By Tim Parry
The media is going to hear it. Each and every one of us. Except maybe the Greenwich guys who whoop it up about the awesomeness known as the Cardinals.
The rest of us truly thought there was going to be a changing of the guard in the FCIAC. That after two seasons of Greenwich, New Canaan, and Staples dominance, we believed there was something new on the horizon. Like before Hanna hit last Saturday, there was a calm before a storm that was going to shake up the football landscape in Fairfield County.
We are suckers. We won’t apologize. We’ll admit we’re wrong, but we didn’t didn’t do anything that should make us get down on our knees and beg forgiveness.
We did believe Staples was going to defeat McMahon, and we were right… barely. The Wreckers showed complacence and had to remember what Staples football was all about before coming back to defeat the Senators.
For a while, we believed Central had a chance to defeat Greenwich. But by the time Hanna hit, we discovered that Central had some more vulnurabilities than the Cardinals. And we forgot something else: Greenwich is the two-time defending champ, and should be treated that was until proven otherwise.
We thought New Canaan was dead in the water, and we thought Richie Edwards and Michael Pope were going to lead Trumbull to the promised land. We thought New Canaan’s line was nowhere near as good as its passing attack. And the Rams owned the Eagles today, 41-13, with Nate Quinn throwing for six touchdowns (including three to Kurt Ondash).
And somehow we believed an unproven Norwalk team was going to wear the FCIAC crown. Last night, Ludlowe sent the shock heard around the state, and upset the Bears 17-14, coming from behind to win in Matt McCloskey’s head coaching deput on a last-second 29-yard field goal by Sean Anderson.
So what’s the deal? We drank the Kool-Ade. We believed what we saw on paper, which by the way, is the two deadliest words in sports when placed next to each other.
But wait – Friday begins another week. And chances are, we will take what we learned, and be wrong once again…
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September 14th, 2008 at 2:12 pm
Staples didn’t beat McMahon, McMahon lost the game to Staples. McMahon outplayed Staples for nearly the entire game. There is no way anyone can say that the Wreckers have the better team. Yes, Staples came back to take the lead. But after turning the ball over with 4 minutes left, McMahon had Staples stopped on a 3rd and 17 when an extremely iffy pass-interference call allowed Staples to run out the clock (it was incidental contact, but hey, Staples has a way of getting calls to go their way). The ref should have swallowed his whistle and at least let McMahon have a chance to come back instead of handing the game to Staples.
September 15th, 2008 at 9:44 am
mstenger:
1) McMahon lost the game period. Yes Mcmahon made plays…good players do that.However when you let a teame run up the middle and and hold the football for about 10 minutes in the 4th quarter it speaks volumes to the physical toughness of their defense.
2) Unfortunately when you grab a receiver like it or not it is considered pass inteference
3) Hopefully a lesson was learned that you must condition. Is it strange that only one team had players being dragged off the field due to exhaustion or shall I say lack of effort in the off season
4) Playing defense + limiting turnovers + Conditioning so you can actually move in the 4th quarter = winning football games.
5) swallowing the whistle… They are doing their job…just like when any other penalties are seen.
6) Teams make plays for themselves they don’t look for a bailout like Fannie mae
September 15th, 2008 at 1:54 pm
How about those Rams!! It’s a little cliche but Marinelli and crew don’t rebuild, they reload…proving it’s a lot more about the coaching/system than it is the talent of the team…that’s been true at NC for years
I have to kill SPB a little…does he ever give NC a nod on anything? His “skinny” on the weekend pics made it sound like Trumbull was bringing some tough running attack
It will be fun to see how good ridgefield is this year…white is finally a senior, no?
September 15th, 2008 at 2:38 pm
Onyx:
I don’t know if you were at the game or not. But the call shouldn’t have been pass interference. The defender and the receiver were both running, hands out, right next to each other, heads looking for the ball. The defender never even put his hands on the receiver. They got a little bit tangled at the end, but after the ball had hit the turf. Pass interference is a diliberate attempt to prevent the receiver from catching the ball before it reaches him. That wasn’t the case on this play. But whatever, it’s over.
The point is, McMahon deserved to at least have the chance to get the ball back with 2 minutes left to try and tie/win the game. This game is exactly like last year’s McMahon/Staples game (which, if you recall, an interception for a touchdown was called back for McMahon because the refs said Samela’s knee was down. Even Staples fans can tell you that wasn’t the case). Do the refs favor Staples and other big schools? The answer is obviously yes.
And don’t even try to criticize McMahon’s offseason work. This was one of the most productive years they’ve had as a team in the offseason in a long time. Almost all of their players go both ways, so people get tired, it happens. You can’t get on kids for being tired when they’re putting it all out there. That’s just assinine.
