Granby football looks to move up in Pequot this season

“Gilbert should be favored to win the conference and we’re hoping to finish at least .500,” said head coach Richard Gadoury, in his second year coaching the Bears. “Our goal is to stay healthy and we’re hoping to get team leadership from our seniors this year.”

Among the top offensive players returning to the fold are 6-3, 200-pound senior quarterback Curt Field and 6-6, 275-pound senior offensive and defensive lineman Jake Largay. John Brucker, a 6-4, 245-pound senior, figures to be one of the top defensive players as a defensive tackle. One of the key losses to graduation for the Bears was inside linebacker Tom Ullman, who was in on 125 tackles last year.

Field completed 149 of 262 passes for 1,174 yards and 14 touchdowns last season. He had a 78 quarterback rating as a junior. Senior Ian Downey was his favorite target, catching 43 passes for 548 yards and five touchdowns, all team highs.

As a team, Granby threw for 177 yards and rushed for 80 yards per game in 2012.

Largay recorded 48 solo tackles and assisted on 13 more last year. He also had 2.5 sacks, while sophomore Dominic Pagano had 41 tackles and assisted on 26 others, and senior Austin Rafoss had 29 solo tackles and assisted on nine.

Granby will employ a spread offense this season as it looks to put up points on the scoreboard in various ways against the opposition.