Wilton Football: Onward and Upward in 2010

Coming off a season in which it went 2-8, the Wilton High School football team is looking to improve in all areas of its game this year.

Bruce Cunningham, who is entering his second year as the Warriors' coach,  admitted that last season the squad had an extremely tough schedule and can look forward to another year of the same.

"We played the most difficult schedule in the state last season (according to the CIAC point standings/tiebreaker), and the league schedule remains the same," Cunningham said. "A non-league game at New London does not make things any easier."

Going into 2010, Cunningham will be relying on many of his younger players,  as the Warriors lost several seniors, including tight end Scott Young, quarterback Jackson Wilbur, defensive lineman Terrance Reedy, offensive lineman Alex Sabato and tailback Ryan Leddy.

"Hopefully,  a lot of the young players who played last season will be better, giving us a chance to be more competitive this season," Cunningham said.

Offensively, the Warriors will look toward two seniors -  wide receiver Matt Reyes-Guerra-Dunn  and fullback Clay Helms  - and a pair of juniors - tailback Travis Stella and offensive lineman Marko Piedmont -  to help carry the load.

Cunningham is planing  to implement a PRO-I formation, a popular and balanced offensive set that should allow the team to emphasize  a strong running game and work the pass off it.

"The key to the season will be the development of the skill positions offensively, especially at QB," Cunningham said.  "I have not settled on the quarterback as of this time."

Defensively, the team will be relying on three seniors - linebacker Ryan Phillips, Helms, who also  plays linebacker, and free safety Ned Hemmerle -  along with  junior strong safety Sean Carroll.

"The team strength should be on the defensive side of the ball," Cunningham added. "We have many people who have game experience from the previous season, and this should help the defense mature."

Having a strong offense and defense will be crucial in games against tough opponents such as New Canaan, Darien, St. Joseph, Staples and Bridgeport Central. Combined, these teams went 49-9 last year.

"The conference should be very competitive again this season," Cunningham said. "There are many key games between these conference favorites."

However, for big conference games, the team is going to need to have depth, something that worries Cunningham.

"The area of concern is our team depth," he added. "We do not have much depth in all positions, so if we get hit with a lot of injuries, it will be tough to overcome."

Cunningham knows that this will not be an easy season but he thinks his team at least will be prepared.

"The players should be focused, due to the difficult and challenging opponents that are on the schedule," Cunningham said. "It should not take too much from me to keep them focused. They just have to compete."

The team opens its regular season on Thursday, September 16, on the road at Trumbull at 6 p.m.

For the 2010 varsity football schedule, visit the Wilton Warriors Football Web site.