Gilbert/Northwestern co-op previewed

Peter Wallace takes a preseason look at the Gilbert/ Norht-western football team.

Area football teams were the first high school teams allowed on the practice field. We’re bringing you a look as we get them, one-at-a-time, with Torrington from the NVL Iron Division and the Pequot West Division consisting of Gilbert/Northwestern; Lewis Mills; Nonnewaug; Granby Memorial; Canton and SMSA/University. Gilbert/Northwestern Vitals Coach: Scott Salius (8th year, 49-25) Conference: Pequot West Playoff Class: M Home: Van Why Field, Gilbert

2014 Record: 4-7 Captains: Not yet named

Team website: MaxPreps Top players Tucker Kreh, 6-4, 180, Sr., TE/FS Ben Schiffer, 6-1, 170, Sr., QB/WR/CB Cam Rouleau, 5-10, 180, Jr., RB Mike Fracasso, 6-1, 270, Sr., C Kyle Kulinski, 6-1, 205, Sr., G Todd Holm, 6-0, 175, Jr., RB Joe Colombie, 5-10, Sr., LB Jake Roth, 5-9, 180, Jr., LB Gabe Schwartz, 5-11, 180, Jr., LB Jake Jeffko, 6-3, 200, Jr., punter

Key losses Mitchell Jackson, two-time all-conference OL/DL; Paxton Franklin, RB; Matt Nieves, RB; Aiden Tellier, QB/LB.

Outlook

After making the Class M playoffs two years ago, the Yellowjackets got hurt by graduation last year. This year, Coach Salius thinks they’ll be back in the middle of the Pequot West “with a chance to contend if the D steps up.” The Yellowjackets play a 3-5 stack defense. The offense is a run-oriented I formation under center. Among Pequot division favorites, Salius picks Granby in the West, Ellington in the North and North Branford in the South. Gilbert/Northwestern maintains a long string of outstanding kickers. Bobby Lippincott (2010) was an All-State punter; John Ambrozaitis (2012) was an All-State kicker. Now, senior place kicker Joe Columbie, a three-year kicker with a phenomenal PAT percentage vies for post-season honors. Punter Jake Jeffko was all-conference last year as a sophomore. 2015 Schedule Sept. 12 – Granby Memorial, 1 p.m.** Sept. 19 – Nonnewaug, 1 p.m.** Sept. 26 – at Lewis Mills, 1 p.m.** Oct. 2 – at Canton, 6:30 p.m.** Oct. 10 – Hyde/Career/Whitney Tech, 1 p.m.* Oct. 24 – at Windsor Locks/Suffield/ East Granby, 1 p.m.* Oct. 31 – Cromwell/Portland, 1 p.m.* Nov. 13 – at North Branford, 6:30 p.m.* Nov. 19 – at SMSA, Cottone Field, Wethersfield High School, 6:30 p.m.* Nov. 26 – Coginchaug, 10 a.m.* *League game **Division game