AVON, Dec. 30 -- Avon coach Brett Quinion spoke with Dave Ewbank of the Valley News about the 2004 campaign.
“There are no short cuts to success. Strength, power,speed and agility are the keys and one needs to work out eleven months of the year,” Quinion said.
“This team did not enjoy the hitting portion of football in my opinion, because they did respect the game enough, respect their opponent enough, and were not honest enough when looking in the mirror,” he said. “You have to be 100 percent football player. I don't care what the sport is, if you lack passion, respect, and honesty you will not succeed. I can easily fill up both hands listing players we faced who weighed less than 195 pounds who were tremendous varsity players in our conference. These players were fully focused individuals.”
The season-ending loss to Farmington was a difficult. “I was embarrassed that day as my own Avon High coach, Glen McLellan, was in attendance,” Quinion said. “It was one of the longest days of my life. Farmington was a fine team, and we did not belong on the field with them. Our guys rolled over and accepted the beating fairly easily.”
Quinion challenged the players returning next fall. “How badly do you want it?,” he asked. “Do you possess the character to dedicate and sacrifice? These are among the best years of your life, and football is the greatest sport in the world. Make the best of the time that you have.”
Battaglino named by coaches to All-Nutmeg
AVON, Dec. 1 – Linebacker Alex Battaglino earned a spot on the 2004 All-Nutmeg Conference football team in a vote by the league coaches. Battaglino had two fumble recoveries in a game against Rocky Hill. Leading receiver Brad Seaman and offensive lineman Brandon Sanford each earned honorable mention honors.
FARMINGTON, Nov. 19 – A long season came to a frustrating end Friday night at Farmington. The Indians (7-2) limited the Falcons to just two first downs as they rolled to a 42-0 victory – the most lopsided victory ever between the two schools. Farmington QB Steve Harrington completed 11-of-18 passes for a career-high 276 yards and 3 TDs while Sean Gerhart caught 5 passes for 144 yards and 2 TDs. Punter Blake Kryszpin had a 51-yard punt while Brad Seaman had Avon’s biggest play of the day – a 39-yard reverse in the fourth quarter.
No one on the Farmington sideline took the Falcons for granted, especially in wake of last year’s 25-14 loss in Avon. “We looked forward to this game for a year,” said FHS senior Mitch Alves, a defensive and offensive tackle. “That loss really crushed us. So we really worked hard in the offseason, lifted and ran.”
Avon vs. Farmington '04
Teams to play for new Maskery/McLellan trophy
FARMINGTON, Nov. 18 – Beginning Friday, the two teams will play for the Maskery-McLellan Trophy in honor of the two long-time coaches. Paul Maskery coached Farmington from 1969-82 and has the most wins in FHS football history (70-56-2). Glenn McLellan coached at Avon from 1966-91 and 1994 compiling a mark of 130-116-2. The team that wins will get to keep the trophy for a year. From 1969-95, the winner of the Avon/Farmington game took home the George T. Bennett Cup, named in honor of the former FHS principal (16 years), who died in July 1969.
Avon vs. Farmington '04
Farmington still has shot to claim a playoff berth
AVON, Nov. 15 – The latest CIAC playoff rankings aren’t good news for Avon. The Falcons’ final opponent of the season – archrival Farmington – still has an outside shot to qualify for the Class L tournament with a victory on Friday night at 7 p.m. at Farmington.
Farmington (6-2) is in fifth place behind Windsor Locks/Suffield, who hosts winless Stafford (0-9) on Thanksgiving Day. The Indians, who gave up 21 points in the fourth quarter of a stunning 28-22 loss to Plainville a week ago, may be able to sneak in with a win and a Windsor Locks loss. The top four teams qualify for the CIAC playoffs.
Avon, which had heartbreak of its own last week giving up a game-winning TD in the final 1:30 in a loss to Enfield, is looking to snap an eight-game losing streak.
