Greenwich defeated by FCIAC Thanksgiving football rival Staples, Wreckers earn the No. 1-ranking in Class LL Tournament, Cardinals ranked No. 2

By David Fierro on November 23, 2023 • ( Leave a comment )

**Photo courtesy of Dylan Goodman Photography:** Greenwich High School quarterback Rocco Grillo gets ready to throw a pass during a football game against Staples, while Cardinals center Peter Vomvolakis blocks a Wreckers defensive lineman. Staples won the Thanksgiving Day game on Nov. 23, 2023, at Cardinal Stadium, 24-13.

With longtime FCIAC football rivals Greenwich and Staples each embarking on time-consuming drives in the first half of today’s Thanksgiving Day game at Cardinal Stadium, points were at a premium, since both squads didn’t have many possessions.

Unfortunately for the Cardinals, the Wreckers did more with their possessions on this day.

Scoring 17 straight points after the much-anticipated matchup was tied at halftime, Staples posted a definitive 24-13 win over Greenwich at Cardinal Stadium, earning their second consecutive win on Thanksgiving against the Cardinals. The triumph gave Staples (9-1) the No. 1-seed in the CIAC Class LL Tournament, which begins on Tuesday. Greenwich (9-1) which entered today’s game undefeated and was ranked No. 1 in Class LL, received the No. 2 seed in the Class LL playoffs.

The CIAC football committee met on Friday morning and announced the seedings and brackets for each Class Tournament. In the Class LL Tournament, second-seeded Greenwich will host seventh-seeded Stamford in the Tuesday’s 6:30 p.m. quarterfinals at Cardinal Stadium. Staples, seeded first, will host No. 8 Fairfield Prep in Tuesday’s Class LL quarterfinals at 6:30 p.m.

**Photo courtesy of Dylan Goodman Photography:** Greenwich senior linebacker John Insinga, left, pursues Staples running back Anthony Armentano during an FCIAC Thanksgiving football game at Cardinal Stadium in Greenwich on Nov. 23, 2023.

Greenwich began the game with the ball and effectively moved the ball down the field, using a short passing game and the running of senior Ian Kim to gain first downs. However, the Cardinals’ drive was halted at the Wreckers’ 2-yard line, as the visitors put forth a stellar goal-line stand to keep the game scoreless. Senior wide receiver Brandon Auguste caught three passes from senior quarterback Rocco Grillo during Greenwich’s opening drive, with Grillo also scrambling for a first down.

Led by senior quarterback Caleb Smith, who is producing another sensational season, the Wreckers drove 98 yards to seize a 7-0 first-quarter lead. With the Cardinals blitzing, Smith completing a screen pass to senior wide receiver Max Maurillo, who reached the end zone on an impressive 69-yard catch-and-run. Maurillo booted the extra point, putting the Wreckers on top, 7-0, with 2:26 remaining in the first quarter.

**Photo by Dylan Goodman**: Greenwich High School senior wide receiver Brandon Auguste tries to elude a Staples defensive player after making a reception during a Thanksgiving Day game at Cardinal Stadium in Greenwich. Staples won, 24-13.

The Cardinals went on another long drive on their second possession, but this time they finished off their march with a score, evening the game at 7-7. Senior running back Ian Kim ran into the end zone for a 4-yard touchdown and senior Erick Perino split the uprights with the PAT, with just under six minutes left in the second quarter.

Junior wide receiver Blake Martin caught a long pass from Grillo, giving the Cardinals a first down at the Wreckers’ 4-yard line and Grillo moved the chains with a lengthy run, which keyed the home team’s scoring drive.

**Photo courtesy of Dylan Goodman Photography:** Greenwich High School defensive back Jack Carroll tackles a Staples receiver after he made a reception during an FCIAC Thanksgiving rivalry game held in Greenwich.

Staples threatened to take the lead heading into halftime, as Caleb led the visitors down the field by running for a pair of first downs and completing a pass for a first down to junior wide out Shane Sandrew. But the missed 26-yard field goal attempt as time expired resulted in the score staying tied at 7-7 going into the half.

Coached by Anthony Morello, the defending CIAC Class LL champion Cardinals were paced by senior linebackers John Insinga, Sebastian Parra and Jaden Scott in the first half, while senior defensive linemen Logan Jozwiak and Yahcere McGhee each applied pressure in the opening half.

