Individual leaders
FINAL, 11 games
RUSHING Att-Yds TDs
A'mendngr 144-1278 13
McDonald 61-694 6
Blackmore 56-469 7
Dlugolecki 51-229 8
Del Gallo 34-204 3
Asberry 18-94 1
Meaney 10-59 1
Jones 6-62 0
Kirk 1-10 0
Baldwin 9-32 0
DeBarardino 5-2 0
Gill 1-8 0
Bonalumi 1-2 0
Williams 1-1 0
PASSING C-Att-Int Yds TDs
Del Gallo 37-66-4 703 7
McDonald 6-18-0 150 1
DeBarardino 0-6-1 0 0
Allmendngr 0-1-0 0 0
RECEIVING C-Yds TD
Kirk 17-428 5
Meaney 12-235 2
Williams 9-98 1
McDonald 2-33 0
A'mendngr 2-18 0
Del Gallo 1-36 0
Dlugolecki 1-9 0
Blackmore 1-3 0
POINTS (11 games)
TDs PAT 2pt Pts
A'mendngr 13-0 0 0 84(f)
Dlugolecki 8-0 0 1 62(f)(f)
Getz 0-0 41 0 47*
Blackmore 7-0 0 1 44
McDonald 6-0 0 0 36
Kirk 0-5 0 0 30
Meaney 1-2 0 1 20
Del Gallo 3-0 0 0 18
Ausberry 1-0 0 0 12 (f)
Williams 0-1 0 0 6
Bonalumi 1-0 0 0 6
Donahue 0-0 0 0 6 (f)
(f) Recovered fumble for TD
*Kicked 2 FG
FIELD GOALS (2-3): Getz 33, 32
PATs: Getz 41-49
Avon 48, Gilbert/NWR 7
At Avon
Gilbert/NWR (4-7) 0 0 0 7 -- 7
Avon (7-4) 21 13 14 0 -- 48
First quarter
A: Jamie Dlugolecki 2 run (Alden Getz kick), 9:49
A: Geoff Kirk 17 pass from Sean Del Gallo (Getz kick), 5:41
A: Teddy Allmendinger 8 run (Getz kick), 3:00
Second quarter
A: Dlugolecki 9 run (Getz kick), 9:57
A: Del Gallo 2 run (kick blocked), 6:47
Third quarter
A: Allmendinger 45 run (Getz kick), 6:53
A: Andrew Blackmore 24 run (Getz kick), 1:09
Fourth quarter
G: Nieves 2-yard run (Columbie kick), 1:44
Individual statistics
RUSHING – Avon: Del Gallo 7-71, Allmendinger 10-148, Dlugolecki 2-11, Blackmore 3-85, Gill 1-8, Folkwein 1-1, Jones 1-3, Asberry 1-4; Gilbert/NWR – Nieves 8-42, Tellier 8-23, Rouleau 4-15, Franklin 21-84, Perschino 2-3
PASSING – Avon: Del Gallo 4-8-0, 99; Gilbert/NWR: Tellier 6-17-0, 77
RECEIVING: Avon: Kirk 3-97, Jordan Williams 1-2; Gilbert/NWR: Kreh 3-55, Schiffer 1-7, Mulligan 1-15, Franklin 1-0
Canton 27, Avon 21, OT
At Canton
Avon (6-4)
0 14 0 7 0 – 21
Canton (9-1) 0 7 7 7 6 – 27
Second quarter
C: Dan Delos 4 run (Eddie Melton kick), 8:53
A: Andrew Blackmore 41 run (Alden Getz kick), 7:37
A: Sean Del Gallo 1 run (Getz kick), 2:13
Third quarter
C: Sebby Gumbs 52 run (Melton kick), 9:54
Fourth quarter
A: Del Gallo 1 run (Getz kick), 10:47
C: Cam Daley 26 run (Melton kick), 5:20
Overtime
C: Delos 5 run
MISSED FG: Getz 25, Melton 30
Individual statistics
RUSHING: Avon – Andrew Blackmore 8-63, Teddy Allemendinger 10-90, Jamie Dlugolecki 10-32, Sean Del Gallo 11-44; Canton – Cam Daley 3-38, Sebby Gumbs 20-149, Dan Delos 26-113, Henry Bonini 1-2, Brock Steinfeldt 1-2, Eddie Melton 1-0
PASSING: Avon – Del Gallo 3-7-1, 21; Canton – Daley 4-7-1, 19, Gumbs 0-1-0
RECEIVING: Avon – Geoff Kirk 2-7, Luke Meaney 1-14; Canton – Alex Higley 1-6, Eddie Melton 1-2, Sebby Gumbs 1-0, Henry Bonini 1-11
