Middletown, Connecticut - Friday, October 25, 2019: Xavier H.S. vs. Shelton H.S. during first half football Friday night at Palmer Stadium in Middletown. Final Score: Shelton H.S. defeated Xavier H.S. 28-21.
Peter Hvizdak / Hearst Connecticut Media
The Southern Connecticut Conference will open its 7-on-7 fall football season on Oct. 10.
SCC commissioner Al Carbone confirmed that the league principals approved a proposal of a five-week season, ending the first weekend of November. There will be 12 or 14 teams participating, according to Carbone: Daniel Hand, Shelton, Notre Dame-West Haven, Amity, Branford, Foran, Law, Hamden, Xavier, Lyman Hall, Sheehan and Guilford. New Haven schools Hillhouse and Wilbur Cross are still waiting approval to join.
“We will be taking this week by week. If schools want to join late, we will put them in the schedule,” Carbone said. “Remember, this is voluntary. It’s a good opportunity for coaches and kids to do football activities.”
According to the proposal, all possessions will begin at the 40-yard line so both the varsity and sub-varsity can play on the same field. There will be 30-minute halves with a running clock. There are no running plays and no rushing the passer.
There will be four different kinds of offensive lineman challenges: tug of war, obstacle course and both the 1-man and 5-man sled push. Other challenges could be added if agreed upon by both teams.
“I think it was great how our coaches came together to put this plan together,” said Hamden football coach and athletic director Tom Dyer, also the co-chairman of the league’s football committee. “In the end, this will be a great way to continue to develop our kids’ skills and compete against the other schools.”
Each team will designate a coach as an official for its plays.
Leagues like the SCC have gone the 7-on-7 route after the CIAC canceled the 11-on-11 full-contact season last month because it could not reach a compromise with the state Department of Health on the level of risk. The DPH considers 11-on-11 to be in the higher risk category, while 7 on 7 is moderate risk.
The CIAC Board of Control voted this week to move 11-on-11 and any fall sport that does not play 40 percent of its games to a second semester alternative season in March and April.
Carbone said here will be no postseason tournament for the new 7-on-7 league.
“This is an opportunity for the teams to get together to work out and compete. There are no trophies (being awarded),” Carbone said.
