Athletics

XAVIER FALCONS
FOOTBALL

2000 SEASON
9 Wins, 2 Losses
SCC, Quinnipiac Division Champions
City of Middletown Champions
Connecticut Class LL State Semi-Finalists
2001 SEASON
8 wins, 2 Losses
City of Middletown Champions

The Falcons finished another successful season with a convincing 35 to 7 victory over crosstown rival Middletown High School.  Only a heartbreaking 14 to 13 loss to Notre Dame of West Haven in week three, and a tough loss to West Haven High School in week nine prevented the Falcons from returning to the State playoffs.  Notre Dame went on to win the Class L State Championship, and West Haven made the State playoffs in Class LL.  Both teams are also in the Quinnipiac division of the SCC, and for several weeks last year along with Xavier were ranked in the top ten football teams of the state.

Xavier opened the season with a 34 to 12 victory over Wilbur Cross of New Haven, and a 21 to 15 victory over Lyman Hall of Wallingford.  After the loss to Notre Dame the Falcons rebounded with convincing victories over Branford 28-6, Hamden 28 to 0, Derby 41 to 6, Fairfield Prep 21 to 7, and East Haven 35 to 7.  Once again the Falcons had to show their character against a tough Middletown team after losing to West Haven.

Six Falcon players made the SCC, Quinnipiac division all conference team.  Seniors Joe Formica at linebacker, Tyree Hughey at running back, Matt Johnson at receiver, and Brian Quinn at offensive guard all made the team for the second year in a row.  Senior Kyle Fronte at defensive end, and Junior Mike Vetica at defensive back made the all conference team for the first time.

In addition two players were elected to the Connecticut High School Coaches All-State team.  Senior Tyree Hughey was elected at running back, and Senior Brian Quinn was elected as an offensive lineman.

Returning starters Jeff Campbell, Sean Strain, Jayson Thibodeau, Mark Vess, and Mike Vetica look to improve on last years record and lead the Falcons back to the State playoffs.  The 2002 schedule does not get any easier however.  Playing in the top division of the top league in the state does not give the Falcons any easy games.  Wilbur Cross won five games last year for the first time in as many years.  Notre Dame and West haven will be as tough as they have always been, and an improved Hillhouse of New Haven replaces Branford on the schedule.  In addition Fairfield Prep brings back a team which will lose only two or three starters from last years squad, making them one of the toughest oponents on Xavier's schedule.

Coach Bill Garrity, coach Sean Marinan, and coach Dino Dinino (standing) wait to see if their strategy will be successsful against Notre Dame of West Haven.

The Junior Varsity team has compiled an equally impressive record over the past three seasons.  In 1999 they were one point away from a perfect season finishing with a 7 win, 1 loss season.  To fill an open date they played Fairfield Prep twice, dropping the first game 14 to 13.  The falcons got their revenge two weeks later when they faced Fairfield again at home, winning 28 to 14.  In the 2000 season the junior varsity team finished with a 4 win, 2 loss, and 1 tie record.  Last season was almost a duplicate of the previous year as the Falcons finished with a 4 win, 1 loss, and 1 tie record.  Unfortunately the JV's have not been able to play a full schedule over the past three seasons.  The reason for this is that each year three or four teams have decided against playing Xavier's junior varsity team, citing not enough healthy players as the usual reason.

The freshmen falcons kicked off the 2001 season with an explosive victory over Wilbur Cross, shutting them out 36 to 0.  However, the young falcons found out quickly that there are no pushovers in the SCC, as they lost five of their next six games.  Two of the losses were heartbreakers to Derby and Branford in the final minute of each game.  This did not discourage them, as they continued to work hard in practice to improve on fundamentals and teamwork.  Their hard work paid off as they went on to win their final three games and finish the season with 5 wins and 5 losses.

The year was highlighted with a season ending victory over city rival Middletown High.  The falcons turned a close game at half time into a 28 to 14 win.  The game was played under the lights at Palmer Field, and gave the freshmen a taste of the excitement that awaits them over the next three years.

Nothing exemplifies teamwork more than special teams play, and the falcons were very aggressive in this area.  During the year they recorded six blocked punts, one of which was returned for a touchdown and four blocked extra points.  They also returned a kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown against Fairfield Prep.  It was a good year for the freshmen, who learned that discipline, commitment, effort, and teamwork are what it takes to be successful both on and off the football field.

Many players are already preparing for next year in the weight room after school.  The Falcons will begin spring practice on May 29, 2002, to start putting together next years team.  Next years captains will be elected at the end of spring practice and will be announced after the intra-squad scrimmage on June 15, 2002. Pre-season conditioning practice will begin on August 19, 2002, and end when the team goes away to pre-season camp on August 23,2002.  The team will return on August 26, 2002.

#78 Jayson Thibodeau creates some room for #36 Mike Vetica against Wilbur Cross.	#28 Joe Formica and #81 Tony Martocci (on the ground) make sure #21 Jeff Campbell turns the corner.
#65 Mark Vess helps clear the way, against Lyman Hall for one of #34 Tyree Hughey's 20 trips to the end zone last season.
Tri Captain # 56 Matt Jaskot, and the rest of the offensive line open the way for tri captain #28 Joe Formica, while #74 Brian Quinn, #56 Matt Jaskot, #78 Jayson Thibodeau, #65 Mark Vess, #21 Jeff Campbell, and #28 Joe Formica make sure Notre Dame has nowhere to run.
#8 Quarterback Mike Fontanella scores against Notre Dame.	All-Conference Defensive End #40 Kyle Fronte puts pressure on Notre Dame's Quarterback.
All-Conference receiver #6 Matt Johnson makes one of his 8 TD receptions last year, against Hamden.	#33 Mike Briggs, #46 Matt Kominski, and #11 Joe McDowel shut down Derby's ground game.
#36 Mike Vetica and #74 Brian Quinn make another tackle for loss while #81 Tony Martocci and #40 Kyle Fronte try to get in on the action.	#71 Chris Eckels and the rest of the offensive line give #28 Joe Formica another wide running lane.
#69 Pat Schaedler and #56 Matt Jaskot move in to make another stop for no gain against East Haven.	#55 Sean Strain, #54 Greg Lefebvre, #46 Matt Kominski get ready to play.
Matt Johnson makes another TD grab against West Haven.	Joe Formica sacks West Haven's quarterback.
#88 Matt Randazzo escorted by #28 Joe Formica, returns a kickoff by West Haven.	#36 Mike Vetica looks for running room, while returning a punt against West Haven.
Tri Captain #38 Gino Troiano, Tri Captain #28 Joe Formica, and #81 Tony Martocci provide punter #6 Matt Johnson room to kick.	#28 Joe Formica, and #81 Tony Martocci make sure #34 Tyree Hughey gets into the open field as #8 Mike Fontanella watches.

About Xavier | Academics | Advancement/Alumni | Parents and Students
Employment | Athletics | Admissions | Calendar | Contact Us | Site Map | Home

Copyright © 2003 Xavier High School. All Rights Reserved.