Indians Seek 9th Win In A Row

Those who like looking at antiques will love watching the North Haven High single wing offense. It's a throwback to the 1940's and 1950's and is an offense that is full of deception, motion, double and even triple handoffs.

While it may be old-fashioned, you will have a hard time convincing NHHS Coach Anthony Sagnella and his Indians of that sentiment. Following a season-opening 12-0 Southern Connecticut Conference Division II loss to Hillhouse, the Indians have run off eight consecutive victories. A Thanksgiving Day victory over Amity would most likely put the Maroon and White back into the state playoffs for the first time since 2007.

According to Sagnella, "We're a ball control team that tries to control the line of scrimmage, chew up the clock, and score points. We'll throw the ball at times; we are not a team that fills the air with footballs. We try to pit ourselves into positions where we can throw the ball when we want to rather than when we have to. We're an offense with several excellent athletes but no one dominant player. We've gotten consistent blocking from the seven guys on our offensive line."

Led by quarterback Joe Schwab (94 carries for 467 yards, 6 touchdowns, and 4.98 yards per carry), Jalon White (99 carries for 732 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 7.39 yards per carry), Chris Matteis (110 carries for 850 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 7.73 yards per carry), and Nate Alleyne (25 carries for 216 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 8.64 yards per carry) North Haven has averaged 292 rushing yards per game.

Schwab has also completed 26 of 49 passes for another 485 yards and four scores (along with two interceptions). His favorite target has been blocking back Brandon Devlin who has 14 receptions, 232 yards, and two touchdowns. The Indians average only 64 yards per game in the air.

"We obviously do not have a balanced offense, but we have an offense that can both run and throw the ball quite effectively. We have several guys that can throw the ball and we average between four and 10 passes a game. We also have very athletic pass receivers who can grab the ball and pick up yards after the catch. We also have about six or seven guys who have shown they can run the ball very effectively. NHHS has outscored its nine opponents 263-132," Sagnella said. "Our guys up front pride themselves on their blocking. They enjoy their craft and they are getting better at it each week."

With center Mike McInnis (6-feet, 210 pounds), tackles Dan Maldonado (6-0, 250) and Jacob Mikos (6-2, 260), guards Andrew Savinelli (6-2, 250) and Colin Martin (6-1, 210) along with tight ends Mark Zurlis (6-2, 205) and Ed Glenn (6-4, 215) the Indian front wall has proven it is big enough and strong enough to open plenty of holes for backs to run through.

Prior to the start of the season, Sagnella admitted that with John Proto and Ron Chiaia having graduated last June, he was concerned who would be the nose guard that would anchor his defense. Sagnella was delighted that during pre-season practice, Savinelli came to the fore and claimed the job. He is flanked by Matteis and Trevor Keyes.

North Haven's 3-5-3 defense features outside line backers Glenn and Alleyne, inside line backers Devlin and Zurlis along with Mike Romano in the middle. Matt Manemeit and Brandon McLane are the defensive corner backs and Brian Maratea is the safety.

"Devlin and Zurlis are the heart and soul of our defense. Mike Romano didn't have a lot of experience as a linebacker but he's really come on and done a good job in the middle. We moved Eddie Glenn from a down lineman to linebacker and he's really done an admirable job," Sagnella said. "Our defensive secondary is coming along nicely, steadily improving, and had really played well in recent games."

The Indians top hit men are: Zurlis (88 tackles,) Romano (68 tackles) Matteis (67 tackles), Devlin (57 tackles), Keyes (53 tackles), Glenn (48 tackles), Alleyne (42 tackles), and Maratea (40 tackles).

The job of place kicker has been a major sore point to Sagnella and his coaching staff. No one has proven  consistent enough to put a lock on that job. On Thursday morning, Sagnella will turn to Zurlis, hoping he can handle those chores.

He said, "The place kicker hasn't been a big deal to us the last few weeks but it's been a major concern of mine all season long. It could be a major problem if we get into a close game. Amity has an excellent kicker and has a big edge on us in that area. We practice two point plays all the time. Our place kickers are young. They need to grow and show more maturity and poise."

Turning his focus to Amity (which has a 9-4-1 Turkey Day edge)  Sagnella pointed to senior running back Kyle Kalanta and said, "No. 30 (Kalanta) is a very good skilled player who is a hard runner and tough to bring down. He is a power runner but has deceptive speed, and a good open field runner too. He reads his blocks well and makes nice cuts Their team feeds off of him."

Spartan quarterback Tyler Vallie injured his ankle during the pre-season and could not play up to his potential during the first half of the season, but is now operating at 100 percent.

"He's very dangerous because he likes to run and can throw on the run," Sagnella said, adding, "No. 19 (Sebi Alberti)  and No. 7 (Brian Speer) are good runners too. On top of that, their offensive line is big and very physical. Amity has a very productive offense. They like to spread the ball around and make you cover them from side line to side line. In addition to their passing game, they run power and option, so they give a defense a lot to think about."

The Indians' veteran mentor acknowledged that the Spartan defense has played well at times but admitted it has also been inconsistent, which in large part, he attributed to its touch schedule that included the likes of West Haven, Shelton, Wilbur Cross, Lyman Hall and Xavier.

He said, "They have done a reasonably good job of competing against some of the top teams in the SCC.  The bottom line is, Amity has proven that it can be a dangerous team, so we have to control the line of scrimmage, avoid mistakes, penalties, and turnovers so we can chew up the clock and hopefully, score some points."