Profiles and photos by Pete Paguaga, Sean Patrick Bowley, Will Aldam and Arnold Gold

JACK COUGHLIN

DB, Amity

Stats: The senior safety’s four interceptions for TDs in a single season tied him for the state record with New London’s Jamal Johnson (1987) and Torrington’s Phil Bresson (2011). Coughlin had seven interceptions and 91 tackles. Offensively, Coughlin rushed for 380 yards and had 543 receiving yards for 13 TDs.

Honors: All-SCC first team. CHSCA Top 26. Walter Camp All-Connecticut first team.

Up Next: Will play lacrosse at Navy.

JACK MULLEN

DL, Fairfield Prep

Stats: The 6-5, 215pound senior was the first line of Fairfield Prep’s strong defense, which spurred the Jesuits to an 11-2 record and a spot in the Class LL championship game. Mullen racked up 76 tackles, made 18 tackles for a loss and racked up 15 sacks.

Honors: All-SCC First Team. CHSCA Class LL first Team. Walter Camp All-Connecticut second Team

Up Next: Undecided.

CHRISTIANO ROSA

P, Shelton

Stats: As a punter, Rosa averaged 33.1 yards and had seven punts inside the 20-yard line. As a place kicker, was 8for-10 in field goal attempts, many in critical moments, to help the Gaels’ offense score from long range. His longest field goal was 43 yards, he also went 30-for-31 in PAT attempts and contributed 54 points overall.

Honors: All-SCC first team. CHSCA Class LL first Team. Walter Camp All-Connecticut first team.

Up Next: Undecided.

PRINCE SAMUELS

DL, Windsor

Stats: The 6-4, 215pound senior was a big part of Windsor's 11-2 season, including an upset of St. Joseph in the Class L semifinals and the program's first state championship appearance since 2016. At defensive line, Samuels amassed 70 tackles, had 14 sacks and made 21 tackles for a loss. He caused four fumbles and recovered one.

Honors: CHSCA Top 26. Walter Camp All-Connecticut first team.

Up Next: Undecided.

PARKER WOODRING

DB, Wilton

Stats: The 6-3, 200pound senior was a dual threat for Wilton, which finished 7-3. He set the single-season school record for receptions with 49 and totaled 753 receiving yards and six touchdowns. Defensively, he had four interceptions, three forced fumbles and 55 made tackles.

Honors: All-FCIAC first team. CHSCA Class L first team. Walter Camp AllConnecticut first team.

Up Next: Will play football at Cornell.

DAVID EVANCHICK

DL, Darien

Stats: The Class LL champion Blue Wave allowed just 13.5 points per game and Evanchick was a big reason. The 5-10, 220-pound senior had 74 tackles, 15 sacks and 25 tackles for a loss. .Also forced three fumbles and had a fumble recovery.

Honors: All-FCIAC first Team. CHSCA Top 26. Walter Camp All-Connecticut first team.

Up Next: Will play lacrosse at Villanova.

RYAN O’CONNELL

LB, Fairfield Prep

Stats: The captain, a 6-2, 215-pound senior, was the emotional and leaderby-example for the stout Jesuits defense. He compiled 80 tackles, five for a loss and had five sacks. Also recovered three fumbles and averaged over seven tackles per game. He contributed on the offensive side of the ball as well, rushing for five TDs.

Honors: CHSCA Top 26. Walter Camp All-Connecticut first Team.

Up Next: Will play football at the University of Pennsylvania.

CHAD RUSSO

LB, New Canaan

Stats: The 6-0, 200pound senior was the linchpin of a dominant New Canaan defense, which allowed just 10.33 points per game. Russo had 71 tackles, including 12 for a loss and made 14.5 sacks in nine games. Russo caused 92 yards lost via the sack and averaged over seven tackles per game before injury curtailed his season before the state playoffs.

Honors: All-FCIAC first team. CHSCA Class LL first team

Up Next: Undecided.

TYMAINE SMITH

LB, Fairfield Prep

Stats: The 6-2, 196pound senior captain was a sparkplug on the Fairfield Prep defense. Smith totaled 99 tackles, including 16 for a loss, and had five sacks, an interception, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery for a touchdown. Smith also caught 10 passes for 173 yards and a score

Honors: All-SCC first Team. SCC Tier I Co-Player of the Year. CHSCA Top 26. Walter Camp AllConnecticut first team.

Up Next: Undecided.

AUSTYN HOWE

DB, Newington

Stats: The senior was perhaps the state’s most versatile player, leading the Nor’Easters at multiple positions. Defensively, Howe compiled 35 tackles with one sack, one interception and a forced fumble. Howe passed for three touchdowns, rushed for six touchdowns and caught 14 touchdown passes. He rushed for 370 yards on 71 carries and caught 47 passes for 801 yards.

Honors: All-CCC first team. CHSCA Top 26.

Up Next: Undecided.

MICHAEL REDDICK

LB, Maloney

Stats: The senior linebacker/defensive end helped Maloney win the first state championship in program history, 35-21 over Windsor in the Class L final . ... Reddick, a transfer from Xavier, compiled 50 tackles, including six for a loss, two sacks and had a fumble recovery to set the tone for a Maloney defense that allowed 15.6 points per game and 203 for the season.

Honors: CHSCA Class

L.

Up Next: Undecided.

NICK SACCU

DB, Masuk

Stats: Among the most dynamic athletes in the state, Saccu starred at multiple positions and led Masuk to an SWC championship and a spot in the Class L semifinals. As a running back and quarterback, Saccu rushed for 1,850 yards while catching 16 passes for 310 yards and 28 total touchdowns.

Honors: All-SWC first Team. CHSCA Top 26. Walter Camp All-Connecticut first team.

Up Next: Undecided.

TEDDY WILLIAMS

LB, Cromwell/Portland

Stats: The Portland senior caught 60 passes for 1,396 yards and 20 touchdowns while rushing for 289 yards and four touchdowns on 27 carries. In the Class S semifinal win over Ansonia, Williams caught nine passes for 332 yards and five TDs. In the state championship victory over Bloomfield, he scored all three of his team’s TDs.

Honors: All-Pequot first team. CHSCA Top 26. Walter Camp All-Connecticut first team.

Up Next: Undecided