Late TD pass lifts Enfield past Avon in 14-10 loss
AVON, Nov. 14 – Enfield rallied with a late TD to extend the frustration of the Avon High football team. John Nadeau caught a 19-yard TD pass from Pat Jubrey with 1:30 left to lift the Raiders to a 14-10 win on a frosty field surrounded by the first snow of the season. Avon, which took a 10-8 lead when Mike Brandao sacked Jubrey in the end zone in the third period, was in position for its first victory since opening day. Ben Ewbank led the Falcons with 162 yards on 25 carries with a TD.
Jubrey was too much for Avon (1-8, 0-8). He rushed for 152 yards on 12 carries, including a 77-yard TD run in the first quarter. He completed 8-of-15 passes for 125 yards passing. The game was moved to Sunday after about 2 inches of snow fell on Friday.
RHAM blanks Avon
ANDOVER, Nov. 6 – QB Tyler Ware threw for 246 yards and 2 TDs as Sachems (2-6) earned their second varsity win with a 34-0 shutout of Avon (1-7). Ware completed 11-of-18 passes. Ben Schadtle had 101 yards on the ground and had 91 yards receiving. The Falcons lost for the seventh straight week.
Brad Seaman, the team's leading receiver, caught 4 passes for 55 yards. He also added a pair of 18-yard runs for first downs and had a 19-yard punt return.
NW Catholic is too strong for Avon
WEST HARTFORD, Oct. 30 – Ben Ewbank scored on a 1-yard run in the first quarter to tie the game but the host Indians scored 40 unanswered points to beat the Falcons, 47-7. Joe Robinson rushed for 139 yards and 3 TDs for NW Catholic while Orlandus Lane had two interceptions for NWC, which improved to 6-1. Avon (1-6) lost its sixth straight game.
John Rowley had a 70-yard kickoff return to set up Avon's lone TD and had 106 yards in kickoff returns. Avon was hurt with six turnovers and playing without seven players suspended for disciplinary reasons.
FARMINGTON, Oct. 29 -- Dan Madey's 7-yard TD pass to Jon Brummel on 4th down with 4:41 left in the game lifted Berlin to a 35-28 win over Farmington in a battle of undefeated Nutmeg League teams.
AVON, Oct. 23 – Ben Ewbank ran for a career-high 140 yards and a touchdown but Plainville forced four Avon turnovers in the first half of a 41-12 victory. The Falcons coughed up a fumble and had three passes intercepted and returned for touchdowns. "They did a great job creating turnovers," Plainville coach Mike Archangelo told The Herald Press. "We spent a lot of time this week working on our secondary and getting our linebackers out. We had Avon scouted pretty well." Brad Seaman caught a 10-yard TD pass from Preston Anderson for the Falcons.
Inglis, Hawks run over Falcons for 1st victory
MIDDLETOWN, Oct. 16 -- Antonio Inglis scored 3 TDs and rushed for 142 yards to lead the Hawks past Avon at Palmer Field Saturday afternoon, 39-14. Ozzie Hill had a 33-yard interception return for Vinal Tech/Coginchaug (1-4). Ben Ewbank’s 79-yard run for a TD was the longest scoring play of the year for AHS (1-4, 0-4 Nutmeg) while Conor Mack scored his second TD of the season.
Rain washes out night game at Palmer
MIDDLETOWN, Oct. 15 – Rain washed out a night game for the Falcons at Palmer Field against Vinal Tech/Coginchaug. The game was rescheduled for Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m.
East Catholic/Cheney dominates Falcons
AVON, Oct. 9 – Preston Anderson threw a pair of TD passes and completed 11 of 20 passes for 171 yards but East Catholic/Cheney Tech was too strong in a 49-15 victory. The visiting Eagles led 42-0 before the Falcons (1-3, 0-3 Nutmeg) scored. Brad Seaman caught five passes for 104 yards and a touchdown while Eric Hertenstein had 90 yards of return yardage on seven kickoffs.
Dragons too hot for Avon
AVON, Oct. 2 – Jashone Cunningham ran for four TDs to lead Middletown to a 41-0 victory over Avon under the lights as the Falcons dropped their second straight game.
