Friday, August 31, 2012

Torrington, Wolcott Tech football both looking for more success this season

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.

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Northwestern Regional catcher Zach Risedorf named to All-American team

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.

More thoughts on opening day of fall sports

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.

Monday, August 27, 2012

Simsbury Jamboree is Wednesday

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.

Plenty of good local running over the summer

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.

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Plenty of activity on Saturday during first day of high school fall sports

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.

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Simsbury Jamboree next Wednesday

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.

Torrington football working hard as season approaches

KEVIN D. ROBERTS/Register Citizen
I visited Torrington football's conditioning session on Wednesday behind the high school. After the freshmen had their session, the varsity got out on the field at 4:30 and got right to work. There was plenty of work going on in the trenches for the offensive and defensive lines. 
Torrington also worked on receiving drills and punt returns. During the receiving drills, quarterbacks Phil Bresson and Jason Abbott each got plenty of reps. They began with short tosses where the receivers caught the ball, then had to secure it and turn upfield where assistant coach Chris Hebert looked to knock the ball loose. The Raiders worked on different kinds of routes, including crossing routes. Then, Bresson and Abbott made some deeper throws, which the Raider receivers did a pretty good job of hauling in.
Here's video from the practice.

KEVIN D. ROBERTS/Register Citizen
Torrington begins its preseason schedule with a scrimmage on Saturday at 8 a.m. against Emmett O'Brien Tech at THS.
The Raiders will also scrimmage teams such as Westhill (Stamford) and New London.
Torrington starts the regular season at home on Friday, Sept. 14, at 7 p.m. against defending Class M champion Ansonia. After traveling to face Class M playoff team Wolcott in Week 2, the Raiders host Class S champion Holy Cross in Week 3.

Saturday, August 18, 2012

Looking at some Farmington Valley football

KEVIN D. ROBERTS/Farmington Valley Sports
These teams may not be from the Northwest Corner, but they all are opponents of Gilbert/Northwestern and Housatonic/Wamogo football in the Pequot Uncas Division.
Avon is usually among the top teams in the Uncas, but the Falcons have about 20 less players on their varsity roster than normal. Still, Avon returns its stud running back Colin Moore. Read more about the Falcons here.
Canton went 0-10 last season, but new head coach Paul Philippon looks to turn that around. Philippon has coached all over the place in Connecticut, including most recently at Trinity College. Read more about Philippon and the Warriors here.
Granby Memorial also has a new head coach, Rich Gadoury. Gadoury likes what he sees out of his young team, which has around 45 players on the roster. Read more about Gadoury and the Bears here.

Story on construction at Wolcott Tech athletic fields

KEVIN D. ROBERTS/Register Citizen
Here's my story on the ongoing construction at Wolcott Tech. The construction includes a new softball field, along with new drainage and irrigation. 
Wolcott Tech's fall sports teams will be spending time off-site in various areas of Torrington. Football is up at the Pop Warner field adjacent to Torrington Middle School for conditioning, practices and home games while the boys and girls soccer teams will conduct conditioning and practices at Alvord Park. Home sites for Tech soccer games are TBA, according to athletic director Ray Tanguay.
 

Thursday, August 16, 2012

A story from the first day of football conditioning

KEVIN D. ROBERTS/Register Citizen
Couldn't go too far on Wednesday because of in-office work, but I did get out to see Wolcott Tech and Gilbert/Northwestern on the first day of high school football conditioning
The Wildcats weren't able to get much done before the weather went haywire up at the Pop Warner complex by Torrington Middle School. Wolcott Tech will not be able to play on its home field at Tech for most of -- if not all -- of the season because of renovations to the athletic complex. Home games will likely be at the Pop Warner field, which is where the Wildcats played in their first varsity season back in 2008.
The Yellowjackets took their workouts inside to The Gilbert School's gymnasium until the weather cooperated, then went back outside and did some more work.
I am going to try to get out to a few of our weekly schools for some more football on Thursday. Included will be at least Canton and Granby. Both teams have new head coaches.