It is often said that the Ansonia Chargers football team doesn’t rebuild, it reloads.
This could be the case again this year, at least their fans and coaches hope so.
The team is coming off yet another league championship and playoff appearance, finishing the year 12 – 2 after a disappointing 14 – 12 loss to Cromwell in the Class S championship.
With graduation came the loss of many key players, including all-state lineman Tom Hyde, now playing for Trinity College, quarterback Ron Bilodeau (Western Connecticut State) and all-everything Tristan Roberts (Lackawanna College).
You don’t replace players like that, you can only hope to get someone to fill their shoes.
The Rundown
Coach Tom Brockett enters his fourth season at the helm of the Chargers, and the cupboard is not exactly bare. They have a top breakaway threat in the person of Montrell Dobbs, a big, speedy back in the great Ansonia tradition.
Last year Dobbs showed some glimpses of his potential as a sophomore. He rushed for over 800 yards in a backup role, good for nine touchdowns. Much more is expected of him this year. He could be joined in the backfield by either Marty Lawlor or Bobby Kinnebrew at fullback.
The key quarterback spot will likely fall to Nick O’Connor, moving over from wide receiver. Most of last year’s pass catchers are gone, including Tyrell Moore, also playing at Trinity, but Brockett has two good ones in Tim Troy and Christian Sobin.
Paving the way for Dobbs and company are offensive linemen Chris O’Brien and Ray Beall or Brandon Urvza at tackles, Dan Larkin and Paul Stumpo at guards, and Chris Jeanette returning at center.
The defense lost some key players on defense, but return some top athletes such as Sobin, who will see action in the defensive backfield, along with Troy and Dobbs.
Many of the offensive lineman will also see action on defense, along with ends Matt Hall and Kinnebrew. Marty Lawlor and Larkin will be at linebacker, with newcomer Jalante Williams at the monster back.
The Schedule
Ansonia has a full schedule of preseason scrimmages on tap, and as usual they are taking on some top foes.
At this writing they have already squared off with Amity of Woodbridge and Notre Dame of West Haven.
It doesn’t get any easier down the road as they are set to meet up with the West Haven Blue Devils and the Shelton Gaels.
The latter is a full game scrimmage scheduled for Friday, Sept. 11 at 7 p.m. in Shelton.
All these teams play in the Southern Connecticut Conference, considered one of the best leagues in the state.
The regular season schedule is not an easy one either for Ansonia in its quest for yet another league championship as well as a state playoff berth.
The Chargers open up with always-tough Hillhouse, 12 – 1 last year and runner-up in the Class MM division, followed by rising NVL power Crosby, who handed the Big Blue their only NVL loss last season in an 18 – 14 shocker. Then they must face Holy Cross, whom many tab to win the league’s Copper Division after a sub-par season in 2008.
The Chargers will once again compete in Class S, which features such top teams as Bloomfield, Cromwell and Hyde Leadership School of Hamden.
If Ansonia can overcome their tough early schedule, they have a good shot at league and state honors. Brockett will surely have them ready to take on all comers.
“Our players have worked really hard,” said Brockett. “There is more parity in the league this year and you can’t say who is going to come out on top. But we’ll be fine.”
Editor’s Note: Steve Fainer publishes NVL Football Blogosphere, the best darn high school football blog around.
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