RETURNS: Kickoffs – Jordan Williams (A) 3-56, Sebby Gumbs (C) 3-64, Eddie Melton (C) 1-28; Punts – Gumbs (C) 1-5
INTERCEPTIONS: Daley (C) 1-0, Meaney (A) 1-0; FUMBLE RECOVERIES: Delos (C), Gumbs (C)
Valley Reg./Old Lyme 17, Avon 9
At Avon
Valley/OL (9-0) 0 3 7 7 — 17
Avon (6-3) 3 0 6 0 — 9
First quarter
A: Alden Getz 32 FG, 0:12
Second quarter
VR: Jared Roche 20 FG, 8:55
Third quarter
A: Teddy Allmendinger 1 run (kick fails), 8:43
VR: Christopher Jean Pierre 40 run (Roche kick), 5:59
Fourth quarter
VR: Pierre 74 run (Roche kick), 0:53
Individual statistics
RUSHING: Avon – Teddy Allmendinger 16-100, Andrew Blackmore 4-19, Ian McDonald 17-106, Jamie Dlugolecki 11-45, Luke Meany 1-minus 9; Valley Regional/OL – Christopher Jean Pierre 14-226, Andrew Tuscano 1-3, Justin Cheverier 13-52, Evan Smith 5-48
PASSING: Avon – McDonald 1-3-0, 30; Sean Del Gallo 3-7-1, 49; Valley Regional/OL – Pierre 6-11-0, 58
RECEIVING: Avon – Geoff Kirk 2-46, Ian McDonald 2-33; Valley Regional/OL – Justin Cheverier 4-36, Smith 1-16, Tuscano 1-6
FUMBLE RECOVERY: Sean Del Gallo (A), Jamie Dlugolecki (A); Tyler Cheverier (V), Christopher Jean Pierre (V); INTERCEPTION: Andrew Tuscano (V); SACKS: Geoff Kirk (A) 1½, Tyler Cheverier (V) 1, Jamie Dlugolecki (A) ½
KICKOFF RETURNS: Del Gallo (A) 4-70, Justin Cheverier (V) 1-15, Pierre (V) 1-10, Smith (V) 1-25
Avon 62,
Windsor Locks/Suff/EG 34
At Suffield
Avon (6-2)13 15 20 14 -- 62
Win. Locks (5-3) 12 8 0 14 -- 34
First quarter
WL: Jarvis Miller 3 run (kick failed)
A: Jamie Dlugolecki 5 run (kick failed)
WL: Miller 75 kickoff return (kick failed)
A: Dlugolecki 3 run (Alden Getz kick)
Second quarter
A: Teddy Allmendinger 7 run (Dlugolecki run)
WL: Khamri Thomas 32 run (Miller run)
A: Ian McDonald 32 run (Andrew Blackmore run)
Third quarter
A: Dlugolecki 5 run (Getz kick)
A: McDonald 68 run (kick fails)
A: Luke Meaney 13 run (run fails)
Fourth quarter
A: Andrew Blackmore 7 run (Getz kick)
WL: Miller 36 run (kick fails)
A: McDonald 80 run (Getz kick)
WL: Andy Cordova 1 run (Bruce D’Agata run)
Individual statistics
RUSHING: Avon – Ian McDonald 21-265, Teddy Allmendinger 21-238, Jamie Dlugolecki 15-81, Andrew Blackmore 10-60, Luke Meaney 5-37, Sean Del Gallo 2-21, Nick Baldwin 2-5
PASSING: Avon – McDonald 0-3-0
RECEIVING: Avon – none
RETURNS: Avon – Danny Taylor 2-31 (kickoffs)
Avon 49, Coventry/Windham Tech/Bolton 6
At Coventry
Avon (5-2)21 14 14 0 49
Coventry (1-6)0 0 0 6 -- 6
First quarter
A: Teddy Allmendinger 8 run (kick failed)
A: Jamie Dlugolecki 4 run (Luke Meaney pass from Sean Del Gallo)
A: Geoff Kirk 5 pass from Ian McDonald (Alden Getz kick)
Second quarter
A: McDonald 62 run (Getz kick)
A: Allmendinger 4 run (Getz kick)