**Photo by Dylan Goodman Photography**: Greenwich High School senior running back Ian Kim, right, gets ready to take a handoff from senior quarterback Rocco Grillo during a game against rival Staples at Cardinal Stadium on Nov. 23, 2023.

It was a fast moving first half, featuring only a few possessions for each squad. Staples had three possessions, while GHS had the ball only twice – its third possession was a one-play kneel down in the final seconds of the second quarter.

Coached by Adam Behrends, Staples had the ball for most of the third quarter, as the Cards only ran four plays the entire quarter. The Wreckers drove all the way to Greenwich’s 18-yard line to start the third quarter, courtesy of Smith, who used his legs and arm to give his team first downs.

**Photo courtesy of Dylan Goodman Photography:** Greenwich’d defense in action against Staples’ offensive unit.

The drive stalled, however, when Cardinals senior defensive end John McHugh made a key play, recovering a fumble in the red zone, ending the Wreckers’ drive and giving the hosts the ball at its own 10-yard line. Senior Sam Petrosino, who produced a strong receiving game, sparked Staples drive into Cardinals’ territory with a pair of receptions.

Greenwich’s ensuing possession last just one play, however, as a fumble gave Staples the ball right back, taking over inside the GHS 20-yard line. This time, the Wreckers reached the end zone, as Smith bulled his way into the end zone from 1-yard out, thanks to a sizeable push from his offensive linemen. Maurillo added the extra point, giving the Wreckers a 14-7 third-quarter advantage.

**Photo by Dylan Goodman:** Greenwich High senior placekicker Erick Perino kicks the ball during a matchup against visiting Staples on Nov. 23, 2023. The holder for Perino on the play is junior George Minchin.

The visitors forced the Cards to go three-and-out on their next possession, then in the fourth quarter, Maurillo converted a 29-yard field goal, making it 17-7.

Maurillo added to his big game, intercepting a Grillo pass and running it back way into Cardinals territory midway through the fourth quarter. Smith scored on another run, this time from four yards out, putting Greenwich in a 24-7 hole.

**Photo courtesy of Dylan Goodman Photography:** Greenwich High School cheerleader Kylie Russo, center, cheers on the Cardinals varsity football team at a Thanksgiving Day game against Staples at Cardinal Stadium.

Senior wide receiver Gavyn Gennarelli caught a 6-yard touchdown pass from Grillo with just under 1:30 remaining in the fourth quarter, cutting Staples’ lead to 24-13. Yet, it was too little, too late for Greenwich, which lost to Staples for the second straight year on Thanksgiving.

The 2022 season saw Staples edge Greenwich, 39-38, in a thriller in the final seconds. The Wreckers then lost to Fairfield Prep in the Class LL Tournament quarterfinals, while the Cardinals regrouped and proceeded to win the state championship, beating Prep in the title game.

**Photo courtesy of Dylan Goodman Photography:** Greenwich High senior linebacker John Insinga in action versus Staples.

Fourth-seeded Manchester is hosting fifth-seeded Southington and third-seeded West Haven is playing host to sixth-seeded New Britain in Tuesday’s other CIAC Class Tournament quarterfinals.

**Photo by Dylan Goodman:** Greenwich High School head football coach Anthony Morello talks to the officials during a game against Staples at Cardinal Stadium on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 23, 2023, in Greenwich.

**Photo courtesy of Dylan Goodman Photography:** Staples High School senior quarterback Caleb Smith (No. 10), is pursued by Greenwich’s Jack Carroll (No. 14), below and Nick Aravides (No. 1). The Wreckers were victorious, 24-13.

**Photo by Dylan Goodman Photography:** Staples defeated host Greenwich in a physical football game on Nov. 23, 2023.

**Photo courtesy of Dylan Goodman:** Greenwich’s defense in action against Staples in an FCIAC rivalry football game.

**Photo by Dylan Goodman**: Greenwich’s varsity cheerleaders were on hand to support the varsity football team vs. Staples.

**Photo courtesy of Dylan Goodman Photography**: Greenwich High junior center Peter Vomvolakis in action vs. Staples.

Photos by Dylan Goodman Photography: To the left, Greenwich’s offensive line tries to hold off Staples’ defensive line. To the right, Cardinals senior Sebastian Parra punts the ball during second-half action against varsity football rival Staples.

Photos courtesy of Dylan Goodman Photography: To the left, Greenwich High School senior quarterback Rocco Grillo runs with the ball against Staples on Nov. 23, 2023, at Cardinal Stadium. To the right, the lines of both squads battle.