[Vitals]

• COACH — AUGUSTINE TIERI (2nd year, 4-6)

• CONFERENCE — FCIAC West

• PLAYOFF CLASS — LL (1,598 boys enrollment)

• HOME — Crotty Field at Clapboard Ridge, Danbury

• 2018 RECORD — 4-6

• 2019 OPENER — Sept. 14 at Greenwich, 4 p.m.

• TEAM WEBSITE — MaxPreps | TWITTER — @CoachTieri

[Top Players]

• JAH JOYNER, Sr. DE/T (6-4 225)

• KILE JACKSON, Sr. DE/T (6-2, 240)

• JORDAN AGOSTO, Sr, DL/C (5-8, 250)

• D.J. DONOVAN, Jr. RB/LB (6-2, 220)

• MALACHI HOPKINS, Sr. WB/S (5-11, 190)

• BERNIE DELACRUZ, Sr. WR (6-1, 170)

• NICK SMITH, So., WR, (6-0, 180)

• TYRELL JONES, Jr., FB/LB (6-0, 175)

• PATRICK ROSETTI, Jr., QB (6-2, 175)

• JACKSON CICCONE, So., QB (5-8, 150)

[Key Losses]

RJ Hopkins, RB/LB; Jude Umunakwe, WR/DB; Malik Thomas, RB/LB; Jack Pompea, RB/LB.

[Outlook]

Glimmers of hope from last year could turn into bright flashes of light if the excitement from the Danbury camp translates onto the field in 2019.

Buoyed by a strong sophomore class and leadership in the trenches, the Hatters — a sleeper by some — hope to make leap up the FCIAC ladder this fall.

Augustine Tieri has established a positive culture in one year on the job, and the positivity is vibrant on the Hatters campus. Danbury increased its win total by three games in year one, and there’s hope that happens again despite a difficult schedule.

“I believe in these kids, I really do,” Tieri said. “I feel like there is so much talent here in this program, and you match with the hard work and the commitment of these kids. It’s great. We expect to be successful and compete with the better teams in the FCIAC.”

Boston College commit Jah Joyner — who had 11 sacks last year — leads both the offensive and defensive lines. Fellow seniors Jordan Agosto and Kile Jackson ensures a strong running game that features both bruisers and home run hitters. The Hatters rushed for 2,598 yards last year (259.8 per game), tops in the FCIAC.

Sophomore running back Artez Taft — who transferred from Archbishop Stepinac in White Plains — is explosive as can be. Wide receiver/defensive back Xavier Ross also transferred home from Stepinac, Tieri said the duo was influenced by the changing culture at the school and what could a very dangerous team the next several years.

“I think that they kept an eye what was going on here,” Tieri said. “They’ve been Danbury kids their entire lives and they’re close with kids here. They wanted too come back and be with the their friends. … They’ve been nothing but a positive influence on our program. They’re very talented kids who are hard working and fell right into the culture.”

Sophomore Nick Smith is another potential breakout candidate at receiver, leaving the Hatters with options at both skill positions. D.J. Donovan is a punishing fullback who will compliment his running game teammates.

The quarterback battle is down to sophomore Jackson Ciccone and junior Patrick Rosetti. Last year’s starter Malachi Hopkins is the team’s leading returning rusher and will be in a variety of roles this year, Tieri said. Rosetti saw time last year at quarterback while Hopkins was hurt. Ciccone performed well with the freshman team.

“I might wait all season (to decide),” Tieri joked. “I think I have one of the best problems in the FCIAC.  We have 2 great quarterbacks who I think could start for almost any other team. They really are 1-A and 1-B. I’m proud of both of them, they are intelligent, hard-working kids.”

The Scheduling Alliance crossover series produces a highly-anticipated matchup with Newtown Oct. 25. Danbury could be over .500 heading into that one. But second-half matchups with the Nighthawks, Darien, Ludlowe and Ridgefield will test the Hatters’ hype. Danbury will be on the road for the first three weeks as the track renovation at the school hits its final phases.

“We have a great mix of really talented young football players coming off a great freshman season and matching them up with the veterans returning,” Tieri said. “The’yre really understanding the system culture-wise and scheme-wise. They’re a tight-knit group.”

[2019 Schedule]

• Sept. 14 — at Greenwich,** 4 p.m.

• Sept. 20 — at Trinity Catholic/Wright Tech,* 6 p.m.

• Sept. 27 — at Bridgeport Central,* 7 p.m.

• Oct. 4 — WESTHILL,** 7 p.m.

• Oct. 19 — TRUMBULL,** 6 p.m.

• Oct. 25 — at Newtown, 7 p.m.

• Nov. 1 — DARIEN,** 7 p.m.

• Nov. 8 — NORWALK,** 7 p.m.

• Nov. 15 — LUDLOWE,** 7 p.m.

• Nov. 27 — at Ridgefield,* 6 p.m.

Home game are in CAPS
Scheduling Alliance games in bold
*Conference game
**Division game