CARSON, Calif. — David Beckham wraps up his six seasons with the Los Angeles Galaxy today in the MLS Cup.
He just hopes fans realize they'll miss an excellent game if all eyes are focused only on him.
Los Angeles goes after its second straight MLS title in a rematch with the Houston Dynamo, who lost 1-0 to the Galaxy last season at Home Depot Center. The field was soaked with rain last year, and it's likely to be soggy again this weekend.
They're perfect conditions for the Galaxy's attempt at replicating last season's result in a watershed game for their franchise and MLS, which is losing Beckham's magnetic appeal after a half-decade of impressive league-wide growth.
"I know I'm quite an emotional person," Beckham said. "I'm just really excited about the game, to be in a third MLS Cup final, especially the second one that's being played in our own stadium.
"It's going to be special. ... I'm happy the team are in the position we are, and the reason we've done well this season is because we're a complete team. We've got character."
Los Angeles' late-season run to another championship game has carried a certain sense of destiny for a franchise that's in for big changes in the offseason. Beckham could be joined in departure by U.S. star Landon Donovan, who's thinking about walking away from the Galaxy in an apparent mid-career case of burnout.
Even if the Galaxy's core is breaking up, they're eager to go out with the franchise's fourth MLS Cup, tying D.C. United's league record.
"It's been quite a ride, and with one more win, it will all be worth it," said Los Angeles defender Omar Gonzalez, who also might leave in the offseason. "We're similar to last year, but they're a totally different team. They're going to be tough."
All that uncertainty will be discarded for at least 90 minutes when the eighth-seeded Galaxy host ninth-seeded Houston in an unlikely final between veteran teams that gathered momentum at the perfect time, barreling through the playoffs with style after barely making the postseason.
"We've got two good attacking teams, and I expect some goals this year," said Los Angeles coach Bruce Arena, who could win his fourth MLS title. "Last year's final, poor weather conditions were a factor. This year should make for a more attractive game. Having a rerun of last year is kind of interesting, and certainly they're going to have a lot of motivation. But so are we."
While the world watches Beckham, the Dynamo believe they're better prepared this year to spring an upset for their first title since 2007. Key Houston playmaker Brad Davis is healthy after missing the final last season with an injury, and the Dynamo have been every bit as impressive as the Galaxy lately.
"When Houston and L.A. got into the playoffs, I think a lot of teams weren't happy about it," said Dynamo coach Dominic Kinnear, who could win his third MLS Cup. "I think they saw something inside of us that's going to make us difficult to knock out, and I think they thought the same thing about the Galaxy."
Although Beckham is still the star attraction for one more game, the Galaxy increasingly belong to Robbie Keane, the Irish national team captain who scored 16 regular-season goals and five more in the playoffs during an outstanding first full season with the Galaxy. While Beckham and Donovan contemplate their futures, Keane confirmed he isn't going anywhere after playing for his second MLS Cup in his short stateside tenure.
Donovan swatted away questions about his future in both English and Spanish on Friday, claiming he's focused only on the match. The Galaxy are hopeful he'll return after a break — and particularly with the motivation of another title defense alongside Keane and whatever third designated player Los Angeles lands in the next few months, whether it's Kaka, Frank Lampard or another big name.
The Dynamo aren't on the Galaxy's level in international cachet or payroll, but their consistent success is a model of clever coaching and judicious management by Kinnear and the front office. While the MLS Cup isn't really a referendum on those two starkly different approaches to building a team, it's yet another wrinkle of intrigue in the matchup.
Yet the day is likely to belong to Beckham, who hasn't revealed where he'll play next, or where he plans to invest as an MLS owner in the near future. After his rocky MLS arrival turned into an exemplary run under Arena's leadership, the English midfielder hopes to finish up his tenure with a few more bending passes and one more trophy.
And the Dynamo are eager to spoil it all.
"We're all happy and thankful for what David has done, but that's not what makes the world go round," said Davis, one of Beckham's few MLS peers on setpieces and free kicks. "I was playing here before he came here, and hopefully I'll be playing after he leaves."
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Beckham bows out in MLS LA-Houston title rematch
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Man, 45, arrested following stabbing
WINSTED -- A 45-year-old man faces numerous charges after police said he stabbed another man during a fight Friday night on Meadow Street.
The 23-year-old victim was taken to Charlotte Hungerford Hospital in Torrington in stable condition and underwent emergency surgery. Police said he was stabbed in his lower abdomen.
Police said they are not releasing the name of the victim until his family is notified.
Donald Hatfield of 920 Main St., Winsted is charged with first-degree assault, risk of injury to a minor, tampering with evidence, and disorderly conduct.
He's being held on $75,000 bail pending his arraignment Monday at Bantam Superior Court.
Police received a report of the stabbing at 12:15 p.m. at 98 Meadow St. Hatfield was arrested without incident nearby in the area of 112 Meadow St.