Third quarter
A: Gino Bonalumi 2 run (Getz kick)
A: McDonald 9 run (Getz kick)
Fourth quarter
C: unknown 75 kickoff (kick blocked)
Individual statistics
RUSHING: Avon – Teddy Allmendinger 4-21, Ian McDonald 10-164, Andrew Blackmore 5-86, Jamie Dlugolecki 4-25, Gino Bonalumi 1-2, Dylan Burgos 3-6, Baldwin 6-26, Leon Asberry 4-5, Jordan Williams 1-1
PASSING: Avon – Ian McDonald 5-12-0, 120; Sean Del Gallo 1-1-0, 2
RECEIVING: Avon – Geoff Kirk 3-66, Luke Meaney 2-10, Jordan Williams 1-8, Sean Del Gallo 1-36
North Branford 47, Avon 7
At Avon
Avon (4-2) 0 0 0 7 – 7
N. Branford (5-1) 14 7 13 13 – 47
First quarter
NB: Eddie Miller 17 run (Andrew Sarmento kick)
NB: Miller 9 run (Sarmento kick)
Second quarter
NB: Austin Calamita 69 pass from Miller (Sarmento kick)
Third quarter
NB: Shelby Franklin 39 pass from Paul Pastet (kick fails)
NB: Calamita 39 fumble recovery (Sarmento kick)
Fourth quarter
A: Andrew Blackmore 72 run (Alden Getz kick)
NB: Calamita 30 pass from Pastet (kick fails)
NB: Tyler Hawk 1 run (Rachel Sokoloff kick)
Individual statistics
RUSHING: North Branford – Shelby Franklin 5-46, Nick Sagnella 11-37, Tyler Hawk 4-35, Dylan Nowak 5-32, C. Iuteri 4-12, Calamita 1-3, Cory Seymour 1-1, Paul Pastet 3-1; Avon – Teddy Allmendinger 16-89, Andrew Blackmore 1-72, Ian McDonald 9-58, Sean Del Gallo 6-46, Luke Meaney 2-16, Dom DeBerardino 2-5
PASSING: North Branford – Eddie Miller 2-3-0, 87; Paul Pastet 3-5-0, 83; Avon – Sean Del Gallo 3-13-1, 18; Dom DeBerardino 0-3-0, Teddy Allmendinger 0-1-0
RECEIVING: North Branford – Franklin 1-39, Calamita 3-11, M. Chamberlain 1-18; Avon – Geoff Kirk 1-8, Jamie Dlugolecki 1-9, Jordan Williams 1-1
KICKOFFS: Jordan Williams (A) 7-110
Avon 34, Enfield 0
At Avon
Avon (4-1) 14 14 0 6 – 34
Enfield (1-4) 0 0 0 0 — 0
First quarter
A: Teddy Allmendinger 60 run (Alden Getz kick), 11:13
A: Jordan Williams 27 pass from Sean Del Gallo (Getz kick), 9:53
Second quarter
A: Allmendinger 46 run (Getz kick), 10:52
A: Andrew Blackmore 9 run (Getz kick), 1:00
Fourth quarter
A: Luke Meaney 80 pass from Del Gallo (kick failed), 4:05
Individual statistics
RUSHING: Avon – Teddy Allmendinger 9-180, Andrew Blackmore 2-16, Jamie Dlugolecki 1-2, Sean Del Gallo 2-15, Luke Meany 2-31
PASSING: Avon – Sean Del Gallo 7-12-1, 149
RECEIVING: Avon – Luke Meaney 3-98, Geoff Kirk 1-20, Jordan Williams 3-31
Avon 48,
SMSA/University 0
At Hartford
Avon (3-1)21 13 14 0 -- 48
SMSA/Univ. (0-4) 0 0 0 0 -- 0
First quarter
A: Teddy Allmendinger 1 run (Alden Getz kick), 10:19
A: Allmendinger 3 run (Getz kick), 5:15
A: Geoff Kirk 26 pass from Sean Del Gallo (Getz kick), 0:11
Second quarter
A: Leon Asberry recovers fumble in end zone (Getz kick), 10:29
A: Luke Meaney 15 pass from Del Gallo (kick fails), 4:36
