Warde Football Looking To Build On .500 Season

In his first season as Fairfield Warde coach last year, former New Canaan offensive coordinator Duncan Della Volpe guided the Mustangs to a 5-5 record, a marked improvement from 2008, when they were 3-8.

Still, the season ended in disappointing fashion, as Warde dropped three of its final four games following a 4-2 start, including a 24-14 defeat to archrival Fairfield Ludlowe.

"Our mindset is just finish the year stronger," said senior Will Halliday, who takes over for Eric Burns as the Mustangs' quarterback. "We don't want to go downhill like we did at the end of last year."

Della Volpe is calling this season "Phase II." Last year was about installing his offensive scheme; this year is about taking the next step.

"We definitely don't want to finish the season this year like we did last year, and I don't see that happening," Della Volpe said.

If nothing else, Della Volpe has changed the culture of Warde football. He has 98 players in the program, up from 65 last season.

"Football is fun now," said Halliday, who started one game last season when Burns went down with an injury. "Football has become bigger in our school."

"We've grown 100 percent since last year," Della Volpe added. "Good news for me is I had to order a lot of equipment, bad news for the Fairfield budget."

When Della Volpe joined the Warde program last season, he discovered that the defense was ahead of an offense. This season, with more depth at the skill positions and an experienced offensive line, it appears to be the other way around.

Senior Alex Delaney will pick up the void left in the backfield by the departure of two-time all-state running back  Tom McNamara. The Mustangs also boast a pair of solid receivers in seniors Craig Lowery and Terrell Walden.

Halliday and Delaney were named to the FCIAC second team last year, while Walden was an honorable mention pick.

 Della Volpe promises a wide-open offense. At New Canaan, he installed the offense that helped pave the way for the Rams' current run of four consecutive state championships.

"I'm not sure it's going to look like (the New Canaan offense) quite yet, but were headed in that direction," he said. "Week to week, you could see the Green Bay Packers' sweep or you could see the old Warren Moon run-and-shoot."

Junior guard Jordan Irizarry, junior tackle Mike Money and junior center John McKeown will anchor the offensive line.

"Last year, I was just getting used to the offense," Halliday added. "This year, we're making it more complex, so it should be more exciting."

"Will Halliday is going to be an athlete quarterback for us," Della Volpe said. "He's got to make real good decisions, but he can run the ball, he can throw the ball. He can command an offense the way I like to have it done."

Of course, Della Volpe also wants balance on offense and plans to run the ball more than last season.

"Alex is going to be our workhourse," Della Volpe said. "I'm telling everybody he's getting the ball 20, 25 times a game."

The big concern for the Mustangs heading into the season is on defense, where Della Volpe acknowledges that he is filling a lot holes. Warde graduated end Chidi Madu, tackle Neil Ehlers, linebacker John Bowers and cornerback Mike Jacob.

Two junior linebackers - David Wolff (5-10, 200) and Joe Marx (6-1, 200) - and senior end Abdel Samhan (5-11, 180) are among the few starters returning on that side of the ball.

Then there's the matter of the typically brutal FCIAC schedule. Warde has the distinction of playing not one, but  two defending state champions in New Canaan and St. Joseph.

The opener at Darien won't be easy because the Blue Wave will be primed for revenge after a loss to Warde last season cost them a berth in the state playoffs. According to Della Volpe, everyone else on the schedule is improved from a year ago.

"I feel the same way I did last year," Della Volpe said.  "We can be competitive with everybody and if we're in the game, we can win almost every game. Everybody's improved, so we better get our rear ends in gear and improve too."