The Amity Spartans Football team is 2-1 for the season.
On Friday, Oct. 4, the boys take on Notre Dame-West Haven (1-2) at Veterans Field at 3:30 p.m.
Veteran’s Field is located at 129 Bull Hill Lane, West Haven. Visitors generally park in the Gateway Christian Fellowship lot.
Come on out if you can to cheer on the Spartans as they shoot for a third victory on Friday afternoon.
The Amity Spartans are away at Harding tonight for their first game under new head coach Craig Bruno.
It may be a whole new world for our boys.
As of Halftime, Amity is leading Harding 20-8.
Lets Go Spartans!
Friday, Sept. 8
A file photo from 2013.
Girls Cross Country Black and Gold Home – Fitzgerald Trail – Woodbridge 3:30 p.m.
Boys Soccer v. Shelton Home – Amity High School – Field # 3 3:45 p.m.
V Girls Volleyball v. Staples Home – Amity Regional High School 5:30 p.m.
Football v. Harding Home – William Johnson Football Field @ Amity HS 7:00 p.m.
The Amity Spartans Football team got off to quite a slow start, but in the past three weeks, in spite of the amount of injuries and losses they’ve suffered, the Spartans, led by Senior Colin Beaulieu (11) seem to suddenly be on fire.
Beaulieu scored the first touchdown halfway through the first quarter, and Jordan Conn’s kick was good (7-0).
With 3:36 remaining in the quarter, the duo repeated this feat bringing the score to 14-0.
Less than a minute later, Hamden senior Diante Perry scored for the Green Dragons, narrowing the spread to 14-6.
In the middle of the second quarter Hamden scored again, tying the game 14-14.
This is where Amity fans would normally begin to worry, but, with 9:41 remaining in the second, the Spartans scored again and Beaulieu brought another one in as well, and Luke Smith got the ball and ran with it too, all the way past the goal line with 4:35 before halftime (36-14 Amity).
By the end of the night Amity pulled in 4 more points and Hamden made one final touchdown.
Final Score: 40-20 Amity!
Kevin Nusdeo put Amity on the scoreboard in the fourth quarter.
On a day when the Amity Boys Cross Country Team clinched its first SCC title in six years, the football team did not fare as well in an SCC Division 1 home game against Notre Dame – West Haven.
The Green Knights crushed the Spartans 40-6.
The game was scoreless after the first quarter, then, in the second quarter, Notre Dame came alive. Zach Cofrancesco caught a pass from quarterback Christian Lupoli and scored the first Touchdown of the game on a 19-yard run. Chris Stanio’s kick failed, bringing the score to 6-0.
Nico Ragaini made a dramatic 53-yard run, scoring for the Green Knights, and Stanio’s kick was good. (13-0 ND)
Next quarterback Lupoli hung onto the ball for a 3-yard touchdown run. Stanio’s kick failed. The game went into halftime with a score of 19-0
The third quarter started with a near repeat of the second quarter. Cofranscesco caught Lupoli’s pass, ran 14 yards and scored. This time Stanio’s kick was good (26-0 ND)
Prince Brooks made a 22-yard touchdown run and Stanio’s kick was good (33-0 ND)
The fourth quarter was Amity’s time to redeem itself and prevent a shut-out, but things looked dim when Notre Dame’s Josh Witkowsky scored on a 10-yard run, and Stanio’s kick was good (40-0 ND)
Finally, just before end of the game, Kevin Nusdeo caught a pass from Chris Wright at the goal line and put the Spartans on the scoreboard. Jordan D’Onofrio’s kick failed.
Final Score: Notre Dame-West Haven 40, Amity 6
Team records: Amity 2-4; Notre Dame-West Haven 4-2
SCC Commissioner Al Carbone, Stefani Taschner (Daniel Hand), Eric Laugeni (Amity Regional), Michael Cianciulli, Connecticut Orthopaedic Specialists
Two senior student athletes – Eric Laugeni, from Amity High School and Daniel Hand’s Stefani Taschner are the recipients of the 2014 “Comeback Player of the Year” scholarship award. Both students overcame severe injuries during their high school careers, yet were able to overcome them to become outstanding role models in their respective schools.
A corporate sponsor of the Southern Connecticut Conference (SCC), Connecticut Orthopaedic Specialists P.C. (COS) has offered a Comeback Player of the Year Scholarship for one male and one female athlete who participated in an interscholastic sport during the 2013-2014 academic year, and showed great leadership both on and off the field after their severe injury.
Coaches and school’s athletic directors nominated these student-athletes after they each suffered an unfortunate injury that prohibited them from play during their high school careers. Stefani and Eric each received a $1,000 scholarship to be used for their college education.
