I know, I’ve been saying that every year. Bassick’s going to have a breakout season. They made some baby steps under Dennis Wanzie (a win in 2007, two wins last season), and new head coach Frank Marcuccio has the Lions pointing in the right direction.

Bassick also has some strength in numbers, something the program hasn’t seen in quite a while. More than 20 Lions took part in the NFL Player Development camp at Kennedy Stadium last week, and Marcuccio said he had about 40 players out for spring football.

But does Bassick mean business? After one session, offensive lineman Jordan Claude sent a message to crosstown rival Central: Bassick will not be pushed around any more. It was controlled rage, and Claude was ready to take on the entire Central team.

And his teammates took notice: They started saying “September 25″ to Central players. That’s the date the two teams face off, one week after Bassick opens against defending FCIAC and CIAC Class MM champions New Canaan.

There’s no such thing as an easy schedule in the FCIAC, and here is Bassick’s. But maybe after two very tough games to open the season, it can catch a break against Fairfield Warde (which has been a great match up for Bassick the last few years, though the Lions haven’t come away with a win) or some other teams down the road.

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