Police later recovered a small pocket knife in a storm drain in that area, police said.
The investigation continues and more arrests may be made, police said.
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Suspected gang member held on drug, weapon counts
WATERBURY -- A suspected member of the Bloods street gang was arrested Thursday after police say he ditched 100 bags of heroin after he jumped out of a minivan near West Farm Street.
Demont Simuel, 21, was detained by Officer Ryan Cubells after the officer spotted Simuel riding in the passenger seat of a minivan near Easton Avenue.
Simuel, who was wanted by authorities in New Haven, wasn't wearing his seatbelt, according to police.
Cubells stopped the van on West Farm Street [--] a high-crime area [--] and Simuel reportedly ran, throwing bundles of a heroin onto the seat as he tried to escape. Cubells arrested him, but the driver escaped as he dealt with Simuel.
Cubells found several hundred dollars on Simuel and also reported finding a 6-inch knife in between the seats in the van.
Simuel was charged with having weapons in a motor vehicle, possession of narcotics with intent to sell and possession within a school zone. He's being held on bonds totaling $200,000.
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Bank branch robbed for 2nd time in a week
WATERBURY -- A Sovereign Bank branch at 105 Meriden Road was robbed for the second time this week late Friday afternoon, police said.
Two black men wearing dark hoodies and black ski masks entered the bank with handguns at about 4:55 p.m., police said. One of the men demanded money and a bank teller handed over an undisclosed amount of cash.
No one was injured. The men escaped on foot and headed toward Woodward Avenue, police said.
Police believe Friday's robbery is related to a robbery of the same bank on Tuesday at about 12:15 p.m.
The main difference was that only one man was involved in Tuesday's robbery.
Anyone with information is asked to call the confidential CrimeStoppers hotline at 203-755-1234. Cash rewards are offered for information that leads to an arrest.
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UConn players before Cincinnati
UConn players talk about big game against Bearcats.
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Winsted resident held on burglary, larceny counts
THOMASTON -- A Winsted man who escaped Torrington police custody in September, only to be arrested a day later and jailed on a $100,000 bond, was arrested by Thomaston police Thursday during his appearance in Bantam Superior Court. The charges are for stealing from his former employer.
Chief James Campbell said Ryan J. Kaminski, 29, whose last known address was on Beach Road in Winsted, was investigated recently after Torrington police found him in possession of stolen tools during an unrelated arrest.
Campbell said Kaminski admitted stealing tools from Rich Gravel's Auto Collision while he worked there from October 2011 to August 2012. Campbell said Kaminski stole 38 items including ratchets, socket sets, air ratchets and other mechanics tools with a total value of $5,600. Campbell said employees of Gravel's noticed the tools were missing about the time Kaminski was fired in August.
Kaminski is jailed on a total of $135,000 in bonds for multiple burglary and larceny charges. He is due in Bantam Superior Court on Dec. 21.
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Former WWE star to help raise funds for PAL today
WATERBURY -- Barbie Blank, a former WWE Diva known as Kelly Kelly, will visit Buffalo Wild Wings at 315 Union St. today.
Blank will sign autographs, take photos with fans and meet fans from noon to 2 p.m.
Some of the proceeds from the event will go to the Waterbury Police Activity League.
The restaurant will be open for all who are interested in meeting Blank; a fee will be charged for autographs and photos with the wrestling star. For information, visit www.northeastwrestling.com or call 845-564-0931.
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Cops seek person who dumped pit bull|Dog found tied to fence
TORRINGTON - The city's animal control officer is asking for the public's help to find out who abandoned a dog at Donahue Park on East Pearl Street this week.
The dog was abandoned between 10:30 p.m. Wednesday and 8:30 a.m. Thursday, according to a news release from Torrington police. The dog was found tied to a fence at the park.
The dog, a tan and white pit bull, is about 2 years old, police said.
The dog's owner, if identified, will be charged with abandonment. Anyone with information is asked to call animal control at 860-485-9195 or the Torrington police at 860-489-2000.
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Around the remote: 'Sons of Anarchy"
"THE WALKING DEAD" Season 3 of prime time's zombie sensation has been both extremely sad (R.I.P., Lori) and gruesome.
This week brings the show's midseason finale and the promise of a major clash between the savvy survivors led by noble Sheriff Rick (Andrew Lincoln) and the citizens of Woodbury, lorded over by the deranged Governor (David Morrissey). Will estranged brothers Merle and Daryl collide? Where will Andrea's loyalties lie? How many rivals will Michonne take out? We don't know, but we're pretty sure it will be bloody. 9 p.m. Sunday, AMC.
@tv kicker2:OTHER BETS
SUNDAY: Have the tissues handy for "The Christmas Heart." It's a TV movie about a close-knit community that rallies around a teen who needs a heart transplant. Teri Polo and Paul Essiembre star. 8 p.m., Hallmark.