“This is our fourth year in awarding student-athletes from the SCC with scholarships,” explained Glenn Elia, Chief Executive Officer of COS. “Our goal has been to acknowledge two athletes that have overcome the challenges of an injury and, through hard work and determination, have become positive role models for their fellow teammates.”
“Many thanks to the doctors and staff at Connecticut Orthopaedic Specialists for their support of the SCC and this scholarship,” explained SCC Commissioner Al Carbone. “Our league has many outstanding student-athletes who excel in the classroom and on the playing fields, and we are delighted that two exceptional young people in can be recognized for their admirable stories of perseverance.”
Eric Laugeni, Amity Regional – football
In the summer of 2008, Eric Laugeni was involved in a freak accident involving a fork lift that severed his left leg and his right leg was broken and dislocated. After numerous hours of surgery, doctors saved his leg, but cast a dubious outlook for him in terms of running. More surgeries and rehabilitation occurred, and Eric began to walk by himself and eventually returned to athletics, but only through a sheer determination and unending work ethic.
He played varsity football for the Spartans, and he served as the team’s co-captain this past fall.
Amity head football coach Bert Mozealous said, “Eric has worked so hard to overcome so much. That’s why I believe he was voted captain because his teammates were so impressed with his work ethic and his sacrifice.”
A standout student in the classroom and a member of the National Honor Society, Eric plans to attend the Lehigh University in the fall.
Stefani Taschner, Daniel Hand – gymnastics
Stefani recently completed a fabulous senior season for the Tigers’ SCC and Class M state champion gymnastics team. Selected the 2014 SCC Gymnast of the Year, Stefani also earned All-SCC, All-State, All-New England and Elite All-American honors, all after undergoing ankle surgery last spring.
Her surgery was required after she suffered a series of severe ankle sprains.
Stefani’s work ethic following her surgery was remarkable; her positive attitude and competitiveness allowed her to not miss a beat, returning to a high level of performance as indicated by the slew of accolades she received following the season.
Daniel Hand gymnastics head coach Kelly Smith said, “Stefani’s ability to overcome her surgery was imperative to her individual success and the success of the team. Her leadership, her performances, and her camaraderie with her teammates created a positive atmosphere in our
gym. She inspired her coaches and teammates with her positive attitude, hard work and focus.”
Stefani will attend Towson University and is interested in studying criminal justice.
catch me if you can
The Amity Spartans Football Team has a lot of talent, no matter what the haters say.
When they win, they usually win big: 48-13 vs Sheehan; 49-19 vs Lyman Hall; 24-7 vs Wilbur Cross and the first win of the season a close one vs Seymour 24-21.
Spartan Fans have seen a few hard losses this year too: 49-30 vs Shelton; 42-28 vs Xavier; 46-33 vs Fairfield Prep, but even so, they weren’t slaughtered by these top teams and held their own and haven’t allowed themselves to be blanked by any opponents.
In the past couple of games, Prep and Cheshire (both away games) the Spartans suffered incomplete passes and interceptions by their opponents, which, along with several great plays by the other teams, left them behind in the third quarter and rallying hard, but unable to get ahead in the fourth.
You Can get a good man down. Choiniere is stopped.
Amity vs Cheshire roundup
Last Friday, Nov. 8, Amity traveled to Cheshire for an SCC Division 1 Game.
The first quarter had plenty of action, but was scoreless.
In the second quarter, Cheshire’s Jack Cunningham made the first touchdown with a 5 yard run and Matt D’Andrea’s kick was good.
Amity’s Spencer Thomas was untouchable with an 85-yard kickoff return Touchdown. The extra point kick failed.
Then Andrew Yamin made a TD on a 21-yard run and D’Andrea’s kick again was good.
Score 14-6 — Cheshire
The third quarter saw Yamin make 2 TDs, one on a 61-yard run and the second on a 13-yard run. Both of D’Andrea’s kicks were good.
the “press box” at Cheshire.
Amity’s Ben Feola caught a pass from David Ryan and ran 19 yards for a Spartan TD. Lyle Luth’s kick was good.
Score 28-13 — Cheshire
In the fourth quarter, nothing seemed to go right for Amity and Cheshire’s Josh McNiven made a TD on a 12-yard run. The kick failed.
Final Score was 34-13 — Cheshire
Records: Cheshire 4-5; Amity 4-5
Senior Night Nov. 15
This Friday, Amity is home again, hosting Hamden at 7 p.m. Come on out to honor the outgoing seniors at 6 p.m. for Senior Night, the last game before the finale vs North Haven on Thanksgiving Day (at Amity).
Touchdown, Cheshire
Around 6 p.m. the Senior Day ceremony recognizing the senior Dance Team Members and 19 Football Players will take place on the field.
