Farmington to Host Windsor in Battle of Unbeatens

Both teams are 6-0.

First place in the CCC Division II West is on the line and the game is awash with postseason implications in a stacked Class L field.

Windsor, deemed the seventh best team in the state in the most recent Connecticut Sports Writers’ Alliance Poll, was projected as a potential state champion and the best team in the region even before the first helmet was strapped on. The Warriors hold down the top spot in the CIAC Class L points race.

Farmington, settling into the Chris Machol era quite nicely, had high expectations and lofty ambitions. The Indians, seventh in Class L, are also gaining some statewide attention after a glistening 41-0 victory over Bristol Eastern last week.

The teams meet at the Farmington High School field Friday night with kickoff slated for 7 p.m.

“We know Windsor is the best team we’ve played all year, but I think we’re the best team they’ve played all year,” Machol said. “We’ll find out.”

Machol is going to want to knw the whereabouts of Aaron Berardino every time the defense and special teams line up. At 5-foot-10, 175 pounds, Berardino doesn’t cut a particularly imposing figure as he takes the field, but get a load of the numbers.

He has 35 receptions for 802 yards and 12 touchdowns. He’s rushed for 160 yards on 19 carries, five of them for touchdowns. He’s returned 11 punts for 266 yards and four kickoffs for 236 yards (59 yards per return).

“He does outstanding things every time he touches the ball,” Windsor coach Robert Fleeting said. “Every time he touches it, he can take it to the house.”

Machol and company have seen Berardino plunder every defense he’s encountered.

“Everyone else on their team is good but we have to put an emphasis on Berardino and make sure he doesn’t get to us too many times,” Machol said. “He’s the best return guy I’ve seen. As a receiver, he’s great, but its special teams where he’ll kill you.

“He so patient and he sees the field well. He has great vision. He’ll cut across the whole field and set up blocks but he can also run by you.”

Windsor has a whole host of players with speed and athletic gifts.

Quarterback Quinn Fleeting, the coach’s son, guides the Warriors’ explosive aerial show out of a spread formation. He’s completed over 70 percent of his passes (81-for-115) for nearly 1,500 yards and 19 touchdowns.

Joining Berardino on the receiving end are Ryeime Moore (12 catches, 231 yards, 3 TDs), Ryan Lumpkin (10-146-2), Alton Smith Jr. (10-184-2) and tailback Kymm Gordon (11-82). Gordon is the leading rusher with 309 yards and two TDs on 33 carries.

The Warriors are well-balanced and well-coached.

“We’re doing things much better this year than previously by continuing the same systems on offense and defense,” said Coach Fleeting, now in his third year at Windsor after coaching Hartford Weaver to a 78-29-2 record and four postseason appearances in 10 seasons.

“There’s not much new learning going on. We’re brushing up on what was done previously and the kids are getting more familiarized with it. They recognize formations and know how to react.”

Farmington also runs the spread and likes to travel by air. The Indians did so at peak efficiency last week when junior quarterback Brian Logan torched Eastern (16-for-18, 232 yards, 3 TDs). Logan is 56-for-86 (65 percent) for 812 yards and nine TDs.

“He’s making great decisions and that’s what it comes down to in high school,” Machol said. “We’re not asking him to make four-read progressions. There are just a few things to look at.

“He has confidence, we have confidence in him and so do the receivers.”

Mike English (18-319-1), Max Spracklin (17-185-2) and Kenny Jones (9-165-2) are Logan’s top targets. Adam Buono (72 carries, 443 yards, 9 TDs) is Farmington’s leading rusher followed by Ivan Guadalupe (43-208-2).

“They’re pretty efficient offensively,” Coach Fleeting said. “The timing of their routes in the passing game is good and they run efficiently, too. That’s why they’re 6-0. They’re coached well.”

One key to Farmington’s good fortune is the takeaway/giveaway ratio of plus-16. The Indians secondary has 13 interceptions, among the highest in the state, which bodes well for the challenge that lies ahead.

“We don’t have team speed like Windsor’s but we’re a lot faster in our secondary this year,” Machol said. “The three we have back there are young, but athletic and fearless. That’s why we’re up there in interceptions. They’re playing the balls, they’re aggressive and they’re hitters, which is nice.”

Guadalupe, the sophomore strong safety, has three picks. Sophomore free safety Mike Landry had two as does Jones, also a sophomore. Senior Kevin Bitner also logs time in the secondary.

Middle linebacker Sean Fern (53) and Mitchell Berlandy (40) are Farmington’s leading tacklers.

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