Did you miss FCIAC Football Blog LIVE last night? Of course you did, it was at 6 p.m., so you were probably either practicing or driving home from work… Stupid Internet and its limitations… Anyway, here’s what you missed: Matt Levine of WSTC/WNLK, John Nash of Stamford Times/Wilton Villager and I talked about the upcoming New Canaan-Bridgeport Central and Staples-Trumbull games, and how we think the FCIAC title game is going to shape up.

Here’s the file, should you want to play it on your MP3 player, turntable or transistor radio: FCIAC Football Blog LIVE, Nov. 12, 2009

Popularity: 7% [?]

Once you see King School in action, you become one of the converted. You go from thinking King competes against a bunch of weak teams in the Fairchester Athletic Association to realizing that not only is the talent level on par with the FCIAC but that players like Silas Redd are getting a full ride to Penn State for a reason.

John Nash, sports editor of The Stamford Times, got to see King for himself for the first time yesterday, when the Vikings defeated Hamden Hall 45-20. He also saw Redd pick up some hard-earned yardage – 356 of them – and six touchdowns.

Here’s how Nash answered the question: How would King do if it competed in the FCIAC?

By the way, here’s what Nash wrote yesterday about the game:

• I have drank the Kool-Aid, and it was Redd
• Silas Redd is King’s running royalty

Popularity: 9% [?]

Woke up this morning with an unexpected surprise in my Google Analytics: A considerable number of traffic coming in from blogs.wiltonvillager.com. Thanks, John Nash, for the shout out from the Wilton Villager’s Warrior Nation blog. BTW, Nash does triple-duty as the sports editors at the Wilton Villager and Stamford Times (and actively blogs and shoots for both, and heads up those papers’ social media efforts) and writes for The Hour. So he’s a pretty busy guy.

Speaking of surprises, Nash filed this post on Wilton’s impromptu scrimmage Saturday against Bridgeport Central. Wilton players had no idea this was going to happen, though Friday at the Hilltoppers’ final conditioning practice of the summer, Central was getting fired up.

Maybe Central had an unfair mental advantage (one account of the game was a 56-21 win by Central), but according to Nash’s post, that’s what first-year head coach Bruce Cunningham’s mission was. Makes sense.

Popularity: 7% [?]

By Tim Parry

Darien RB-LB Nikki Dysenchuk and Bunnell QB Chris Sloat are the BlueStreak Sports Training Fairfield County co-Players of the Week for Week 6 of the 2008 season.

It’s the second time Dysenchuk shared the award, and he is the second two-time recipient of the hardware. Dysenchuk received it in Week 5 last year, 368 days ago. This time it was for 204-yard and 4 touchdown rushing performance in the undefeated Blue Wave’s 41-14 win over Wilton, in which he also intercepted a pass and had a 27 yard reception.

Sloat receives his first award for his performance in a 38-20 win over Notre Dame-Fairfield. he threw for 313 yards and five touchdowns, and only played in the first half of that game.

This week’s runner-up was Matt Grant, WR-DB from Greenwich. He had eight catches for 108 yards and two touchdowns, and two fourth-down tackles that ended drives in the Cardinals’ 13-7 win over Trumbull.

Also nominated in Week 6: John Aminti, Newtown; Nick DeRubio, New Canaan; Camryn Ferrara, Greenwich; Tom McNamara, Warde; Jimmy O’Dea, Ridgefield; John Schule, Trinity Catholic; and Kyle Vacca, Brookfield.

Voting media members included: Rob Adams (WGCH-AM), Bill Bloxsom (Hersam-Acorn Newspapers), Jon Chik (Norwalk Citizen-News), Scott Ferrari (Greenwich Citizen), Andy Hutchison (Newtown Bee), Jason A. Intrieri (FCIAC Football Blog Live), Ken Morse (Hersam-Acorn Newspapers), John Nash (The Stamford Times), Matt Norlander (New Canaan News-Review), Eliot Schickler (Westport News), Dave Stewart (New Canaan Advertiser), Rob Sullivan (Minuteman Newspapers/Bridgeport Banner), Michael Suppe (Hersam-Acorn Newspapers).

Popularity: 26% [?]

… it’s Bowley, Callahan and Nash.

Not the law firm, not the rock group. Sean Patrick Bowley of the Connecticut Post, Ridgefield football coach Kevin Callahan and John Nash of the Wilton Villager and Stamford Times.

Bowley is coming on to talk about the Brookfield-Masuk battle of the SWC undefeateds, won by Brookfield on the road.

Callahan has what may be the hottest team in the FCIAC: A week after manhandling Staples, Ridgefield pulls off an emotional upset against Greenwich.