SUNDAY: In the season finale of "Boardwalk Empire," a desperate Nucky (Steve Buscemi) cedes control of a prized asset to Rothstein (Michael Stuhlbarg) in an attempt to weaken Gyp and Masseria's (Bobby Cannavale, Ivo Nandi) alliance. 9 p.m., HBO.
MONDAY: "Blake Shelton's Not So Family Christmas" is a holiday special that has the country crooner getting all festive with his guests Christina Aguilera, Kelly Clarkson, Jay Leno, Reba McEntire and his wife, Miranda Lambert. 10:01 p.m., NBC.
TUESDAY: "Sons of Anarchy" - or the show we like to call "Hamlet on a Harley" - concludes its bloody, brutal and totally riveting fifth season as Jax (Charlie Hunnam) strikes a new deal in an effort to rid himself of old problems. 10 p.m., FX.
TUESDAY: What does it take to move an entire pro football team from game to game, across 20,000 miles? "NFL Road Tested: The Cleveland Browns" is a new series that goes behind the scenes to capture the massive mobilization. 10 p.m., Travel Channel.
WEDNESDAY: LL Cool J and Taylor Swift co-host "The Grammy Nominations Concert Live! - Countdown to Music's Biggest Night," which we assume will be just a bit longer than that title. Maroon 5, Ne-Yo and Fun are among the scheduled performers. 10 p.m., CBS.
WEDNESDAY: This truly does sound like a nightmare before Christmas: On "American Horror Story: Asylum," a killer Kris Kringle wreaks havoc at Briarcliff, while Sister Jude (Jessica Lange) has a confrontation with the devil. 10 p.m., FX.
THURSDAY: It's time for Dwight (Rainn Wilson) and the gang to hold their annual Christmas party on "The Office" and you know what that usually means: Chaos and mayhem. 9 p.m., NBC.
FRIDAY: Samuel Jackson returns to host "VGA Ten," or, for the uninitiated, the Video Game Awards. The program celebrates the year's greatest achievements in gaming and features sneak peeks at what's to come. 9 p.m., Spike.
SATURDAY: "The American Giving Awards" pays tribute to community champions from across the nation and five major U.S. charities. Joel McHale is our host. 8 p.m., NBC.
— Contra Costa Times (Walnut Creek, Calif.)
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New members wanted for veterans committee
TORRINGTON -- The Torrington Veterans Support Committee, a city-chartered committee, is seeking new members to plan, promote, and conduct the city's military observance ceremonies, and other activities, to honor veterans and current military personnel. Interested parties need not be Torrington residents nor veterans.
For information, email vetactcom[AT]yahoo.com or call Leo Martigneni, committee chairman at 860-496-1135.
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Smoke alarms donated to Waterbury Fire Department
WATERBURY -- The Waterbury Fire Department today received a donation of 2,500 smoke alarms from The Home Depot in partnership with Kidde and the National Fire Protection Association.
These are 10-year sealed lithium battery smoke alarms so residents do not have to worry about replacing any batteries, fire officials said.
The local donation is part of a nationwide giveaway of $1 million worth of smoke alarms, or 50,000 units, according to a release. Kidde and The Home Depot also made a $25,000 contribution to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation's "Be a Hero, Save a Hero" initiative.
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Diva comes to Waterbury, helps benefit PAL
Barbie Blank, a former WWE Diva, known as Kelly Kelly was signing at the Buffalo Wild Wings Saturday afternoon in Waterbury. Blank signed autographs, took photos and met with fans, with part of the proceeds going to benefit the Waterbury Police Activity League.
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Animal control officer seeks person who abandoned dog
TORRINGTON -- The city's animal control officer is asking for the public's help to find out who abandoned a dog at Donahue Park on East Pearl Street this week.
The dog was abandoned between 10:30 p.m. Wednesday and 8:30 a.m. Thursday, according to a news release from Torrington police. The dog was found tied to a fence at the park.
The dog, a tan and white pit bull, is about 2 years old, police said.
The dog's owner, if identified, will be charged with abandonment. Anyone with information is asked to call animal control at 860-485-9195 or the Torrington police at 860-489-2000.
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Georgia runs out of time in SEC loss to Alabama
ATLANTA (AP) — Alabama is heading back to the national championship game — by a mere 4 yards.
AJ McCarron threw a 45-yard touchdown pass to Amari Cooper with 3:15 remaining, and the No. 2 Crimson Tide barely held off No. 3 Georgia, 32-28, in a Southeastern Conference title game for the ages Saturday.
After an apparent game-clinching interception by Alabama was overturned after looking at the replay, Georgia's Aaron Murray completed a 15-yard pass to Arthur Lynch, a 23-yarder to Tavarres King and a 26-yarder to Lynch, who was hauled down at the Alabama 8 as the clock continued to run.
The Bulldogs were out of timeouts.
Instead of spiking the ball and gathering themselves, the Bulldog snapped the ball with 9 seconds to go. Murray threw a pass in the flat to Chris Conley, who slipped down at the 4.