Terriers dominate Avon
ROCKY HILL, Sept. 23 – Just three days after playing its opening day contest on Monday afternoon, the Falcons were dominated by Rocky Hill in a 24-6 loss Thursday night. The Terriers (1-1) rushed for 229 yards on 42 carries and limiting Avon to just one first down until its final drive of the first half. Brad Seaman scored on a 59-yard TD pass from Preston Anderson for Avon in the fourth quarter. Alex Battaglino recovered two fumbles for Avon (1-1).
Falcons blank Wright Tech in opener
AVON, Sept. 20 – The Falcons pitched their first shutout on opening day since 1984 with a victory over Wright Tech-Stamford. Dane Mealey scored a pair of TDs while Mike Brandao rushed for a team-high 69 yards and a TD.
Ryan Fox added 44 yards on the ground, including a two runs for 21 yards on the first scoring drive of the game. Mealey capped off the 57-yard drive with a one-yard run. Mealey added his second TD on a 4-yard run on a drive set up by a 30-yard punt return by Eric Hertenstein. Dave Taylor recovered a fumble for the Falcons.
It was the ninth time that Avon has won its opener by shutout. Avon is now 24-21 on opening day.
Avon plays today against Wright Tech at 4:15 p.m.
AVON, Sept. 20 – The Falcons will host Wright Tech at 4:15 p.m. in the home opener for both schools today, it was announced this morning. The game was postponed by rain from Saturday.
Rain postpones opener
AVON, Sept. 18 – Avon’s season opener with Wright Tech-Stamford on Saturday was postponed due to the heavy rain. Officials from Avon and Wright Tech are working to try and get the game played on Monday either in Avon or under the lights at Stamford’s Boyle Stadium.
Falcons opener at home,
host night game Oct. 2
Avon's season opening contest with Wright Tech of Stamford has been moved to Avon on Saturday because Wright Tech could not secure Boyle Stadium. The Middletown game on Oct. 2 has been shifted to a night game at 7 p.m. at Avon. It will be one of four night games for the Falcons as they take the field for their 44th varsity campaign.
Avon finished with three wins in its final four games a year ago including a big upset win over Farmington. Avon opens the season with its first-ever game with Wright Tech followed by a Thursday night outing at Rocky Hill. The home opener is Oct. 2 against Middletown. Also on the schedule is a date with a first-year RHAM squad and a season-ending battle at arch-rival Farmington under the lights on Nov. 19.
Tri-captains named
AVON, Sept. 16 – Senior Brandon Sanford and Matthew Hamilton have been named tri-captains of the 2004 Avon High football team along with junior Alex Battaglino.
BRISTOL, June 9 – Former AHS captain Benjamin Lee, 22, was named as head coach for the St. Paul/Goodwin Tech football program. Lee was a three-year starter with the Falcons.
Farmington 42, Avon 0
At Farmington
Farmington (7-2) 14 21 7 0 – 42
Avon (1-9)
0 0 0 0 – 0
First quarter