September 15th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
And don’t even try to criticize McMahon’s offseason work. This was one of the most productive years they’ve had as a team in the offseason in a long time.
I guess you should re-evaluate the off season program…as for going two ways..unless you have the luxury of a true “ll” school people play both ways and they deal with it.
p.s.
McDonalds is high in sodium
September 15th, 2008 at 3:19 pm
Bad/questionable calls are just a part of the game,its unfortunate it happend,but it isnt the first or last time its gonna happen.mcmhaon needs to take the good from this game-you guys had a fciac heavyweight on the ropes,and mcmahon has been down for a couple years,so mabee this will boost the kids spirits up to hopefully turn things around this season.its in the past,a warde team that playerd wilton tough is up next,focus on that.tough break for mcmahon tho,makes me think of those solid david dustin teams that always seemed to go 8-2 and miss out on the playoffs a few years back.
September 15th, 2008 at 8:03 pm
Onyx:
I’m sorry you’ve run out of things to say, besides to criticze the hard work of a bunch of teenage kids. I don’t know how old you happen to be, sir (you talk like you’re a player), but talking about high sodium in McDonald’s has nothing to do with the discussion at hand.
And about school classifications…they have everything to do with how well teams do. Imagine how well the Fairfield teams put together would be. Or if Norwalk High and McMahon’s teams were combined. They would actually be able to seriously compete with the Greenwichs, New Canaans, Staples, of the league. All those schools have 2500+ kids, while Fairfield and Norwalk schools have a little over 1000. I’ve always said Greenwich should have two high schools. Just a little rant, sorry.
September 15th, 2008 at 8:19 pm
if we are getting picky on school sizes, it should be noted that New Canaan is traditionally way smaller (think they are still in the M world) than Greenwich and smaller than Norwalk as well…they compete against the bigger schools every year and certainly don’t use it as an excuse
Fairfield had one program for a while and the team was never that good…not sure there has not been good football in the Fairfield public schools since the early to mid 80s…kind of sad for how big the town is
September 15th, 2008 at 8:44 pm
Yeah, come to think of it you’re right Mike Smith…I was mainly referring to Greenwich and Staples, which are pretty much small colleges. A lot of it comes down to the establishment of the program though, and a lot to do with coaching.
September 15th, 2008 at 10:19 pm
If anyone saw the Norwalk vs Ludlowe game, you would have seen Norwalk getting several bad calls that went there way. The score could have favored Ludlowe even more. They were impressive.
BTY…good programs come from good coaches. Look at New Canaan, Ansonia, etc… they are very small schools
September 16th, 2008 at 10:41 am
“A lot to do with coaching” is spot on mstenger..IMO the Staples staff makes chicken salad out of Chicken %&%# on a consistent basis. Imagine what that staff could do with the raw materials found at a West Haven, a Shelton, or Trumbull for that matter.
Re: the McMahon—Staples game. I was @ the game and was surprised at the sloppiness of play and the level of cramping. Sodium not the problem….creatine perhahps?
The better team won the game albeit in ugly fashion….However, McMahon demonstrated that they are good team with some fantastic returning players and newcomers.
Daddio
September 16th, 2008 at 2:01 pm
Staples making chicken salad out of chicken %&%# is BS. What about the “visiting” players – Swedish prodigy “exchange” student and this year’s lineman from Virginia – the “transfer student”. There is no difference between the raw materials in any of the towns mentioned, so please, don’t try to make Staple’s success more than it is. In a “LL” school, there is plenty of raw material to work with. I’m not the biggest fan of Staples, but I’ll give credit to the coaching staff for developing a top quality football program. They haven’t been doing it, though, with inferior athletes – that is just plain wrong.
As for the cramping, the hot, humid weather and lack of proper pregame hydration were most likely the main contributing factors.
September 16th, 2008 at 3:00 pm
The two comments below are fantastic evidence that you don’t have a clue as to what you are talking about and probably are where you are for good reason. We will respectfully disagree.
“There is no difference between the raw materials in any of the towns mentioned, so please, don’t try to make Staple’s success more than it is. In a “LL” school, there is plenty of raw material to work with.”
“As for the cramping, the hot, humid weather and lack of proper pregame hydration were most likely the main contributing factors.”
September 16th, 2008 at 9:13 pm
Daddio equals CLOWN. My points are spot on and you can’t stomach the truth. Please, why don’t you educate all of us as to where my information is wrong. Go ahead, push your glasses up on your nose, look down at the computer and give us all a big sigh. Your statement about no raw materials is a joke and ia just an excuse.
