Warriors Complete Historic, 10-0 Regular Season

It was a night of perfection in Windsor.

The Warriors completed an historic regular season, beating Waterford under the lights at Jack O'Brien Stadium Friday for their tenth win of the season, remaining unbeaten throughout.

Individuals posted stellar numbers, making a special night all the more memorable.

Aaron Berardino, playing safety, intercepted four Waterford passes (three in the first half). He also scored four touchdowns on the offensive side of the ball, catching 9 passes for 220 yards.

Chris Traore, who has been played a significant role on Windsor's hallmark defense, stood out on special teams. As the placekicker, Traore has struggled at times, but he successfully converted six extra-point attempts on as many tries.

Quarterback Quinn Fleeting scored five touchdowns on the night, four through the air on his way to 376 passing yards, including a 77-yard strike to Berardino, and a 56-yard pass to Ryheime Moore.

Moore caught four balls for 108 yards, and ran for an additional 27.

While the Warriors' defense allowed twice as many yards as it has averaged all season long (Waterford gained 178 yards of total offense) 110 of those yards were allowed in the first quarter.

The defense was stout throughout the final three quarters of play, forcing five turnovers.

In short, the Warriors had all pistons firing Friday, providing the perfect end to a perfect season.

Windsor Athletic Direct Steve Risser told players after the win that to his knowledge, no Windsor High football team had recorded a 10-0 season prior to Friday night.

The 10-0 record is even a first for Coach Rob Fleeting, who has won three state titles in his career (one as the head coach at Weaver in 1999, and two as an assistant there in 1996 and 1997).

"It feels great. I've never, ever had a 10-0 season," he said after the win.

"It's just a compliment to my staff. I have a very good coaching staff, and, honestly, that just explains it all — I have a good coaching staff and I think we try to instill good morals into our kids. 

"It's something we continue to try to do on a daily basis, because we always say 'we never promise wins,' so we'll take it one day at a time. 

We believe that if we improve these kids as people, make them better young men, then the wins will take care of themselves."

Over the course of the season, Fleeting's players have grown into young men who are ready for the challenges that will come their way, he said.

"They're starting to take things upon themselves," he said. "They're not waiting for coach to tell them to do things. I'm used to walking in and telling them to get excited. I walked in today and they were doing everything I usually tell them to do. 

"I just smiled a them, and [thought] 'these guys are ready.' I'm very proud of them."

Fleeting knew his players were ready Friday, and is confident they are ready to head into the post season and make a run for a state title.

"I think we're ready to go... Kids are practicing in the rain; they're not complaining anymore. They're having a good time, and I think they're appreciating the moment."

At the moment, Windsor has solidified its place atop the CCC Division II.

Additionally, Windsor has solidified its place atop the CIAC playoff point rankings.

Windsor (10-0, 5-0) sits in the No. 1 spot, just above Daniel Hand.

Who Windsor will play in the first round of the playoffs is still up in the air. Tournament pairings will not be decided until after all games have been played on Thanksgiving. They will be announced by the CIAC the morning after, November 25.

Dating back to 1976, Windsor has never won a CIAC state title.