F: Sean Gerhart 69 pass from Steve Harrington (Ryan Dunn kick), 8:01
F: Nick Bliss 1 run (Dunn kick), 2:19
Second quarter
F: Bliss 2 run (Dunn kick), 9:43
F: Gerhart 35 pass from Harrington (Dunn kick), 2:49
F: Bliss 1 run (Dunn kick), 0:23
Third quarter
F: Martin Jones 51 pass from Harrington (Dunn kick), 8:00
Individual statistics
RUSHING: Farmington – Chris Tropasso 3-12, Mark Wilson 3-26, Mike Peltier 2-2, Greg LeBlanc 6-5, Steve Harrington 2-20, Nick Bliss 15-83, James Fox 7-27, Mitch Alves 1-5; Avon – Ben Ewbank 18-20, Dane Mealey 1-1, Brad Seaman 1-39, Preston Anderson 3-7, Conor Mack 1-minus 1
PASSING: Farmington – Harrington 11-18-0, 276 yards; Avon – Anderson 3-4-0, 24 yards; Thomas Hannifan 0-1-0
RECEIVING: Farmington – R.J. Simeone 1-31, Martin Jones 3-76, Sean Gerhart 5-144, Reed Brown 1-19, Mackenzie Lewis 1-6; Avon – Eric Hertenstein 1-8, Brad Seaman 2-16
PUNTING: Avon – Blake Kryszpin 5-167 (avg. 33.4)
RETURNS: Avon – Kickoffs: Michael Brandao 3-18, Brad Seaman 3-40, Conor Mack 1-13; Punt: Seaman 1-0
Enfield 14, Avon 10
At Avon
Enfield (2-7)8 0 0 6 – 14
Avon (1-8) 0 8 2 0 – 10
First quarter
E: Pat Jubrey 77 run (Bob Caplette pass from Jubrey)
Second quarter
A: Ben Ewbank 4 run (Ewbank run)
Third quarter
A: Safety, Mike Brandao tackles Jubrey in end zone
Fourth quarter
E: John Nadeau 19 pass from Jubrey (pass fails)
Individual statistics
RUSHING: Avon – Ben Ewbank 25-162, Dane Mealey 6-5, Preston Anderson 1-minus 2, Conor Mack 3-4; Enfield – Pat Jubrey 12-152
PASSING: Avon – Tom Hannifan 0-1; Anderson 1-7-0, 6 yards; Enfield – Pat Jubrey 8-15-0, 125 yards
RECEIVING: Avon – Brad Seaman 1-6
PUNTING: Ryan Fox 6-140
RETURNS: Punts – Mitch Reynolds 1-7, Seaman 1-12, Mike Brandao 1-0; Kickoffs – John Rowley 1-6, Blake Kryspin 1-9
RHAM 34, Avon 0
At Andover
Avon (1-7) 0 0 0 0 -- 0
RHAM (2-6)14 7 0 13 -- 34
First quarter
R: Ben Schadtle 47 run (kick failed)
R: Schadtle 78 pass from Tyler Ware (Schadtle pass from Ware)
Second quarter
R: Troy Silva 6 run (Lyle Govoni kick)
Fourth quarter
R: Silva 20 pass from Ware (Govoni kick)
R: Hunter Finance 72 interception return (kick blocked)
Individual statistics
RUSHING: Avon -- Ben Ewbank 18-89, Dane Mealey 7-33, Brad Seaman 2-18, John Rowley 4-minus 1, Preston Anderson 1-minus1
PASSING: Avon -- Ewbank 0-1, Anderson 3-13-3, 28 yards; Tom Hannifan 2-3-0, 26
RECEIVING: Avon -- Brad Seaman 4-45, Jon Boffi 1-9
RETURNS: Seaman 1-6 kickoff, 1-19 punt, Mitch Reynolds 1-12 kickoff, Mike Brandao 1-18 kickoff, Boffi 1-9 kickoff, John Rowley 2-26 kickoff
PUNTS: Ryan Fox 3-86
N.W. Catholic 47, Avon 7
At West Hartford
Avon (1-6) 7 0 0 7 – 7
NW Catholic (6-1) 14 14 13 6 – 47
First quarter
NW: Mike Sarnese 45 run (Pete Bourdon kick)
A: Ben Ewbank 1 run (Dan Sullivan kick)
NW: Joe Robinson 4 run (Bourdon kick)
Second quarter
NW: Jon Larocque 3 run (Bourdon kick)
NW: Robinson 28 run (Bourdon kick)
Third quarter
NW: PeteAndruzkiewicz 82 fumble return (kick failed)
NW: Robinson 4 run (Bourdon kick)
