Colton Nicholas throws a pass during Trumbull’s Black & Gold spring football game in Trumbull, Conn., on Friday June 15, 2018. Photo: Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut Media / Connecticut Post.

Vitals

• COACH —  MARCE PETROCCIO (1st year)
• CONFERENCE — FCIAC West
• PLAYOFF CLASS — LL (1,063 boys enrollment)
• HOME — McDougall Stadium, Trumbull 
• 2017 RECORD — 3-7
• 2018 OPENER — Sept. 8 at Greenwich, 4 p.m.
• TEAM WEBSITE — Maxpreps | TWITTER — @TrumbullFB

Top Players

• COLTON NICHOLAS, Sr., QB, (6-4, 240)
• ADAM TOLK, Sr., LB/RB, (5-11, 215)
• CHRIS BRIGANTI, Sr., DE, (6-3, 200)
• JUSTIN SCHWARTZ, Sr., OL, (6-0, 255)
• MICHAEL MCHUGH, Sr., OL, (6-3, 260)
• DANNY ARGANESE, Sr., DB, (5-8, 165)

Key Losses

RB/DB Markeese Woods, OL Eric Palinkas 

Outlook

Marce Petroccio returns to Trumbull, where he once played and later coached under Jerry McDougall. 

The Hall of Fame coach, who won 210 games, three state championships and five FCIAC titles over 25 years at Staples, inherits a proud program that has fallen on hard times.

Consider this: The Eagles have not made the playoffs since 2010, when they lost in both the FCIAC and Class LL finals. Their record over that time is 19-36, including 3-7 last season under Bob Maffei. 

“We’re constantly trying to change the culture,” Petroccio said at the Black and Gold Spring Game in June. “I brought in a top-notch staff who’s done a tremendous job with these kids.

“As I said before, we’re trying to create some bonds and some relationships. Kids have been accountable and they’re working hard, from a kid who’s a sophomore to a kid who’s a senior.”

Trumbull’s new football coach Marce Petroccio speaks to his players before the start of the team’s Black and Gold spring game in Trumbull, Conn., on Friday June 15, 2018. Photo: Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut Media

The Eagles believe they’ll be well-equipped at quarterback with Colton Nicholas, who is one of seven starters back on offense. Nicholas, a 6-foot-4 senior, showed flashes of breaking out last year, despite working in an offense that was undermanned at times because of injuries and suspensions. 

Four offensive linemen also return, including seniors Justin Schwartz and Michael McHugh. 

There’s a bit more uncertainty on the other side of the ball. The defense was a mess last year, allowing an average of 36.9 points per game. Three times they surrendered more than 60 points. 

Petroccio, however, is optimistic the defense will be better this season. The unit has four starters back, most notably, senior linebacker Adam Tolk. 

“The whole defense starts with Adam Tolk,” Petroccio said. “He’s just one heck of a football player.”

A potential roadblock for Trumbull could be its schedule, which features a who’s-who of FCIAC and state powers, beginning Sept. 8 with a trip to Greeenwich. The Eagles also host New Canaan (Sept. 21) and St. Joseph (Thanksgiving) and visit Darien (Oct. 26). 

“We’re going to have our hiccups and our ups and downs, I understand that,” Petroccio said. “But these kids are eager to learn.”

2018 Schedule

• Sept. 8 — at Greenwich,** 4 p.m.
• Sept. 14 — FAIRFIELD LUDLOWE, ** 7 p.m.
• Sept. 21 — NEW CANAAN, ** 7 p.m.
• Sept. 28 — at Trinity Catholic, ** 6 p.m.
• Oct. 5 — at Norwalk, ** 7 p.m.
• Oct. 19 — DANBURY, ** 7 p.m.
• Oct. 26 — at Darien, * 7 p.m.
• Nov. 2 — WESTHILL, ** 7 p.m.
• Nov. 9 — at Griswold, 7 p.m.
• Nov. 22 — ST. JOSEPH, * 10 a.m.

Home games in CAPS
*Conference game
**Division game