10 minutes away from my home and I'm excited about a new professional challenge.". Its a lot of fun. It never happens. Im a sponge. Im just sponge in everything. Victories in the Gator Bowl and the Peach Bowl. The team is owned and coached . To go from playing Stratford every year to playing Ansonia is a bit of a change. Sponheimer said. I attend Naugatuck High School and I am class of 2017. Thats why they all get along. Hes playing football, and as a college coach and recruiter, youre never home, said Sollazzo, whose son is now 13. Meanwhile, Javon Martin and David Coggins, who should be preparing for their senior years, are caught in the middle. That hasnt changed in 100 years; thats what wins football games. He has rushed for over 200 yards three times, including two 300-yard games. Presiding over it all is Boshea, who retired as a West Haven police officer in 2004 after 20 years on the force. The Naugatuck Board of Education last week hired Sollazzo to lead the Greyhounds' football program. Thats something Ive always valued, where the entire community is behind the football team, Sollazzo said. That stint included an appearance in the 2002 Orange Bowl and victories in the 2002 Peach Bowl and the 2004 Gator Bowl. Theres no egos here, said Nixon, 44, who commands West Havens Wing-T offense. NAUGATUCK As The Star-Spangled Banner echoed through St. Francis of Assisi Church in honor of legendary coach Ray Legenza on Wednesday, the crowd of more than 100 mourners seemed to wait in quiet anticipation for the announcement of Play ball!. Contact 543 Rubber Ave Naugatuck, CT 06770 Associations Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference "He taught discipline. Pete was raised on Long Island and graduated from Southern Connecticut State University. That dedication and his impressive football background earned him a unanimous vote of confidence from the 10-member head coach search committee at Naugatuck High School, and on May 13 the Board of Education appointed him the Greyhounds' new head coach. So with all these guys around I just kind of sit in the meetings, nodding my head inquisitively like this. Against Bethel he threw for five touchdowns. Since taking over for Ed McCarthy, who retired as the all-time winningest coach in Connecticut history in 2015, Boshea has continued McCarthys established practice of bringing in castaway head coaches from across the greater New Haven area to maintain West Havens winning football tradition. They like challenges. The defense surrendered yardage and precious clock in chunks. "Stick to the plan," Cassetti said. Born in the Bronx and raised at the New Haven Coliseum (but really in Orange), Fornabaio has been with the Connecticut Post since 1997. Those who challenge government actions for the right reasons could be forever barred from political office unjustly by this law. He was tough as heck. Notre Dame-West Haven coach Joe DeCaprio said after his team played Bunnell. Elio Gugliotti contributed to this article. Last night our own Michael Deitelbaum was honored as a member of the 2022-2023 Class LL/L Connecticut High School Coaches Association All State Football Player . We had some wars.". HS. Hernandez has rushed for 1,017 yards (203.4 yards per game) and 14 touchdowns. 1 is they have a Valley football mentality, and they have over 100 years of football tradition. We click automatically. Borough officials are currently investigating the case, and it is unclear if or when the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC) will get involved. I want to hear about it! 6 Northwest Catholic on late goal, Volleyball top performances, games to watch (Oct. 19). Both players wanted to transfer to Naugy for their senior years from Sacred Heart in Waterbury, where they excelled on the gridiron for three years. He briefly spent another year as Capital Prep Harbors football coach and athletic director. I think that Naugatuck is a great job, Anderson said. He made me the person I am today," said Tedder who works as an insurance claims adjuster for Connecticare in Farmington. Watch this highlight video of the Seymour (CT) football team in its game Recap: Seymour vs. Naugatuck 2022 on Sep 16, 2022 More Videos Nov 15, 2022 @ 5:38am Stats Updated Seymour's stats have been entered for the 41-21 loss vs. Ansonia on 11/10/2022 6:00 PM. Legenza, the 1971 national high school coach of the year and a longtime administrator at Naugatuck High School, died at age 80 on Sunday. We knew we could throw the ball, we showed it at the end of last year. Killingly coach Chad Neal on GameTimeCTs Meat Grinder Podcast. Meanwhile, Javon Martin and David Coggins, who should be preparing for their senior years, are caught in the middle. His impact on his adopted community of Naugatuck almost defies description. 1 Darien in the Class LL semifinals Sunday, 12:30 p.m. at Darien. Legenza, the 1971 national high school coach of the year and a. Naugatuck High football coach Craig Peters and his captains sit down with Valley Cable to preview the 1990 season. "He bled blue. Plasky, a coach of numerous local teams, never played for Legenza, who gave up coaching in 1976 to focus on his administrative duties as a vice principal at the high school. Hunt coached Ansonia to seven state championships, including the 2002 and 2003 teams. August 7, 2018. He bounced between jobs as a high school defensive coordinator in South Carolina and a volunteer assistant coach at Maryland for the next decade before entering the coaching profession full-time as a defensive line coach at Division III Guilford in North Carolina in 1988. 