Georgia couldn't get off another play. Alabama celebrated as confetti fell from the Georgia Dome room. The Bulldogs collapsed on the field, stunned they had come so close to knocking off the team that has won two of the last three national titles.
The Tide will get a chance to make it three out of four when they face top-ranked Notre Dame for the BCS crown on Jan. 7 in Miami.
Oklahoma 24, TCU 17: Landry Jones threw for 244 yards and two touchdowns, Damien Williams ran untouched 66 yards for a score and 12th-ranked Oklahoma held on to clinch at least a share of the Big 12 title.
TCU's fourth-down pass to the goal-line in the final minute was well-defended and fell incomplete.
The Sooners (10-2, 8-1 Big 12) won their eighth consecutive Big 12 game since a late-September loss to Kansas State, which played it regular-season finale at home Saturday night against No. 23 Texas. Oklahoma would have the outright title and guaranteed BCS spot if the seventh-ranked Wildcats lose. Oklahoma, which also lost to Notre Dame, is in good shape for the final at-large BCS berth even if K-State wins.
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BCS hits jackpot: Alabama vs. Notre Dame
Alabama vs. Notre Dame. The BCS championship game couldn't get much bigger.
The Crimson Tide locked up a spot in the title game in Miami on Jan. 7 with a 32-28 victory over Georgia for the Southeastern Conference championship Saturday.
Today's selection show is just a formality.
The hype can begin now for what could be the most-watched BCS title game since the system was implemented in 1998. It'd be hard to find two more popular programs and a more enticing matchup.
The top-ranked Fighting Irish (12-0) have won eight AP national titles — matching Alabama for the most — but none since 1988. They'll be playing in their first BCS championship game.
Alabama (12-1) is making its third BCS title game appearance in four years. The Crimson Tide is trying to become the first team to win back-to-back BCS titles, and three in four years.
"We created a great opportunity for ourselves," Alabama coach Nick Saban said after his Tide beat the Bulldogs at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.
The Irish and Tide have played six times, though not since 1987. Notre Dame is 5-1, including a 24-23 victory in the Sugar Bowl in 1973 that gave the Irish a national championship. They also played in the Orange Bowl in 1975, and the Irish won 13-11.
The buildup for this one, however, will be unmatched.
A return to glory for Brian Kelly's Fighting Irish or a dynasty for Saban's Tide?
There will no doubt be plenty of people tuning in to fine out.
The highest rated BCS championship game was Southern California, going for three straight national titles and back-to-back BCS championships, against Texas in 2006 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. That game drew a 21.7 rating.
Alabama's BCS title win against Texas in 2010 drew a 17.17 rating, a close third behind the 17.4 Florida-Ohio State drew in 2007.
Considering Notre Dame's regular-season finale against USC had a 10.3 rating, higher than any of the BCS bowls last season other than the championship game, it's a safe to say this year's championship game has a chance to blow by the record.
The rest of the BCS lineup also fell into place on championship weekend.
Earlier Saturday, No. 12 Oklahoma won, 24-17, at TCU to finish the regular season 10-2, with at least a share of the Big 12 title. The Sooners should find themselves in the BCS one way or another.
On Friday night, Stanford grabbed a spot in the Rose Bowl and the chances for a BCS buster dwindled.
Northern Illinois' 44-37 victory in double overtime against Kent State on Friday night gave the Huskies the Mid-American Conference title, and ended the Golden Flashes' BCS hopes.
Kent State needed to move up one spot in the BCS standings to No. 16 to earn an automatic bid. Northern Illinois came into the weekend 21st in the standings. The Huskies have a chance to get into the top 16 and get into the BCS, too — but it will be tough.
Kent State's loss could be the Big 12's gain. If neither of the MAC teams nor Boise State, which beat Nevada 27-21 to earn a share of the Mountain West title, earns that so-called BCS buster bid, the Sooners (11-2) look like a logical choice to be selected, even if No. 7 Kansas State locked up the Big 12's BCS bid Saturday night.
The Wildcats needed only to beat No. 23 Texas at home to earn a spot in the Fiesta Bowl.
A loss would send Oklahoma to the Fiesta Bowl and have Kansas State hoping for an at-large bid only a few weeks after being No. 1 in the BCS standings.
No. 15 Clemson (10-2) could also be in the mix for an at-large bid.
No. 8 Stanford locked up the Rose Bowl bid by beating UCLA 27-24 on Friday night and will play the winner of Saturday night's Big Ten championship game between Wisconsin and No. 14 Nebraska.
No. 13 Florida State and Georgia Tech were playing in the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game later for a bid to the Orange Bowl.
Louisville earned the Big East's BCS bid by beating Rutgers on Thursday night, 20-17.
