Stats' Spiel: Fall Sports Preview

That's right, Stats' Spiel is back for another year here on WRHSOnline.net. Of course, there's no better way to start off the new year than with the Fall Sports Preview edition of the Spiel.

The 2007-2008 sports seasons here in the Woods were quite successful. From the first NVL Championships for the Volleyball and Girls' Tennis team to a myriad of All-Staters, the Hawks once again left their marks on the league. How will our athletes--our fall ones at least--fare this season? Well let's take a look.

Football
2007 Record: 8-4 overall (5-0 in NVL Copper; 8-2 in NVL overall)
NVL Copper Division Champions; Class SS State Semifinalists

There's no reason to wait to take a look at the Hawks on the gridiron, as they have historically been Woodland's most successful team in any season. Here's the Hawks' 2008 regular season slate of games.

2008 Regular Season Schedule:
Friday, Sept. 12th at Wolcott, 7 PM
Friday, Sept. 19th at Watertown, 7 PM
Friday, Sept. 26th vs. Sacred Heart, 7 PM
Friday, Oct. 3rd vs. Ansonia, 7 PM
Friday, Oct. 10th at Torrington, 7 PM
Saturday, Oct. 18th at Wilby, 1:30 PM
Friday, Oct. 24th vs. Holy Cross, 7 PM
Friday, Oct. 31st vs. Crosby, 7 PM (Senior Night)
Friday, Nov. 7th at Naugatuck, 7 PM
Saturday, Nov. 15th at Kennedy, 1 PM (Municipal Stadium)
Wednesday, Nov. 26th vs. Seymour, 6 PM

*Rebroadcasts of all games available the following day here on WRHSOnline.net.

This year, for the first time since the 2003 season, there will be 11 games on the regular season docket, compared to just 10 in the past four years. This means that if an NVL team is to win a state championship this season, they will probably have to navigate through 14 games to win it (including the NVL Championship game scheduled for Thursday, November 20th at Municipal Stadium).

Overall, many think that the total level of competition of the league may end up being slightly below that of last season, and it is hard to argue with such a claim. Obviously, Ansonia graduated All-Everything back Alex Thomas. Seymour lost quarterback Rob Moir as well as many other key contributors. Holy Cross waved goodbye to quarterback Jerome Mitchell and wideout/defensive back Kyle Lagasse. And we can't forget Woodland, who lost the majority of its starters from a year ago, including quarterback Cody Kingsley, running backs Will Volage and Sidney Sumler, and All-State linemen Josh Woodin and Eric Brown.

With this seemingly more wide open league, we could see other teams emerge. Crosby is being looked at by many as a team which could challenge Ansonia and Seymour for the Brass Division championship. Perhaps Torrington, Sacred Heart, Wilby, Kennedy, or Wolcott will surprise and make a run toward the top of the league.

Despite Ansonia losing Thomas, they are still favored by most to win the NVL for the third year in a row. They are currently on a 26-game winning streak, and Coach Tom Brockett has not experienced a loss yet at the helm of the Chargers. A major reason for their favortism this year is the return of Tristian Roberts, the speedy running back, wideout, and defensive back who made his mark on the league two years ago before sitting last year out.

Other key area players this year include Seymour's All-State running back and linebacker, Mike Osiecki, and Crosby's duo of quarterback Dave Gondek and wide receiver Jerome Cunningham. This Bulldog tandem is the main reason for such optimism in Crosby's chances this season.

But enough about the rest of the league. Let's take a look at what Woodland will offer this season. First off, new Head Coach Tim Shea is now in charge of the program as former coach Chris Anderson moved on to become the wide receivers' coach at the University of New Haven. There is no doubt that the faces of the Hawks' offense and defense will be changed with the aforementioned loss of most starters. A new quarterback, junior Brandon Fowler, will step in to anchor the Woodland offense. Senior Jon Murren returns and will be the Hawks' feature back this year, likely taking the blunt of the carries this season in the Wing-T offense. Senior Josh Fitzpatrick, Junior Tyler Slapikas, and Sophomore Jack DeBiase will all see time as wingbacks in the set. In addition, seniors Zak Favoccia and Steve Gillette figure to be included in the passing game at wide receiver and tight end, respectively.

