Fall Practice Begins: Stafford, E.O. Smith Title Histories/Skeds

STAFFORD-MANSFIELD, CT — Thursday marks the official opening of practice for all eight CIAC-sanctioned fall sports in Connecticut, with boys and girls cross country, field hockey, football, boys and girls soccer, girls swimming and girls volleyball teams setting out on their quests for league and state championships.

Among schools in Patch communities in Hartford and Tolland counties, Glastonbury is the all-time leader with 39 fall team championships, followed by Farmington (35), Granby Memorial (33), E.O. Smith (30) and Manchester (29).

Area schools looking to repeat their 2018 state titles are Tolland boys cross country (Class M) and girls soccer (L), Glastonbury boys soccer (LL), E.O. Smith girls cross country (L) and Bloomfield football (S).

E.O. Smith's 30 fall state titles date back to 1962, while Stafford has won 13 state championships since 1972.

Here are the state championships won by Panther and Bulldog teams in autumns past, as well as a link to this fall's schedule of varsity contests.

E.O. SMITH

• boys soccer (12) - LL: 1998, 1994, 1991, 1987, 1985, 1976; M: 1975, 1972, 1968, 1967, 1965, 1962
• girls cross country (10) - L: 2018, 2015, 2008; MM: 2000, 1999, 1997, 1995; State Open: 1997; M: 1992, 1990
• boys cross country (4) - MM: 2014; SS: 1986; M: 1980, 1978
• field hockey (2) - M: 1977, 1976
• girls soccer (2) - open: 1981, 1980

STAFFORD

• boys cross country (8) - SS: 1995, 1994, 1990; S: 1993, 1989, 1979, 1976, 1972
• girls cross country (4) - SS: 1997, 1993, 1991, 1990
• girls soccer (1) - S: 2002

The late Steve Levinthal led Stafford to eight boys and three girls cross country state championships. (Photo courtesy of Enfield Athletic Hall of Fame)

2019 E.O. Smith fall varsity schedule
2019 Stafford fall varsity schedule