GameTime CT

Connecticut's premier high school sports website

  • GIRLS SPORTS
    • Basketball
    • Cross Country
    • Field Hockey
    • Golf
    • Gymnastics
    • Hockey
    • Indoor Track
    • Lacrosse
    • Soccer
    • Softball
    • Swimming
    • Tennis
    • Volleyball
    • Track & Field
  • BOYS SPORTS
    • Baseball
    • Basketball
    • Cross Country
    • Football
    • Golf
    • Hockey
    • Indoor Track
    • Lacrosse
    • Soccer
    • Swimming
    • Tennis
    • Track & Field
    • Volleyball
    • Wrestling
  • Schools
  • Newspapers
    • CT Post
    • The Danbury News-Times
    • Greenwich Time
    • The Middletown Press
    • New Haven Register
    • The Norwalk Hour
    • The Register Citizen
    • The Stamford Advocate
  • Polls
    • Baseball Top 10
    • Boys Basketball Top 10
    • Girls Basketball Top 10
    • Football Top 10
    • Hockey Top 10
    • Boys Lacrosse Top 10
    • Softball Top 10
    • Other Polls
  • Scores & Stats
Football

Pequot Football 2019: ELLINGTON preview

Sean Patrick Bowley | September 7, 2019

Ellington’s football team runs onto the field before a game last season. (Screenshot)

[Vitals]

  • COACH — SEAN BYRNE (7th year, 36-26) 
  • CONFERENCE — Pequot
  • PLAYOFF CLASS — M (401 boys enrollment)
  • HOME — Ellington HS Football Field
  • 2018 RECORD — 1-9
  • 2019 OPENER — Sept. 13 vs. Coventry/Windham Tech/Lyman Memorial/Bolton, 6:30 p.m.
  • TEAM WEBSITES — MaxPreps | TWITTER — @FootballKnights

[Top Players]

  • NATHAN SCHNEIDER, Sr. RB/LB (5-10, 210)
  • ALEXANDER RIDEOUT, Jr. OL/DL (6-3, 246)
  • NIKO GIOTSAS, Jr. OL/DL (6-4, 245)
  • ZACHARY KILLORAN, Soph. QB (6-1, 175)
  • MICHAEL BONTEMPO, Soph. WR/DB (5-10, 155)
  • THOMAS GARROW, Jr. WR/DB (6-3, 190)
  • MICHAEL DIXON, Sr. WR/DB (5-8, 160)
  • COLTON HURLBURT, Jr. OL/DL (6-2, 240)
  • BAYLEN KIDD, Jr. WR/DB (5-10, 165)

[Key Losses]

Ryuan Anderson OL/DL, Jonathan Conte QB, Phoenix Fay LB

[Outlook]

Ellington fell on hard times in 2018. After years atop the leaderboard in the Pequot Uncas, and a regular contender for state playoff spots, the Knights lost their co-op with Somers in 2015 and had to go solo.

The Knights did fine to start, going 8-2 and 7-3 in the first two seasons, but then dropped to 5-5 and, last year, won just one game — a 21-12 victory over Canton, which eventually got folded into a co-op with Granby beginning this season.

Numbers remain an issue at Ellington, seventh-year coach Sean Byrne said. Ellington suits up 37 players, just barely enough to prevent a co-op, but low enough to cut into what little depth the program has. 

Regardless, there’s still reason for optimism heading into 2019. Though the offense lost all but three starters, including Jonathan Conte at quarterback and four of five linemen, a good chunk of the Knights’ defense returns. 

Sophomore Zachary Killoran takes over at quarterback after starting several games last season due to injury. “So he has an idea of what game speed feels like,” Byrne said. “He’s a very talented athlete and is developing nicely.”

He’ll be helped by the return of leading rusher and now-senior captain Nathan Schneider, who ran for 368 yards and a touchdown last season. “Nathan looks to build on last year,” Byrne said, adding that Daniel Cain moved over from wide receiver to help.

Though the lines were hit hard with losses, Byrne said he still has a capable front, anchored by juniors Alexander Rideout (6-foot-3, 246), Niko Giotsas (6-4, 245) and Colton Hurlburt (6-2, 240). “We have good size up front and should be able to control the line of scrimmage,” he said.

At receiver, junior Tom Garrow takes over for his graduated older brother Collin, who led the team with 20 catches for 289 yards and two scores last year. Byrne likes what he has in the slot with Michael Dixok (8 catches, 51 yards last year) and sophomore Michael Bontempo. Junior Baylen Kidd, Byrne said, will develop in to a deep threat.

Despite its tough season, Ellington’s defense last year did its part, allowing 26.5 points per game which, considering the offensive struggles, is encouraging heading into the new season.

[2019 Schedule]

  • Sept. 13 — at Coventry/Windham Tech/Bolton/Lyman Memorial,* 6:30 p.m.
  • Sept. 20 — at Granby/Canton,* 6:30 p.m.
  • Sept. 28 — GILBERT/NORTHWESTERN,* 1 p.m.
  • Oct. 4 — at Morgan,* 6:30 p.m.
  • Oct. 19 — SMSA/UNIVERSITY/CLASSICAL,* 6 p.m.
  • Oct. 25 — at Stafford/Somers/East Windsor,* 6:30 p.m.
  • Nov. 2 — NORTH BRANFORD,* 1 p.m.
  • Nov. 9 — at Windsor Locks/Suffield/East Granby,* 1 p.m.
  • Nov. 23 — COGINCHAUG/HALE RAY/EAST HAMPTON,* 1 p.m.
  • Nov. 28 — ROCKVILLE,* 10 a.m.
Home games in CAPS
*Conference game

About Sean Patrick Bowley

Sean Patrick Bowley is the executive producer of GameTimeCT.com. Email him at sbowley@nhregister.com. Twitter: @SPBowley

Slam Dunk 2

Newsletter Signup

Don't strike out on CT high school sports news. Sign up for The Whistle newsletter from GametimeCT

You agree to our Terms of Use. Your information will be used as described in our Privacy Policy.

TeamPlayer Scores and Stats search

Scores and Stats

Video

Podcasts

Winter 2021 Preview Links

Winter Sports 2021 Links

BOYS BASKETBALL
PRESEASON TOP 10
25 CIAC PLAYERS TO WATCH
5 STORY LINES TO WATCH
CONFERENCE OUTLOOKS
GIRLS BASKETBALL
PRESEASON TOP 10
25 PLAYERS TO WATCH
5 STORY LINES TO WATCH
CONFERENCE OUTLOOKS
BOYS HOCKEY
PRESEASON TOP 10
25 PLAYERS TO WATCH
STORY LINES TO WATCH
CONFERENCE OUTLOOKS
GIRLS HOCKEY
15 PLAYERS TO WATCH
STORY LINES TO WATCH
CONFERENCE OUTLOOKS
BOYS SWIMMING
25 SWIMMERS TO WATCH
GYMNASTICS
15 GYMNASTS TO WATCH

Fall Sports Quick Links

Fall Sports Quick Links

2021 FOOTBALL COLLEGE RECRUITING LIST
2020 GAMETIMECT ALL-STATE TEAMS
BOYS SOCCER
GIRLS SOCCER
FIELD HOCKEY
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
BOYS CROSS COUNTRY
GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY
2020 LEAGUE PLAYOFFS:
Central Connecticut
Fairfield County
Shoreline Conference
Southern Connecticut
South-West Conference

Twitter

Tweets

Polls

Who has the best helmets?

Loading ... Loading ...
Follow Us
© Copyright 2017 Hearst Media Services Connecticut, LLC