Alex LaPolice (#7) celebrates a TD with Cass Knox (#25) and Michael Root (#1) in the 2013 state championship. Credit: Terry Dinan
If Thursday’s FCIAC Championship between New Canaan and Darien is indeed the final conference title game, you couldn’t dream up a more fitting coda to what was once the centerpiece of the Connecticut football world.
From the inaugural game in 1966, to the classic New Canaan-Stamford games of the late ’60s-mid ‘70s, right on up through the dominance of Greenwich in the ’80s there was no bigger game in the state—save Harvard-Yale—than the FCIAC Championship when it was played on Thanksgiving at Boyle Stadium. The game would lose some of its luster when the league decreed Thanksgiving to be a day of “rivalry” games in 1994. But for most of us who grew up in the area, the real Turkey Bowl was the FCIAC Championship of old. Now a scheduling mandate from the CIAC might do away with the contest altogether.
And as fate would have it, the two biggest rivals in the state finished the regular season undefeated, making Thursday’s dream matchup a reality. Call it a throwback, a time warp. It promises to be a classic.
On paper, the teams are almost mirror images of each other. New Canaan’s offense has averaged 387.5 yards per game, outscoring their nine opponents this season 346-107. Darien averaged 380 yards per game, scoring 390 points and allowing only 119. Last season, the Blue Wave shocked New Canaan on Thanksgiving with a 28-24 win, the only blemish on an otherwise dominant Rams season. New Canaan was able to exact revenge two weeks later at a snowy Boyle Stadium, capturing the Class L state championship with a 44-12 win.
Now, here is a look at the key matchups in the 2014 FCIAC championship game:
New Canaan’s Offense vs. Darien’s Defense
The Rams have many weapons on offense, and will need to utilize all of them if they are to break through the Blue Wave defense. Darien is led by senior defensive end George Reed (79 tackles, 8.5 sacks) and junior defensive end Mark Evanchick (63 tackles, 20 sacks). The tandem substitutes speed for size in coming off the corners, so look for the Rams to try to use short passes from junior QB Mike Collins (102-185, 1948 yards, 23-4 TD’s-INT’s) to negate the rush. This is where the Rams are at their most dangerous, as the receiving trio of electrifying senior co-captain Alex LaPolice (26 receptions – 489 yards, 7 TD’s), 6’3″, 222-lb. junior Kyle Smith (23-627, 8 TD’s) and sure-handed senior Michael Kraus (22-326, 3 TD’s) can turn short passes into long touchdowns in the blink of an eye. New Canaan will also use a powerful running game led by senior co-captain Frank Cognetta (115 carries – 509 yards, 4.8 AVG, 8 TD’s) to wear down the Darien line. The Rams’ offensive line, led by senior co-captain Jim Keneally has done a great job of giving Collins time to throw this season, but have yet to face an opposing defense as potent as Darien. If the Blue Wave’s secondary, led by junior Tyler Grant (19 tackles, 6 INT’s), starts focusing on the short game – watch out. Collins has an incredibly strong arm and a stable of athletes that can run under his deep throws. Also look for 6’6″ senior co-captain Zach Allen to get a look or two at tight end if the Rams get into short yardage situations or move inside the Darien 10-yard line. He is virtually impossible to cover in one-on-one situations.