3 New Canaan, St. Joseph adjusts, defeats No. Naugatuck High School football coach Rob Plasky is on paid leave as borough officials investigate whether he violated CIAC rules by giving money to the mother of standout players who wanted to. Everyone on this staff has been around and seen different things. On Sundays, he used to call me when I was at UMass and breaking down film. What they say: Its great to have two of them. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. Craig Bruno, the only football coach to win playoff games and state championships at Bunnell High School, has been named the next head coach at Naugatuck High School. He really has a thorough understanding of the game. Sollazzo said he will meet the returning players this week and has already begun work on assembling a staff. I'm looking forward to practice and I can't wait to get started.". Tuneful Tuesday: Share your children's musical talents with us! The legacy he leaves behind is one of greatness both on and off the. Republican-American of Waterbury posted a blog on Tuesday. Assured hed be allowed to watch his son (and, Boshea said, that West Haven would beat Cheshire regularly), Ecke agreed to join the group. He then traveled to Maryland, where he spent the next 10 years as the defensive line coach and later the recruiting coordinator for Ralph Friedgens Terrapins. I was given a lot of the responsibilities without being the head coach and not worrying about some of the other stuff. What they say: Jo-Jo Gonzalez, hes dynamic, he factors in for us on all three phases of the game offense, defense and special teams. Pompei said he could not comment at this time when reached by phone Thursday evening. Against Weston he rushed for four touchdowns. Well, Clark has proved he is just as talented on the football field. He said it reminds him of his playing days at Harrison High in New York state, and hes looking forward to meeting members of the community. Theres never been any stress on the staff that my idea is better than your idea. From left to right is Masuk's #23 Alex Trump, New Fairfield's Bobby Wood, and Head Coach Craig Bruno, during practice for the Fairfield County team at Bunnell High School in Milford, Conn. on Wednesday June 30, 2010. Funeral services have not been announced. He played semi-pro. We had a lot of penalties in the first half. Sponheimer said when Seymour joined the Naugatuck Valley League he requested Ansonia be on its schedule. They played Ansonia football. He attended Stratford public schools, graduating from Stratford High School. We tried to get him as many times as we could. Get the best kitchen cabinet painter in Westport! A lot of time my mouth is closed and my ears are wide open. Height: 6'0" Weight: 180 Age: 19 Prim. But that was its first appearance in 10 years. He was probably one of the toughest coaches I ever played for, but also one of the fairest, said Gene Massa, who played football for Legenza. David Cassetti scored all three Ansonia touchdowns as the Chargers finished an undefeated regular season with an NVL championship after an 18-10 win Thursday morning over Naugatuck at Veterans Field in front of an estimated crowd of 1,500. We have different experienced coaches, they coached in college, they all coached in high school. In his occasional free time, you can usually find him watching more baseball or hockey and complaining about the delay-of-game rule. Manes played at West Haven and is current halfback Chris Chances brother. Go Greyhounds! Its good to have a liaison with the midget guys, Boshea said. I feel like Im in a really good situation now.. Naugatuck, Jr. Position: RB/LB Stats: All of the preseason hype for Naugatuck was about Jett Hall and Michael Deitelbaum. Several sources also said Johnson did not know he was doing anything that could have been in violation of CIAC rules. Stats:Trovarelli burst onto the state scene after rushing for 358 yards, three touchdowns and two receiving scores in the opening week of the season and he hasn't slowed down. Trumbull's Rowan Johnston runs the ball during a football game between Staples and Trumbull at McDougall Stadium, Trumbull on Friday, Sept. 30, 2022. Ive always been impressed with Naugatuck. after the Colonials 37-17 win over Bacon Academy. "I never had to be worried about being sacked," the mayor said. Theres no pressure there, Anderson joked. "Honestly, I did not feel when I got there we'd have the success that we did," Bruno said. The players, for their part, appreciate the guidance. Stick to the plan, Cassetti said. Marc "Markey" Desruisseaux was born in Naugatuck on Dec. 16, 1992, according to the obituary. And I just coach my position. "I called him Tree because he was just about the biggest human being I ever saw. Oh.. He has thrown for 967 yards and 13 touchdowns and rushed for 434 yards and 10 more scores. Location: Hillside Middle School