Rocky Hill Football Used Loss To Regroup And Earn Playoff Spot

In just its second game of the season Rocky Hill's football team traveled to Berlin and gave the host Redcoats all they could handle. After Berlin took control early in the game, Rocky Hill, led by sensational running back Chris Young, stormed back and was on the brink of taking the lead late in the game. A fumble, however, ended the Terriers chances and they fell to Berlin 25-14.

After the game, Rocky Hill head coach Dave Coyne, urged his players to condition harder and put more effort into practice. During the key moments of the Berlin game, some key Rocky Hill players were on the sidelines with cramps.

"We need to get in better condition," Coyne said to his team in their huddle after the game.

"You guys have to stop fooling around and believe in us and if you do that we'll be in really good shape. If you don't, we're going to have a tough season," one of the assistant coaches said to the players.

Coyne saw the good in his team despite the defeat.

"We ran our offense a little differently in the second half and we were able to get Chris Young into the open a few times," Coyne said. "The line did a great job and we know what he can do if he gets in the open. I think we would have gone ahead too if we didn't fumble the ball. It was a good comeback.

"The kids played well. They (Berlin) are a very good team. We had four starters over on the sidelines in the fourth quarter with cramps and injuries. You're not going to beat a team like Berlin missing four starters."

It's safe to say the team bought in.

With its 21-14 victory over Northwest Catholic Thursday morning, Rocky Hill's football team captured a home state playoff game, likely on Tuesday night at 6 p.m.

Rocky Hill finished the season 9-1 and has won eight straight games. In seven of those games, the Terriers have scored at least 40 points.

Ansonia, 10-0, is the number one seed, followed by Capital Prep/Classical/Achievement 10-0, North Branford 10-0 with Rocky Hill fourth at 9-1.

Hyde Leadership is seeded fifth at 9-1 followed by Trinity Catholic 8-2, Woodland 7-2 and Prince Tech 8-2.

Rocky Hill owns wins over Rockville, East Catholic, Platt, Plainville, Bloomfield, Weaver, Bristol Central, Tolland and Northwest Catholic. The only loss came at the hands of Berlin in week two.

Hyde Leadership plays in the Pequot Conference. Hyde has wins over Haddam-Killingworth, Morgan, Coginchaug, Cromwell, Valley Regional/Old Lyme, Lewis Mills, Old Saybrook/Westbrook, East Hampton/Vinal Tech and Nonnewaug. The lone loss was to unbeaten North Branford. 

The Rocky Hill Football Roster

1     Andrew Jenkelunas     QB/S     11     5-11     165
2     Dylan Mitney     TE/DE     9     5-8     130
5     Ryan Lafrancis     RB/S     10     6-0     170
6     Glenn Colby     WR     9     5-6     120
7     Ryan Lombardo     QB/S     9     5-7     135
9     Harris Afzal     WR     9     5-6     130
10     Josh Gardner     WR/DB     12     5-11     165
11     Austin Porter     QB/S     11     5-8     140
12     Troy Syme     QB/S     12     6-1     185
14     Tyler Dunn     TE/DE     9     6-2     150
21     Shane Steinman     RB/CB     12     5-8     160
22     Chris Stoneburner     WR/S     12     6-0     190
23     Jason Carducci     RB     9     5-6     135
24     Joey Matero     RB/CB     9     5-6     130
25     Tyler Costa     RB/CB     9     5-6     150
26     Matthew Molloy     WR/CB     9     5-5     120
28     Kevin Casasanta     RB/CB     12     5-8     160
29     Chris Young     RB/LB     11     5-9     185
30     Nick Carducci     G/LB     11     5-11     160
31     Patrick Sullivan     RB/LB     9     5-10     170
32     Greg Marzilli     RB/LB     11     5-8     160
33     Alex DeNardo     RB/LB     12     5-10     180
36     Dave Sevigny     RB/CB     10     5-10     160
41     Ryan Schulenburg     WR/CB     11     5-9     135
44     Ryan Joyce     FB/LB     12     6-0     210
50     Jacob Latorra     G/LB     10     6-0     180
52     Kenshaun Gamble     G/NG     11     5-7     215
54     John LaTorra     FB/LB     12     5-8     165
55     Brandon Grover     G/LB     11     6-0     180
58     Alek Kocaqi     C/LB     10     5-10     185
61     Josh Zawisa     OG/DT     11     6-1     255
63     Matthew Callahan     G     9     5-8     175
65     Mitchell Aurelli     C     9     5-7     170
66     Tyler Landry     T/DE     11     6-3     230
67     Chris Rogowski     G/DE     11     5-9     210
68     Mikail Naska     G/NG     12     5-8     150
71     Santiago Santana     T/DE     9     5-8     190
72     Sam Sutera     G/LB     9     5-9     165
73     Matt Gioia     G/DE     10     5-10     200
74     Robert DeNovellis     G/T     12     5-11     200
75     Jameson O'Connell     G/DE     11     6-0     190
79     Joseph Colon     T     9     5-9     200
80     Alex Fiducia     TE/T     12     6-2     200
82     Brian Tassavor     RB/LB     9     5-8     135
88     Thomas Seaver     TE/DE     11     6-1     185
90     Najee Moon     T/NG     12     5-10     215