By Ben Rossi – Staff Reporter

The Jonathan Law football team is back on the field this fall.

After months of confusion as to what was happening with the high school football season, the SCC has allowed its teams to compete in a five-week 7×7 fall season. The CIAC is planning an 11×11 football season in the spring.

“It gives our program a chance to get out and get some live reps, which is a good thing,” first-year Head Coach Haley said. “But most importantly, it gives us a chance to get some teaching film to use in preparation for the spring season.” 

2020 is already a very unusual year, especially to take over as a new head coach.

“While the pandemic has certainly affected all faces of the program it hasn’t been as negative as an outsider might think,” Coach Haley said.  “One of the biggest points of emphasis was that I wanted to bring to Law football to shift the dominant focus from performing at a high level in games and instead place it on performing at a high level in practice.”

Junior captain Lucas Pincus-Coyle agreed with his head coach.

“I’m happy that we’re able to play and get better every week,” Pincus-Coyle said.

The 7×7 games for the SCC started on October 10. A 7×7 game is a one-hand-touch football game with just the quarterback, running backs, and wide receivers.

Lineman do not participate during the actual game.

“I’m happy but sad at the same time,” said Varsity Quarterback Solomon Mercado. “I look forward to us going against a good team and seeing how well we can perform but I prefer to have my big guys upfront being there with me.”

On October 10, the Lawmen won 48-45 on a game winning touchdown by sophomore wide receiver John Neider.

“It felt like nothing,” said Neider. “I have been waiting on this season forever and just to get back on the field was great and scoring the game winning touchdown just added to that.”

After a 2-8 record last season, the Lawmen want to make sure that this year turns out different, and with a Week 1 win, their confidence is already on the rise.

“The main way we’ve improved from last year is not just the fact that we are in better physical shape is our mentality,” said Senior Captain Anthony Difederico.  “Last year going up against a tier 1 class L school a lot of the kids would have complained, but this year we worked our tails off in the off-season and on October 10 we got the outcome we deserved.”

On October 17, Law goes up against cross town rival Foran and looks to get revenge for the loss in last year’s Thanksgiving game. Future games include Wilbur Cross on October 24, Hamden on Halloween, and Shelton on November 7.