Even though much of both lines graduated, Woodland figures to once again put a formidable core of blocking together. Seniors Kile Coty, Tyler Young, Casey Taylor and juniors Mike Uszakiewicz and Jim Hart look to be the starters on the offensive line. On the defensive front, Uszakiewicz and sophomore Ian Bures will see plenty of time at defensive ends, while we may see a rotation of tackles, including seniors Dan Shea, Tim Beedle, Perry Robinson, as well as Taylor.

A solid linebacker core of Coty, Murren, and senior Scott Swanson will patrol the middle of the field for the Hawks, and a secondary which Coty calls, "better than last year," will include junior Colin Grommisch, Favoccia, DeBiase, and Slapikas.

Overall, the success of Woodland's season will depend on how the new, inexperienced player step up to their roles. The Hawks have two All-NVL caliber players who showed they are ready to lead last year in Murren and Coty (who quite frankly was gypped of the honors), but the rest will have to step up as well.

If you read the first week of September's edition of the Citizen's News, you may have come across an article I wrote detailing the preseason difficulties that they Hawks had encountered, specifically at their scrimmages against Hamden and North Haven. Through the first four scrimmages, Woodland was unable to score an offensive touchdown and the defense was shaky at times. However, at the final scrimmage against Bristol Eastern, the Hawks took a 21-16 victory, and sources tell me that both sides of the ball looked much better for Woodland.

But once again, it will come down to who decides to emerge as leaders for the Hawks this season. If a select few establish themselves as playmakers in the early season, and the rest play solidly, Woodland should be able to compete for what looks like a wide open Copper Division.

By the way, if you want the latest on all the NVL Football action, head over to my friends (some of them) at the NVL Blog (nvlfootball.blogspot.com).

Girls' Volleyball
2007 Record: 19-2 overall (8-0 in NVL Copper; 17-1 in NVL overall)
NVL Copper Division Champions; NVL Tournament Champions; Reached Second Round of Class M State Tournament

The Lady Hawks posted their most successful season in school history in 2007, winning both the NVL Copper Division and the Tournament Championships. How will Woodland follow up this impressive season? Well, let's take a look at the schedule first.

2008 Regular Season Schedule
Tuesday, Sept. 9th at Crosby, 5 PM
Thursday, Sept. 11th vs. Seymour, 6 PM*
Friday, Sept. 12th vs. Wilby, 5 PM
Tuesday, Sept. 16th at Torrington, 5:30 PM
Thursday, Sept. 18th at Kennedy, 5 PM
Friday, Sept. 19th vs. Naugatuck, 5 PM
Tuesday, Sept. 23rd vs. Watertown, 6 PM*
Friday, Sept. 26th at Holy Cross, 6 PM
Tuesday, Sept. 30th vs. Ansonia, 6 PM*
Wednesday, Oct. 1st at Wolcott, 6 PM
Friday, Oct. 3rd vs. Crosby, 5 PM
Tuesday, Oct. 7th at Seymour, 6 PM
Thursday, Oct. 9th at Wilby, 5 PM
Friday, Oct. 10th vs. Torrington, 5 PM
Wednesday, Oct. 15th vs. Kennedy, 5 PM*
Friday, Oct. 17th at Naugatuck, 6 PM
Monday, Oct. 20th at Watertown, 5:30 PM
Thursday, Oct. 23rd vs. Holy Cross, 6 PM (Senior Night)*

*Live webcasts available here on WRHSOnline.net.

Certainly it will be difficult for the Hawks to replace the seniors they graduated. Of the 8 players in the normal rotation last season, 7 graduated, including All-NVL selections Sam LaCroce, Kaitlin Renkewith, and Caitlin Classey, as well as All-County selection Jessica Gruemken. The lone returning starter for Woodland is senior Kelley Mollor, who figures to be a leader in kills this year.