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Follow Ralph D. Russo at www.Twitter.com/ralphdrussoap
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Lewis: UConn's trend line heading in wrong direction
EAST HARTFORD -- The head coach spoke about being close, a break here or a break there. He spoke about working hard. He spoke about what a great group of guys populated his roster. All that is fine, but it can't cover up the only thing that really matters at this level of football.
2011: UConn finished 5-7.
2012: UConn finished 5-7.
And that just won't go away. Never, in fact. And it is something that no matter of wishing for a different bounce or one less injury will make better.
The fact of the matter is that the program Paul Pasqualoni inherited weeks after a Fiesta Bowl appearance and co-league championship is clearly no better and arguably worse than it was in January 2011.
There is just no escaping that ugly truth. And a disjointed 34-17 loss to Cincinnati in the season finale before another lackluster crowd at Rentschler Field (second smallest ever) will just linger and reinforce that truth all winter.
"My confidence level, my passion for it, my outlook on it has not changed one iota," said Pasqualoni. "I just think we have to get another recruiting class in here and have another great off-season program and get going."
Well, winning the off-season weightlifting battle will not do much to pacify a fan base that had a tough week. (No need to recap the reason why again.)
See TREND, Page 3C
Only wins can do that.
Yes, when you look back on all 12 games you can find moments where if they had gone the other way would have produced a far different finish in the damp and frigid cold of early December.
But aside from Notre Dame and Alabama, that seems to be an exercise that any team in the land could play.
Despite playing in a league that wrapped things up Saturday with exactly half of its current members declaring themselves co-champions, the Huskies just couldn't gather any momentum. They have gone from playing on the national stage against a legendary program (Oklahoma) to scrambling to try to salvage a bid to an insignificant bowl game in some woe-begotten locale.
Actually, give the economic reality, the loss to Cincy probably saved the school some money. There, that's something positive.
Pasqualoni, who has become a favorite scapegoat for the portion of the UConn fandom that thinks this stuff (football) is important, really had nowhere to turn after the game. The season is over, recruiting (a lifeline that even in the best of times doesn't typically have a positive impact for a few years) is underway and he must quickly focus on that.
It's always crucial at this level to stock your roster for the future. But given the state of the UConn program this morning, everything considered, it's perhaps even more critical than ever. And unfortunately for the head coach and his men, nothing has happened in recent times to make that job any easier.
"It's just a continuation of trying to elevate the talent that you have on the team, certainly. The skill level that you have on the team," said Pasqualoni. "The athleticism overall, really, at almost every position, you're trying to improve. That's kind of what, as a coach, you look at. Just trying to get better."
That will be a steep hill to climb, even coming off a 10-14 stretch. The Huskies lose six starters from defense, both tight ends, two key wide receivers and assorted other parts that in different ways formed the core of the team.
And really all that the head coach could grasp onto in the somber postgame room was that they were "close."
"In the past two years, if you go back and look, we've been in quite a few games where a touchdown or less decided those games. We had a few of those games this year. My outlook on it as a coach is that you are out there to win every game you play. It's always hard, with tough games, to accept them ... and I feel like, 'Yeah, we should have won that game.' There were games — coulda, shoulda, woulda — we were capable of winning, no question about that."
2011: UConn finished 5-7.
2012: UConn finished 5-7.
If this isn't what the bottom looks like for UConn football, no one wants to know what that could bring.
Reach executive sports editor Lee Lewis at llewis@rep-am.com.
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Palladino: Chase's Behr back for one more shot
WATERBURY -- Things were going to be different in girls basketball, everyone said, but I'll be darned, it looked rather familiar Saturday in the Kennedy High gymnasium.
There was a guy on the Chase Collegiate bench who looked a lot like former coach Ray Behr. Upon closer inspection, my gosh, it was Behr. He's back to give the Highlanders one season as interim head coach.
The scoreboard looked familiar, too. True, Holy Cross graduated six players from a championship team, and Naugatuck Valley League opponents were looking to take down the three-time defending league champions.
Um, I wouldn't celebrate Cross' demise just yet.
The Crusaders won the girls jamboree in impressive fashion, slipping past Chase in a tight opening quarter, 10-8. But then they looked like the Cross of old, using defensive pressure to frustrate Crosby in the semis, 24-14, and dashing past Kennedy in the final, 23-11.
But first, let's talk about the Behr sighting on Highland Avenue. When Behr stepped down as Chase coach after the 2010-11 season, he had amassed 493 victories over 25 years. He gave way to a former Chase star, Charlene Riddick, but he missed the game enough to volunteer to help out his daughter, Jen, at Oxford High. He kept the book and stayed connected.
But when Riddick stepped down after one season, back came Behr.
"When Char decided to go back to school, I thought that the team needed some consistency in philosophy," Behr said, "so I came back to make sure that the team was in a good spot."
Behr will stay for one season, then hand the reins to Bill Maisto. Behr will get him "on the right track with the same philosophy."
And the best part of all is that Behr can finish off that career milestone and get win No. 500. Already 1-0 this season, he needs just six more wins.
