2018 High school football preview capsules
ECC Division I
East Lyme
Coach: Rudy Bagos (6th year)
Key returnees: Sr. LB Dalton Franco, Sr. QB Chris Salemme, Sr. WR Spencer Duthrie, Sr. RB Tommy Mason, Sr. CB Andrew Haase, Sr. S/RB Will Flaherty, Sr. RG/DT Liam Whaley, Sr. C Alex Lafauci, Jr. LB Cam Hart, Jr. CB/RB Blane Hart, Jr. WR/OLB T.J. Horner, Sr. DE Kyle Eriksson, Jr. LG/DT Zach Todd, Jr. QB Noah Perry, Jr. WR/ CB Owen Robbins, Jr. LG Mike Haburay, Jr. RG Devon Seidel. Jr. C Joe Reitmeyer, Jr. WR/OLB Scott Galbo, Jr. LT/DT Josh Morton, Jr. OLB Hunter Lizza, Jr. WR/OLB Coleman Groff.
Top newcomers: Sr. WR Shawn Soja, Sr. RT Nolan Liska, Jr. DE Kent Place, So. RB Aidan Cary, So. S/RB Patrick Tolley, So. QB Max Caron, So. LG Spencer Stanley, So. WR Hunter Lewis, Sro. RT Caleb Smith.
Outlook: The Vikings went 7-3 in 2017, but graduated most of their offensive line and a pair of dynamic ECC all-stars in wide receiver Dylan Hatajik and fullback Isaac Tomblin. Salemme returns at quarterback and Bagos said East Lyme still has plenty of offensive skill players, but his offensive line must grow up quick. The Vikings will be solid defensively with a number of returning veterans led by Franco, an ECC all-star last season.
Fitch
Coach: Mike Ellis (4th year)
Key returnees: Sr. OL/DL Nick Helbig, Sr. C/DL Austin Beebe, So. OL/DL Devyn Jordan, Sr. OL/ DL Daniel Mojica, Sr. TE/LB Brandon Hamilton, Sr. SE/DB Kaz Pray, Sr. RB/DB Kennard Tate, Sr. RB/LB Pedro Mojica, Sr. RB/DB Hamear Stephens, Sr. RB/LB Daniel Brathwaite, Sr. QB/ DB Tyler Nelli, Sr. OL/LB Oliver Banks.
Top newcomers: Sr. OL/LB Keith McDonald, Sr. SE/DB Kiev Lucas, Sr. TE/LB Kyle Egan, So. SE/LB Noah Charron, Sr. SE/LB Joe Vignato, Jr. RB/DB Steve Cantres, Sr. RB/DB Keith Patterson, Sr. RB/DB Kyrell Wilson, So. QB/DB Damian Flores.
Outlook: The Falcons returned to the state playoffs a year ago following a perfect 10-0 regular season. They did suffer some key graduation losses, particulary ECC all-stars Hollis Scott (RB), Zach Letellier (DE) and Dean Faulise (OL), but return plenty of experience, including three-year starters Nelli and Stephens on offense and Pedro Mojica on defense. They also have veterans on both of their offensive and defensive lines. Fitch does face a more difficult schedule, including non-conference road games at Hamden, Harding and Capital/ Achievement, but the Falcons still have the talent to repeat as Division I champions and earn another trip to the Class L playoffs.
New London
Coach: Johnny Burns (1st year)
Key returnees: Sr. RB/LB Jacob Commander, Sr. OL/DT Joseph Lucas, Jr. QB Owen George, Sr. DE Nazell Hodges, Sr. OL Lee Gant, Sr. WR Zehki Burgess, Sr. RB Nicholas Fleetwood, Sr. OL/DE Anthonio Lebron-Jones.
Top newcomers: So. OL Conner Liss, RB/LB Germiah Ballinger, CB Josiah Williams.
Outlook: Burns, who had a successful run as a youth coach in Norwich, returns to his alma mater and replaces Juan Roman. The Whalers went 4-6 a year ago, but won their final three games, including a 26-22 comeback win over NFA on Thanksgiving Day. Burns, who was pleased with the offseason strength and conditioning work and New London's effort in preseason scrimmages, expects the Whalers to get back to their winning ways, although they open with a brutal schedule that features games against Capital/Achievement, Notre Dame of West Haven, Killingly and Fitch, plus a late-season road test at Middletown. Commander is one of the ECC's top two-way players while George has the ability to be one of the ECC's top QBs.