September 17th, 2008 at 7:38 am
just stop biggo, your points are in no way spot on. First this is staples first time ever in LL because the incoming freshman class is very big. Still staples has something like 880 males in the school to choose from while schools from Greenwich have about 1300 males. Now maybe its just me but thats a pretty big difference in terms of a talent pool. Your comment about the “hot” 60 degree weather is just hilarious. Check yourself before you start bashing other people.
September 17th, 2008 at 8:37 am
Tankman2 – Interesting how you don’t rebut the comments about the exchange students or the transfers. Gee only 880 males to choose from – must be tough to pick out 15-20 athletic ones. Come on. During the last two years Staples was beaten by a team from a school with far fewer males – how do you explain that? Creatine, loaded with talent, sun was in our eyes, etc, etc.? Still amused? My point on the cramping was about why it could normally happen, not specifically about the Staples game. The original creatine inference about the McMahon players was unnecessary. Have a great day and, please, enjoy the season.
September 17th, 2008 at 11:30 am
Biggo,
When was the last time Staples had two split ends like Easley and Harrison? Your mouth and ego appear to be as large as your favorite coach’s gut.
September 17th, 2008 at 11:39 am
Daddio, you’re out of line with the pot shots at someone’s pot belly (and sad to say that comment may or may not be coming from a computer at a Westport public school).
If you and Biggo want to rip apart each other’s programs, go for it. But let’s keep the physical appearances of coaches out of this.
Daddio, you don’t have to be a fan of Craig Bruno. Biggo, you don’t have to send Christmas cards to Marce Petroccio. But at least show some respect.
September 17th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
I’ve been respectful to the Staples coaching staff – if anyone took the time to read the initial post, I said “give credit to the coaching staff (referring to Staples) for developing a top quality football program”. That’s about as respectful as it gets. This whole episode has much less to do with my ego than it does with Daddio’s careless commentary and disdain for everyone else but Staples. As for the personal attack on Coach Bruno – he’s handled much worse. Again, have a great day and enjoy the season.
September 17th, 2008 at 8:01 pm
Everyone stop whining about class sizes and enrollment BS. On the football field it’s put up or shut up. I hate Staples and Ansonia as much as anyone but they have top flight programs and that’s why they win every year. Bruno is an awesome coach at Bunnell and turned that program into top flight as well. With that said neither is winning a conference title or state title this year haha
September 17th, 2008 at 8:48 pm
Did you guys hear about how much of a tough guy Brian is?
September 18th, 2008 at 8:07 am
Not about being tough it’s understanding what’s relevant instead of venting about it. Don’t cry for staples because they are now LL and in with the big boys. They have been handed enough state births playing in L. If they want to go back down stop recruiting the outsiders like the hampus and chaz.
September 19th, 2008 at 9:23 am
Ok, I hate commenting on these boards but here it goes…
First of all, as much as we all hate it, teams like SHS, GHS, NC etc. have to be respected from the get go(as much as we don’t love that)
But, mstenger, I had the chance to check out the Staples game vs. McMahon and the best team won. In no doubt of my mind did it ever occur to me that Staples was not the better team. Only McMahon fans or SHS haters can say otherwise. I’m not saying McMahon did not have playmakers and/or SHS not be 100% on the ball, but in the end it was clear as day who was the better team. As for the cramping, I only saw McMahon players going down towards the end of the game. Not to mention the pass interference call was a good call. As inferred by your post you are a native Norwalker, sorry bud, maybe next year.
Secondly, Brian/biggio, your right, I did see coach Petroccio (spelling?) hop onto his charter plane from SHS to fly to see chaz where ever he’s from (I bet it has a sweet bar inside). unless he is 6′8 350 lbs, I would hardly throw the proverbial recruiting line. Parents work transfer maybe? Moving up to Ct and happen to land on sunny westport? Wish he played for your school? I wish he played for mine. Not to mention he took a air force one to bring hompus (illegally might I add) to play for the dreaded wreckers. So stop smoking your hippie grass.
As much as I don’t want to swallow this pill, staples, ghs, NC, tbull, and all these schools will be good every year. Due to coaching, practice schedules, town pride etc.
Rumor mill: Coach Petroccio (again spelling?) is trying to nab a kid from figi, apparently runs a 4.01…look in the sky for the 747 with a block S (or new curvy s)
-Voice of Reason
September 19th, 2008 at 10:44 am
Voice,
I have nothing against coach P or Staples High. I just hate when people cry wolf about their teams compared to other in terms of size, enrollment. Just because the school is big doesn’t translate into W’s. See Stamford, westhill, New Britain since JC left etc. Your right, certain programs will be good every year including staples.
October 6th, 2008 at 12:24 pm
Question: Out of the still undefeated teams left so far this year who has the best shot of staying perfect the whole way through?
Can Wilton pull it off?
October 18th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
No wilton is undermaned and doesnt have enough offensive power to pull the rest of the season off.