Avon Football Online

McDonald, D'Onofrio earn All-State honors

By GERRY deSIMAS, JR.

Avon Football Online

AVON, Dec. 28 -- Pequot Conference Uncas Division champion Avon had two players earn All-State status this fall. Running back Ross McDonald and receiver Tyler D’Onofrio were selected to the CHSCA’s Class L squad. For McDonald, it is his second straight year on the CHSCA All-State team.

McDonald, 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds, had a storied career at Avon, rewriting the Falcons record book. As a junior, he ran for a school-record 1,974 yards and 35 touchdowns. This year, he attracted more attention but was still quite effective rushing for 1,254 yards and 20 TDs.

He leaves the Falcons with the career records for rushing (4,243 yards), touchdowns (71) and points scored (432). Twice in his career, he ran for five TDs and scored 30 points in a single game.

“Ross has been one of the most productive players in our school’s history,” Avon coach Brett Quinion said. “Ross has handled the pressure that comes from being our go to guy very well. He is humble in the good times and has great perspective in the bad times. His consistency of character has been great for our young players to see.”

D’Onofrio set new single-season records this year with 51 receptions for 974 yards and 12 touchdown receptions, including an 80-yard TD reception against Stafford/East Windsor, the third longest in school history.

Defensively, he had a team-leading five interceptions for 102 yards along with 2.5 sacks. He was also the team’s punter, averaging 31.69 yards a kick.

“Tyler is one of the most competitive players that I have ever seen,” Quinion said. “He is a vocal leader and will do anything to help his team win. He is without peer in that he plays both split end on offense and free safety on defense at an extremely high level.”

D’Onofrio (6-3, 200 pounds) leaves the school with career records in receptions (89), yards receiving (1,528) and touchdown receptions (16).

McDonald and D’Onofrio both played for four years. In that time, the Falcons went 36-7, won four Pequot Conference Uncas Division championships and qualified for the CIAC tournament twice. It’s the most successful four-year stretch in Avon’s 51 years of football.

“We’ve been in the top 10 in the state offensively the last few years in great part because of these guys,” Quinion said. “It makes it easy to call plays when you have two such skilled players. They are versatile, tough, quick and strong. They create difficult matchups and challenges for opposing teams.”

McDonald, who was also named to the New Haven Register’s prestigious All-State team a year ago, is just the second football player at Avon to be named All-State in consecutive seasons. D’Onofrio’s other brother Mike was an All-State running back for the Falcons in 2007 and 2008.

Avon All-State football players

1. Jeff Burrows, back, New Haven Register, Class B/C, 1963

2. Dennis Daly, guard, New Haven Register, Class B/C, 1967

3. Bill Loeffler, back, New Haven Register, Class B/C, 1967

4. Ken Lytle, kicker, Hartford Courant/CHSCA, Class S, 1991

5. John Steffen, defensive line, Hartford Courant/CHSCA, Class SS/S, 1993

6. Greg Ward, placekicker, New Haven Register, 1995; Defensive back, Hartford Courant/CHSCA, Class S, 1995

7. Matt Keefe, wide receiver, Hartford Courant/CHSCA, Class S, 1997

8. Andy Roell, wide receiver, CHSCA, 2007

9. Mike D'Onofrio, defensive back, CHSCA, 2007; CHSCA, 2008

10. Ross McDonald, New Haven Register, running back, 2009; utility player, CHSCA, 2009; CHSCA running back, 2010

11. Austin Kick, placekicker, CHSCA 2009

12. Tyler D'Onofrio, wide receiver, CHSCA 2010