Even with the success it has enjoyed over the past two years, the Joel Barlow High varsity football team is not about to rest on its laurels as it prepares to start the 2024 season.
The two-time, defending state Class SS champs, the Falcons are out to make a name for themselves this year as well. They must accomplish a couple of things first, in particular.
First, they must strive to remain injury free. With less than 50 players in the program (varsity and JV), even a few injuries can have big implications.
“The biggest issue is always making sure we stay healthy,” said fifth-year head coach T.J. Cavaliere. “Unfortunately, injuries can happen, and they can happen at any time. If we can stay healthy, I think we have a good chance to have a good year.”
The Falcons must also find the right players for a few positions. Having a number of key returnees from last season will make the job easier.
Going 9-4 last season, the Falcons advanced to the state Class SS championship for the second straight year. They successfully defended their title with a victory over Watertown.
Barlow graduated only a few players since then but key ones at that. They will miss full back and defensive back Cole Peterson, an All-South-West Conference selection. Defensive lineman Liam Kiernan (All-SWC) has also graduated.
Defensive back/running back Dylan Taylor (All-SWC honorable mention) is also gone, as is running back Sam Guidera. Barlow also lost sophomore kicker Keane Horne, who moved to another town.
“The biggest thing we always have to look at especially from the high school perspective is your team changes so much from year to year between graduations,” said Cavaliere. “Every team is slightly different.”
Fortunately for the Falcons, they bring back a number of skilled players in key positions. Among them are senior captains Jack Gilbert, Scott Romano, Chad Pranzo, Pierce Counter and Andrew Watson.
Gilbert will be at quarterback again and Romano (All-SWC honorable mention) is a running back. Pranzo is one the offensive and defensive line, as is Counter (All-SWC), and Watson (All-SWC second team) is a defensive back/ running back.
“That’s a good core of our guys who are coming back who have a good amount of playing time,” said Cavaliere.
Senior linemen Conor Smyth and Bailey Bai are also back. Classmate Ari Alvarez is a running back and will be in the secondary on defense.
From the junior class are Jack Hall, who will alternate between fullback and linebacker, and Luke Taylor, who was injured last season. Luke Bishop will see time on both offense and defense according to Cavaliere, and Jack Dellorusso, who was new to the team last season, can also play on both sides of the ball.
Other juniors include running backs Frank Branca, Braylen Bennett and backup quarterback/receiver Tyler Young.
“They have to kind of turn the page from last year,” said Cavaliere. “What is our story going to be this year? How are we going to make a name for ourselves?”
Barlow kicks off the season at home in a non-league game against East Lyme on Sept. 13 at 7 p.m.
