Branford Football Needs to Finish Stronger This Fall
The Branford football squad saw some improvement last fall compared to its winless 2013 campaign as the Hornets claimed three triumphs and a share of the SCC Division II West title. However, Head Coach John Limone still felt his team came up on the short end of a few winnable games and so he wants Branford to do a better job of closing out contests in its quest to finish above. 500 this season. The Hornets’ mission begins on Friday, Sept. 11, when they play at Foran in Milford at 7 p.m.
“Our goal is to have a winning record and we felt like we left a winning season on the table last year. There were three games, in particular, that we had a shot to win or were even winning and we let those opportunities slip away,” said Limone, who’s in his third season at the helm. “There were three wins we could have had if we were more consistent and focused on offense and defense and were able to finish games. That’s a huge goal for us this year: to finish and take advantage of our opportunities.”
Branford finished last fall by getting shut out by rival East Haven for the second-straight season for a record of 3-8. The Hornets went 3-1 in SCC Division II West to share of the title with Hillhouse, which Hornets beat 20-18; and Law, a team they lost to 24-21. Branford also beat fellow division foes Guilford (26-0) and Lyman Hall (18-6). Limone said his team isn’t really talking about repeating as division champs this year, but adds that, “If we’re able to close out games and compete at a high level for four quarters, those things will take care of themselves.” Two things the coach feels will definitely work in the Hornets’ favor are the enthusiasm and experience of his athletes.
“We had maybe our most enthusiastic practice of the season yesterday and it was genuinely fun to be out there. Some of the things we preached the last two years have sunk in and we’re coaching them more on the details and technique and less on the approach. It’s refreshing for us to give a kid a small detail, instead of worrying about if they’re playing hard or enthusiastic all the time,” Limone said. “We have an experienced group. We have seniors who’ve started since they were sophomores where, in the past, we had a lot of kids starting who were mostly sophomores and juniors.”
There’s certainly no shortage of experience among the Hornets’ senior captains, each of whom is a three-starter. Branford’s captains are running back/linebacker Zach DeGoursey, his brother and wide receiver/free safety Noah DeGoursey, wide receiver/cornerback Luke DiStasio; and two-way lineman Jake Roberts, who was an All-SCC DII honoree on the offensive side last fall. Coach Limone gave the quartet a rave review for the work they’ve done in prepping their teammates for the rigors of the gridiron.
“Every year has gotten a little bit better in terms of our captains’ leadership and this group has really been fantastic. They understand it. They’ve been through a lot and have certainly seen lots of adversity,” said Limone, whose squad graduated last year’s captains in Carl Williams, Colin Tracy, and Owen Karsmarski. “I meet with the captains every Monday night and they talk about what they saw that they liked from the other guys and how they’re working hard to change the things they didn’t care for. That shows maturity and a great level of leadership.”
Zach DeGoursey was the Hornets’ quarterback for most of last season, but is now slated to be one of the team’s feature running backs as junior Griffin Lynch takes the reins under center in Branford’s second year in the spread offense. Lynch played a part in last year’s marquee moment when he tossed a 22-yard touchdown to DiStasio to stun Hillhouse in the waning seconds and earn Branford a third of the division title. Now, Lynch enters this season as the Hornets’ full-time field general.
“We think Griffin will end up being pretty good. He’s a really hard worker who wants to be good and makes good decisions in the passing game. We’re very excited to see him blossom this year,” Coach Limone said. “Griffin is a confident kid without being arrogant and our team has rallied around him. Our kids believe in him and a good way to put it is that he’s a budding leader who will be a tremendous leader down the stretch. You want your QB to be leader in the huddle and Griffin has a great personality with a very calm demeanor, even when he makes a mistake.”
Lynch will be mostly handing off the ball to Zach DeGoursey and fellow bruising back Dakota Carden, who’s coming off his historic junior year on the wrestling mat. Junior Noah Lordan and sophomore Dalton Carden will also see time in the backfield.
Limone said his offense features several wide receivers that could make an impact, starting with slot man DiStasio, who the coach calls Branford’s “biggest home run threat.” Other receivers include seniors Zach Ellison and Dan Lau; juniors Jay Dering, Spencer Berty, and Brian Nicholas; plus sophomores Dan Thomas and Jaden Whittingham. Junior David Donnelly is the tight end.
On the offensive line, Roberts and Austin Miller return as starting guards, junior Neil Clyne will play center after starting on defense last season, senior Tristyn Wooster is the left tackle, and senior Anthony DiNitto and sophomore Sam Roach are competing for the right tackle spot. Junior Nasir Watkins is also in the mix at guard.
Coach Limone outlined what will need to transpire in order for his offense to operate efficiently.
“All the cliché things apply. We need to move the chains and keep ourselves out of long third downs, run the ball effectively, and we need our quarterback to not turn the ball over,” said Limone, whose team plays its opening three games and five of its first six on the road. “To me, those are the standard things that are key for every team getting ready to start. We also need production out of our pack of receivers and certainly need them to block well.”
Like last season, Branford will feature a four-man front on defense, led by Wooster and Donnelly at the ends, along with Carden and DiNitto as the tackles, and Roberts playing both positions.
Senior Jamiah Bird and Lordan will play linebacker with Zach DeGoursey roving the field as an outside linebacker.
Branford’s free safety is Noah DeGoursey, who was last season’s Defensive MVP and “the quarterback of the offense,” according to Limone. Berty and Dering will play the other safety spot and the corners are senior Ryan Moriarty, Ellison, and DiStasio.
Limone said his team’s X-factor on defense will be the performance of his linebackers.
“Our linebacker play will be a big thing. We put a lot on these guys. They have to defend pass and the run and there’s so many things they have to prepare for every week and make adjustments on week to week,” Limone said. “For any team in the state, linebacker play is absolutely paramount in terms of how successful you are.”
The Hornets’ placekicker is sophomore Teddy Gionteris, who’s competing for the punter’s job with Thomas. Junior Justin Lopa will be the long snapper.
The rest of Branford’s senior class is rounded out by Nick Eisensmith (LB/WR), Liam Garrity (OL/DL), Russell Morales (RB/LB), and Nick Pyle (RB/LB).
In addition to his head coaching duties, Limone, who now works as a special education teacher at Branford High School, is also the Hornets’ defensive coordinator, wide receivers coach, and linebackers coach. He’s joined on the staff by offensive coordinator Bill Ryan, offensive line coach Kyle Lynch, defensive line coach Bryan Burch, running backs/safeties coach EJ Sattelberger, cornerbacks coach Stephen Wolhert, offensive/defensive lines coach Tyler Snowden, volunteer practice schedule coordinator Ryan Ferguson, volunteer Mike Fowler, and statistician James Coyle.
2015 Branford Hornets’ Football Schedule
Friday, Sept. 11: at Foran at 7 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 18: at Hillhouse at Jess Field, Southern Connecticut State University, New Haven at 8 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 2: at Hand at 7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 9: vs. North Haven at 7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 16: at Sheehan at 7 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 22: at Lyman Hall at 7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 30: vs. Law at 7 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 6: vs. Guilford at 7 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 13: vs. Amity at 7 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 26: vs. East Haven at 10 a.m.