For years, the service academies have been known for running option offenses. Army, Navy and Air Force have run the option out of necessity. A lack of size and an inability to get elite skill players meant the service academies needed an offense that would allow them to compete. That offense was the Flexbone Triple Option. Unfortunately for the service academies and football fans alike, times have changed. Thanks to…
New England shows it deserves to be part of Army-Navy rotation
Well done, New England. Army-Navy week was a smashing success in every possible way. Players, coaches, PR staff members, athletic directors and other folks with ties to either academy that we spoke with or that spoke after the game had nothing but glowing things to say about their experience this week. Given the slightly important fact that the United States of America started here, there’s no reason why Foxborough and…
Class LL — Staples 21, West Haven 20 — Wreckers prevail in instant classic
By Matt Spalding NEFJ Correspondent NEW BRITAIN — Staples edged out West Haven, 21-20, in an emotional Class LL title game. It was impassioned from the coin toss, as Staples and West Haven battled in an instant classic in New Britain. A crisp night sky was full of worlds of emotions at Arute Field in New Britain. While every state title game is a huge deal for the schools playing……
Class SS — Joel Barlow 21, Watertown 20 — Falcons repeat in a thriller
By Tony Catalina NEFJ Correspondent EAST HARTFORD — The Joel Barlow Falcons faced off with the Watertown Warriors for the Class SS crown Saturday, and came out on top with a thrilling, 21-20 victory. In what was the most entertaining game of the day at Rentschler Field, the Falcons hung on in the final seconds to secure their second straight state title. When asked about the season, coach TJ Cavaliere……
124th Army-Navy Game – Army hangs on for thrilling win to capture Commander in Chief Trophy
FOXBOROUGH – Incredible. Emotional. Memorable. Just a few words to describe the day in Foxborough on Saturday. If you were one of the 65,878 people or one of the dozens upon dozens of media folks covering the 124th meeting of Army-Navy at Gillette Stadium, it was an experience you or I will never forget. Not just for the pageantry and the atmosphere surrounding the stadium from 9 A.M. through Army…
Class M — Daniel Hand 57, Rockville 20 — Tigers dominate for 14th state title
By Matt Spalding NEFJ Correspondent NEW BRITAIN — In Saturday’s Class M state title game, Daniel Hand demolished Rockville, 57-20, to win its 14th state crown. Hand dominated early and often, adding another trophy to the case of a legendary program. The game saw the Daniel Hand Tigers, led by coach Erik Becker, taking on the Rockville Rams, led by coach Erick Knickerbocker, in an Eri(c)k Bowl, of sorts. The……
Class L — New Canaan 28, Darien 21 — Rams win second straight
By Tony Catalina NEFJ Correspondent EAST HARTFORD — The New Canaan Rams clashed with the Darien Blue Wave for the Class L state championship Saturday, and the Rams earned their second straight Class L title, 28-21. In what looked improbable even half way through the fourth quarter, the Rams found a way to make timely plays on both offense and defense to come from behind to secure another trophy. “That……
Class MM — North Haven 21, Wilton 0 — Nighthawks dominate in all three phases
By Matt Spalding NEFJ Correspondent NEW BRITAIN — North Haven shut out Wilton, 21-0, to win its second consecutive CIAC Class MM state championship. Domination of all three phrases by the Nighthawks was the name of the first of three games contested at Arute Field on CIAC Championship Saturday. North Haven coach Anthony Sagnella clutched his family tight after winning his second straight state championship game. You could certainly understand……
Ross Douglas leaving the Patriots for Syacuse
Pete Thamel of ESPN is reporting that Patriots wide receiver coach Ross Douglas is leaving to take the receivers join at Syracuse. According to Thamel, Douglas will have a role in the offense as well. Douglas has previously coached at Richmond and Rutgers. Douglas spent past three seasons with the Patriots. He began his time here as a defensive quality control coach under the Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship. He…
Class S — Bloomfield 42, Cromwell/Portland 20 — Warhawks pull away
By Tony Catalina NEFJ Correspondent EAST HARTFORD — For the second time in three years, the Bloomfield and Cromwell/Portland powerhouse programs met with a state title on the line. In 2021, Cromwell/Portland won it. But on Saturday, Bloomfield took home the Class S title, 42-20. In what was an offensive dominated day, Bloomfield was able to continuously strike all day long. When asked what this win feels like, Bloomfield coach……