Naugatuck CT Time : 6 pm to 8 pm, Monday Wednesday and Friday Dates : April 17 - June 7 Cost : 23/2 hour sessions in 8 weeks $250 per child To register: bring your child to Naugatuck Rec Center (Armory) gym Wednesdays and Fridays from 3:30 to 5pm YMCA Events Boxing is Back - 6 Weeks of Training Registration open 2 Darien tips No. Official Results Meet Info Posts Teams Team Scores Schedule Entries. I am tired of hearing about it A changed man, living She survived Thirteen stab wounds, a broken neck, Baseball notebook: Strong arms spur Holy Cross, Seymours no-hit pitcher didnt know until game was over, Saturdays lacrosse roundup: Pomperaug girls down Lauralton. Log in to get contact info. You want to stop as him as a runner, as a deep passer and that alley screen is something we practiced all week. He'll meet with Naugatuck's players next week. Anderson had a 56-23 record at Woodland but then left to work for five years at the University of New Haven as an assistant. Morrell resigned and Hunt was brought in the next year as the head coach. They really, really did a good job.. Call it another day at the office for Bosheas staff. 0. SMSA quarterback Danny Hernandez throws a pass during a football game between Rockville and the SMSA co-op at Weaver High School, Hartford on Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022. Submit an item for the newsletter, calendar or social media. The older guys really want to teach the younger guys and we all learn from one another., Nixon grew up on the lower east side of Manhattan and played for Milford native Ken OKeefe at Allegheny College before McCarthy, on OKeefes suggestion, brought Nixon to town in time for West Havens 2002 championship season. Position: S Anthony does not have a video yet, but here is a SAMPLE of an NCSA professionally edited video Sample Video Video Michael Fornabaio is a sports reporter with Hearst Connecticut Media Group. Im more involved on the defense, but if I see something on offense Nix and Bo will listen to what I have to say.. Guys communicate. Twenty-nine seasons in Division I. His overall record of 193-26 ranks him 17th among high school football coaches, according to the Connecticut High School Record and Fact Book. It was only a few weeks ago that Paul Sponheimer, who served as Hunt's best man, visited his friend. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. Pairings become official on Friday morning. Benoit, a West Haven guy who has been on and off the staff for 30 years, turned Guilford and Hamden into winning teams in the 2000s before rejoining McCarthy to coach the West Haven defense. A lot of the guys came here because wed known them already. MILFORD A Naugatuck man initially accused of sexually assaulting a Seymour woman in 2020 received a suspended sentence and probation last week after . Position: LS Bench Press 235 Junior football season Personal Statement Hello, I'm Matt Johnson, #50 and Captain for The Greyhounds. He has rushed for close to 500 yards and 11 touchdowns, leading his team to a 4-1 record. I want my coaches to teach technique and fundamentals, he said, and I want my players to solve their problems with aggression. Its educational. Mayor James DellaVolpe, who quarterbacked the 1964 Ansonia team, is forever thankful for Hunt's size. Unger says he was impressed with West Havens kids and the coaching staff during the five times Guilford played them. mmayko@ctpost.com; 203-330-6286; http://twitter.com/mmayko2011, New Haven men caught with stolen car at Trumbull Mall, police say, Police: Armed CT man jumped into river to evade officers. The Chargers had already unofficially secured the top seed in the CIAC Class S tournament, which begins Tuesday, when theyre expected to face North Branford. Police: Bridgeport men arrested after pulling gun during dispute at Stratford gym, Former UConn women's basketball star Lou Lopez Snchal sidelined to start Dallas Wings training camp, 5 cute towns, cities and neighborhoods in CT to visit for a spring day, Calculate your exact chance of falling in love, Police: Trumbull homeowner scares off burglar, CT's best waterfront dining for 2023, according to Connecticut Magazine, Family must close 94-year-old Sanitary Cleaners to make way for Norwalk apartments: 'Heartbreaking', Greenwich boys swimming wins 52nd FCIAC title in 53 years, Roundup: Top seeds advance to CHSGHA girls ice hockey semifinals, No. Nov 30, 2021 | 6:30 PM EST Naugatuck, CT . On Oct. 21 a benefit dinner for Hunt was held at the St. Sebastian Club in Ansonia. Alumni Stories:Help us inspire our students by showing them all the possibilities that await them after graduation! Facebook. Bruno beat out several candidates, including Woodland offensive coordinator Tim Phipps. Jack Hunt, the school's gigantic two-way lineman from the 1960s who honed his playing skills under Bill Parcells and Jimmy Johnson at Wichita State before coming home to lead the Ansonia Chargers. Hunt often said he never planned on staying more than five years as head coach. . Naugatucks Andrew Tyszka (#19) pulls in a pass for a touchdown during the Thanksgiving Day high school football game between Ansonia and Naugatuck high schools, Thursday, November 24, 2022, Naugatuck High School, Naugatuck, Conn. Kaminski