Third quarter
A: Jamie Dlugolecki 7 run (Getz kick), 10:24
A: John Jones 10 run (Getz kick), 3:27
Individual statistics
RUSHING: Avon – John Jones 6-62, Leon Asberry 9-60, Nick Baldwin 1-1, Sean Del Gallo 3-7, Andrew Blackmore 6-22, Jamie Dlugolecki 4-22, Geoff Kirk 1-10, Teddy Allmendinger 10-74; SMSA/Univ – Team 2-minus 14, Jordan Young 2-10, Allen Walker 13-59, Blake Breglia 1-minus 3, Pharoh Mathis 8-18
PASSING: Avon – Del Gallo 9-12-0, 126; SMSA/Univ. – Breglia 9-21-3, 112; Jack Forbes 1-3-0, 7
RECEIVING: Avon – Jordan Williams 2-22, Kirk 2-59, Allmendinger 2-18, Luke Meaney 2-24, Blackmore 1-3; SMSA/Univ. – Allen Walker 1-8, Devyn Lozada 3-41, Daunte Brinkley 3-43, Nickolas Lajara 2-20, Devon Daniels 1-7
KICKOFF RETURNS: Avon – Williams 1-64; SMSA – Daunte Brinkley 2-55, Jordan Young 5-49, Allen Chan 1-4
INTERCEPTIONS: Meaney (A) 1-33, Kirk (A) 1-18, Jones (A) 1-4; FUMBLE RECOVERY: Jake Corrigan (A) 1-0; SACK: Kurt Ollstead (A) 1-3
Avon 42,
Stafford/East Windsor 6
At Avon
Stafford/EW (0-3) 0 6 0 0 — 6
Avon (2-1) 21 14 0 7 — 42
First quarter
A: Jamie Dlugolecki 89 fumble return (Alden Getz kick)
A: Teddy Allmendinger 17 run (Getz kick)
A: Sam Donahue recovers blocked punt in end zone (Getz kick)
Second quarter
A: Geoff Kirk 35 pass from Sean Del Gallo (Getz kick)
S: unknown 1 run
Fourth quarter
A: Leon Asberry 22 run (Getz kick)
Avon 50, Granby 21
At Granby
Avon (1-1)16 14 20 0 -- 50
Granby (0-2)0 0 14 7 -- 21
First quarter
A: Geoff Kirk 30 pass from Sean Del Gallo (kick fails), 9:45
A: Teddy Allmendinger 30 fumble return (Alden Getz kick), 6:49
A: Getz 33 FG, 0:25
Second quarter
A: Allmendinger 3 run (Getz kick), 11:18
A: Andrew Blackmore 2 run (Getz kick), 0:21
Third quarter
A: Blackmore 22 run (Getz kick), 11:07
G: Connor Field 70 pass from Dominic Pagano (Mark McDermott kick), 10:03
A: Jamie Dlugolecki 1 run (Getz kick), 3:00
A: Dlugolecki 20 fumble return (kick fails), 2:40
G: Field 77 kickoff return (Fred Moffa kick), 2:25
Fourth quarter
G: Field 25 pass from Pagano (Moffa kick), 7:52
Individual statistics
RUSHING: Avon – Teddy Allmendinger 20-137, Jamie Dlugolecki 4-11, Andrew Blackmore 6-27, Sean Del Gallo 2-0, Leon Ashbury 2-2; Granby – Dom Pagano 15-39, Connor Field 11-37, Logan Strain 5-15, Tyler Disbella 1-0, Trevon Samuels 1-5, Jacob Hauser 1-9, Gage Fiorentino 8-3
PASSING: Avon – Del Gallo 6-10-0, 172; Granby - -Pagano 4-6-0, 128
RECEIVING: Avon – Geoff Kirk 2-82, Luke Meaney 3-75, Jordan Williams 1-15; Connor Field 4-128
RETURNS: Granby – Field 7-170 (kickoffs); Avon – Dominic Martinez 2-0 (kickoffs)
Ellington/Somers 28,
Avon 14
At Avon
Ell/Somers (1-0) 0 7 14 7 – 28
Avon (0-1) 7 0 0 7 -- 14
First quarter
A: Ian McDonald 51 run (Alden Getz kick), 9:59
