Long year ahead for Raiders?

Few starters return from banner 2015 campaign

Vitals

• Coach: GAITAN RODRIGUEZ (4th year/17-16)

• Conference: NVL

• Playoff Class: L (523boys enrollment)

• Home: Robert H. Frost Sports Complex

• 2015 Record: 9-2 (4-0 Iron Division Champions)

• 2016 Kickoff: Sept. 9 vs. Seymour, 7 p.m.

• Team website: MaxPreps

Top players

• JUSTIN EGLISKIS, Sr. WR/DB, (5-10, 180)

• TORY HAMMONDS, Sr. RB/LB (5-8, 180)

• DOM PHENGKAEN, Sr. RB/DB (5-9, 190)

• ANTHONY RYANS, Jr. OL/ DL (6-1, 260)

• ANDREW SCHIMANSKI, Sr. OL/D. (6-2, 275)

Key losses

TE/LB Nate Bresson, OL/DL Kobe Covington, QB Connor Finn, WR/DB Zak Mancini, RB/DB Newton Frias, RB/DB Tyler Marens.

Outlook

Torrington had a season for the ages last year, ripping off six straight wins before running into Ansonia, then finishing off the rest of its season for its first playoff appearance since 1983, only to lose to Wethersfield in the opening round of the Class L division.

Sixteen of the players who made it happen graduated, most crucially All-State players Nate Bresson (tight end) and Kobe Covington (offensive line) along with All-NVL quarterback Connor Finn and All-NVL

wide receiver Zak Mancini.

Workhorse running backs Newton Frias and Tyler Marens are also among the graduated, but deep talent in the backfield was part of the Red Raider success.

Running backs Dom Phengkaen and Dylan Myrie were impressive last year and carry the banner for Raider offensive hopes this year, along with their experience in the defensive backfield.

Otherwise, in a clear rebuilding year, inexperience and sometimes youth is the norm.

Three quarterback candidates – junior Brandon Reiff, sophomore Ora Curry and senior Tory Hammonds – compete for a job that Finn held down since he was a freshman. Ahead of them, on the offensive line, just one of last year’s starters returns.

The good news is the vacancies create lots of competition for every spot.

“The kids have been responding pretty well,” said head coach Gaitan Rodriguez.

2016 Schedule

Sept. 9 -- vs. Seymour* 7 p.m. Sept. 15 -- at Wilby* Municipal Stadium, 6 p.m. Sept. 23 – at Naugatuck** 7 p.m. Sept. 30 – vs. Ansonia * 7 p.m. Oct. 7 – vs. St. Paul Catholic* 7 p.m. Oct. 15 – at Holy Cross* 1 p.m. Oct. 22 – BYE Oct. 29 – at Kennedy* Municipal Stadium 11 a.m. Nov. 4 – vs. Woodland** 7 p.m. Nov. 11 – at Wolcott** 6:30 p.m. Nov. 24 – vs. Watertown** 10:15 a.m. **Division game *Conference game

PHOTO BY PETER WALLACE After a year of glory, Torrington’s line returns just one of last year’s starters.