New Haven Register (Sunday) (New Haven, CT)
Sheehan QB Terzi like an extra coach on the field
WALLINGFORD — The second-seeded Sheehan football team enters its CIAC Class M semifinal game against No. 3 seed Berlin on Monday at Riccitelli Field with experience and talent in every phase of the game, including the consistent contributions of three-year starting quarterback Weston Terzi.
Sheehan coach John Ferrazzi could see the potential in Terzi early in his career.
“When I first saw Wes, like any young quarterback, there was hope,” Ferrazzi said. “You ask yourself can we develop him into a productive varsity quarterback? Will he put in the work necessary to develop and improve? Wes did that.
CLASS M SEMIFINAL
No. 3 Berlin (10-1) at No. 2 Sheehan (10-1) When: Monday, 6:30 p.m.
“He started as a sophomore. But it was hard work in his successful junior season (9-1 in regular season) that solidified his talent and he came back as a confident senior starter. His work ethic is great. He plays with intensity and he has a high football IQ. When you can speak to a high school player in football terms and they can follow you, it’s like having another coach out there.”
Terzi has helped the Titans improve to a 10-1 record. He has completed 106 of 174 passes for 1,631 yards and 21 touchdowns and has only thrown three interceptions. He has rushed for 53 yards and three touchdowns.
Terzi, the son of veteran news man Tony Terzi who is a reporter/anchor for Fox 61 television, is also the first to tell you that his success this season is the result of a combination of factors. It helps to have one of the top running backs in the state who can take defensive pressure off you. Terrence Bogan has rushed for 2,335 yards and 33 touchdowns. Terzi said it also helps to have a strong
offensive line and three experienced receivers.
Terzi actually spreads the ball around. There are nine players on the team with at least one catch this season, led by senior receivers Aaron Simmons (543 yards, nine touchdowns), Jordan Davis (348 yards, six touchdowns) and Jake Smith (612 yards, four touchdowns).
“My sophomore season was a great learning year for me,” Terzi said. “I was able to develop my junior year and the success I had then gave me more confidence coming into this season. The guys around me just made me better. Terrence is a tremendous running back.
“Our three senior receivers were the guys I was throwing to as a sophomore, so we all went through this our sophomore, junior and senior years. The result is a special bond and special chemistry we all have when we play. Our coaching is another key factor for all of us because they did their part to bring out our talent and create that chemistry.”
With so many strong components, if one phase of the team is a bit off the other phase steps up. In the Class M quarterfinals, Bogan rushed for 300 yards and three touchdowns in a 43-20 win over Wolcott. Terzi threw for 151 yards and one touchdown.
In the final game of the regular season, with Sheehan and Lyman Hall tied at 14 at halftime of the Carini Bowl, Terzi took over in the second half and threw for two touchdowns and rushed for another in a 34-14 win over the Trojans.
“Wes is just a smart quarterback, that’s his biggest strength,” said Simmons, who has caught 33 of Terzi’s passes this season. “He has this great vision when he is on the field. The other advantage is myself and the other senior receivers have played with Wes the last three seasons. We have this chemistry, we know exactly where the other guy is going to be on every play.”
Terzi, Ferrazzi and Simmons all agreed there was great anticipation heading into the season.
“We returned so many people and only lost three starters to graduation,” Ferrazzi said. “We just needed to stay focused and needed to take nothing for granted. If the chips fell into place, we believed this season could be something special.”
Terzi said there was still work to do.
“Our team has been a work in progress all season,” Terzi said. “Nothing is perfected yet and there are still areas we need to improve. Heading into the season we looked forward to it because we had so many guys returning, we had so many experienced players.
“Now, we’re in our first semifinal game and playing at home. That’s an advantage. But we’ll be facing a very good Berlin team (10-1) and we’ll need to play our best to win.”
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Berlin (4-9): lost to Killingly 49-7 in the 2017 Class M semifinals. Sheehan (0-1): lost to Ansonia 16-6 in the 1995 Class S semifinals.
1 Berlin: Sr. QB/DB Kevin Dunn, Jr. RB/DE Zach Hrubeic, Sr. RB/ LB Alex Halkias, Jr. RB/DB Larry St. Pierre, Soph. RB/LB Marco Scarano. Sheehan: Jr. RB Terrance Bogan, Sr. QB Wes Terzi, WR/CB