Connecticut Sports Writers' Alliance HS Football Poll Week 2

Week #2
Released September 26, 2011

Rank Team Record Points Prev. Rank
1. Xavier (17) 2-0 435 2
2. Masuk (13) 2-0 433 1
3. New Canaan 2-0 375 3
4. Ansonia 2-0 331 4
5. Staples 2-0 273 5
T6. Cheshire 2-0 256 8
T6. Daniel Hand 2-0 256 6
8. Windsor 2-0 202 10
9. New London 1-0 182 7
10. West Haven 2-0 131 NR
(first place votes)


Also Receiving Votes: North Haven 2-0 128; Trumbull 1-0 113; Bunnell 2-0 90; Glastonbury 2-0 54; Middletown 2-0 53; Greenwich 2-0 39; Darien 2-0 37; Berlin 2-0 32; Valley Regional/Old Lyme 2-0 29; Pomperaug 2-0 27; Montville 2-0 25; Northwest Catholic 2-0 16; Norwich Free Academy 1-0 14; Conard 2-0 13; Bloomfield 2-0 10; Shelton 2-0 10; Southington 2-0 7; Cromwell 2-0 6; Norwalk 2-0 6; Hall 2-0 3; Ledyard 2-0 3; Naugatuck 2-0 3; Capital Prep/Classical Magnet 2-0 2; Farmington 2-0 2; Coventry/Windham Tech 2-0 1; St. Joseph 0-2 1; Torrington 1-1 1; Wilton 2-0 1

Voters: Brian Barreto (NVL Blog), Bob Barton (CT H.S. Football Record Book), Bill Bloxsom (Hersam Acorn), Jim Bransfield (Middletown Press), Kyle Brennan (Waterbury Republican-American), George DeMaio (WELI Radio), Gerry deSimas (Collinsville Publishing Co.), Bill Donovan (WXLM 980 AM), Mark Fijalkowski (CT Sports Network), Ted Glanzer (The Granbys Patch), John Goralski (Southington Observer), Dave Greenleaf (Bristol Press), Mike Guerrera (Southington Citizen), Larry Kelley (SE Conn Patch), Bob Lazzari (Valley Times), Greg Lederer (Cheshire Herald), Ken Lipshez (Farmington/W. Hartford Patch), Robert Mayer (Berlin Patch), Eric Montgomery (Minuteman Newspapers), Sean Patrick Bowley (Connecticut Post), Dave Phillips (Shoreline Newspapers), Pat Pickens (Fairfield Citizen-News), Mike Pucci (New Haven Register), Paul Rosano (Meriden Record-Journal), Dave Ruden (Stamford Advocate), Mike Suppe (Hersam Acorn Newspapers), Peter Vander Veer (Hersam Acorn Newspapers), Tom Yantz (Hartford Courant), Rich Zalusky (Willimantic Chronicle), Jimmy Zanor (Shore Line Times)

VIDEO: Southington football tops New Britain, 3-0

In a defensive slugfest at Fontana Field in Southington, the Blue Knights beat New Britain 3-0 Saturday night (Sept. 24) when first-year senior kicker Sean Hammell knocked a 24-yard field goal through the uprights late in the fourth quarter. The field goal was keyed by an interception from Brian Kaminsky that he took back inside the 10 yard, a return of 40-plus yards. Both defenses were on their games, but Southington forced turnovers and game out on the winning end. Jared DeGumbia's pick with seconds remaining at the Southington goal line sealed the win for the Blue Knights. Below are three videos, first of Hammell's winning kick, then of Hammell reacting to the win and head coach Mike Drury talking about the victory.

Southington football vs. New Britain moved from Rentschler

UPDATE: GAME MOVED FROM FRIDAY NIGHT IN SOUTHINGTON TO SATURDAY NIGHT IN SOUTHINGTON!!

The Southington football game scheduled for tomorrow night against New Britain has been moved from Rentschler Field in East Hartford to Fontana Field at Southington High School. Game time will still be at 7 p.m.

CSWA Football Poll: Week 1

Week #1
Released September 19, 2011

Rank Team Record Points Prev. Rank
1. Masuk (16) 1-0 491 2
2. Xavier (18) 1-0 490 1
3. New Canaan 1-0 421 3
4. Ansonia 1-0 380 5
5. Staples 1-0 302 7
6. Daniel Hand 1-0 284 9
7. New London 1-0 265 8
8. Cheshire 1-0 241 10
9. North Haven 1-0 206 NR
10. Windsor 1-0 183 NR
(first place votes)