Second quarter
E: Mark Hickman 35 pass from Nathan Lajoie (Julian Herms kick), 0:00
Third quarter
E: Hickman 78 pass from Christian Rider (Herms kick), 10:58
E: Hickman 72 run (Herms kick), 7:26
Fourth quarter
E: Hickman 4 run (Herms kick), 5:53
A: Teddy Allmendinger 5 run (Getz kick), 5:05
Individual statistics
RUSHING: Avon – Teddy Allmendinger 25-129, Ian McDonald 4-101, Andrew Blackmore 11-19, Dom DeBerardino 3-minus 3, Sean Del Gallo 1-0; Ellington/Somers – Christian Rider 11-35, Mark Hickman 8-115, Izaiah Castro-Vega 4-minus 1, Derek Litty 8-6, Zach Luginbuhl 1-minus 2, Stephen Griffin 1-0
PASSING: Avon – DeBerardino 0-3-1, 0; Del Gallo 2-7-1, 30; Ellington/Somers – Rider 10-15-1, 161; Nathan Lajoie 1-1-0, 35
RECEIVING: Avon – Geoff Kirk 1-16, Luke Meaney 1-14; Ellington/Somers – Ben Kloter 1-15, Castro-Vega 2-24, Litty 2-16, Joseph Mongillo 1-7, Shane McGowan 1-1, Hickman 4-136
RETURNS: Avon – McDonald 1-4 (punt), Jordan Williams 2-53 (punts), 1-15 (kickoff), Meaney 3-63 (kickoffs)
SACKS: Avon – Allmendinger 1-10, Ryan Rogers 1-7, Blackmore ½-3, Gino Bonalumi ½-3
INTERCEPTIONS: Jamie Dlugolecki (A) 1-0; Wellington Silva (E) 1-15, Daniel Hayes (E) 1-0; FUMBLE RECOVERY: Silva (E) 2
Avon has five players on All-Uncas Division team
Rogers earns All-State honors
AVON, Dec. 31 -- Avon, in its final year in the Pequot Conference, had five players named to the All-Uncas Division squad. Avon’s Geoff Kirk (WR/TE), Harrison Gill (T), Ryan Rogers (G), Teddy Allmendinger (LB) and defensive lineman Jamie Dlugolecki were named to the All-Uncas team. Rogers was also named to the CHSCA Class M All-State team. Click on the link to learn more about each player.
Falcons finish season with big win over Yellowjackets
AVON, Nov. 25 — The Avon High football team ended its season and its membership in the Pequot Conference in style on Tuesday evening with a 48-7 thrashing of longtime rival Gilbert/Northwestern. “Record-wise, it wasn’t where we wanted to be,” Falcons head coach Jim Caouette said. “But I’m so proud of these kids because they fight and they fight hard, every single game for 48 minutes.”
Avon (7-4, 7-2 Pequot Uncas) came out of the locker room fired up, scoring on its first five possessions, racing out to a 34-0 lead.
Canton rallies to beat Avon in OT
CANTON, Nov. 15 – Twice, Avon took a seven-point lead over Canton in Saturday’s Pequot Conference Uncas Division showdown. But the Falcons couldn't extend the lead.
The Warriors forced three Avon turnovers. They missed a potential game-winning field goal with 21 seconds remaining in regulation but made two big defensive stops in overtime. And then, Canton won it in OT when Dan Delos scored on a five-yard run for a 27-21 victory.
