Enfield Looking To Stay Unbeaten
2-0 Eagles Face Winless Conard
Last year, Conard beat Enfield 60-46. Things might shape up differently this week, as Enfield rolls in undefeated, while Conard has yet to win.
When: Friday, 7 p.m
Where: Enfield High School Last meeting: Conard 60, Enfield 46 (2017)
The Tale of the Tape: There's a different vibe in Enfield, one that the Eagles haven't felt in a long time. Heading into its Week 3 game against Conard, Enfield is 2-0.
It's already the most wins Enfield has had in a single season since 2014, when the Eagles went 3-8. But despite their early season record, the Eagles are keeping their composure.
“First step to 1-0 this week,” assistant coach Sean Ritter said as his team warmed up on Monday. “1-0, fellas.”
There's palpable momentum in Enfield, and as much as the coaches will attempt to downplay the success to their team, it's nearly impossible to ignore the first two wins. The first was a 51-43 double overtime win over Manchester. The second, against Hall, was a lowscoring12-10 win. Quarterback Cody Stager connected with Wyatt Raymond in the end zone with under a minute left in the fourth to take the lead.
“I think it speaks to the resilience of the kids, really,” Enfield coach James Lyver said. “They've been unbelievable in all of the different scenarios that have been thrown out at them throughout the entire season.”
Conard, on the other hand, is 0-2 after facing two of the area's stronger Class LL programs in New Britain and East Hartford. Against the Golden Hurricanes, the Chieftains lost 35-0 to open the season.
Although the Hornets beat Con- ard 25-16 in Week 2, the team was able to take positives away from holding one of the state's best offenses to just 25 points.
“I think the defense played a lot better,” Conard senior Gabe Suarez said. “Just because we communicated and there was chemistry coming off of the New Britain game.”
According to Conard coach Matt Cersosimo, playing two talented programs right out of the gate is a valuable experience.
“I like being challenged right off the bat,” Cersosimo . “It lets us know where we are, what we've got to work on, what we've got to continue to get better at.”
Difference-maker for Enfield: Wyatt Raymond, WR, Jr.
Lyver is the first to admit that Enfield isn't the biggest or fastest team around, but Raymond is the outlier. At 6-4, 220 pounds, Raymond towers over most defensive backs at this level, and has the athletic abilities to separate himself from the defense.
He's had a steady start to the season, and has caught nine balls for 107 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winner against Hall.
“He's a real prospect,” Lyver said. “He's a fierce competitor.”
Difference-maker for Conard: Justin Furze, WR, Sr.
Conard has its own big downfield target, as Furze stands at 6-1. He reeled in a touchdown last week against East Hartford.
“I think he's been doing really well,” quarterback Matt Langevin said. “He had a good season last year too, he's just building upon it.”
“I like being challenged right off the bat. It lets us know where we are.”
Conard coach Matt Cersosimo