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12/10/2016 11:00 PMThe Old Saybrook-Westbrook (OS-W) football team put together its second-straight great season with Head Coach Mike Marone, but the Rams’ 2016 run was even better as they recorded the most wins in program history. OS-W finished the season with a record of 8-2 and seven of its victories came by double digits. In fact, the Rams outscored the opposition by a whopping total of 337-149 this fall.
“I think what happened is once you get that first win, you believe you can win. All of a sudden, they expect to win and, when you expect to win, good things usually happen,” Coach Marone said. “That being said, you need players to make big plays. We’ve had some good quality players and that’s the No. 1 reason why we’re winning. The players responded to our coaching staff and really believed in what we’re doing. They believe in themselves, believe in us, and play hard to the end. They never quit.”
While scoring 337 points is certainly something to boast about, the Rams’ defense was equally impressive by allowing just 149 for the season. OS-W notched 16 sacks and had 26 takeaways this year, which included 11 interceptions and 15 fumble recoveries. Ultimately, Coach Marone was pleased with how his team performed on both sides of the ball.
“All high school players just love playing defense. We had the players that could match up well with these other teams,” Marone said. “When you have three guys running for big yards that helps [running back Chase Cook] do what he does. You can’t just sell out on him. You have to play defense and cover the whole field. That balance in the running game helped us.”
The Rams featured a three-headed monster in the ground game behind Cook, who finished the year with 1,244 yards and 17 scores; along with Vincent Dyer, who had 845 yards and 13 touchdowns; plus quarterback Victor Pascoe, who compiled 683 yards and nine TDs. Marone has said his “hogs” on the offensive line helped pave the way to his club’s dominant rushing attack.
“Without it, we don’t have a chance to win. It’s probably the main reason why we did win,” he said. “This year, we had the best coach I’ve ever worked with in my entire life: Brendan Coan, who was a preseason Division III All-American at Fitchburg State, graduated and played for Old Saybrook. He was an All-State player, has incredible knowledge, and was incredible with the kids. The kids rally around him like no other coach I’ve seen. He was a big reason why our line was so good.”
The game of the year for the Rams was their final tilt, which was a 33-32 overtime victory at Pequot Conference rival Morgan on the night before Thanksgiving. Even though the Rams just missed out on making the Class S State Playoffs, their athletes felt ecstatic to conclude the campaign with such an exciting win.
“During that game, there were highs and lows. It was the most exciting game I’ve ever been involved with ever, hands down. To have that lead, have them get the ball back with four minutes left, and drive down and score, it’s just emotional swings up and down. That game was incredible and the reason why coaches coach,” Marone said. “Once we [lost to Stafford-East Windsor-Somers the week before the Morgan game], we were pretty much knew we weren’t [making the playoffs]. When you have to depend on three or four other teams, it never works out. I have to say winning that overtime game was so exciting that everybody—the players, the coaches, the parents—everybody, was all very satisfied going out on that win. That was the way to go out for the season.”
Old Saybrook saw four athletes gain selection to the All-Pequot Conference Team this season. Cook, Dyer, and Pascoe each made it, along with lineman Kevin Morrissey.
“We put four guys on there. I think we’re gaining respect in the league, which is why we put four on the All-Conference team,” Marone said. “I think when our name comes up in the room, it’s one that is mentioned with respect. I believe this will also help next year and down the road. When you’re winning, kids want to come out and play, and then they expect to win.”
Marone and his coaching staff gave out a slew of team awards at season’s end. Dyer was named the Rams’ Most Valuable Player, in addition to winning the Game Breaker and Ball Hawk awards. Cook earned the Leading Scorer and Jack of All Trades awards, while Sloan True took home the Iron Man and Leading Tackler honors. Additionally, Pascoe was the Most Improved Offensive Player, won the Leadership Award, and split the Coach on the Field Award with Matt Murphy. Other award recipients were Jack Oliveri (Most Improved Defensive Player), Morrissey (Hog of the Year), Cooper Pavlovich (Freshman of the Year), Anthony Jones (Surprise Play of the Year), Will Shaw and Cory Bartlett (Hustle Award), Luciano Duffy (Hit of the Year), Tanner Jones (Team Player), and Andrew Naccarato (Mr. Reliable).
“It was so much fun coaching them because the kids were a great group of kids. Every one of them is just quality kids,” Coach Marone said. “That was the most fun about it and I think we’ve established a pretty close bond between the players and the coaches. That bond was very special.”
From the Sidelines
The senior captains for the Old Saybrook-Westbrook this year were Chase Cook, Sloan True, and Kevin Morrissey.
Wins for the Rams came against Haddam-Killingworth (41-13), SMSA-University-Classical (39-14), Coginchaug (48-16), Coventry-Windham Tech-Bolton (33-12), Windsor Locks-Suffield-East Granby (43-8), Nonnewaug (34-0), Gilbert-Northwestern (35-7), and Morgan (33-32 in overtime).
The Rams only two losses were to Valley Regional-Old Lyme (26-15) and Stafford-East Windsor-Somers (21-16).