"Some people asked me why I would leave before 500 wins," Behr said. "You know, you lose sight of the wins. It's the kids. They accepted me back, and they want to get 500 for me. I'm at a program that I love, a school that I love, and I just love basketball."
Lovers of basketball flocked to Kennedy, more than 600 of them, to help get the season started. We got a glimpse of an impressive future on this day. There were quality freshmen on that floor, including an eighth-grader at Chase, Idalis Miranda, and a freshman guard at Kennedy, Lynadia Whiting, who demonstrated clearly that they are stars of the future.
But it was the Crusaders, again, who were the champions of the present. With the loss of sensational talent like Angelica Ariola, Briana Bradford and Danielle Dorsett, Cross' Kiera O'Donnell showed that she is ready to step forward and be one of the top players in the NVL. With the transfer to Cross of Chelsea Houlihan from Wolcott, HC is isn't drifting out of the NVL title picture for one good reason: The Crusaders still bring the trademark swarming defense.
"Some nights, your shots will go in; some nights, they're not going to go in," Cross coach Frank Lombardo said, "but the thing is, you can always give 150-percent effort on the defensive end."
O'Donnell led all scorers with 19 points and demonstrated the versatility that will make her tough to defend. She hit from the perimeter and scored on the blocks. Cross also showed versatility in the scorebook.
"After the first quarter, we gathered ourselves," added Lombardo. "We understood how to make some adjustments."
Yes, the city jamboree is just an exhibition, but we can learn from it. The Behr is back, the city girls talent pool is being enriched, and the Crusaders are still in the title picture.
Send comments to jpalladino@rep-am.com.
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Woodland vs. North Branford should be a shootout
Only once in the 127-year history of Connecticut high school football has there ever been a game that featured more aerial firepower than the one set for today's Class S semifinals.
No. 7 Woodland (8-3) faces No. 3 North Branford (11-0) at 12:30 p.m. at Meriden's Falcon Field. It's not only a rematch of the 2005 Class SS semis, when the Hawks took a 27-7 win, but more importantly it's a meeting of the state's statistical top two quarterbacks.
Woodland junior Tanner Kingsley leads the state with 2,996 passing yards and a state-record 47 touchdown passes. North Branford senior Brandan Basil is second in both categories with 2,579 yards and 39 scores.
Their combined 5,575 passing yards is second-most between two quarterbacks entering one game, just shy of the 5,802 yards put up by Masuk's Casey Cochran and New Canaan's Matthew Milano heading into their 2010 Class L final.
Kingsley's and Basil's 86 combined passing touchdowns, though, are 10 more than Cochran and Milano had two years ago and the most ever.
Even though it's a game of historic proportions, North Branford coach Mark Basil said his team's game plan will be the same as in its first 11 games.
"We're not treating it any differently than any other game," he said. "We'll take what the defense will give us. Fortunately, we have a balanced attack. We have a number of guys in different positions we want to get the ball to."
Basil's son, Brandan, engineers an offense that has scored more than 40 points in all but one game. His favorite target is Chris Caron (887 yards, 15 TDs), but Joe Delucia (660 yards, 13 TDs) and Alex McGuigan (540 yards, seven TDs) are close behind.
Woodland has been hot and cold against spread offenses this season. The Hawks shut down St. Paul early in the regular season, but could not contain Wolcott early last month.
To prepare for Basil's slinging, Woodland coach Tim Shea said his starting defense got plenty of looks against Kingsley in practice Friday and Saturday.
"Hopefully, when the ball goes up, we're there for it and can come down with it," Shea said. "There are going to be a lot of momentum changes in this game. With the short turnaround, it might come down to who makes the fewest mistakes."
Both teams are used to momentum swings. Woodland rallied from a 16-point deficit in the quarterfinals to beat Capital Prep while North Branford came back from 16 down to defeat Hyde on Thanksgiving eve.
Those comebacks are sticking with each team.
"It showed that no matter what, we have a shot," Shea
See HAWKS, Page 4C
said. "The kids have confidence right now and hopefully that helps us move on."
"We have confidence that we'll be in every game right up to the end," Basil said. "The team that went 9-1 last year, a majority of these guys returned. This group of kids is special and they have a lot of chemistry."
The Thunderbirds don't exclusively throw the ball. Running back Dale Hausman has 1,133 yards and 10 touchdowns this year, and has been crucial in each of their last two wins, according to Basil.
"The Hyde game, we came out and figured they were trying to defend the pass," Basil said. "In the second half, we tried to stretch them on the perimeter. The last game against (Trinity Catholic), we did a lot with our running game. We have a little twist for our offense."
Whatever North Branford's offense does, Shea said tackling and confidence need to remain firm.
"We need to tackle better," Shea said. "We need to play better and more confident on defense. This time of year, everyone is going to move the ball and score, so we have to get it in our heads that if people move the ball and score, it's not the end of the world."