NFA Coach: Jason Bakoulis (2nd year) Key returnees: Jr. WR Nolan Molkenthin, Sr. WR Kevin Pomroy, Sr. WR Jahiem Spruill, So. RB Sean Preston, Jr. OL Lavery Hill, Sr. OL Gabe Velez, Sr. TE/LB Cameron Belton, Sr. DL Adelino Daviega, Sr. DL Joe Desir, Sr. DL Jonathan Pierre, Jr. FS Xavier Marquez, Sr. SS Rye Walencewicz, Jr. CB Nazaiah Paul.
Top newcomers: Jr. WR Andrew Cote, Sr. RB Armando Rivera, Sr. QB Elijah Parker, Sr. CB Yourry Elisee.
Outlook: The Wildcats, 5-5 a year ago, face another brutal nonconference schedule with games against Xavier, Fairfield Prep, Windsor and Newtown, which will certainly prepare them for their Division I schedule. ECC all-star quarterback Shea McManaway graduated, but Molkenthin and Pomroy were productive receivers as juniors and will be two of the favorite targets of new QB Parker. Bakoulis said there has been great competition for starting roles in the preseason, which will not only develop depth but make NFA stronger.
ECC Division II
Ledyard
Coach: Clay Killingsworth (1st year)
Key returnees: Sr. WR/DB James Smith, Sr. RB/LB Anthony Rose, Sr. OL/LB Tim Dorr, Sr. LB Andrew Bourguignon, Sr. WR/DB Jahmik Devone, Sr. DL Seamus McGrath, Jr. WR/DB Jaiden Bickham.
Top newcomers: Sr. QB Jacob Syliva, Sr. WR Cade Walters, Jr. OL/DL Isaiah Spaulding, Jr. OL/LB Andres Pardo, Sr. OL/DL Jacob Hobbs, Sr. DL Joey Knight.
Outlook: The Colonels are looking for some stability in Killingsworth, their fourth head coach in as many years (Ledyard was 2-8 in Jonathan Hernandez's lone season a year ago). And despite some graduation losses, Killingsworth has been impressed with his skill players (Smith is one of the fastest players in the ECC) and the improved play of his line on both sides of the football. The Colonels have some depth up front, too, so Killingsworth should be able to keep players fresh. Ledyard moves down to Division II this season and will compete for the title with defending Class M champion Killingly, Bacon Academy, Stonington and Waterford.
Stonington
Coach: A.J. Massengale (15th year)
Key returnees: Sr. RB/LB Sean Bessette, Sr. RB/DB Riley Burnside, Sr. OL/LB Evan Champagne, Sr. OL/DL Ben Cook, Jr. RB/DB Josh Curtin, Sr. RB/DB Jon Curtin, Sr. OL/LB Lucas Falcone, Sr. OL/LB Aaron Lahah, Sr. RB/ LB Nate Miller, Jr. QB/DB Marco Tedeschi, Sr. WR/D Wyatt Werling.
Top newcomers: So. DB Nick Abely, So. QB/DB Drew Champagne, So. OL/DL Luke Costanzo, So. WR/DB Bobby Dimock, Sr. OL/DL Bryan Fusaro, So. WR/DL Joseph Hayes, So. OL/DL Noah Hertlein, So. RB/DB Justin Holland, Fr. WR/DB Christian Hudson, So. WR/DL Sam Inthasit, So. WR/DB Colby Johnson, So. OL/ DL Gavin Kerfus, Jr. OL/DL Ryan Mercier, So. WR/DB Lucas Morrison, So. WR/DL Treyvon Poehler, So. OL/DL Adama Rajab, Jr. WR/DB Antonio Reale, So. OL/DL Mahmoud Salha, Fr. WR/DB James Teft, So. RB/LB Matt Tipple, Jr. WR/DB Christian Ward.
Outlook: The Bears went 6-4 a year ago, but were hit hard by graduation losses. "We have a very young team," Massengale said. "In fact, this is the youngest group we have trotted out in a decade." It will be a learning on the job experience for Stonington's younger players, but solid senior and junior classes will lead the way as the Bears get set for another challenging schedule.
Waterford
Coach: John Strecker (4th year)
Key returnees: Sr. OL Kumar Sharma, Sr. OL Hunter Halford, Sr. RB Marcus Lovell, Sr. WR/CB Marcus Elliott, Sr. LB Niko Thibeault, Sr. WR/S Dan Annibillini, Jr. RB Ryan Bakken.
Top newcomers: So. RB/CB Sam Menders, So. RB/LB Jackson Harhsburger, So. RB/S Christian Hightower, Fr. DE Will Sutman.
