Vitals

• COACH — BILL MELLA(1st year)
• CONFERENCE —  SCC Tier III
• PLAYOFF CLASS —  Class L (553 boys enrollment)
  
• HOME — Kennedy Stadium, Bridgeport
• 2017 RECORD — 0-10
• 2018 OPENER —  Sept. 7 at East Haven, 7 p.m.
• TEAM WEBSITE — TWITTER — @Coach_Mella

Top Players

• JULIO DE LOS SANTOS, Sr., QB, (6-4, 210)
• QUINSHON MCKAY, Jr., CB, (5-11, 160)
• JAHE BRUMFIELD, Sr., WR/FS, (6-2, 170)

Key Losses

OL/DL Tayqwan Taylor

Outlook

There’s really only one direction Bassick can go this season.

The Lions struggled mightily last year, their first in the SCC, going 0-10. They were shut out five times and lost eight games by more than 30 points. 

Bill Mella, the former Southington and Avon Old Farms head coach, takes over. He replaces Brandon Blank, who went 6-17 over parts of three seasons. 

Julio De Los Santos, a 6-foot-4 senior, is expected to start at quarterback. Mella spoke highly Wednesday of De Los Santos’ athleticism. 

“He’s really digging in,” Mella said. “[He has a] good arm, good feet and great quickness.” 

Mella expects Jahe Brumfield, a 6-2 senior, to be De Los Santos’ top target in the passing game.

“I’m looking for big things out of him,” he said. 

The Lions have had only 24 players participate in preseason practices, meaning depth could once again be an issue. Most players, Mella said, will need to start on both sides of the ball. 

“They’re doing a lot of learning,” Mella said. “It’s definitely a year to grow.”

The Lions will begin their second season in Tier III of the SCC with a trip to East Haven on Sept. 7.

Their first home game is Sept. 28 against perennial contender West Haven at Kennedy Stadium. They also will visit Bridgeport rival Harding on Oct. 26. 

2018 Schedule

• Sept. 7 — at East Haven,** 7 p.m.
• Sept. 14 — at Bethel, 7 p.m.
• Sept. 21 — at Jonathan Law,** 7 p.m.
• Sept. 28 — WEST HAVEN,* 7 p.m.
• Oct. 13 — NEW FAIRFIELD, 12 p.m.
• Oct. 20 — LYMAN HALL,** 2 p.m.
• Oct. 26 — at Harding,* 7 p.m.
• Nov. 3 — SHEEHAN,** 12 p.m.
• Nov. 8 — GUILFORD,** 6 p.m.
• Nov. 15 — at Joel Barlow, 7 p.m.

Home games in CAPS
*Conference game
**Division game