week 1 in review
Interesting, and for local teams very successful, first week of the high school football season. Herald area teams went 8-1, with Goodwin Tech/St. Paul/ Lewis Mills the only team on the wrong end of the score.
As for me, I went 6-2 with my picks, including getting the tough match up between Northwest Catholic and New London right. But who's counting?
I was most impressed with the big wins by Newington and New Britain. I expected the 'Canes to come out on top in the always-big contest against Bristol Central, but I never imagined Newington would run away from Hartford Public. The teams tied last year.
While Nate Pagan is deservedly getting the most press for the Indians, Shane Leupold could be a difference maker in games this year with the focus off of him. He and Bobby Hemmann both have a lot of experience in the offense. Things are looking up for Newington, but they still have a tough schedule.
As for New Britain, B.J. Aponte was just awesome with 267 against a solid team. One of the performances of the week, and possibly the whole year, around the state.
I was very happy to be present for Wethersfield's decisive victory over Bulkeley. Coach John Campanello is one of the classier ones that I know, and his team looks much improved this year. Sophomore QB Tyler Murphy did not look like somebody without varsity experience when he came in for senior Gavin Lamb after an injury. I hope Lamb comes back healthy and Murphy can contribute as a receiver, but the Eagles seem to be in pretty good hands with either.
For those getting excited in Farmington, don't put too much pressure or high expectations on Tebucky Jones, Jr. He's got talent, no question. But he's a long way from matching the career of his father, a local legend in New Britain. To expect as much would be unfair.
Rocky Hill certainly got lucky in its 21-20 overtime victory as St. Bernard/Norwich Tech missed a relatively short field goal for the win in regulation. But nobody ever said luck isn't part of it. A win is a win and that is not your ordinary Catholic/Tech school co-op after a Class SS playoff berth last year.
It was a good warm up week with everybody off to a good start, several against some of the weaker competition on their schedules. Everybody's smiling as week two is fast approaching.
As for me, I went 6-2 with my picks, including getting the tough match up between Northwest Catholic and New London right. But who's counting?
I was most impressed with the big wins by Newington and New Britain. I expected the 'Canes to come out on top in the always-big contest against Bristol Central, but I never imagined Newington would run away from Hartford Public. The teams tied last year.
While Nate Pagan is deservedly getting the most press for the Indians, Shane Leupold could be a difference maker in games this year with the focus off of him. He and Bobby Hemmann both have a lot of experience in the offense. Things are looking up for Newington, but they still have a tough schedule.
As for New Britain, B.J. Aponte was just awesome with 267 against a solid team. One of the performances of the week, and possibly the whole year, around the state.
I was very happy to be present for Wethersfield's decisive victory over Bulkeley. Coach John Campanello is one of the classier ones that I know, and his team looks much improved this year. Sophomore QB Tyler Murphy did not look like somebody without varsity experience when he came in for senior Gavin Lamb after an injury. I hope Lamb comes back healthy and Murphy can contribute as a receiver, but the Eagles seem to be in pretty good hands with either.
For those getting excited in Farmington, don't put too much pressure or high expectations on Tebucky Jones, Jr. He's got talent, no question. But he's a long way from matching the career of his father, a local legend in New Britain. To expect as much would be unfair.
Rocky Hill certainly got lucky in its 21-20 overtime victory as St. Bernard/Norwich Tech missed a relatively short field goal for the win in regulation. But nobody ever said luck isn't part of it. A win is a win and that is not your ordinary Catholic/Tech school co-op after a Class SS playoff berth last year.
It was a good warm up week with everybody off to a good start, several against some of the weaker competition on their schedules. Everybody's smiling as week two is fast approaching.
Labels: football
posted by Ryan Pipke at
6:25 PM
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