EDGE: New Canaan
Darien’s Offense vs. New Canaan’s Defense
Darien Junior Tim Graham has done a nice job for the Blue Wave, throwing for 1,902 yards and 19 TD’s while filling the shoes of graduated QB Silas Wyper. While Graham does not throw as much as his predecessor he did an excellent job of protecting the ball, allowing only 8 interceptions on the season. Darien’s ground game is led by junior Shelby Grant (105 carries, 690 yards, 6.6 AVG, 5 TD’s) and senior Peter Archey (83-524, 6.3 AVG, 9 TD’s). Although the tandem is somewhat small in size, they are difficult runners to bring down, and are the beneficiaries of a solid O-line that seems to get stronger as the game goes on. Darien’s receivers are quick and sure-handed, led by junior Colin Minicus (40 receptions, 533 yards, 3 TD’s) and senior Griffin Ross (36-419, 1 TD). 6’3″ junior Todd Herget (17-315, 4 TD’s) is a dangerous deep threat and could present some matchup issues for the Rams. New Canaan’s defense is headlined by senior Zach Allen (72 tackles, 8.5 sacks, 2 INT’s), one the most intimidating, versatile defensive players in NCHS history. Allen, who is equally dangerous whether lining up as an end or dropping back into flat coverage, is complemented by a proficient linebacking corps led by junior Cass Knox (76 tackles, 2 sacks), senior Teddy Dumbauld (74 tackles) and junior David Strupp (64 tackles, 3 sacks). New Canaan might be deepest in the defensive secondary as LaPolice (35 takles, 2 INT’s) and Kraus (31 tackles, 5 INT’s) are shut-down corners with senior Sterling O’Hara (46 tackles, 3 INT’s) roaming the field at safety. 5’10”, 275-lb. senior Malaki Holan (31 tackles) anchors an underrated D-line that will have its work cut out for itself against the Blue Wave. The Rams are opportunistic and rarely give up the big play.
EDGE: New Canaan
Special Teams
Darien senior Stephen Walker was the FCIAC’s best kicker this season, converting 41 of 45 PAT’s while booting 6 of 9 field goal attempts. His range stretches well into the 40’s. New Canaan junior kicker Peter Swindell missed some time due to a high ankle sprain suffered in the pre-season, but was able to slowly regain his All-FCIAC form from one year ago, nailing 26 of 27 PAT’s and 3 of 6 FG attempts. Darien junior Hudson Hamill is a dangerous kick returner, while New Canaan’s LaPolice, Kraus and Smith have given the Rams outstanding field position all season.
EDGE: Darien
Coaching
No coach does a better job against New Canaan than Darien’s Rob Trifone. Perhaps it’s because he’s one of Lou Marinelli’s oldest friends and rivals, going back to his days at the helm of Brien McMahon. That said, there is no better head coach in the state than Lou Marinelli. New Canaan also has the two best assistant coaches in the state in offensive coordinator Johnny Marinelli and defensive coordinator Chris Silvestri.
EDGE: New Canaan
Intangibles
Darien shocked New Canaan the past two seasons in the Turkey Bowl, winning the Coaches’ Memorial Trophy in consecutive years after a decade of New Canaan dominance. New Canaan played with a chip on its shoulder all season after many said they would not be able to follow up last season’s dominance after graduating 28 seniors – 14 of whom went on to play college football. They are a win away from doing what the storied 2013 team was not able to do – beat Darien on Thanksgiving.
EDGE: New Canaan
Prediction
Darien is the best team New Canaan has faced all season. New Canaan is the best team Darien has faced all season. Something’s got to give. Look for the Blue Wave to hang tight with the Rams for three quarters, with New Canaan pulling away in the fourth. Allen and LaPolice are big-time athletes who seem to rise to the occasion when it’s needed the most, and I just don’t see Darien being able to come up with a solution to those two playmakers the entire game. The one Achilles heal for New Canaan has been penalties, something they’ve improved on as the season wore on. If New Canaan stays disciplined, it could be a long day for the Darien offense. The Rams just have too many overall weapons on both sides of the ball, and you can bet Marinelli will have them ready and motivated.
Here’s exactly how to get to the parking lot for the game. Coming down into Stamford by way of Route 106: After turning right at the stop sign after the Holmes School, onto Glenbrook Road, continue straight—don’t turn left—until after you cross the railroad tracks. You’re still on Glenbrook Road. Follow it up the hill until you come to the light, then turn right and make your first left (onto Wetzel) and go down the hill. You’ll see the parking lot ahead and to the left from the stop sign at the bottom.