However, there are many solid players waiting in the wings to step up this season, including seniors Krista Conti and Mehak Khalid. In addition, there are several members of last year's JV team (who won the NVL JV Tournament last season) who will see plenty of court time, including juniors Emily Hutvagner, Stephanie Badale, Erika Barnett, and Lindsey Wirsing as well as sophomore Jessica Patrizi.

With a core group of senior leaders and a large group of younger players ready to make their varsity impact, look for the Lady Hawks to stay right near the top of the league again this year with a favorable chance to qualify for the NVL Tournament once again and defend their Championship.

Boys' Soccer
2007 Record: 8-10 overall (3-7 in NVL Copper; 8-8 in NVL overall)
Reached First Round of Class M State Tournament

The Boys' Soccer team also had its most successful season in school history last year, reaching the .500 mark in regular season play and qualifying for the NVL Tournament for the first time ever. This squad is placing high expectations on itself and should post the first over-.500 season in school history this year.

2008 Regular Season Schedule
Wednesday, Sept. 10th at Seymour, 3:30 PM
Thursday, Sept. 11th vs. Naugatuck, 3:45 PM
Monday, Sept. 15th vs. Crosby, 3:45 PM
Wednesday, Sept. 17th at Kennedy, 6:00 PM (Municipal Stadium)
Thursday, Sept. 18th at Watertown, 3:45 PM (Veterans Park)
Tuesday, Sept. 23rd at Holy Cross, 3:45 PM
Friday, Sept. 26th vs. Torrington, 3:45 PM
Wednesday, Oct. 1st at Sacred Heart, 3:30 PM (Bucks Hill Park)
Friday, Oct. 3rd vs. Wilby, 3:45 PM
Monday, Oct. 6th at Naugatuck, 6:00 PM
Wednesday, Oct. 8th at Wolcott, 7:00 PM
Friday, Oct. 10th vs. Kennedy, 3:45 PM
Tuesday, Oct. 14th vs. Holy Cross, 3:45 PM
Friday, Oct. 17th vs. Ansonia, 3:45 PM
Tuesday, Oct. 21st at Torrington, 6:00 PM
Thursday, Oct. 23rd vs. Sacred Heart, 3:45 PM (Senior Night)

An excellent core of players returns for the Hawks, including seniors John Merriman, Chas Loud, and Roman Wright, junior Steve Vaz, and sophomore Tyler Carlos. But the key piece to the puzzle is the All-State selection, senior Jesse Menzies. Menzies led the team in just about everything last year, and figures to be just as big a part of Woodland's success this year.

It looks as though the Hawks are on track to keep building on the mounting success of the past few years and likely qualify for the NVL and Class M State Tournaments once again. And with a player like Menzies, who knows what Woodland can pull off there.

Girls' Soccer
2007 Record: 13-6-1 overall (4-3-1 in NVL Copper, 11-4-1 in NVL overall)
Reached Second Round of Class M State Tournament

The Girls' Soccer team posted perhaps a bit of a disappointing season last year, finishing third in the NVL Copper Division and being knocked out in the Second Round of the Class M State Tournament. This year the girls look to compensate for the losses of a strong group of seniors, including All-Stater Liz Galla.

2008 Regular Season Schedule
Wednesday, Sept. 10th at Wolcott, 6:30 PM
Friday, Sept. 12th vs. Torrington, 3:45 PM
Tuesday, Sept. 16th at Seymour, 6:00 PM
Wednesday, Sept. 17th at Torrington, 3:45 PM
Friday, Sept. 19th at Watertown, 3:45 PM (Veterans Park)
Tuesday, Sept. 23rd vs. Sacred Heart, 3:45 PM
Thursday, Sept. 25th at Holy Cross, 3:45 PM
Monday, Sept. 29th vs. Ansonia, 3:45 PM
Tuesday, Sept. 30th vs. Wolcott, 3:45 PM
Tuesday, Oct. 7th vs. Naugatuck, 3:45 PM
Thursday, Oct. 9th at Sacred Heart, 3:30 PM (Brass Mills Park)
Monday, Oct. 13th vs. Holy Cross, 11:00 AM
Wednesday, Oct. 15th at Ansonia, 3:45 PM
Friday, Oct. 17th at Naugatuck, 6:00 PM
Monday, Oct. 20th vs. Seymour, 3:45 PM
Wednesday, Oct. 22nd vs. Watertown, 3:45 PM (Senior Night)

The leader of this year's Lady Hawks figures to be two time All-NVL selection, senior Cecelia Dias. She will need help from a number of other players, including seniors Chrissy Witham and Abbey Grommisch and sophomore Raven Palmerie. Woodland will certainly be underdogs in the league this year, as powers such as Naugatuck, Holy Cross, and Watertown are among the favorites.

