O’Brien Tech’s Xavier Gonzalez (62) helps block for former Condor Jommar Roc (2) during a game vs. Bullard-Havens in 2017. With Jommar Roc and his twin brother Jonte (5, left) having graduated, Gonzalez and O’Brien Tech will be looking for new weapons to help win games for new coach Tim Nixon in 2019. (Hearst Connecticut Media).
[Vitals]
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COACH — TIM NIXON (1st year)
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CONFERENCE — CTC
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PLAYOFF CLASS — S (349 boys enrollment)
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HOME — O’Brien Tech Athletic Complex, Ansonia
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2018 RECORD — 7-3
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2019 OPENER — Sept. 14 at Thames River, 1 p.m.
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TEAM WEBSITES — Maxpreps
[Top Players]
- BRANDEN ACOSTA, Sr., LB/FB, (5-8, 172)
- XAVIER GONZALEZ, Sr., OT/DE, (6-2, 267)
- MATT GILBERT, Sr., C/DT, (6-0, 287)
- XAVIER VELLECO, Jr., RB/DB, (5-8, 124)
- MARQUES JAMES, Jr., G/DE, (6-0, 214)
- RYAN SCARPULLA, Jr., OT/DT, (5-10, 249)
- RIAN NEWKIRK, Jr., TE/LB, (6-0, 201)
- KEVIN FLYNN, Jr., RB/DB, (5-7, 164)
- OZZIE PRIAR, Jr., QB/DB, (6-0, 147)
[Key Losses]
Jommar Roc, RB/LB; Jonte Roc, RB/S; Devon Mero, WR/CB
[Outlook]
Tim Nixon has big shoes to fill at O’Brien Tech.
A former assistant at Hamden Hall Country Day School and, before that, the longtime offensive coordinator at West Haven, Nixon takes over for Nick Aprea, who resigned in May following the best two-year run in the program’s brief history.
In 2017 — the program’s seventh season of existence — O’Brien Tech won eight games and reached the Class S quarterfinals. The Condors nearly returned to the postseason last year but finished on the outside looking in with a 7-3 record.
Replicating that success won’t be easy. The Condors must replace their two biggest playmakers after twins Jommar and Jonte Roc graduated. The duo combined to rush for more than 1,100 yards and double-digit touchdowns a year ago.
Nixon is optimistic, though. He likes his team’s experience and the makeup of the offensive line, which includes Xavier Gonzalez, Matt Gilbert, Marques James and Ryan Scarpuila.
“I think our offensive line will lead the way and be our team’s strength offensively,” Nixon said.
Nixon spent last year as the running backs coach at Hamden Hall. Prior to that, he was an assistant at West Haven for more than a decade, most recently as the offensive coordinator from 2011-17.
“The transition,” Nixon said, “has been smooth to say the least.”
Aprea was 26-42 over seven seasons at the helm, overseeing the program’s rise from start-up to contender. He stepped down to pursue a new career opportunity.
The Condors kick off their season Sept. 14 at CTC counterpart Thames River.
[2019 Schedule]
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Sept. 14 — at Thames River,* 1 p.m.
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Sept. 20 — vs VINAL/GOODWIN/WHITNEY,* 5 p.m.
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Sept. 27 — at Cheney Tech,* 6 p.m.
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Oct. 5 — at Wilcox Tech,* 6 p.m.
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Oct. 19 — vs MCW UNITED,* 11 a.m.
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Oct. 26 — at Prince Tech,* noon
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Nov. 2 — vs ATI,* 11 a.m.
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Nov. 8 — at Quinebaug Valley,* 6 p.m.
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Nov. 23 — vs BULLARD HAVENS TECH,* 11 a.m.
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Nov. 27 — vs PLATT TECH,* 2 p.m.
