Cheshire Football To See Familiar Face In Class LL Final

December 5, 2009 by Greg Lederer

Nervous energy could describe Cheshire High School football head coach Mark Ecke’s mindset, as he leads the Rams into the Class LL Final Sunday afternoon against Staples, at 2 p.m., from West Haven High School. Not that Ecke doesn’t like his team’s chances, but he is facing a familiar face across the sideline. Ecke and Staples’ head coach Marcellino Petroccio have known each other for years, so their first meeting as opposing coaches has a unique storyline.
“It’s rather nerve-racking because I know how he coaches so well,” said Ecke. “He is an very aggressive guy, but you can see how hard the kids play for him.”
The history between them dates back to Western Connecticut State University. Ecke (1983 CHS graduate) played the offensive line and tight end at the same time that Petroccio was coaching. After Steve Addazio left the staff to lead the CHS program, Ecke returned to coach at his alma mater in 1988. Petroccio (1989-91) joined them one year later and helped the Rams reach their first Class LL Final.
“We had a tremendous defense,” recalled Ecke, who became head coach in 1995. “We lost 16-15 to Glastonbury in the (1989) final.”
That experience motivated Cheshire to a sustained surge the state had never seen before. From 1992-1997, the Rams captured six state titles (state record) and broke the New England record for consecutive victories (49; 1991-1996). Cheshire hasn’t been atop the state ever since and that drought brings us back to the present.
Twenty three seniors will strap up their helmets one last time for the Rams. Their contributions were key in last year’s run to the Class LL Final, which Cheshire lost 28-14 to Glastonbury. Cheshire avenged that loss with a 20-6 semifinal victory four days ago and they seek to go out as champions.
“It’s exciting. I think we are confident and comfortable,” added linebacker Craig Thorne, a senior captain alongside Dan Sweeney and Paul Tuscano. “Winning the state championship would be a load off my shoulders. It would be a great experience.”
“I think it will help us greatly,” said Sweeney, of returning to the title game. “We didn’t know what to expect last year. It is upsetting because we’ve created a bond in the senior class. You want to win your last game.”
Sweeney feels being the underdog is a good thing. Cheshire (third seed; 9-1 record) only suffered a 40-36 home loss to Class L Finalist Notre Dame High School on Oct. 9, however, Staples is undefeated at 12-0 and ranked number one in the state.
“Not a lot of teams get this opportunity,” explained Sweeney.
Opportunity was among the themes of the 2009 season. Cheshire graduated 22 seniors from the year before, so they knew that players would have to step into vacated positions. Quarterback and offensive line were primary examples. Senior Greg Palmer has succeeded three-year starting quarterback Billy Ragone admirably, rushing for 1,279 yards and 22 touchdowns. Palmer has also thrown for 992 yards (91 of 144 passes) and five touchdowns, while junior Max Slade (302 rushing yards; four touchdowns) has added another dimension.
Four lineman were lost to graduation and when senior Cody Nugent didn’t return to the team, the Rams had to replace their entire starting group for the first time in Ecke’s 22 years with the program. Senior Kyle Nelson was tabbed to play center until he broke his fibula in the pre-season and the coaches were nervous for the season opener at Amity. The line came together that night, grounding out 454 yards during a 41-13 victory. Senior tackles Luke Scinto and Steve Sutherland, along with junior guards Izear Hogan and Nick Ritchie, and senior center Connor Hepler have been a consistent strength of the team.
“That was one of the biggest question marks,” Ecke recalled. “(Assistant) Rich Pulisciano and I coach the offensive line and it’s been great to watch them develop. There are three seniors on the offensive line and I’m happy they’ve had this success this year.”
Blocking has allowed Sweeney to run for 909 yards and eight touchdowns. He has also caught 22 passes for 148 and scored twice. Seniors Brian Havlicek (14 catches, 238 yards, touchdown), Brian DeBisschop (18 catches, 198 yards), and Ryan Connolly (six catches, 95 yards) lead a veteran receiving group into the title game.
