Nick Burton anchors the middle with Henry Williamson and Ben Macko on his left and right andx the duo of Alex Mitchell and Luke Brogno at tackles.
The five comprise the offensive line for the Stonington Bears and without them, the double-wing could not hope to be as successful as it was against Killingly Friday night.
The Bears had the ball eight times at home against the Redmen and on seven of those occasions, they found the end zone in a 48-13 win. The win guarantees the Bears at least a share of the Eastern Connecticut Conference's Small Division title .
"Our offensive line really stepped up," Jim Connelly said. "Everyone blocked well, everyone played extremely well (Friday night)."
Connelly should know as he was one of the big beneficiaries, recording 149 yards on just nine carries. Josh Whitford added 101 yards in only 13 carries and scored twice for the Bears.
The nice thing for coach A.J. Massengale, that offensive line is comprised of almost all juniors and sseniors.
"They did a great job," the Stonington coach said. "They really opened up some good holes, we went right after people and for some young kids, they've come a long way."
Friday, October 30, 2009
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Practice makes perfect for Lyman
Seniors on the Lyman Memorial volleyball team are used to success in the Eastern Connecticut Conference Small Division, but it hasn't always been that way.
The Bulldogs captured their second Small Division title in the last three years on Wednesday afternoon with a 3-0 win in Putnam. But this group also remembers when it finished 4-6 in the Division just four short years ago.
The difference between then and now; practice.
"I think that most of our players are doing something in the offseason," senior Kyla Bielert said. "Everyone's doing club ball or something over the summer that helps you get in shape for the season. Our coach (Stephen Lewis) has also adjusted to the times, making sure he's up to date with everything that can help us out."
Fellow senior Kena Perry said it's a world of difference between what is now and what was when Lewis first came on board.
"There's been so many big improvements since four years ago," Perry said. "It's fantastic how the girls are working in the offseason to get better. It's turned things around."
Putnam coach Curt Hull knew his Clippers didn't really have much of a chance against the Bulldogs on Wednesday. That was not only due to their youth, but also their commitmentto the game and most times, it's not their fault.
"A lot of our girls don't have the ability to travel distances to go play in leagues outside of the season ," Hull said.
"The family doesn't have the financial wherewithal to send them to those leagues and every girl on the Lyman squad is playing in those leagues - that makes a huge difference., " Hull added.
The Bulldogs captured their second Small Division title in the last three years on Wednesday afternoon with a 3-0 win in Putnam. But this group also remembers when it finished 4-6 in the Division just four short years ago.
The difference between then and now; practice.
"I think that most of our players are doing something in the offseason," senior Kyla Bielert said. "Everyone's doing club ball or something over the summer that helps you get in shape for the season. Our coach (Stephen Lewis) has also adjusted to the times, making sure he's up to date with everything that can help us out."
Fellow senior Kena Perry said it's a world of difference between what is now and what was when Lewis first came on board.
"There's been so many big improvements since four years ago," Perry said. "It's fantastic how the girls are working in the offseason to get better. It's turned things around."
Putnam coach Curt Hull knew his Clippers didn't really have much of a chance against the Bulldogs on Wednesday. That was not only due to their youth, but also their commitmentto the game and most times, it's not their fault.
"A lot of our girls don't have the ability to travel distances to go play in leagues outside of the season ," Hull said.
"The family doesn't have the financial wherewithal to send them to those leagues and every girl on the Lyman squad is playing in those leagues - that makes a huge difference., " Hull added.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Just the beginning for the Wildcats
You had to like the camaraderie shown on Monday night in Norwich.
The Coventry girls volleyball team hung around and shared the Senior Night celebration with their Norwich Free Academy counterparts after the Patriots had just beaten the Wildcats, 3-0.
It's not like the result was unexpected as Coventry had posted 86 consecutive wins coming into the matchup between the defending Class S champion Patriots and Class LL champion, Wildcats.
Both teams have bulked up for the final week of the regular season with NFA set to play East Lyme on Wednesday and RHAM on Friday. Coventry was also bulking up its schedule as the Patriots still have to play Southington, Avon and Ellington.
"This is the best stretch of volleyball, in terms of opponents, that we have played- ever," Coventry coach Matt Hurlock said.
What's even tougher for Coventry is that they will be playing those teams on the road and most of them, like NFA, will be celebrating their Senior Nights.
"NFA is much improved," Hurlock added as his team beat the Wildcats, 3-0, earlier in the season. "We saw them at the beginning of the year and we played the way we play and it wasn't even a ballgame. They went on a run and dominated the ECC and they're going to be a tough out in the (Class) LL tournament."
The Coventry girls volleyball team hung around and shared the Senior Night celebration with their Norwich Free Academy counterparts after the Patriots had just beaten the Wildcats, 3-0.
It's not like the result was unexpected as Coventry had posted 86 consecutive wins coming into the matchup between the defending Class S champion Patriots and Class LL champion, Wildcats.
Both teams have bulked up for the final week of the regular season with NFA set to play East Lyme on Wednesday and RHAM on Friday. Coventry was also bulking up its schedule as the Patriots still have to play Southington, Avon and Ellington.
"This is the best stretch of volleyball, in terms of opponents, that we have played- ever," Coventry coach Matt Hurlock said.
What's even tougher for Coventry is that they will be playing those teams on the road and most of them, like NFA, will be celebrating their Senior Nights.
"NFA is much improved," Hurlock added as his team beat the Wildcats, 3-0, earlier in the season. "We saw them at the beginning of the year and we played the way we play and it wasn't even a ballgame. They went on a run and dominated the ECC and they're going to be a tough out in the (Class) LL tournament."
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