25 CIAC FOOTBALL PLAYERS TO WATCH
Here are 25 CIAC players to watch during the 2022 football season:
Hunter Agosti, Trumbull Sr. QB: Threw for 24 touchdowns and 2,611 yards, one of the biggest reasons some around the state are high on the Eagles.
Jack Barber, Darien Sr. DE: A whole lot of 2021 standouts graduated. He’s one of the top returning players, expected to be key to a strong defensive line as the Blue Wave try for a title in a second year in a row.
Josh Boganski, Maloney Sr. RB: He’s the biggest returning name for the defending Class L champion. He ran for 244 yards and four touchdowns in that championship game.
Cole Brisson, Cromwell/Portland Sr. QB: He threw for 2,643 yards and 30 touchdowns to lead the co-op to a Class S title. He’ll be at the heart of any run at the Class SS title this year.
Lincoln Cardillo, Southington Sr. RB/LB: Though there’s much to replace for the Blue Knights, Cardillo is a familiar face with 11 rushing touchdowns last season.
Ben Carley, Trumbull Sr. TE: A 6-foot-2, 255-pound force who caught 41 passes as a junior. He was a thirdteam pick on the New Haven Register All-State team.
David Cassetti, Ansonia Sr. RB/ WR/LB: Effective runner, effective blocker, effective receiver, effective defender (a big interception in the Chargers’ playoff win): Good combination.
Caden Drezek, Seymour Sr. QB: Lefty led the Wildcats back to the playoffs with 21 touchdown passes and over 1,700 yards, earning an offer from Maine.
Preston Dziubina, Ansonia Jr. TE/DL: Big body (6-foot-3, 220 pounds) on both sides of the ball for the perennial Class S contenders.
Darrien Foster, Bloomfield Jr. QB: Helped the Warhawks to the Class S final with 22 touchdowns against just four interceptions as a sophomore. Poised to take another step forward.
Brendan Gilchrist, Norwalk Sr. OL/DL: A New Haven Register firstteam all-state pick last year. Norwalk co-coach Sean Ireland says his technique and leverage make him one of the top defensive linemen he has ever coached.
Ty Groff, New Canaan Sr. QB/K: He was a New Haven Register firstteam all-state kicker last year. He was set to take over at quarterback. He broke his non-throwing hand. When, and how, he comes back may be a big early story.
Jett Hall, Naugatuck Jr. RB/DB: In a backfield along with two seniors, Hall is a strong playmaker who has caught eyes around the NVL and beyond. He had a big game in the Greyhounds’ playoff loss to Masuk last fall.
Tommy Hansen, North Branford Soph. RB: Coach Mark Basil calls him a 5-10, 185-pound bull, one of the strongest players on a team that has all 11 starters back on both sides of the ball.
Brandon Hutchison, St. Joseph Sr.
WR: Is this a down year for the Cadets, who start the year outside the GameTimeCT Top 10? We’ll see, but Hutchison still figures to be a premier receiver. He caught 46 passes last season.
Jake Kiernan, Greenwich Sr. OL/ DL: A New Haven Register All-State second-teamer, he’s a 6-foot-2, 265pound presence on the line for the No. 1 team in the GameTimeCT preseason poll.
Amir Knighton, Rockville Soph. RB/LB: Had 13 1/2 sacks as a freshman to help the Rams to the Class M final. In part-time duty at running back, he averaged nearly 16 yards a carry.
Tanner Langis, Fairfield Prep Sr. LB: One of only a handful of players back from the Class LL finalists. He was second on the team with 86 tackles and 5 1/2 sacks.
Thomas Ligi, Holy Cross Sr. RB/ LB: Honorable mention on the New Haven Register All-State team last year, he was a playmaker on offense and defense. At least one opposing coach considered him one of the best backs in the state last year.
John Neider, Law Sr. QB: Last year’s SCC Tier III Player of the Year and honorable mention on the New Haven Register All-State Team. He did a little bit of everything, throwing
for 20 touchdowns and running for over 1,000 yards.
Ryan Outlow, Thames River Sr. RB/DL: Was on his way to a stellar season with Ledyard in 2021 when injuries derailed it. Now at St. Bernard, he joins a Crusaders backfield that could be the best in the state.
Matt Piechota, Notre Dame-West Haven Sr. QB: Dual-threat quarterback threw for 1,750 yards last season. He and the Green Knights are aiming for their first playoff spot since 2016.
Soren Rief, Killingly Jr. RB/LB: Next up in a series: The latest feature back on a program that seems to churn them out two by two. He starred in last year’s Class M final with a couple of touchdowns.
Danny Shaban, Barlow Sr. QB/LB:
“He’s so darn athletic, it’s incredible,” said John Distler, his lacrosse coach in the spring. He was third-team New Haven Register All-State last fall, running for 1,300 yards and 24 touchdowns and earning eight sacks.
Jack Wilson, Greenwich Sr. QB: Knocked out of the Cardinals’ quarterfinal playoff game last fall, the 6-foot-4, 215-pound senior returns as one of the most highly regarded quarterbacks in the state. He threw for 19 touchdowns last season and completed almost 60% of his passes.