The victory gives Canton (9-1, 8-0) the Pequot Uncas Division title – its first league championship since 1958 and keeps the Warriors in the hunt for their first-ever CIAC playoff berth. Avon (6-4, 6-2 Pequot Uncas) saw their Class M playoff hopes all but vanish.
“Our kids fought hard and played hard,” Avon coach Jim Caouette said. “The bottom line is that if we don’t turn the ball over twice (on fumbles) again, we win the football game. I guess I’m not doing my job if I haven’t taught them how to not turn the ball over in crucial situations.”
Much on the line in final Canton vs. Avon football game
AVON, Nov. 12 -- With two games remaining in the regular season, Canton (8-1, 7-0 Pequot Uncas) has an opportunity to win its first league championship since 1958. They need to beat Avon, a team that has won five Pequot Uncas Division titles in the last seven years and has earned three playoff berths in the last six years. Avon (6-2, 6-1 Pequot Uncas) is hoping to keep their own flickering playoff hopes alive with victories in their two last games.
With so much on the line for both teams, Avon and Canton will meet for the 10th and final time on the football field Saturday at 1:30 p.m. in Canton. Both teams have games remaining on Thanksgiving morning but this week’s game looms as a season-defining contest for both schools.
Roots of Canton, Avon rivalry date back to 30s
They play for the final time on Saturday. Canton and Avon, whose football roots are intertwined with each other, hit the field on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. at Canton High. With a victory, the Warriors can win their first league championship since 1958.
Canton (8-1, 7-0 Pequot Uncas) can also take a giant step toward a possible spot in the CIAC Class S tournament with a win. Avon (6-3, 6-1 Pequot Uncas) is looking to keep their Class L playoff hopes alive along with the potential of claiming a share of the Uncas Division title for one last time. Next fall, Avon will join the Central Connecticut Conference and this rivalry will come to a close.
The two schools have a long tradition together in football. Most of it was playing as one team for nearly 30 years.
Turnovers sting Falcons in loss to Valley Regional
AVON, Nov. 8 -- Trailing by one point, Avon fumbled away the ball twice in the fourth quarter inside the Valley Regional 10-yard line. That helped the visiting Warriors remain undefeated with a 17-9 Pequot Conference victory. The Falcons fell to 6-3 and saw their hopes for the Class M playoff berth damaged. The top eight teams qualify for the state tournament and Avon is ranked No. 10. The Falcons would need to beat Canton (8-1) and Gilbert/Northwestern (4-5) and hope some of the teams in front of them lose.
The Warriors forced the turnovers. Leading 10-9, Valley Regional’s Andrew Tuscano stripped the ball away from Avon QB Ian McDonald on the Warrior six-yard line with 9:41 remaining in the game. With 2:04 remaining, Avon’s Teddy Allmendinger lost the ball on the Valley nine-yard line after it was jarred by the helmet of Valley’s Tyler Cheverier.
Record-setting win over Raiders for hard-running Avon
SUFFIELD, Nov. 1 – The Avon High football team piled up the points on a wet, cold and rainy Saturday night in Suffield rushing for a school record nine touchdowns and over 700 yards in a 62-34 decision over the co-op team of Windsor Locks/Suffield/East Granby.
Avon (6-2, 6-1 Pequot Uncas) hopes to use a similar plan when they host undefeated Valley Regional/Old Lyme (8-0) on Saturday at Avon High at 1 p.m. The defending Pequot Conference champion Warriors have qualified for the CIAC playoffs in three of the past four seasons and have won 20 straight Pequot Conference games dating back to 2012.
“Our game plan is to play great defense and not turn the ball over,” Avon coach Jim Caouette said. “When you turn over the football bad things happen. If we can play great defense and grind it out, we’ll have a good shot to beat them.”
McDonald helps Avon roll past Coventry for 5th win
COVENTRY, Oct. 24 -- Ian McDonald, who began the year as the starting QB, is back in the lineup and ran for a career-high 164 yards and two touchdowns in a 49-9 Pequot Uncas Division win over an undermanned and young Coventry/Windham Tech/Bolton squad on Friday night.