The Spartan Seniors are: Captains Joey Choiniere and Eric Laugeni, Cory Ricks, Nick Bottone, Lyle Luth, Ben Feola, Anthony Sanchez, D’Andre Wilson, David Ryan, Noah Fleischer-Cerino, David Buono, John Mizzone, Joseph Capela, Matthew Daddio, Steven Della-Giustina, Hunter Mason, Pasquale Colapietro, Michael Butler, Mark Pigatt Jr. and James Smith.
The Amity Spartans current record is 4-5; League 0-3.
Come out on Friday night and cheer them on to make it 5-5 before the final game.
it took three men to take down West Haven’s fleet footed #1 Ervin Phillips
By PHIL BRODSKY
Orange Live Sports Writer
Sponsored by Stop & Go Transmissions and Auto Center, Bridgeport
Speed is something that cannot be taught. It is something you have or don’t have. There is no question that West Haven High running back Ervin Phillips has speed—lots of it.
After watching shred his team’s defense for three touchdowns and a 47-24 Southern Connecticut Conference Division I victory Friday night at the Blue Devils’ Ken Strong Stadium, Amity coach Bert Mozealous said, “I think he (Phillips) is the fastest, most elusive, and best back in our league. He is shiftier and has more moves than anyone I have seen. I held my breath every time he touched the ball.”
Following the opening kickoff, West Haven (currently ranked No. 8 in the state with a 5-0 record, drove down to the Amity 18-yard line. At that point, Eddy Williams got the call and answered with a quick touchdown. After Amity punted the ball away, the Westies set up shop at their own 7. Later in the first quarter, quarterback Javon Taylor handed the ball over to Phillips and he “took it to the house.” That long TD dash gave West Haven a 13-0 lead. Taylor ended the opening session with a short, four-yard flip to Phillips, who turned that screen pass into a 53 yard TD and a 19-0 Blue Devil lead.
Early in the second quarter, thanks to a blocked punt, Amity finally got its offense going and marched from the West Haven 38 to the 13. When the Blue Devil defense stiffened, the Spartans had to settle for Lyle Luth’s 30 yard field goal.
With four minutes left in the first half, another Westie punt gave the Spartans the ball at midfield. Slowly but surely, Amity drove toward the goal line. Dave Buono made it 19-10 with his one yard dive with but one second left on the clock.
Mozealous said, “We were only trailing by nine points at the half.”
The third quarter opened up with Phillips capping a Devil drive with his 36 yard dash to pay dirt. That score was set up by an interception at the Amity 40. Joey Choinere answered with a one yard run that cut the Blue Devil lead to 26-17.
The ensuing Spartan kickoff was gathered in by Phillips at his own 35 and he was off to the races on a 65 yard sprint. Now leading 33-23, added another third quarter touchdown with Duane Gary’s 55 yard scamper around his right side. The final score of the third quarter came when Westie defender Bobby Sampson picked off an attempted option pitch by sophomore quarterback Tyler Burns. He went into the game when starting QB James Sammonella injured his shoulder and had to leave the field. Trailing 47-17, Amity closed out the scoring with Dave Attolino’s eight yard run during the fourth quarter.
“Our offensive mistakes let West Haven punish our defense. They hit us in the mouth and we did not hit back. We had some success when we drove the ball, but our inconsistent play hurt us badly. Offensively, we did not play well. Our execution was not good. On the other hand, West Haven played really well. We gave them a lot of opportunities to run the ball after we made first contact,” Mozealous added.
The Spartans ended up with 118 passing yards. Semmonella and Burns combined to complete five of 12 passes for 118 yards and two interceptions. Led by Attolino’s 57 yards on 17 carries, Amity added 109 rushing yards. Defensively, Connor Myatt and Matt Attolino each recorded six tackles.
Summing up the long, chilly night on the shoreline, Mozealous said, “We didn’t tackle well. That was the most disappointing part of the game. It was a matter of execution. They did and we didn’t. The plain and simple truth is, we didn’t do a good job. We could have played much better. Instead, we were very inconsistent.”
Mozealous did single out Choinere for his efforts. In addition to scoring a touchdown, he blocked a punt and snagged two passes.
The 2-3 Spartans may be jumping from the fireplace into the fire on Friday when they host 5-1 Xavier in a 7 p.m. start at Bill Johnson Field. The Falcons had been No. 1 in the State since going undefeated last year, but they had their winning streak snapped by Hand last Friday night in Madison.
The Tigers ripped the Spartans 35-13 under the Friday Night Lights at Hand in Madison in the first official game of the season.
Hand Quarterback Brendan Bilcheck rushed for two touchdown and threw for two more in their SCC Division I win.
Amity’s David Buono returned a kickoff 88 yards for a touchdown.
Hand (1-0), Spartans (0-1)
The Spartans will be on the home field this Friday night in a game against Sheehan at 7 p.m.