Woodland doesn't plan on straying too much from its offense, although the Hawks may try to build upon their second-half rushing success against Capital Prep.
"We're not going to trend away from what got us here," Shea said. "We'll have a few wrinkles in, and if that means running the ball more, we'll do it. If it means throwing the ball more, believe it or not, we'll do that. We have a lot of tools in our toolbox, and we'll have to use them to win."
If the Hawks somehow find a way to throw more than they already do, Basil said his defense will be ready and eager to slow Kingsley and his receivers, especially Anthony Scirpo (1,087 yards, 23 TDs) and Rahmi Rountree (737 yards, 12 TDs).
"They're excited about the challenge," said Basil, whose defense has made 19 interceptions this year. "They're really looking to get after it. We're well aware of what (Kingsley has) done. Our defensive front knows they have to get pressure and our secondary knows it has to make plays."
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Another concussion forces Whitmer to sidelines again
EAST HARTFORD — UConn coach Paul Pasqualoni refused to utter the word "concussion" in describing the injury quarterback Chandler Whitmer sustained last week at Louisville. When Whitmer gained medical clearance to practice earlier in the week, there was no reason for Pasqualoni to say the word.
But he still didn't say it Saturday after Whitmer left Saturday's 34-17 loss to Cincinnati on Saturday after his head slammed into the turf. Whitmer said he blacked out and had no recollection of being held steady by some of Cincinnati's coaches.
Whitmer's exit came shortly before UConn pulled within 21-17 to start the fourth quarter. It was also a huge turn in the game as Whitmer was finding open receivers with ease.
The sophomore quarterback has taken a beating this year, but a head injury in straight weeks is certainly cause for concern. Fortunately for him, the season is finished and he has time to recover.
"It's part of football, but the doctors always say you don't want to mess around with your head," Whitmer said. "I trust what they say. ... I passed all my tests. A lot of extensive tests that I had to do last week. After that, I was good.
"I was going to play. I'm competitive and I wanted to get back out there. (The doctors) wanted to do what's best and they did."
Whitmer was hurt on, of all things, a trick play. The usually conservative Huskies took a risk and lost Whitmer because of it.
Scott McCummings took the snap from center and pitched to receiver Nick Williams, who pitched to Whitmer. Finding no open receiver, he turned to the sidelines, was caught by the ankles and released the ball out of bounds just before his head hit the turf.
As an added insult, Whitmer was also hit with an intentional grounding penalty. He spent the remainder of the game on the sidelines, sitting in a chair while wrapped in a heavy coat.
"Our medical staff is on top of things and they felt pretty confident about him playing," Pasqualoni said. "We felt good about playing him in the game. ... He feels pretty good right now. I'll be concerned if the medical staff is concerned. I've always had a philosophy that coaches shouldn't practice medicine."
Limited: Senior defensive end Trevardo Williams has had an extraordinary career, setting the school mark for career sacks. Unfortunately for him, he was unable to add to it Saturday. More unfortunately, he wasn't able to do much for the Huskies because of a high ankle sprain sustained in last week's victory at Louisville.
Williams was limited to mostly third-down duty and was ineffective. He simply couldn't get the push off the right foot he needed to use his speed to get to Cincinnati quarterback Brendon Kay.
"He couldn't play," Pasqualoni said. "We felt like we had a better chance just getting him off the ball and letting him try to rush. He was somewhat limited doing that."
One game, one year: UConn kicker Chad Christen encountered a hip issue Sunday that limited him in practice all week. He couldn't do kickoffs Saturday and was only available for short field goals. After exploring every possible option, the coaching staff decided it had no choice but to use freshman kicker Bobby Puyol in Christen's place.
Puyol was on his way to a redshirt season. Instead, Puyol was forced to play and, in essence, used one year of eligibility for one game.
"I'm fine with that," Puyol said. "Somebody had to kick and Chad couldn't do it. I have no problem with it." Pasqualoni said Puyol will instead take a redshirt season next year as Christen will be back for his senior season. Puyol did have issue with one thing, though: the cold. He is from North Palm Beach, Fla., and said the only cold-weather game he had ever played in came during his junior year in Tampa when the temperature was 46 degrees.
It was 30 degrees and kickoff and considerably less than that when night fell an hour into the game.
"You have no idea how cold it was out there," Puyol said. "Every time I had a chance to sit on the bench and warm up, I did."
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Kansas City player kills girlfriend, then himself
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Jovan Belcher killed his girlfriend Saturday morning and minutes later, holding a gun to his head, thanked his general manager and coach before shooting himself outside the team's practice complex.
Authorities did not release a motive for the murder-suicide, though police said that Belcher and his girlfriend, 22-year-old Kasandra M. Perkins, had been arguing recently. The two of them have a 3-month-old girl who was being cared for by family.
Belcher thanked general manager Scott Pioli and coach Romeo Crennel before pulling the trigger, police spokesman Darin Snapp said. Officers had locked down the Chiefs facility by midmorning.