Fourth quarter
NW: Sean Leary 6 pass from Mike Bourdon (kick failed)
Individual statistics
RUSHING: Avon -- Ewbank 18-51, Dane Mealey 7-19, Ryan Fox 1-minus 9, John Rowley 10-40, Danny Heelan 1-0
PASSING: Avon -- Danny Heelan 1-4-1, 9 yards; Tom Hannifan 2-5-1, 5 yards; Ben Ewbank 2-5-2, 21
RECEIVING: Avon -- Brad Seaman 2-21, Jon Boffi 1-9, Chris Hannifan 1-7, Ewbank 1-minus 2
RETURN YARDS: Alex Battaglino 2-24 kickoff, John Rowley 3-106 kickoff, Ben Ewbank 2-49 kickoff
Plainville 41, Avon 12
At Avon
Plainville (4-2) 28 7 7 0 -- 41
Avon (1-5) 0 6 0 6 -- 12
First quarter
P: Dan Czellecz 1 run (Corey Wise kick)
P: Tary Scott 77 run (Wise kick)
P: Aaron Benson 26 interception return (Wise kick)
P: Aaron Lee 52 interception return (Wise kick)
Second quarter
A: Brad Seaman 10 pass from Preston Anderson (kick failed)
P: Nick Barbagallo 60 interception return (Wise kick)
Third quarter
P: Scott 12 run (Wise kick)
Fourth quarter
A: Ben Ewbank 1 run (kick failed)
Individual statistics
RUSHING: Avon – Conor Mack 5-3, Ben Ewbank 23-140, Dane Mealey 10-55, Brad Seaman 1-5; Plainville -- Kevin Czellecz 5-15, T.C. Scott 10-123, Nick Forcella 8-53, Cam Vincellette 3-9, Tom Bouchard 2-6
PASSING: Avon – Tom Hannifan 0-1-1, 0 yards; Ewbank 0-1, Preston Anderson 3-9-2, 39 yards; Plainville -- Cam Vincelette 3-5-1, 33 yards
RECEIVING: Avon – Brad Seaman 2-86, Jon Boffi 1-11; PLainville -- Shawn Thibeault 2-14, Chris Boland 1-19
RETURN YARDAGE: Avon – Jon Rowley 1-19 (kickoff), Eric Hertenstein 2-34 (kickoff), Billy Kenyton 1-20 (kickoff)
PUNTING: Avon – Ryan Fox 4-86
Vinal Tech 39, Avon 14
At Middletown
Avon (1-4) 0 0 6 8 – 14
Vinal (1-4)14 25 0 0 -- 39
First quarter
VT: Antonio Inglis 63 run (Nick Amarante kick)
VT: Jovan Cofield 1 run (Amarante kick)
Second quarter
VT: Inglis 1 run (Amarante kick)
VT: Todd Manjuck 10 run (kick failed)
VT: Inglis 29 run (kick failed)
VT: Ozzie Hill 33 interception return (kick failed)
Third quarter
A: Ben Ewbank 79 run (kick failed)
Fourth quarter
A: Conor Mack 3 run (Mack run)
Individual statistics
RUSHING: Avon – Ben Ewbank 5-87, Alex Battaglino 6-17, Dane Mealey 7-46, Ryan Fox 1-minus 4, Conor Mack 3-22, Preston Anderson 2-minus 19
PASSING: Avon – Preston Anderson 0-5-1, 0 yards; Tom Hannifan 1-4-1, 11 yards
RECEIVING: Avon – Brad Seaman 1-11
RETURNS: Avon – Mike Brandao 1-20 (kickoff), Eric Hertenstein 5-93 (kickoff)
PUNTING: Avon – Ryan Fox 4-87
East Catholic 49, Avon 15
At Avon
East Cath/CT (4-0) 21 21 7 0 -- 49
Avon (1-3) 0 8 0 7 -- 15
First quarter
EC: Kyle Marandino 2 run (Mike McCormack kick)
EC: Eric Anderson 24 pass from Dan Belli (McCormack kick)
EC: Josh Charette 2 run (McCormack kick)
Second quarter
EC: Anderson 20 pass from Belli (McCormack kick)
EC: Courtland Wright 77 run (McCormack kick)
EC: Bell 7 run (McCormack kick)
A: Brad Seaman 38 pass from Preston Anderson (Seaman pass from Anderson)
Third quarter
EC: Anderson 41 run (McCormack kick)
