Title Game Excitement is Building

Jim Buonocore Sr. describes himself as “one of the assistants” of the Ledyard High School football team.

“I don’t want to say I’m the first assistant,” said Buonocore, father of Ledyard Head Coach Jim Buonocore Jr. “I’m one of the assistants.”

Still, after 53 years of coaching and four state titles under his belt, including two against Ansonia High School as head coach of the New London Whalers, the elder Buonocore had a few things to say about winning the big ones.

The Colonels meet 12-0 Ansonia for the Class M state championship on Saturday, Dec. 10, at UConn’s Rentschler Stadium in East Hartford. Game time is 10:30 a.m.

Buonocore used his hands to illustrate the progress these 2011 Colonels have made this season.

“They started about here and went up and up and up,” he said, holding his hands just below his chest and raising them to eye-level. “And guess what? They’re ready to peak. They’re ready to peak and win the States.”

Jim Buonocore Jr. will accompany 10 seniors on his squad to East Hartford tomorrow for a media day. He said there will be a “Blue and White” Spirit Day on Friday at the high school.

Catch the buzz

It was only Monday, but a buzz was beginning to grow around town. At Starr Wood Market, a rack of Ledyard Colonels T-shirts, hoodies and hats was conveniently placed just inside the door.

At Mo’s Brew and Burgers in Gales Ferry there are plans after the game to treat several of the players to the restaurant’s special 32-ounce burger challenge. Finish one off in 32 minutes or less and it’s on the house.

It will be either a victory feast or a consolation prize.

Don’t bet against Ledyard, Buonocore Sr. advised.

“They’ve really progressed. And not only are they good, for the next two years this team’s loaded. They’re well-coached. They’ve got everything going in their direction. There’s no question in my mind that they should win,” he said. “I believe it, and as I said to them, if you believe you’re going to win, you’re going to win.”

It was a sentiment expressed in a sign posted inside the school’s athletic department – “Refuse to Lose” – and on a new sign in front of the school. It read:

“Look, if you had one shot or one opportunity to seize everything you ever wanted in one moment, would you capture it or let it slip?”

Buonocore Jr., by the way, has taken four teams to a state championship game, but has yet to come home with the big prize.

After all of his success as a coach, this could be the year he finally gets a championship.

A bus will be leaving Ledyard High School for Rentschler on Saturday morning at 8:45 a.m. The bus ride is $5 and a sign-up sheet is in the main office at the high school.