'This Is Why You Play Football' [Video]

Senior Darren Alexander, who plays inside linebacker and nose guard for the Ledyard Colonels football team, surveyed the acres of grass at Rentschler Field Tuesday and described the excitement he feels about playing here Saturday against Ansonia.

“It’s pretty exciting. Kind of nervous, but a good kind of nervous. We’ve prepared pretty hard for this game. We know it’s a big challenge playing Ansonia. They’ve been here before. So we’re just preparing hard. I think our team has the right mindset. So we’re all pretty excited.”

Alexander, who was at Rentschler Tuesday with fellow seniors for Media Day, talked about his teammates, some of whom are his lifelong friends.

“We get overlooked a bit, but I think we have a good core group. All of these guys are my friends. We’ve been friends for a long time, and I think that’s what brings us closer, the whole brotherhood-family kind of feeling. I think that’s why we play hard for each other.”

Kicker Andrew Lee was a soccer player before the start of his senior year, when he failed to make the varsity team. His coach suggested he try out for football, and it turned out to be a blessing for him and the 11-1 Colonels, who will face Ansonia Saturday for a state title.

“I feel like both teams are very good, and it could possibly come down to a field goal,” Lee said. Should that happen, he added, “I look forward to the challenge. It will be a great experience.”

Like the Buonocores, football is a family tradition for Matt Daggett, whose uncle, the late Mike Daggett, was recently inducted into the Ledyard High School Football Hall of Fame. Matt is the son of Ledyard Fire Chief Steve Daggett.

“My uncle played, my father played, so it’s definitely is a family tradition,” said Daggett, who plays linebacker and running back. “I’ve always loved football, and it’s pretty great to keep that tradition going. My little brother plays football, and so does my little cousin, my uncle’s son.”

Winning this game would be huge, he said. “It would mean the world. It’s a dream I’ve had ever since I played in youth league.”

Lineman Cody Wooten said he has been playing football for two only years. "I move to Connecticut from Florida, I moved in with my father, and being with my dad gave me a bunch more after-school opportunities."

Like his teammates, he is looking for to Saturday's game. "I can't wait for this. It's going to be a heck of a football game."

Slade Baxley was known more for lacrosse before this season, when his game on the gridiron really came together. He plays safety, and against Wolcott last week he returned an interception for a touchdown. But he has been equally impressive as a wide receiver.

“I can’t really explain it. It just sort of happened,” said Baxley, whose diving catch on the final drive against Fitch on Thanksgiving helped his team pull out the win.

On Tuesday, Baxley said just being at Rentschler is a thrill. “It’s breath-taking, just being here with all these great athletes and all these great teams. It’s just amazing.”

Linebacker Dallas Smith has had a great year going after the league’s quarterbacks. “That’s pretty much what we do, me and my friend Cal Williams. Our main objective is to sack quarterbacks.”

He said he couldn’t be happier about playing Ansonia.

“We’re two running teams, two powerhouse teams, and I think it will come down to defense. They’ve got a good running back, and we’ve got a good running back, too, as you can see.”

He motioned toward Alex Manwaring, who was standing in front of a television camera being interviewed.

“It’s going to be a hard-fought game. Some people think we got the short end of the stick playing a team that’s that good. But you know, my last game as a high school football player, I’m glad I get to play a team with so much tradition.”

Lineman Josh Lawrence agreed.

“I’m looking at it as a great opportunity,” he said. “I think it’s the best match-up that could have come out of the Class M division. We both have our credentials, and so we’ll see what happens on Saturday.”

Alex Manwaring, who gained 2,400 yards on the ground this year, gave a nod to Ansonia sophomore rusher Arkeel Newsome, who gained nearly 3,400 yards.

“Ansonia’s a tremendous football program – sixteen championships – and that’s the most of any sport in the state. They’ve got great players, specifically Arkeel Newsome, who obviously is the most dynamic player in the entire state. We’re going to have to bring our A game to shut him down.”

Manwaring, who chose to play for Ledyard over his hometown East Lyme, also paid tribute to his teammates.

“I cannot say enough about my fellow seniors. We’ve all worked so hard to get here, and we’ve done it as a team. It’s really been a team effort

“Now we’re looking forward to the challenge,” he added. “This is why you play football.”