Also Receiving Votes: Trumbull 0-0 139; West Haven 1-0 133; Bunnell 1-0 78; Glastonbury 1-0 65; Hillhouse 0-1 64; Darien 1-0 41; Norwich Free Academy 1-0 36; Middletown 1-0 31; Berlin 1-0 27; Pomperaug 1-0 23; Southington 1-0 22; Greenwich 1-0 21; Montville 1-0 21; Conard 1-0 20; Northwest Catholic 1-0 19; Stamford 1-0 14; Valley Regional/Old Lyme 1-0 14; Shelton 1-0 11; Ridgefield 0-1 7; Ledyard 1-0 6; Cromwell 1-0 4; Fairfield Warde 1-0 4; Naugatuck 1-0 4; Avon 1-0 3; St. Joseph 0-1 3; Waterford 1-0 3; Torrington 0-1 2; Derby 1-0 1; RHAM 1-0 1

Voters: Marc Allard (Norwich Bulletin), Brian Barreto (NVL Blog), Bob Barton (CT H.S. Football Record Book), Bill Bloxsom (Hersam Acorn), Don Boyle (Sporting News CT), Jim Bransfield (Middletown Press), Kyle Brennan (Waterbury Republican-American), Ray Curren (Elm City Newspapers), George DeMaio (WELI Radio), Gerry deSimas (Collinsville Publishing Co.), Bill Donovan (WXLM 980 AM), Mark Fijalkowski (CT Sports Network), Ted Glanzer (The Granbys Patch), John Goralski (Southington Observer), Dave Greenleaf (CCC website), Mike Guerrera (Southington Citizen), John Holt (WFSB Channel 3), Larry Kelley (SE Conn Patch), Bob Lazzari (Valley Times), Greg Lederer (Cheshire Herald), Ken Lipshez (Farmington/W. Hartford Patch), Robert Mayer (Berlin Patch), Eric Montgomery (Minuteman Newspapers), Sean Patrick Bowley (Connecticut Post), Dave Phillips (Shoreline Newspapers), Pat Pickens (Fairfield Citizen-News), Mike Pucci (New Haven Register), Paul Rosano (Meriden Record-Journal), Dave Ruden (Stamford Advocate), Mike Suppe (Hersam Acorn Newspapers), Peter Vander Veer (Hersam Acorn Newspapers), Tom Yantz (Hartford Courant), Rich Zalusky (Willimantic Chronicle), Jimmy Zanor (Shore Line Times)

Ticket information for New Britain-Southington football

On Friday, Sept. 23 at 7 p.m. the Blue Knights football team from Southington High School will be playing the Golden Hurricanes team from New Britain High School at Rentschler Field at 615 Silver Lane in East Hartford.

Tickets will be $10 per person (age 6 and under are free). No passes will be valid for this game.

Tickets for general admission will be available at the Southington High School Athletic Office starting Monday, Sept.19 until Friday, Sept. 23 (the day of the game) from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tickets will also be available at the gate which open at 6 p.m.

Any questions, call the Southington High School Athletic Office at (860) 628-3229 ext. 425.

VIDEO: Drury on East Hartford Win

Southington head football coach, Mike Drury, talks about the Blue Knights' opening day, 42-14 win over East Hartford on Sept. 16. It was Drury's first career win as a head coach.

Southington Blue Knights Football Preview

HEAD COACH: Mike Drury — first year

RECORD LAST YEAR: 8-2, 6-1 CCC Division I (co-champs)

KEY LOSSES: QB Connor Butkiewicz, 72-for-134 passing for 1,012 yards and 9 touchdowns in 2010; WR/DB Tyler Dube, 902 yards receiving on 50 catches for 10 scores in 2010; seven interceptions, three fumble recoveries; RB/WR Zack Wholley, 38 rushes for 216 yards and two touchdowns and 16 catches for 228 yards and four scores; DB/WR Jordan Chapman, 29 catches for 362 yards and four touchdowns; five interceptions, 18 extra points; RB Matt Scarpati, 140 rushes for 604 yards and four touchdowns; RB/LB Joe Pesce, 21 rushes for 113 yards and three touchdowns; DB Mark Tellerico, three interceptions; S Nick Gothberg, second on team with 70 total tackles; DL/OL Enjan Mullaj, 30 total tackles; DL Jonathan Repollet, fourth on team with 40 total tackles and had 1.5 sacks; LB Dan Snyder, OL/DL Jaylon McKee, three sacks in 2010; OL Randall Ledet, Jr.

KEY RETURNEES: Sr. TE/LB (c) Andrew Walowski, 15 catches for 232 yards and three touchdowns, team leader on defense with 84 total tackles and three sacks; Sr. LB (c) Matt O’Connor, third on team in 2010 with 60 total tackles and 2.5 sacks; Sr. DE (c) Dan Manware, 36 total tackles in 2010; So. QB Stephen Barmore, 48-for-67 passing for 776 yards and 11 touchdowns, 33 rushes for 109 yards and a touchdown (only two interceptions); So. RB Jarrid Grimmett, 54 rushes for 262 yards and four touchdowns; Sr. LB Don Rinaldi, 22 total tackles in 2010; Sr. WR Bryan Kaminsky, 9 catches for 79 yards and a touchdown in 2010; Jr. OL Travis Clark.

