#MIDDLEBURY #SOUTHBURY #PHS #PANTHERS
Seniors leading this year’s PHS football team are, left to right, Jacob Gran, offensive lineman; Mike Murgatroyd, running back; Joe Lacava, middleback tight end; Jake Harwell, running back; Tom Satkowski, fullback; and Matt Hadad, wide receiver. (Ken Morse photo)
By KEN MORSE
Last year’s Pomperaug football season left a lasting impression on the players who weathered the storm. The Panthers went 0-10, getting outscored 129-343, and in the first four games put up only 19 points to the opponents’ 145.
“It didn’t help that we began the season against back-to-back state finalists,” said Pomperaug head coach James Reed. “But the SWC is a tough league and doesn’t get the credit it deserves. There are no days off in this league; every game is a battle.
“One thing I can say is the resiliency showed by last year’s junior class made me optimistic about our chances of turning this around. I had concerns that come January when we started the weight lifting sessions there would be a mass exodus.
“But that didn’t happen. We were loaded, and the attitude of the kids coming back was nothing short of tremendous. That’s why I decided not to have any captains this year and designate all the seniors as the leaders of this team.”
The Panthers didn’t throw last year’s entire season away. In four of the last six games, Pomperaug lost by a touchdown or less. A light at the end of the tunnel showed on both offense and defense.
“We lost a couple of tough ones at the end of the season,” added Reed. “But no one was giving up, and they have come into this season ready to turn this around. What they learned last year by sticking together showed them how to be leaders.”
Senior Joe Lacava, last year’s quarterback, will move over in the backfield and also take on the role of tight end. Senior running backs Mike Murgatroyd and Jake Harwell both gained close to 400 yards each on the ground and solidify the Panthers’ running game.
Senior Tom Satkowski will lead the way at fullback with seniors Matt Hadad, Jake Mendicino, Jay Consiglio and Elijah Brooks receiving for junior quarterback Matt Lenczewski.
“After last season it’s all uphill from here,” said Reed. “The environment created by these resilient seniors is really setting the tone for the rest of the team.”
Moving the ball between the hash marks will be the key to the Panthers taking control of the game or, as coach Reed calls it, “imposing our will on the other team.”
That will begins to take form at the line of scrimmage where veteran lineman seniors James Hartman and Jacob Gran lead the way along with senior center Brian Flood, senior guard Michael Houle and seniors Brendan Ciccarella and John Dinsdale.
On the defensive side of the ball juniors Ryan Brown and Michael Benson will look to make an impact along with sophomore David Satkowski. When it comes time for the specialty teams to make their presence felt, senior kicker Alfredo Mondragon-Velazquez, who was a perfect 12 for 12 in extra points last season along with a three of four accuracy in field goals, will give the Panthers a decided edge.
“We took our lumps last year but these kids are ready to turn that page and turn this around,” said Reed. “And that all starts with the attitude and the resiliency of these seniors.”
Pomperaug will kick off the season at home Friday, Sept. 9, at 6 p.m. taking on Joel Barlow. The Panthers will then hit the road for three away games followed by an off week and will return to action at home Friday, Oct. 14, at 6 p.m. to host Stratford.
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