Fourth quarter
A: Tim McDonald 6 pass from Anderson (Anderson kick)
Individual statistics
RUSHING: Avon – Ben Ewbank 18-39, Eric Hertenstein 6-minus 1, Dane Mealey 3-7, Preston Anderson 3-minus 5
PASSING: Avon – Preston Anderson 11-20-0, 171 yards; Ryan Fox 0-1-0
RECEIVING: Avon – Brad Seaman 5-104, Jon Boffi 2-24, Tim McDonald 4-43
RETURNS: Avon – Eric Hertenstein 7-90 (kickoffs), Conor Mack 1-5 (kickoff), Mike Brandao 1-5 (punt)
Middletown 41, Avon 0
At Avon
Middletown (2-1) 14 6 7 14 – 41
Avon (1-2) 0 0 0 0 -- 0
First quarter
M: Jashone Cunningham 14 run (Todd Hettrich kick)
M: Korey Spellar 5 run (Hettrich kick)
Second quarter
M: Cunningham 1 run (pass failed)
Third quarter
M: Michael Bradley 23 pass from Brian Tericza (Hettrich kick)
Fourth quarter
M: Cunningham 15 run (kick failed)
M: Cunningham 15 run (Alonzo Watson pass from Tericza)
Individual statistics
RUSHING – Avon: Dane Mealey 13-40, Ben Ewbank 11-79, Eric Hertenstein 8-3, Preston Anderson 3-minus 2, Conor Mack 1-minus 1, Brad Seaman 1-2
PASSING – Avon: Preston Anderson 2-10-1, 40 yards; Hertenstein 0-2-1, 0 yards
RECEIVING – Avon: Seaman 1-18, Jon Boffi 1-22
Punting – Avon: Ryan Fox 4-131,
Returns – Avon: Hertenstein 2-22 (kickoff), Alex Battaglino 1-7 (kickoff); Conor Mack 1-1 (kickoff)
Rocky Hill 24, Avon 6
At Rocky Hill
Avon (1-1) 0 0 0 6 – 6
Rocky Hill (1-1) 10 0 7 7 -- 24
First quarter
RH: Mark Fritz 9 run (Chris Tyler kick)
RH: Chris Tyler 37 FG
Second quarter
RH: Bobby Abate 37 run (Tyler kick)
Fourth quarter
RH: Fritz 13 run (Tyler kick)
A: Brad Seaman 59 pass from Preston Anderson (kick failed, Anderson)
Individual statistics
RUSHING: Rocky Hill – Mark Fritz 13-77, Bobby Abate 8-18, Greg Lappen 12-113, Doug Elliott 1-15, Brandon Held 6-28, Jorge Sierra 2-8; Avon – Mark Brando 3-minus 3, Ben Ewbank 8-21, Dana Measley 6-22, Ryan Fox 1-3
PASSING: Rocky Hill – Doug Elliott 5-8-0, 96; Avon – Preston Anderson 3-23-1, 68
RECEIVING: Rocky Hill – Scott Lucas 3-51, Greg Lappen 1-8, Bobby Abate 1-37; Avon – Brad Seaman 2-67, Jim Lee 1-1
Punting: Ryan Fox 7-237
Return yardage: Erin Hertenstein 3-17 (punts), 2-63 (kickoffs), Brad Seaman 2-29 (kickoffs)
Fumble recoveries: Alex Battaglino 2
Avon 28, Wright Tech 0
At Avon
Wright Tech (0-1) 0 0 0 0 – 0
Avon (1-0) 8 14 6 0 -- 28
First quarter
A: Dane Mealey 1 run (Mike Brando run)
Second quarter
A: Mealey 4 run (Preston Anderson kick)
A: Brandao 1 run (Anderson kick)
Third quarter
A: Conor Mack 1 run (kick failed)
Individual statistics
RUSHING: Avon – Mike Brando 13-69, Dane Mealey 6-25, Ryan Fox 4-44, Scott Warner 3-12, Ben Lauzon 4-7, Conor Mack 4-11, Ben Ewbank 2-20, Preston Anderson 3-minus 7
PASSING: Avon – Anderson 2-5-0, 21
RECEIVING: Avon – Jim Lee 1-7, Brad Seaman 1-14
MISSED FIELD GOALS: none
Fumble recovery: Dave Taylor 1
Return yardage: Eric Hertenstein 1-26 (kickoffs), 4-62 (punts); Brandao 1-2 (punts)
Punting: Ryan Fox 1-28
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