McDonald was injured in the season-opening loss to Ellington/Somers and missed four games. Against the Patriots, McDonald led Avon on four scoring drives. Sean Del Gallo, who stepped in to play quarterback after McDonald was hurt, led Avon on three scoring drives. McDonald completed 5-of-12 passes for 120 yards and a touchdown.
Avon placed into CCC Division II West next fall
AVON, Oct. 20 -- The move of Avon High to the Central Connecticut Conference is still more than 10 months away but the CCC has announced a realignment of its teams to accommodate the addition of the Falcons. Avon will become the 33rd member of the largest scholastic league in the state in September 2015.
The football team will play in the CCC Division II Western Division with Newington, Wethersfield, Platt, Maloney, Bristol Eastern and Bristol Central. The Middletown Press is speculating that Avon will have a game with Middletown next year.
Thunderbirds get the jump on Avon
NORTH BRANFORD, Oct. 17 -- The North Branford High football team ran for over 233 yards and three touchdowns while two Thunderbird quarterbacks combined to throw three TD passes in a 47-7 win over Avon on Friday night.
The Thunderbirds (5-1) had a 34-0 lead before the Falcons (4-2) could get on the scoreboard with a 72-yard run by Andrew Blackmore. North Branford’s defense was solid. They had a season-high 98 tackles including six for a loss. The Thunderbirds forced two Avon turnovers (one fumble, one interception).
Quick start propels Avon to 4th straight
AVON, Oct. 10 – The Avon High football team took care of business quickly on Friday night. The Falcons scored twice in the first 2:07 of the game to win its fourth straight game with a 34-0 win over Enfield under portable lights at the high school. Teddy Allmendinger scored two touchdowns and ran for more than 170 yards. Sean Del Gallo threw a pair of touchdown passes to freshman Jordan Williams and Luke Meaney.
“Our defense stepped up,” Avon coach Jim Caouette said. “They have some decent athletes and we played good assignment football. Offensively, we executed very well.”
Turnovers help Avon win third straight
HARTFORD, Oct. 2 – A more focused Avon High squad ripped off its third straight win with a dominating victory over SMSA/University, 48-0 at Dillon Stadium on Thursday night. Avon (3-1, 3-1 Pequot Uncas) forced five turnovers (3 interceptions, 2 fumble returns) in the win. QB Sean Del Gallo completed 9 of 12 passes for 126 yards and a touchdown.
Falcons dominate Stafford/E. Windsor
AVON, Sept. 27 -- The Falcons ran out to a quick 35-point lead in the second quarter and coasted to a 46-2 victory over winless Stafford/East Windsor in a Pequot Uncas contest.
Senior Jamie Dlugolecki earned himself a spot in the Avon High record book, scooping up a fumble and running a record 89 yards for a touchdown. It is the longest fumble return for a TD in school history, breaking the old mark of 45 yards set by Tyler D’Onofrio against Coventry/Windham Tech in 2009.
It’s Dlugolecki’s second fumble return for a TD in two weeks. He had a 20-yard fumble return against Granby.
Avon defense recovers 6 fumbles in win over Granby
GRANBY, Sept. 19 -- Granby fumbled eight times and lost six as Avon dominated in a 50-21 victory Friday night under the lights. The Falcons ran back two fumbles for touchdowns and rebounded from an opening week loss to Ellington/Somers. Jamie Dlugolecki recovered three fumbles and ran one back 20 yards for a touchdown. Teddy Allmendinger had a 30-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown along with a three-yard touchdown run. Allmendinger ran for a game-high 137 yards on 20 carries.
Big plays, injuries hurt in loss to Ellington/Somers
AVON, Setp. 13 -- Ellington/Somers' Mark Hickman scored four touchdowns, including a tipped pass for a touchdown at the end of the second quarter, as the Purple Knights picked up a very satisfying 28-14 win. It was just the second win ever for Ellington/Somers over Avon in nine tries.
“We had this one circled on our calendar since last year’s game," Ellington coach Sean Byrne said. "We felt we were embarrassed so we really got after it. The kids wanted this one and it showed.”
Things didn’t go as planned for the Falcons.
