New Canaan Rams Name 2015 Football Captains

The first major step toward the defense of their Class L-Large state title was taken last night as the New Canaan Rams announced their captains for the 2015 season at their end of year banquet.

Mike Cognetta, Mike Collins, Cass Knox and Gardner Read were selected by their teammates to lead the team next season as the Rams will try to win their third consecutive state championship.

Collins had an exceptional season at quarterback – his first as a Rams starter – displaying a strong arm and an ability to read the opposition’s coverage that seemed to improve with each game. In 12 games under center for the Rams, Collins completed 154 of 283 passes, good for a completion percentage of 54%. His 2,624 passing yards was the 6th highest total in school history, and his 32 touchdown passes was the 4th best. With a toughness that belied his lanky 6’5 191-lb. frame, the kid once known as “Bambi” was more reminiscent of Hercules at times and should rank as one of the school’s all-time leaders in almost every career passing statistic by the time his career is over.

If Collins is to achieve those lofty ranks, he will need to rely heavily on center Gardner Read. A mainstay of an offensive line led by 2014 captain Jim Keneally that helped the Rams gain well over 4,000 yards in 2014, Read helped open up huge holes for Frank and Matt Cognetta and consistently provided Collins time to complete his passes. The 5’10” 275-lb. Read flawlessly snapped the ball throughout the season and was a major part of the Rams offensive success, as the team averaged more than 34 points per game.

Knox was an unsung hero for New Canaan’s defense, quietly racking up double-digit tackles throughout the season from his linebacker position and coming up with big-time plays when the team needed them the most. Knox’s penchant for flying to the football was most evident in the state championship game against Darien in which he recovered two Blue Wave fumbles, one of which led to the first New Canaan score of the game. Knox was third on the team in total tackles with 96 on the year. He also had 3.5 sacks in 2014 and one interception. He is currently 14th in career tackles for NCHS and his 8.5 career sacks puts him in 7th place in Rams history, “just” 24.5 behind outgoing 2014 captain Zach Allen’s school record of 33.

Defensive back Mike Cognetta came up big in the state finals as well, recovering a fumble and picking off two Darien passes, including one that iced the game for the Rams. The younger brother of 2014 captain Frank and twin brother of Rams running back Matt, Cognetta was 4th on the team with 95 tackles on the season and will look to anchor a Rams secondary that will be in need of a leader following the graduation of stars Alex LaPolice, Michael Kraus and Sterling O’Hara.