And Nash will come on to talk about what could be the FCIAC’s most overlooked team, undefeated Wilton.

The fun all starts at 9 a.m. Saturday at http://blogtalkradio.com/fciacfootballblog. See you then, or come back for the replay.

Popularity: 23% [?]

With eight first-place votes, New Canaan kept the top spot in Week Four of the Bill Gonillo Five Poll, presented by the FCIAC Football Blog.

The Bill Gonillo 5 is a weekly poll conducted by the FCIAC Football Blog and voted on by sports media members who cover teams and leagues based in Fairfield County. Updated results are announced every Monday during the football season.

For more about Bill Gonillo, check out BillGonillo.com.

To walk in Bill’s honor, or make a donation in Bill’s name, at Step Out for Diabetes in Fairfield on Oct. 19, click here.

For previous poll results, click here.

Also receiving votes: St. Joseph (8), Wilton (4), Ridgefield (3), Fairfield Prep (2), Shelton (2), Pomperaug (1).

The following media members voted: Sean Patrick Bowley (Connecticut Post), Zachary Eastright (WSTC-AM/WNLK-AM), Dan Farrand (News-Times), Scott Ferrari (Greenwich Citizen), Jason A. Intrieri (FCIAC Football Blog Live), Ken Morse (Hersam-Acorn Newspapers), John Nash (The Stamford Times), Matt Norlander (New Canaan News-Review), Mike Quick (MSG Plus), Eliot Schickler (Westport News), Dave Stewart (New Canaan Advertiser) Michael Suppe (Hersam-Acorn Newspapers).

Photo of New Canaan helmet by Dave Stewart, New Canaan Sports Photography.

Popularity: 32% [?]

Shelton quarterback Mike Brighindi has been named BlueStreak Sports Training Fairfield County Player of the Week for his performance Friday against Cheshire.

Brighindi completed 19 of 28 passes for 276 yards and one TD and in a come from behind 35-34 overtime victory on the road. Brighindi led the Gaels on an 82-yard drive in the final two minutes of regulation to tie the score, and completed six of eight for yards on the game-tying drive.

Brighindi will receive his award at 2:45 p.m. Wednesday from BlueStreak Sports Training president Matt Cole.

Nick Cortese of Trinity Catholic, the winner of the award in Week 2, was the runner up. He ran for 216 yards and five touchdowns in the Crusaders double-overtime win over Fairfield Ludlowe.

Also nominated in Week 3: Scott Benzing, WR, Brookfield; Joe Dalla Vecchia, QB, St. Joseph; Nikki Dysenchuk, RB, Darien; Chris Hines, RB, Norwalk; Matt Kelly, CB, Staples; Justin Warzoha, QB, Greenwich; and Mike Webber, WR, New Milford.

Players are nominated both by football coaches representing teams in Fairfield County. A mimimum of five nominees from a weekly fan poll are also included on a ballot, and the Player of the Week is then selected by members of the Fairfield County sports media community.

The award is presented by the FCIAC Football Blog.

The following media members voted: The following media members voted: Rob Adams (WGCH-AM), Bill Bloxsom (Hersam-Acorn Newspapers), Zachary Eastright (WSTC-AM/WNLK-AM), Dan Farrand (News-Times), Scott Ferrari (Greenwich Citizen), Andy Hutchison (Newtown Bee), Jason A. Intrieri (FCIAC Football Blog Live), Ken Morse (Hersam-Acorn Newspapers), John Nash (The Stamford Times), Matt Norlander (New Canaan News-Review), Dave Ruden (Stamford Advocate), Eliot Schickler (Westport News), Paul Silverfarb (Greenwich Post), Dave Stewart (New Canaan Advertiser), Rob Sullivan (Minuteman Newspapers), Michael Suppe (Hersam-Acorn Newspapers).

Popularity: 37% [?]

With seven first-place votes, New Canaan kept the top spot in Week Three of the Bill Gonillo Five Poll, presented by the FCIAC Football Blog.

New Canaan nearly doubled second-place Staples, but just two points separate the Wreckers from third-place Bunnell and fourth-place Darien. Masuk is fifth.

The Bill Gonillo 5 is a weekly poll conducted by the FCIAC Football Blog and voted on by sports media members who cover teams and leagues based in Fairfield County. Updated results are announced every Monday during the football season.

For more about Bill Gonillo, check out BillGonillo.com.

To walk in Bill’s honor, or make a donation in Bill’s name, at Step Out for Diabetes in Fairfield on Oct. 19, click here.

For previous poll results, click here.

Also receiving votes: Greenwich (1) 35, St. Joseph 18, Shelton 8, Wilton 7, Fairfield Prep 2.