The team said it would play its home game against the Carolina Panthers as scheduled this afternoon "after discussions between the league office, head coach Romeo Crennel and Chiefs
See CHIEFS, Page 2C
team captains."
A spokesman for the team told The Associated Press that Crennel plans to coach today.
Belcher was a 25-year-old native of West Babylon, N.Y., on Long Island, who played college ball at Maine. He signed with the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent, made the team and stayed with it for four years, moving into the starting lineup. He had played in all 11 games this season.
"The entire Chiefs family is deeply saddened by today's events, and our collective hearts are heavy with sympathy, thoughts and prayers for the families and friends affected by this unthinkable tragedy," Chiefs chairman Clark Hunt said in a statement.
"We sincerely appreciate the expressions of sympathy and support we have received from so many in the Kansas City and NFL communities, and ask for continued prayers for the loved ones of those impacted," Hunt said. "We will continue to fully cooperate with the authorities and work to ensure that the appropriate counseling resources are available to all members of the organization."
The NFL released a statement that also expressed sympathy and said, "We have connected the Chiefs with our national team of professional counselors to support both the team and the families of those affected. We will continue to provide assistance in any way that we can."
Authorities reported receiving a call Saturday morning from a woman who said her daughter had been shot multiple times at a residence about five miles from the Arrowhead Stadium complex. The call came from Belcher's mother, who referred to the victim as her daughter, leading to some initial confusion.
"She treated Kasandra like a daughter," Snapp said. Belcher's mother, who is from New York, had recently moved in with the couple, "probably to help out with the baby," Snapp said.
Police then received a phone call from the Chiefs' training facility.
"The description matched the suspect description from that other address. We kind of knew what we were dealing with," Snapp said. The player was "holding a gun to his head" as he stood in front of the front doors of the practice facility.
"And there were Pioli and Crennel and another coach or employee was standing outside and appeared to be talking to him. It appeared they were talking to the suspect," Snapp said. "The suspect began to walk in the opposite direction of the coaches and the officers and that's when they heard the gunshot. It appears he took his own life."
The coaches told police they never felt in any danger, Snapp said.
"They said the player was actually thanking them for everything they'd done for him," he said. "They were just talking to him and he was thanking them and everything. That's when he walked away and shot himself."
At the home of Belcher's mother on Long Island, relatives declined to talk to reporters. An SUV in the home's driveway was flying a small Kansas City Chiefs flag.
The somber mood lightened somewhat as darkness fell, with music playing and people drinking from Styrofoam cups. Belcher's family turned the front yard into a shrine, with a large poster of the player, an array of his trophies, and jerseys and jackets from Kansas City, Maine and West Babylon High.
"He was a good, good person ... a family man. A loving guy," said family friend Ruben Marshall, 42, who said he coached Belcher in youth football. He was stunned by the shooting and suicide. "You couldn't be around a better person."
At least 20 people gathered for a large group hug in the driveway.
"I still can't believe it," neighbor Roy Brown said. "I don't believe it."
Perkin's Facebook page shows the couple smiling and holding the baby.
"His move to the NFL was in keeping with his dreams," said Jack Cosgrove, who coached Belcher at Maine. "This is an indescribably horrible tragedy."
Belcher is the latest among several players and NFL retirees to die from self-inflicted gunshot wounds in the past couple of years. The death of the beloved star Junior Seau, who shot himself in the chest at his California home last May, sent shockwaves around the league.
Seau's family, like those of other suicide victims, has donated his brain tissue to determine if head injuries he sustained playing football might be linked to his death.
Belcher did not have an extensive injury history, though the linebacker showed up on the official injury report on Nov. 11, 2009, as being limited in practice with a head injury. Belcher played four days later against the Oakland Raiders.
Earlier this year, the NFL provided a grant to help establish an independently operated phone service that connects players, coaches, team officials and other staff with counselors trained to work through personal and emotional crises. The NFL Life Line is available 24 hours a day.
Kansas City Mayor Sly James said that he spoke to Pioli after the shooting.
"I can tell you that you have absolutely no idea what it's like to see someone kill themselves," James said. "You can take your worst nightmare and put someone you know and love in that situation, and give them a gun and stand three feet away and watch them kill themselves. That's what it's like.
"It's unfathomable."
The season has been a massive disappointment for the Chiefs, who were expected to contend for the AFC West title. They're just 1-10 and mired in an eight-game losing streak marked by injuries, poor play and fan upheaval, with constant calls the past several weeks for Pioli and Crennel to be fired.
The Twitter account for a fan group known as "Save Our Chiefs" recently surpassed 80,000 followers, about 17,000 more than the announced crowd at a recent game. The group was organizing a "Can Scott Pioli" food drive for today that has since been canceled.
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Associated Press writers Heather Hollingsworth and Frank Eltman contributed to this report.
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Online: http://pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP—NFL
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