I dropped in on football practices Thursday at Torrington High School and at the Pop Warner Field in Torrington, where Wolcott Tech was working out.
Both teams are trying to figure things out as the season approaches, but there are obviously major differences.

KEVIN D. ROBERTS/Register Citizen

Torrington is coming off of back-to-back 7-3 seasons and returns a large offensive line to complement senior running back Joan Toribio and senior quarterback Phil Bresson. Bresson is a versatile player who can also play tight end while senior Jason Abbott takes over quarterback duties in certain formations.
Defense will be a big key this season for the Raiders. Assistant head coach/line coach Jamie Burns said Torrington needs to add the "pound" to the "ground and pound" description of the Raiders.
Here's video from practice on Wednesday and Thursday.

KEVIN D. ROBERTS/Register Citizen

Wolcott Tech is in its sixth year of existence, fifth as a varsity program. The Wildcats picked up their first on-field win in the season opener at Stamford Academy (the first actual win was a forfeit from Nonnewaug when the Chiefs disbanded their varsity program). From there, it was a struggle. Tech stayed in games against some teams like Prince Tech and Wilcox Tech, but couldn't finish the game because of lack of conditioning, according to head coach Jamie Coty.
Coty said his team may not be the best in the Constitution State Conference, but he will try to make sure his team is the best conditioned. Coty is hoping his team can get to .500 this season.
Wolcott Tech will be running the veer option offense with sophomore Mickey Ross at quarterback. Mike Sullivan is another senior at fullback while junior Asante Maldon will be the running back.
Here's video from Thursday's practice.

Look for more on both teams in full previews in the near future.

This is pretty cool. Saw this post from Shane Risedorf on Facebook. Northwestern Regional standout catcher Zach Risedorf selected to All-American Baseball team for his efforts. Thank you to Shane Risedorf for posting this.

Connecticut Player Selected - Makes 2012 POWER SHOWCASE All-American Baseball Team
For Immediate Release: Boca Raton, FL. August 22, 2012 - The POWER SHOWCASE has announced that Catching prospect, Zachary Risedorf, from Barkhamsted, CT (Northwestern Regional H.S.) has been named to the 2012 POWER SHOWCASE All-American Baseball Team. Zachary will proudly represent Connecticut in both the home run derby as well as the Babe Ruth Classic. The game will feature the top (40) 2013 and 2014 graduates in an American versus National League match up.
The 7th Annual POWER SHOWCASE is being held on December 27th - 30th 2012 at the Miami Marlins new ball park.

Here are some more thoughts from area coaches about Saturday’s sessions, which were the first day of high school fall sports.

CHRISTINA NUNES, HOUSATONIC GIRLS SOCCER

“I am the new girls soccer coach. I ran double sessions on Saturday and had a turn out of 40 girls. As a new coach it was great to see that many girls interested in the program.”

- NOTE: Some of the upperclassmen told Nunes that they’re working really hard for a successful season. Nunes said it’s great to see such commitment and passions. She looks forward to coaching the team.

JIM PARROTT, NORTHWESTERN FIELD HOCKEY

“We did a double session, one in the morning the other early afternoon, spent most of the time conditioning and running. We are a young team so we have much to do. I think we shocked a few of the freshmen with the amount of running we did but all seemed to survive.”

- NOTE: Coaches treated the girls to a pasta dinner late Saturday evening, but the team was right back to work on Monday.

KEVIN D. ROBERTS/Farmington Valley Sports

It's almost time for the Simsbury Football Jamboree.
This year's version of the multi-team scrimmage will take place on Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. at Simsbury High School. The participants are host Simsbury, Gilbert/Northwestern, Avon, Tolland, and Westfield (Mass.). Read more about this year's Jamboree here.
Last year, Gilbert/Northwestern and Simsbury were the local teams that took part in the Jamboree. Avon missed the first two practices that week because of Tropical Storm Irene and elected not to attend the scrimmages.
To read about Gilbert/Northwestern's day at last year's Jamboree, click here.
For more on Simsbury's efforts last year, go here.
WORTH NOTING: Area football fans will have to wait until Oct. 13 to see 'GN' and Avon face off. The Yellowjackets and Falcons will not face each other in the Jamboree on Wednesday, according to Simsbury head coach Jeff Osborne. Avon hosts 'GN' at 6:30 on Saturday, Oct. 13. The Yellowjackets have won the last two meetings between the two teams.

Photo courtesy of Dave Driscoll/Litchfield Track Club

Amateur baseball teams may have generated the most headlines over the past summer, but there was plenty of good running going on.
On nine different Thursday evenings, the Whites Woods Cross Country Summer Series brought out runners that ranged in age from elementary school to middle-aged, and older.
The Litchfield Track Club put together a solid summer, including 32 medals from 29 athletes at the Connecticut Junior Olympic Association Championships in New Britain on June 16. Jackson Morrow, pictured in this blog, will be a sophomore at Lewis Mills and figures to be a solid runner on the Spartan cross country team this fall.
There were many other great runners this summer. You can read about them here.

There was plenty going on at area athletic fields, on area cross country courses, and inside are gymnasiums on Saturday.

That could only mean the first day of fall sports for area high schools. Here's my story, as seen through the information offered by area coaches via e-mail and over the phone.

KEVIN D. ROBERTS/Farmington Valley Sports

The Simsbury Football Jamboree will be held next Wednesday, starting at 3:30 p.m., at Simsbury High School.
The teams that will be at the Jamboree are host Simsbury, Gilbert/Northwestern, Avon, Tolland and Westfield, Mass., Trojans head coach Jeff Osborne said after Wednesday morning's conditioning session at the high school.
Of note, Gilbert/Northwestern and Avon will not scrimmage each other, according to Osborne. The Yellowjackets have beaten the Falcons each of the last two seasons. Avon hosts 'GN' on Saturday, Oct. 13, at 6:30 p.m. at Avon High School.
Here's video from Wednesday morning's Simsbury conditioning session.