Girls' Swimming
2007 Record: 4-9 overall (1-6 in NVL)

The Girls' Swimming team is looking forward to a promising season this year, as a slew of young swimmers will be stepping up for their turns in the pool. These girls will have to try to replace graduated All-Stater Dierdre Burke as well as Chelsea Germer and Monica Tavares.

2008 Regular Season Schedule
Tuesday, Sept. 9th vs. Southington, 4:00 PM
Friday, Sept. 12th vs. Holy Cross, 4:00 PM
Thursday, Sept. 18th vs. Sheehan, 4:00 PM
Friday, Sept. 19th at Torrington, 7:30 PM (Torrington Y)
Wednesday, Sept. 24th at East Haven, 4:00 PM (Recreation Pool)
Friday, Sept. 26th vs. Watertown, 5:00 PM
Monday, Sept. 29th vs. Brookfield, 4:00 PM
Friday, Oct. 3rd at Naugatuck, 6:00 PM
Tuesday, Oct. 7th at Seymour, 4:00 PM
Friday, Oct. 10th vs. Sacred Heart, 4:00 PM
Monday, Oct. 13th vs. Shelton, 4:00 PM
Tuesday, Oct. 21st vs. Kennedy, 4:00 PM
Wednesday, Oct. 22nd vs. West Haven, 5:00 PM

Among the key young swimmers this season will be freshman Katie Hinkley, swimming the 100 yard backstroke, the backstroke leg of the 200 yard medley relay, and the 200 yard individual medley. In addition, juniors Jill Pagoni (50 and 100 yard freestyle, freestyle leg of 200 yard medley relay) and Sam Angeloszek (100 yard breaststroke, breaststroke leg of the 200 yard medley relay) will be in key spots for the Hawks this season. Senior captains Allé and Tori Flormann as well as defending NVL Diving Champion, senior Heather Chucta will also play big roles in Woodland's success this fall.

Cross Country
2007 Records: Boys- 6-4 in NVL; Girls- 8-2 in NVL

The guys and girls that run for fun don't get a whole lot of press. But they definitely deserve it, because I know for sure that I can't do that. After two very solid seasons last year, both teams look to improve with impressive runners returning.

2008 Regular Season Schedule
Saturday, Sept. 13th at Wilton Invitational
Tuesday, Sept. 16th vs. Watertown, Sacred Heart
Saturday, Sept. 20th at Bethel Invitational
Tuesday, Sept. 23rd at Torrington, Naugatuck, Crosby
Friday, Sept. 26th at Veterans Park Invitational
Tuesday, Sept. 30th at Wolcott, Kennedy, Wilby
Tuesday, Oct. 7th at Seymour, Holy Cross
Friday, Oct. 10th vs. Derby
Wednesday, Oct. 15th at NVL Championships
Monday, Oct. 20th at Platt Tech Invitational
Saturday, Oct. 25th at Class M State Tournament
Friday, Oct. 31st at State Open

On the boys side, third-year captain Chris Mariotti will lead the team once again. Key runners on his team include sophomore Ryan Mariotti and seniors Kyle Menta and Chris Wright. The girls lost their captain, Mikelyn Messina, but have several girls waiting to step up, including seniors Shannon Freeman and Hanna Wojcik and juniors Sarah Melville and Brittany Albright.

Well I guess that covers it. Good luck to all of our sports teams this fall. Remember, you can listen to the rebroadcast of every football game as well as selected live home volleyball games right here on WRHSOnline.net. Keep it tuned right here for all the fall sports coverage as we make our way through the seasons and toward the postseason.

STATS OUT.