Sports

NewCanaanite.com Athletes of the Week: Gracie Castle and Michael Kraus

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The NewCanaanite.com Athlete of the Week is sponsored by Baskin-Robbins, Connecticut Sandwich Co., Joe’s Pizza and Mackenzie’s. Congratulations to Grace Castle and Michael Kraus for being named NewCanaanite.com Athletes of the Week. After finishing last season at 6-12, the New Canaan Rams Girls Volleyball team clinched a bid in the state playoffs earlier this week and currently sit in seventh place in the FCIAC at 9-6. A major reason for the turnaround has been the play of senior setter Gracie Castle. Castle led the Rams to a 3-0 win against Trinity Catholic on Tuesday, tallying 12 assists, seven kills and five aces.

Sports

New Canaan Tops Hatters 42-14, Improves to 5-0

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After a penalty-laden win over Warde, the focus at practice this past week for the New Canaan Rams was to play a cleaner, more disciplined brand of football for their Friday night game against 3-1 Danbury. Mission accomplished. Led by an all-around star turn from senior co-captain Alex LaPolice (three TDs—two rushing, one receiving) and a solid overall defensive performance coupled with great special teams play, the Rams dominated the Hatters—all while drawing just four flags on their way to a 42-14 road win at Danbury High School. “We just wanted to maintain control, and I think we did that,” Marinelli told NewCanaanite.com. “Hopefully we can learn from the mistakes of the past and move on.”

There weren’t many gaffes for the Rams this week as they played perhaps their most complete overall game of the season.

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Flag Day: New Canaan Overcomes Penalties, Warde for Football Program’s 500th Win

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In a game where the officials threw more flags than New Canaan quarterback Mike Collins threw passes, the Rams defeated the Fairfield Warde Mustangs 35-14 at Tetreau-Davis Field. The Rams were called for an eye-popping 19 penalties for 186 yards, including several personal fouls – two of which led to a New Canaan assistant coach’s ejection from the game. The penalties almost overshadowed some impressive individual performances in New Canaan’s win, the 500th in the football program’s rich history. Senior co-captain Frank Cognetta– in his second game back from a foot injury – scored three touchdowns while younger brother Matt had the other two New Canaan scores as the Rams improved to 4-0 on the season. Warde fell to 2-2 with the loss.

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Mr. 300: New Canaan Beats Greenwich for Marinelli’s Milestone Win

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On picture perfect day in front of a packed Homecoming crowd, the New Canaan Rams not only bested rival Greenwich on the gridiron—head coach Lou Marinelli also notched a milestone win in one of the most illustrious careers in New Canaan sports history. Kyle Smith caught five passes for 122 yards and a touchdown and also had an interception that set up New Canaan’s first score, as the Rams defeated Greenwich 35-20 Saturday afternoon at Dunning Field. The win was the 300th career victory for Marinelli, who saw his team improve to 3-0 on the season. “I’ve been looking forward to playing for coach since third grade,” Smith told NewCanaanite.com. “It’s all I wanted to do.

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New Canaan Football Tames Lions

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Last week it was the Tigers, this week it was the Lions. Too bad the Norwalk Bears aren’t on New Canaan’s schedule. New Canaan’s stifling defense coupled with a quick-strike offense was simply too much for Bassick High School as they overwhelmed the Lions 43-6 in front of a packed house at Dunning Field. And while the win may have lacked the drama of last week’s nail biting win over Hand, it was a satisfying one for Rams head coach Lou Marinelli. “Our kids came out early and took care of business early,” Marinelli told NewCanaanite.com.