Starting QB Ian McDonald was hurt on Avon’s second offensive series. He injured his wrist and he could miss six-to-eight weeks. Backup quarterback sophomore Dom DeBerardino hurt his shoulder early in the third quarter. The Falcons turned the ball over three times with an interception and two fumbles – one on the goal line. While Avon had 2 ½ sacks and an interception, they gave up some big plays to the Purple Knights.
“I did not prepare this football team well enough to win,” Avon coach Jim Caouette said. “This is strictly my fault. They outcoached us. They were more physical than we were. Shame on me for not getting the job done.”
Game 1 preview
Ellington/Somers (6-5)
at Avon (8-3), 1 p.m.
Outlook: Avon begins its final season in the Pequot Conference with a home game against Ellington/Somers. The Falcons will have a new QB under center this fall but a majority of the offensive line and defensive lines return led by All-Pequot guard Ryan Rogers, a third-year starter and guard Gino Bonalumi and center Dean Zacchio. Junior Teddy Allmendinger should make an impact on both sides of the ball. … Ellington is a young, junior-dominated squad, led by receivers Mark Hickman (12 TDs), Shane McGowan and Ben Kloter, who combined to catch 36 passes for 688 yards last fall. Ellington needs to find a replacement for All-Pequot QB Joe Lesile, who led the team in passing (1,132 yards) and rushing (907) last season. … Former Ellington teammate Austin Tautkas, a 19-year-old sophomore at Western Connecticut State, died in a car accident over the summer
Opening day records: Avon 28-26
Series: Began 2006. Avon leads, 7-1
2013 preview
Falcons look to contend for Uncas title and playoff bid
AVON -- It will be a special year for the Falcons. It is their final season in the Pequot Conference before Avon joins the Central Connecticut Conference next fall. Avon will play on Thanksgiving morning for the first time when they host Gilbert/Northwestern at the high school. Avon went 8-3 a year ago, losing three games by a combined total of seven points. “Practices are very crisp,” Avon High coach Jim Caouette said. “These kids are focused. We don’t have to get on them about paying attention.” Why? “They saw how close we were last year,” he said.
Avon’s expectations haven’t changed – contend for the Pequot Conference Uncas Division title and a Class M playoff berth.
Lots of energy as Avon begins preseason workouts for season
AVON, Aug. 14 – The Avon High football team held its first preseason conditioning workouts Thursday night at the high school. Second-year coach Jim Caouette wants to build on last year’s 8-3 record. Avon has two scrimmages to help prepare for the 2014 campaign -- Watertown at home on Wednesday, Aug. 27, at 5 p.m. and a road game at Newington on Sept. 4.
Avon to play on Thanksgiving for first time this fall
AVON, May 26 – For the first time in its history, the Avon High football team will play football on Thanksgiving this fall. The Falcons are scheduled to host rival Gilbert/ Northwestern on Thursday morning, Nov. 27 at 10:30 a.m.
“There is nothing like the atmosphere of a Thanksgiving Day football game,” Avon High coach Jim Caouette said. “It brings so much out of the kids and the fans. It is really a tremendous thing for high school football.”
In its 54-year history, Avon has never played on Thanksgiving or even on the week of Thanksgiving. They are one of the few schools in the state never to have played on Thanskgiving. Caouette wanted to play a Thanksgiving game and he found a willing opponent in Gilbert/Northwestern.
Pequot moves back to
two division format
AVON, May 26 -- With Housatonic dropping its varsity program due to a low number of players, the Pequot Conference has modified its schedule and divisions. In 2013, the Pequot moved to a three division format with seven teams in each division (West, North, South). With 20 varsity teams, the league is moving back to its two division format (Uncas and Sassacus) that the Pequot used from 1993 to 2012.
CCC votes to admit Avon
AVON, April 4 – Avon will make its long-talked about jump to the Central Connecticut Conference in September 2015. On Thursday night, the CCC voted to accept the Falcons as the league’s 33rd member. Avon will join the CCC in all sports, including football. Avon will play one final season in the Pequot Conference in 2014.
Can Avon be competitive as a member of the CCC?
AVON, April 4 – The Central Connecticut Conference has voted to accept Avon as a member beginning in September 2015. Can the football program compete in the league? Sure. But it will be more competitive. The Falcons can look forward to resuming their dormant rivalry with Farmington in football.
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