By Mike Pucci
New Haven Register
ANSONIA >> Ansonia has bucked the trend, relying on its brand of smash-mouth football instead of a spread offense that has become commonplace in the state.
Personnel has been a big reason why. The Chargers have had a slew of talented tailbacks in recent years, in addition to big, physical linemen.
“We’ve kind of thrived in years we had a good offensive line that we could really pound the ball behind,” Ansonia coach Tom Brockett said.This should be one of those years.
Arkeel Newsome, arguably the best running back in the state, returns for his senior season after rushing for 2,242 yards and 38 touchdowns last year. Junior quarterback Jai’Quan McKnight and senior fullback Saiheed Sanders also return in the backfield.
But the familiar faces don’t stop there. The offensive line returns four starters. Ryan Hovan, who missed all of last season with a broken leg, is healthy again and will start at right guard.
“Obviously it’s early, but we feel good about where we are offensively,” Brockett said. “There’s a lot of kinks to work out, but the pieces of the puzzle are there.”
That offensive line — Hovan, senior right tackle Matt Simon, senior center Corey Dzienkiewicz, senior left guard Antone Mack and junior left tackle Tyler O’Connell — could be the most talented in the state.
The architect of that line, coach Len “Butch” Marazzi, stresses the fundamentals.
“Every day we meet and we go on the blackboard and try to get 15, 20 minutes in on the blackboard so they have an opportunity to see what I have planned for that day,” Marazzi said. “They get a visual. Then we go out on the field and we break it down. I am a big fundamental line coach. I just believe in old-time fundamentals. We still block the seven-man sled, which a lot of people don’t do; we still do one-on-ones. We’ll do it every day until December. We do the same stuff. That’s the only way to get proficient at it.”
Said Simon: “We always go through everything over and over. We pretty much start with the basics and then go over everything more than once. Practice really does make perfect.”
That formula has worked for years. Newsome, who has rushed for 6,805 career yards, is closing in on the state record currently held by former Chargers standout Alex Thomas, who rushed for 8,279 yards from 2004-07.
Newsome, whose current rushing total is third best all time, already owns the state record for touchdowns with 119. Another Charger, Montrell Dobbs (2007-10), is sixth on the rushing list with 5,474 yards.
“(Marazzi) has done a phenomenal job with the line,” Brockett said. “We’ve been very fortunate. It starts up front and, obviously, we’ve had great tailbacks. It’s made for a great combination.”
Simon shed about 25 pounds from last season, but maintained his strength. Marazzi says he has a great combination of brains and brawn.
“You can see a huge difference in his ability to move and all,” Marazzi said. “But I think what makes him so special is his intelligence. He knows every blocking scheme and he knows every defense, which is a credit to him.”
Hovan, meanwhile, is eager for the season to begin. Hovan had surgery on his leg last September, went through physical therapy and was cleared to play in March. He says he’s at 100 percent.
“I’m so excited,” Hovan said. “I’ve been waiting for this forever, actually. I haven’t played in a varsity game that counts yet, so it’s a big deal for me.”
Both Brockett and Marazzi had high praise for Hovan.
“I thought last year he would’ve been our best offensive lineman,” Brockett said. “So, obviously, we put a real good player back in the mix.”
Said Marazzi: “Ryan Hovan is probably the best lineman I have ever coached here. He possesses what you need: he has size, he’s extremely fast, has very good feet and he plays with a chip. He likes to go after people. That really adds to the mix. He’s the ideal lineman.”
Marazzi says Mack is one of the strongest players on the team, Dzienkiewicz is another big, physical kid and O’Connell was “thrown into the mix” as a sophomore and gained valuable experience last season.
“They look great,” Marazzi said. “We have great kids that work hard. I am lucky. It’s not all about me. It’s certainly about the ability they all have.”
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