Some of the success Newtown High School’s football program experiences is due to its strong ties with the town’s youth program — and vice versa.

The connection between the high school and Newtown Youth Football programs includes a direct link, with high school players volunteering at preseason workouts, and in some instances, throughout the fall campaign, as schedules allow.

“We are fortunate to have an integrated program between the high school and youth football program in Newtown. This is not the case in every town, and it benefits us on so many levels, as our kids have a solid knowledge base about concepts and techniques that are played in high school. This lends itself to our youth players gaining some hands-on coaching pointers and perspective from the high school volunteers/players that practice similar techniques,” said Doug Magazu, president of the youth program and coach of the eighth grade team.

“There is a mutual respect between the youth and high school volunteers that is unique to see when they interact on the field. On the surface, I believe this is likely related to the fact that they are football players and understand the dedication and work it takes in effort to contribute to the greater good of the team. From a coaches perspective, it is always good to have the volunteers around to assist in drills and [scouting teams] because they have a solid knowledge base about the drills — so setting drills up takes less time and practices are more efficient,” Magazu added.

Shaine Luzietti, a Newtown High sophomore, is one of several former youth program players who is helping out with the younger players.

“It’s fun to come out here and get the guys to work hard and get them better. I enjoy it. It’s good to give back, too,” Luzietti, a running back and linebacker, during a break from working on tackling drill with members of the eighth grade team.

The high school players are helping the youth players, who represent grades 2-8, get better not only for their upcoming youth-level season(s), but also for down the road, when they reach the high school program.

Senior lineman Steven Koren points out: “It’s nice helping out the younger kids because they’re going to be a part of the program one day.”

“It’s a lot of fun. I also know a lot of them because they’re my brother’s friends,” said Newtown High freshman quarterback Jake St Louis, whose brother CJ St Louis is on the sixth grade squad.

“I really like football, and I miss youth football here,” Jake added.

Other Newtown High players who volunteer with the up and coming players are Jack Street, Trevor Hislop, Michael Ihlefeld, Jamison Pears, Nick Sabillon, Grant Baker, Richie Guman, Anthony D’Amico, Sean Gordon, Andrew Jacobs, Matt Jacobs, Chris Stowell, Jordan Conrad, Michael Haddick, EJ Wilford, and Lyle Petrellese.

The high school volunteers assist in drills and giving pointers to the future Newtown High players. The youth participants view their high school helpers as role models.

The high school players gain a taste of coaching and supervising experience, and the younger athletes are motivated thanks to their presence.

“It’s a great opportunity for the whole program. It builds a bond an a camaraderie, and it makes them work harder because they look up to them,” said Gary Pontore, sixth grade team head coach. “It makes the transition into high school a lot easier for these kids.”