Cheshire did take a huge blow when Tuscano was diagnosed with mononucleosis and thus sidelined for the Class LL playoffs. Tuscano has contributed as a runner (62 yards, touchdown) and receiver (17 catches, 206 yards, touchdown), while adding 56 tackles and an interception at safety.
Indicative of the team concept, players filled new roles to replace their teammate at Glastonbury. Sophomore Sebastian Little rushed and ran for 45 yards on offense, while Palmer was inserted at free safety and caught two interceptions inside the 10-yard line.
“That’s the way it’s been all year,” explained Ecke. “The sum total is better than the individual parts. We are a total team. Sebby (Sebastian) has played hard all year and Greg stepped up to play safety.”
That same attitude translates to the defensive side of the ball. Sweeney (93 tackles, interception), junior Evan Gaudio (97 tackles), Thorne (46 tackles, three sacks), senior Matt Sansone (52 tackles), and sophomore Dylan Baumgardner (64 tackles, two sacks, interception) have gelled into tackling leaders, enabling the Rams to replace three-year starter David Dillon and Tim Flood at linebacker.
Sutherland (50 tackles), Scinto (28 tackles), Hepler (51 tackles), and junior Mike Skibicki (28 tackles, two sacks) work together on a versatile line. Havlicek leads the team with three interceptions in the secondary. Palmer (10 tackles) and Connolly (40 tackles) add two interceptions apiece.
Sophomore kicker/punter Kyle Pulek took another step forward, following a strong season last fall. He has booted six field goals, including a 42-yard kick against Notre Dame. Ecke had never attempted a kick that far before. Pulek also connected for two field goals at Glastonbury, propelling the Rams to a 8-0 halftime lead.
Conversely, Staples senior Santiago Cuartas has made a state-record 12 field goals this fall. He is among many key performers that make the Wreckers a tough team to game plan. Staples has out-scored their opposition, 413-91, and defeated visiting Xavier (fourth seed) 31-28 to advance to the final.
“They play great defense,” said Ecke. “They run to the football and are very disciplined. They do more things than we can prepare for in three days. It’s quite a challenge.”
The Wreckers have an explosive offense, to say the least. Senior Matt Kelly (1,186 yards, 15 touchdowns), who averages 9.97 yards per rush, and junior Ryan Burke (824 yards, nine touchdowns) anchor the run game. Senior quarterbacks Keith Gelman (43 of 67 passes, 811 yards; 262 yards, four touchdowns) and Brandon Pacilio (33 of 52 passes, 571 yards; 218 yards, six touchdowns) have each thrown six touchdowns, along with breaking off runs. Staples has fumbled just three times and lost one of them.
“It’s the up most importance,” said Ecke, of limiting big plays. “Every game we watch, they rip off a long run.”
“They are definitely intimidating. If we tackle and run to the football, we will be alright,” stated Thorne.
Senior Brandon Rankowitz (31 catches, 790 yards, 25.8 yards per catch; nine touchdowns) is another focus of Cheshire’s defensive game plan.
“Rankowitz is terrifying,” stated Ecke. “He beats people deep and when you give him double coverage, he just goes up to get the ball.”
Staples yielded 19 total points in their first nine games, posting five shutouts. Senior Jake Santora (123 tackles) and junior Rob Gau (103 tackles) lead the linebackers, while seniors Devin Graber (92 tackles, 10 sacks) and Cody Laszlo (88 tackles) are stout linemen. Junior Chris Coyne has penetrated for a team-high 17 sacks, to go with 65 tackles.
“We are doing things they haven’t seen,” added Ecke. “They are similar to us, so we will break tendencies. We want to be fundamentally sound.”
For Cheshire’s senior class, they are just one win away from bringing the program back to glory.
“I couldn’t be happier for them,” said Ecke. “They are able to play the last game of their career for all the marbles. They came in when we were struggling and had 6-4 seasons. They helped us get back to this point and we want them to go out as champions.”
Due to the postponement of the Class LL Championship game, the Southern Connecticut Conference 2009 Football All-Conference Photo Session has been moved back a week to Dec. 13, at 12 p.m. CHS photos will be among those taken at West Haven.