KEY NEWCOMERS: Sr. (c) OL Ryan Hurley, Sr. WR/CB Jared DeGumbia, Sr. DL Johnny Gradante, 8 total tackles in 2010; Sr. DL Nick Mendez, Jr. OL/DL Travis Daly, Sr. SS Chris DePaolo, Jr. FS Corbin Garry, Jr. RB/LB Dave DiNeno, Jr. WR/CB Anthony Bonefant, Jr. WR/CB Nathan Bonefant, Jr. WR/LB Nick Spitz, Jr. OL/DL Josh Irizarry, Sr. OL Tyler Boudreau, So. LB/TE Zach Maxwell, So. WR Tyler Hyde.

KEY GAMES: 9/23 vs. New Britain, 10/22 @ Glastonbury, 11/4 vs. Simsbury, 11/11 vs. Manchester, 11/24 @ Cheshire.

OUTLOOK: Lots of new faces will adorn both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. Twelve starters graduated, including playmakers on both sides of the ball in Dube, Chapman, Butkiewicz, Gothberg, Tellerico and more. However, a new coach, but a similar system should provide continuity for a talented young core led by quarterback Barmore and super-quick running back Grimmett. Expectations remain high even with a new cast of characters.

Southington football receives votes in CSWA pre-season poll

The Connecticut Sports Writers' Alliance pre-season football poll came out Monday night and the Southington Blue Knights, coming off an 8-2 season and with a new head coach, received 31 points and come in at No. 22. For a full preview of the football team, check back Friday prior to the opening contest against East Hartford.

Pre-Season Released September 12, 2011
Rank Team (First Place Votes); 2010-11 Record; Points

1. Xavier (15) 13-0 434
2. Masuk (15) 13-0 433
3. New Canaan 11-2 339
4. Hillhouse 10-3 308
5. Ansonia 11-2 289
6. Trumbull 11-2 187
7. Staples 9-2 176
8. New London 10-3 170
9. Daniel Hand 10-2 161
10. Cheshire 5-5 139

Also Receiving Votes: Windsor 8-2 133; West Haven 8-3 114; Glastonbury 10-2 69; North Haven 9-2 67; Brookfield 9-3 64; St. Joseph 10-3 61; Berlin 10-1 53; Bunnell 7-3 47; Darien 10-2 40; Montville 10-2 40; Greenwich 5-5 32; Southington 8-2 31; Torrington 7-3 30; Valley Regional/Old Lyme 11-1 27; Norwich Free Academy 11-1 23; Ledyard 7-3 19; Pomperaug 8-2 14; Notre Dame-West Haven 7-3 13; Northwest Catholic 4-6 12; Stamford 6-4 11; Naugatuck 9-2 10; Conard 8-3 9; Middletown 7-3 9; Cromwell 7-4 8; Shelton 6-4 7; Avon 8-2 6; Hyde Leadership 7-4 4; Fairfield Warde 5-5 2; Hall 8-3 2; Fitch 6-4 1; Gilbert/NW Regional 9-3 1; Maloney 8-2 1; Newtown 8-2 1; Plainville 8-3 1; Ridgefield 7-3 1; Waterford 7-3 1

Voters: Brian Barreto (NVL Blog), Bob Barton (CT H.S. Football Record Book), Bill Bloxsom (Hersam Acorn), Don Boyle (Sporting News CT), Kyle Brennan (Waterbury Republican), Johnny Burnham (Bristol Press), George DeMaio (WELI Radio), Gerry deSimas (Collinsville Publishing Co.), Bill Donovan (WXLM 980 AM), Ted Glanzer (The Granbys Patch), John Goralski (Southington Observer), Dave Greenleaf (CCC website), Mike Guerrera (Southington Citizen), John Holt (WFSB Channel 3), Larry Kelley (Niantic Patch), Bob Lazzari (Valley Times), Greg Lederer (Cheshire Herald), Ken Lipshez (Farmington/W. Hartford Patch), Robert Mayer (Berlin/Plainville/Southington Citizen), Eric Montgomery (Minuteman Newspapers), Sean Patrick Bowley (Connecticut Post), Dave Phillips (Shoreline Newspapers), Mike Pucci (New Haven Register), Paul Rosano (Meriden Record-Journal), Dave Ruden (Stamford Advocate), Mike Suppe (Hersam Acorn Newspapers), Peter Vander Veer (Elm City Newspapers), Tom Yantz (Hartford Courant), Rich Zalusky (Willimantic Chronicle), Jimmy Zanor (Shore Line Times)

Southington's Davis throws shot put across Europe

Cherraine Davis, who was the state open girls shot put champ in both the indoor and outdoor season, recently toured Europe and competed in the DN Galan Diamond League Youth World Championships in Stockholm, Sweden.

While there, she finished third overall in the women's shot put in the Youth 17-under division. This was her first international competition representing the United States.

She's currently a senior at Southington High School.

For the story on how Davis became a shot put champ, click here.