was tackled behind the line of scrimmage and fumbled the ball for a turnover. "That (beating Naugatuck) would have meant a lot to him," said Jonny Tedder, an Ansonia High School linebacker from 2000-04. Im a Westie through and through, he said. At the time, I had just started coaching as an assistant on the high school baseball team, Plasky said. Ray Legenza, longtime Naugatuck High football and baseball coach, died Sunday at age 80. On defense he has two interceptions and on special teams he has flipped the field with long kickoff and punt returns, including the eventual game-winning 90-yard kick return touchdown against Newington. CHESHIRE, Conn. - The CIAC is releasing schedule changes for the 2018 CIAC Football Championship games on Saturday, December 8. "I told them because I wanted to play good teams. Almost as Hunt would have wanted Ansonia crushed Naugatuck 48-27 at Jarvis Field. Field: 3:30 PM Track: 3:30 PM. He was 88. Ansonia leads the all-time series 77-35-10. I've told my players so many times, `You will never play there again without playing under the past history of winning a state championship.'". To a man, they all say there are no clash of personalities, only a free exchange of ideas as they craft a game plan for Friday nights. A halftime lead disappeared. He also rushed for 5 TDs on just 7 carries against the Coventry co-op. 232 Naugatuck Ct Photos and Premium High Res Pictures - Getty Images Images Creative Editorial Video Creative Editorial FILTERS CREATIVE EDITORIAL VIDEO 232 Naugatuck Ct Premium High Res Photos Browse 232 naugatuck ct photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more photos and images. Unger, 39, who once coached alongside Giants head coach Ben McAdoo at Fairfield University (his alma mater), spent seven years as the head coach at Guilford (also his alma mater). Sources identified the woman as Meme Martin, the mother of quarterback Javon Martin and legal guardian of David Coggins, a wide receiver who has verbally committed to Div. Naugatuck is determined not to fail after the program was rocked by the suspension and later resignation of 11-year head coach Rob Plasky. Submit an item for our social media through the following links: Star Student Nomination: Know a student who went above and beyond? Im fully cooperating with the investigation, and I dont want to jeopardize that, he said. Naugatuck hires longtime college coach to lead Greyhounds, Hawks fly high, then fall hard in first loss, Tenacity marks Hounds game on baseball diamond, Woodland softball continues to pile up victories, State reports COVID cases, deaths among fully vaccinated people, Naugatuck BOE member asked to resign over alarming social media posts, Police charge woman in connection with stabbing. He helped coach his son, John, who served as an Ansonia co-captain in 1984. He led the come-from-behind win over Bloomfield, throwing 3 TDs in the second half. Next came 10 years at The Citadel, followed by two seasons at Georgia Tech. Everyone who has a potential involvement in the situation is being asked to give a statement to borough attorney Edward "Ned" Fitzpatrick, sources say. I want to be recognized as a tough football team, Sollazzo said. Bunnell went 13-0 for the first time, earning the No. The Naugatuck Board of Education last week hired Sollazzo to lead the Greyhounds football program. ANSONIA -- On the day of its biggest game, Ansonia lost its largest football legend. 9. Coaching Staff Naugatuck High School: Football (Fall) Freshman Coaches: Junior Varsity Coaches: Copyright 1999-2022 Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic . 3, Connecticut softball top performers (May 1), Former CT All-State guard transferring to ACC school, No. Hunt's death at Griffin Hospital occurred about an hour before the kickoff of the annual Ansonia-Naugatuck Thanksgiving game at Jarvis Field. Applicants chosen from that pool were then whittled down through a two-round interview process. Naugatuck beat Ansonia last year at Nolan Field, snapping the Chargers 103-game winning streak against NVL opponents. In 1986, Hunt retired after serving 15 years as an assistant line coach at Ansonia High School. Naugatuck football coach Rob Plasky resigned Friday, a day after being suspended for his alleged involvement in the recruitment of two players who wished to transfer to the school from Sacred . YEAR OveraLL reCORD rEGULAR sEASON tITLES sTAND OUT ATHLETES; . NAUGATUCK The resume is extensive and impressive. What they say: He is a playmaker and hes a workaholic. Ecke recently spent one year at Danbury and brought that struggling program to the brink of the playoffs in 2014 before resigning when he couldnt secure a teaching job. Naugatuck High School football coach Rob Plasky is on paid leave as borough officials investigate whether he violated CIAC rules by giving money to the mother of standout players who wanted to transfer to Naugy. Bunnell's Michael Trovarelli runs the ball during their Thanksgiving eve football game with cross town rival Stratford at Bunnell High School in Stratford, Conn. on Wednesday, November 24, 2021. The mourners went to say goodbye to a man who put Naugatuck sports on the map with his 64-game win streak from 1970 to 1972.