The following media members voted: Rob Adams (WGCH-AM), Damian Andrew (News 12 Connecticut), Sean Patrick Bowley (Connecticut Post), Zachary Eastright (WSTC-AM/WNLK-AM), Dan Farrand (News-Times), Scott Ferrari (Greenwich Citizen),  Jason A. Intrieri (FCIAC Football Blog Live), Ken Morse (Hersam-Acorn Newspapers), John Nash (The Stamford Times), Matt Norlander (New Canaan News-Review), Dave Ruden (Stamford Advocate), Eliot Schickler (Westport News) Paul Silverfarb (Greenwich Post), Rob Sullivan (Minuteman Newspapers)

Photo of New Canaan helmet by Dave Stewart, New Canaan Sports Photography.

Popularity: 32% [?]

New Canaan has claimed the top spot in the Bill Gonillo Five poll for Week 2 of the high school football season.

The Rams edged Bunnell in first-place votes 7-6, but pulled away because of five second-place votes to Bunnell’s two.

The Bill Gonillo 5 is a weekly poll conducted by the FCIAC Football Blog and voted on by sports media members who cover teams and leagues based in Fairfield County. Updated results are announced every Monday during the football season.

For more about Bill Gonillo, who passed away one year ago tomorrow, check out BillGonillo.com

To walk in Bill’s honor, or make a donation in Bill’s name, at Step Out for Diabetes in Fairfield on Oct. 19, click here.

For previous poll results, click here.

The Poll:

Also receiving votes: Greenwich (35), Wilton and St. Joseph (10), Danbury (9), Fairfield Prep (2), Newtown and King (1).

The following media members voted: Rob Adams (WGCH-AM), Bill Bloxsom (Hersam-Acorn Newspapers), Sean Patrick Bowley (Connecticut Post), Zach Eastright (WSTC-AM/WNLK-AM), Dan Farrand (News-Times), Scott Ferrari (Greenwich Citizen),  Jason A. Intrieri (FCIAC Football Blog Live), Ken Morse (Hersam-Acorn Newspapers), John Nash (The Stamford Times), Matt Norlander (New Canaan News-Review), Mike Quick (MSG Plus), Jesse Quinlan (Greenwich Time), Dave Ruden (Stamford Advocate), Paul Silverfarb (Greenwich Post), Rob Sullivan (Minuteman Newspapers), Michael Suppe (Hersam-Acorn Newspapers)

Photo by Dave Stewart, New Canaan Sports Photography.

Popularity: 36% [?]

New Canaan quarterback Nate Quinn is the Week One recipient of the BlueStreak Sports Training Player of the Week award, which is presented weekly by the FCIAC Football Blog.

Making his first offensive start for the Rams against Trumbull on Saturday, Quinn completed nine of 17 passes for 255 yards and six touchdowns. New Canaan defeated Trumbull 41-13.

Quinn will receive his award from BlueStreak Sports Training president Matt Cole Wednesday at 5:45 p.m. at New Canaan High School at the upper field.

Players are nominated both by football coaches representing teams in Fairfield County. A mimimum of five nominees from a weekly fan poll are also included on a ballot, and the Player of the Week is then selected by members of the Fairfield County sports media community.

Fairfield Ludlowe placekicker Sean Anderson was the runner up. In addition to a pair of extra points, he nailed a 29-yard field goal as time expired to lift Ludlowe over heavily-favored Norwalk 17-14.

The Week-One nominees also included George Benitez (Darien), Tae Dangerfield (Staples), Marcus Dixon (Stamford), Chris Evans (Stamford), Mike Graham (McMahon), Mike Grant (Greenwich), Brian Kosnik (Darien), Colin Morris (St. Joseph), Kurt Ondash (New Canaan) and Chris Sloat (Bunnell).

The following media members voted: The following media members voted: Rob Adams (WGCH-AM), Bill Bloxsom (Hersam-Acorn Newspapers), Dan Farrand (News-Times), Scott Ferrari (Greenwich Citizen), Andy Hutchison (Newtown Bee), Jason A. Intrieri (FCIAC Football Blog Live), Ken Morse (Hersam-Acorn Newspapers), Tim Murphy (Hersam-Acorn Newspapers), John Nash (The Stamford Times), Matt Norlander (New Canaan News-Review), Dave Ruden (Stamford Advocate), Paul Silverfarb (Greenwich Post), Rob Sullivan (Minuteman Newspapers), Michael Suppe (Hersam-Acorn Newspapers).

Photos of Nate Quinn by Dave Stewart/New Canaan Sports Photography

Popularity: 51% [?]