Date: Fri 08-Sep-1995

Publication: Bee

Author: TOMW

Illustration: I

Quick Words:

Football-Preview-1995

Full Text:

Football Preview 1995

After sitting around during the off-season with a bad taste in its mouth from

the 32-0 spanking it received from Brookfield in last season's WCC football

championship, this year's Newtown High School football team is gargled,

rinsed, and licking its chops.

One of the reasons for the new excitement in NHS pre-season football camp, is

the explosive potential of the 1995 offense. This year's team is expecting to

put some points on the board.

" Any one of the guys we have back there is capable of breaking it and making

the big playfor us, " said sixth-year NHS head coach Bob Zito. " It could be

an exciting year. I think we'll be hard to defend. "

Leading the pack of experienced offensive backs is three-year starting

quarterback Chris Petitti who completed 48 passes for 613 yards last season.

Though he fractured the thumb on his throwing hand and will be sidelined for

up to three weeks, Petitti is expected to have a big senior season and put the

ball in the air.

" We're really hoping that he'll be back by the Crosby game (September 16), "

Zito said. " We need him. He gives us another facet, and we need his

leadership abilities. "

When Petitti does put it up, he'll be looking for senior split end Paul Drap

(7 receptions for 65 yards), senior tight end Jeremy Hayden (10-207), or any

one of his handful of speedy backs.

Senior tri-captain John Buonanno, last season's scoring leader, will be

returning at halfback where he will share the rushing chores with junior

fullback Patrick Reilly - another explosive veteran.

Buonanno averaged 8.8 yards per carry as a junior and Reilly ran for an

average of 6.6.

Reilly sprained knee ligaments in the team's September 2 scrimmage with St

Joe's, but is expected back by opening day.

While junior halfback Ryan Henry was lost to a broken leg, and promising

seniors Matt

Zavatsky and Chris Hayward both left the team, coach Zito plans on getting

strong rushing performances from senior Brett Booth, junior Ryan Bunt, and

hard-nosed sophomores Mike Reynolds and Joey Saputo.

On the offensive line, Newtown will have to replace graduated starters in

Keith and Keven Belden and Will Chuongvan. But Zito feels he has the horses.

" Our offensive line is going to be a lot bigger than it was last year, that's

for sure, " promised the coach.

Moving over from center to guard this fall will be senior tri-captain Kevin

Walker (5-11, 185).

Junior Kevin Lausten (5-11, 180), who saw limited varsity time last season

will move in to fill his shoes in the middle, while tri-captain Tom Dyer (6-0,

185), who also saw time a year ago, will fill the other guard slot.

The two men protecting Petitti's back at tackle will be seniors Mike Powers

(6-3, 235) and Andy Cozens (6-2, 210).

Rounding out this year's offense will be punter Curtiss Hussarungsri will see

time at split end, senior tight end Kevin McDonnell, backup quarterback Dan

Schneider, and kicker John Danko.

Where coach Zito is excited about his offense, defensive coordinator John

Murphy is equally as impressed with what the Indians will stack on the other

side of the ball.

Starting with the line and the biggest man on the field, first-year junior

nose guard, Billy

Henkle. At six-foot-four and 241 pounds, Henkle's job will be to clog up the

middle and stop the run.

" Billy has never played football before and we're working him in real easy, "

Zito said. " You can see his improvement on a daily basis. He's really

starting to have some fun out there too. "

Next to Henkle on either side, Newtown will start Powers, Cozens, and senior

Tony Pajk with McDonnell and junior Justin Gibney at defensive end.

" Justin has really filled out nicely, " Zito said. " I think he'll have a

good year for us there. He fits right into the same mold as the Beldens, and

he's a little more athletic too, "

Newtown's solid linebacking corps will consist of Walker in the middle and

Reilly and junior Matt Hurray on the outsides.

Paul Drap and Buonanno will cover the cornerback slots with Hayden at safety.

The Indians will open the season at home against Crosby on Saturday, September

16 in what will be the first of four-straight home games.

Newtown will then host Bethel and Pomperaug before going on the road for New

Milford. The revenge match with Brookfield will be played on October 27, in

Brookfield. " Brookfield lost some of their players, but they will still be

tough, " Zito said. " They still have a lot of kids back. "

Zito admits he's excited about the new season, but is a little concerned with

a few injuries to his key people (Petitti, Reilly, Henry).

" We're a little banged up right now, but we'll get it back on the field, " he

said. " If you're going to have injuries you might as well have them early. "

While the rest of the Western Connecticut Conference has merged with the Cross

County Interscholastic Athletic Conference in other sports, football will

remain in the WCC for the 1995 season.

The last-ever WCC football championship will be played at Bethel High School

on Thanksgiving Day.

Coach Zito hopes to take his team into that game for the fourth time in six

seasons. " We've set our team goals, " he said. " And that's one of them. "

Joining Bob Zito and John Murphy on the coaching lines this season will be

line coach Charles Martin and recievers coach John Larkins. Both played at St

Joseph's under Zito.