Football Preview: New Canaan ready to tackle Greenwich

Written by Dave Stewart
Friday, 06 November 2009 06:06

The Greenwich Cardinals went 8-3 last fall and have started the 2009 high school football season by winning six of their first seven games. That’s a winning record of 14-4 and, for just about any other team, would be cause for celebration.

But this is the Greenwich Cardinals we’re talking about — a program steeped in tradition and one which is used to hanging championship banners in its gymnasium, not sitting at home during the postseason.

The Cardinals will also be battling for their playoff lives when they host the New Canaan Rams in a key FCIAC clash Friday night at 7 p.m. in Cardinal Stadium.

New Canaan Head Coach Lou Marinelli, for one, is expecting a big crowd and a championship-caliber atmosphere.

“It’s always fun when New Canaan plays Greenwich,” the coach said. “Here we are and people have chosen us as the No. 1 team and here’s a chance to show what we can do. If we are, it’ll show. They have such a big following and they are passionate about their football. Richie Albonizo and his staff do a tremendous job. It has the big-college type feeling.”

The Rams are riding a 23-game winning streak and are ranked No. 1 in the State. They’ve won 28 of 29 and 32 of 34, and are 39-4 since the start of the 2006 season.

They’re also riding high after a big win over previously-undefeated St. Joseph on Homecoming two weeks ago, and a 42-7 victory over Wilton last Friday. In the latter game, they overcame a number of first-half mistakes to get the win, and the players will be looking to overcome those errors this week.

“As a captain of the football team, knowing all the guys, we’re very confident,” senior offensive lineman Geoff Young said. “We know they’re a very good football team and it’s going to be one helluva game. We’ve just got to eliminate the mistakes we made tonight and come out strong.”

“We’re usually a mistake-free ball club and next week, we’re going to have to eliminate all of those,” senior quarterback Turner Baty said. “We have to come out, have a great week of practice and really be clicking on all cylinders.”

The Cardinals opened the season with five wins before losing to Bridgeport Central, 14-13, in a mistake-riddled game. Greenwich bounced back with a rout of Westhill last week and has outscored its opponents 259-55.

The Cardinal offense centers around senior Mike Lefflbine, a 6-1, 190-pound quarterback who has 20 touchdowns this season.

Lefflbine has a 66.7 completion percentage, 1,127 passing yards with 12 TDs, and has been intrecepted just three times. He also leads the team in rushing with 34 carries for 257 yards and eight touchdowns.

“The big thing is he can run and he throws the ball well,” Marinelli said. “Overall, they’re a typical Greenwich team. They’re big, they’re tough and we’re going to be tested. The quarterback is what makes that offense go and we’re going to be tested.”

New Canaan’s defense, which has allowed fewer than 12 points per game will be tested by a Cardinal attack which has scored 37 per game.

“Every team has a little bit different personality and with a quarterback like that, you’ll have to change a few different things,” Marinelli said. “But (defensive coordinator) Joe Ditolla does such a great job getting the kids ready every week, and certainly we’ll spend some extra time getting ready this week. But I don’t think you can totally stop them, I think you have to try and contain them.”

Senior running backs Michael Dunster (5-11, 175 pounds) and Peter Cavini (5-9, 180) are also solid rushing threats for Greenwich. Dunster has the most carries and is averaging 3.66 yards per rush, and he also has 18 catches for 131 yards and three TDs.

Cavini is averaging 5.6 yards per carry, and has eight receptions for a team-high 231 yards. He also has six TDs — three rushing and three receiving.

Lefflbine receiving targets include senior Camryn Ferrara (5-6, 160), senior P.J. Schwabe (6-2, 155) and junior David Josephson (6-2, 175).

On defense, senior linebacker Michael Lerose (5-8, 175) leads the team with 38 tackles, including 22 solo. Senior Colin Bawol (5-10, 175) has 35 tackles, junior Ben Ceci (6-0, 200) has 32 tackles, and Schwabe has 28.

New Canaan’s offense enters the game on quite a tear, as Baty has thrown for at least 360 yards in the past three games, including last week’s 383-yard, six-touchdown performance. Baty has thrown for 1,464 yards this season and has 16 TDs with just three picks.

Senior co-captain Cody Newton has been the prime target with 41 catches for 817 yards and six touchdowns, while senior co-captain Willie Ouellette (15-191, TD) and junior Kevin Macari (25-520, 7 TDs) are also standouts.

“Obviously, the more (Baty) runs the offense, the better he’s going to get,” Marinelli said. “When a kid has an arm like that, it certainly helps, and we have some really good receivers. Willie’s adjusted and has had success, so people have to watch him all the time. Cody Newton was our second-leading receiver last year and has made some circus catches this year, and Macari and the running backs have done well. There’s a core of guys there who are playing very well, and the guys behind them aren’t bad either.”

And when it comes right down to it, playing a fellow FCIAC powerhouse, with a lot on the line in front of what is sure to be a huge and raucus crowd is what every kid dreams of, Marinelli pointed out.

“What a thrill for all our kids to go down in that atmosphere and play,” the coach said. “It doesn’t get any better than this.”