Outlook: Can the Lancers go from a winless season (0-10) to competing for a division title? Strecker thinks so, especially with the return of an experienced offensive line led by captains Sharma and Halford. Waterford also had some experience skill players and an athletic defense. The Lancers are still developing depth on both sides of the ball, so staying healthy will also be important.
ECC Division III
Montville
Coach: Tanner Grove (13th year)
Key returnees: Sr. WR/DB Marcus Velez, Sr. FB/LB Zack Navarette, Sr. DE Tyrone Mack, Sr. RB/LB Emmanual Mayfield, Sr. RB/LB Dominic Emmons, Sr. OL/DL Cody Jones, Sr. DB Chris Connors, Jr. QB Ryan Douchette, Jr. OL/DL Kolt MacCracken, Jr. OL/DL Bryce Sullivan, Jr. OL/ DL Timmy Leitzinger, Jr. WR Colin Nickerson, Jr. DE Jayden Long, Jr. DE Ayden Rodriguez, Jr. OL/LB Matt Tobey, So. PK Diego Garces-Cortes.
Top newcomers: Sr. WR/DB Ryan Champagne, Sr. TE/DE Nick Calash, Sr. OL/DL Junior Alarcon, Jr. C/LB Mason Nickerson, So. RB/LB Nehemiah Owens.
Outlook: The Indians expect to bounce back from a tough 2-8 season with the return of 15 starters (7 offense, 8 defense). Douchette will lead the offense, which should have an excellent run-pass balance and an experienced offensive line with the return of MacCracken, Mack, Jones, Tobey, Sullivan and Leitzinger up front. Montville's defense also has experience at each level, including Connors and Velez in the secondary. Division III will be competitive with Griswold, Plainfield and Windham, but Grove believes the Indians will be in the mix for a division title.
Others
Thames River
Coach: Darin Jones (2nd year) Key returnees: Sr. RB/LB Josh Brown, Sr. WR/ DB Ismael Rivera-Garcia, Sr. RB/DB Albert Velazquez, Sr. TE/DE Eddie Cruz, Sr. WR/DB Pedro Castillo, Sr. TE/DE Will Korineck, Sr. LB Luis Aguilar, Jr. OL/DL Roark Ryan, Jr. OL/LB Nick Miller, So. OL/DL Tyler Jicha, So. OL Rob Yuchniuk.
Top newcomers: Jr. QB Logan Starr, Jr. WR/DB Jon Parra-Tobey, Jr. WR/DB Jagger Peterson, Jr. OL Hamlet Chajub, So. LB Steve Torres, So. OL Matt Thorpe, Fr. DB Domonick Martinez.
Outlook: The Cruaders, a three-school cooperative program (Norwich Tech, Grasso Tech, St. Bernard), went 5-5 a year ago and scored 50 or more points in three of their wins. Jones believes the Crusaders can build off that and not only post a winning season, but be in the mix for a Connecticut Technical Conference title. Thames River has plenty of experience, especially on both the offensive and defensive lines.
Valley Regional/Old Lyme
Coach: Tim King (21st year) Key returnees: Sr. WR-S Jaelen Arnum, Sr. RB-CB Nick Braga, Sr. OL-DL Ian Coughlin, Sr. OL-DL Ben Falivene, Sr. WR-S Jason O'Brien, Sr. LB Justin Robida, Sr. QB-WR Ryan Santos, Sr. TE-LB Garrett Watrous, Jr. T-DE Ben Conrad.
Top newcomers: Sr. WR-CB Brian Rankin, Jr. CB Arick Outama, So. WR-CB-S Colbe Andrews, So. T-DE Kyle Metz, So. RB-CB Anthony Rosario.
Outlook: The defending Pequot League Sassacus Division champions are in good shape defensively with more experience on that side of the ball. King said the defensive line is stouter than last year's and could be the one of the best he's ever had. Robida is back at linebacker and the secondary has talent and depth with Arnum, Braga and O'Brien. The offense has some holes to fill as it needs to find a new quarterback and over half of the line will be first-year starters. The upside is that Valley/Old Lyme has athletic and veteran scorers. Braga was the team's leading rusher (70 carries, 585 yards, 5 TD) and can fly (he ran the 100 meters in 11.20 seconds to place third at last season's Class M state outdoor championships). O'Brien (28 catches, 524 yards, 4 TD), Arnum (21 catches, 524 yards, 4 TD), and Santos (14 catches, 271 yards, 4 TD) were three of the team's top receivers, too. If the Warriors can get solid play out of their new QB and blockers (and stay healthy), they have a chance to make the playoffs for the fourth time in five years.