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Kelly left a highly successful program at Southington behind four years ago to return to the catholic school system that gave him his start at East Catholic.
The freshmen that started with him are now seniors. They endured a winless season in 2004 and went 9-31 over their first three years but they're getting quite a sendoff this year.
The Nutmeg league-leading Falcons (6-0) get their sternest test to date tonight when they invade Rocky Hill (5-1). Kickoff on the turf of McVicar Field is slated for 6:30 p.m.
"The kids have gone through a progression," Kelly said. "The difference is the quality of senior leadership. The core of kids who have stayed with it are a solid group, good friends on and off the field, and believe in what they're doing. The attitude and way they attack the practice field is so refreshing."
The results are stunning. Two of the Falcons' best athletes are bound for UConn.
Kelly said running back Marcus Aiken (65 carries, 557 yds., 10 TDs) and receiver Ryan Moore (28 catches, 845 yds., 13 TDs) are solid, community-minded students.
Aiken will play football at UConn and Moore has a baseball scholarship.
Quarterback Brian Kaczynski (65-for-104, 1,398 yds., 18 TDs) runs the show.
The criticism SPGT draws is the schedule. Outside of the 27-26 win over Northwest Catholic in Week 2, the Falcons' other five foes have combined for five wins.
The two teams they scheduled outside the Nutmeg League - football novice Oxford and Windsor Locks/ Suffield - haven't won between them.
But in beating Northwest, the Falcons topped the only team to have beaten Rocky Hill.
The Falcons have Hill coach Dave Coyne's respect.
"They've beaten everybody they've played," he said. "They've beaten everybody else soundly. They can only play who's on their schedule. They've got some good athletes. [Kaczynski] has a real good arm. They're very dangerous."
So are the Terriers. Leading rusher Fernando Sanchez (60-450-7) and his colleagues - Mike Mancini (46-341-5) and Frank Carlson (43-247-3) - operate out of a tight formation behind quarterback Ty Reed (18-for-37, 366 yds., 3 TDs).
The difference may be on defense where 5-10 160 junior linebacker Joey Carducci (team-best 50 tackles) is the personification of what makes Hill formidable.
"Our kids are aggressive. We're not big," Coyne said. "They know what gaps they're supposed to be in and they get there with speed. Quickness is our biggest asset.
"Carducci's a great football player. He's got good stock. [Brother Dan Carducci] graduated last year and he was a great football player. He's a linebacker and I feel they're born rather than made. He's got instincts and he's quick. He's only 160 but he'll hit you with all 160."
Junior linebacker Rich Hansen and senior Terrence Thompson are also key members of a stingy unit that yields under seven points a game.
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at Manchester (5-1)
MHS Memorial Field, 7 p.m.
The loser of this one becomes no better than a long shot in Class LL.
The Indians were rolling along fine behind leading rusher Dejavon Chisholm when they ran into Glastonbury last week. The road doesn't get any easier.
Southington quarterback Josh Lamson piles up yardage with his feet (57-265-3) and his arm (64-for-119, 842 yds., 9 TDs). Evan Rodrigues (17-306-3) blossomed into Lamson's top target the last two weeks. Lone setback Dylan Danko (49-221-1) and possession receiver Matt Roncaioli (12-150-2) are key weapons in the Knights' arsenal.
Strong safety Ryan Gemmell (53 tackles) and linebacker Kenny Holsten (47) helped a strong Southington defense stuff Simsbury after the first drive last week. Foes have managed just 27 receptions and 284 yards passing.
Wethersfield (4-2)
at Conard (0-6)
Conard H.S., 6 p.m.
The Eagles are coming off a monumental CCC West win over Windsor. Conard comes in angry after losing both of its wins due to use of an ineligible player.
Quarterback Tyler Murphy (55-313-5 rushing; 29-for-73, 542 yds., 6 TDs passing) is of great interest to the Chieftains defense. Power rushers Steve Vasquez (45-241-3) and Mike LaPointe (22-130-2) give the ground game diversity
Wideout Tre Roberts (15-266-3) is Murphy's choice on third-and-long. Brian Martinez (33 tackles) and Adis Sulejmanovic (29) lead a defense that shut down Windsor.
"The Windsor game was a total team effort," coach John Campanello said. "We had three turnovers - one fumble recovery (Dan Zewinski) and two interceptions (Roberts and Paul Gibilisco) that helped us out. Anthony Sanzaro had eight tackles."
New Britain (5-1)
at Rockville (0-5)
Rockville H.S., 6:30 p.m.
Tough times for the struggling Rams with New Britain hitting midseason stride.
Quarterback Rafal Garcarz (44-for-94, 665 yds., 8 TDs) had four scoring strikes last week at East Hartford.
Markeith Cirenna (16-178) is his possession guy and Tebucky Jones Jr. (15-268) among a host of game-breakers that includes Chris Linares.
Junior tailback Kaiuway Boima (74-659-11) averages nine yards per carry. Tommy Phommalinh (38-268) can also do some damage.
Antonio Birden, John Taranto and Linares are among the leading tacklers on a defense that has a nice blend of speed and size.
Maloney (1-5)
at Newington (5-1)
Alumni Field, 7 p.m.
Can anybody stop Newington quarterback Spencer Parker? The elusive Parker has developed into one of the more feared double threats in the CCC.
Parker passes (41-for- 90, 634 yds., 4 TDs), most often to Shane Leupold (18-334-4) on the fly and Anthony Szwez (14-93) out of the backfield. He rushes (71-515-7). He scores (64 points).
He has a nice thunder-and-lightning combination behind him in Harrison Scully (50-313-4) and Jon Riddick (24-150-3).
SATURDAY'S GAMES
Berlin (4-1)
at RHAM/Lyman (1-5)
RHAM H.S., 2 p.m.
RHAM/Lyman Memorial has the unenviable task of catching a state-class team on the rebound.
The Redcoats were beaten at their own game by Rocky Hill - in the trenches.
It's a game they've been trained to win as their 8.6 yards per carry and 18 rushing touchdowns would attest.
Sophomore Max DeLorenzo is the top guy (59-566-7) but his buddies Taylor Tavarozzi (43-400-6) and Kevin Tatro (36-255-3) can reduce a defense to shreds.
Kyle Johnson leads the defense with 5.6 tackles per game.
Enfield (2-3)
at Plainville (1-5)
Alumni Field, 2 p.m.
A small but hardy crew of Blue Devils will do the best they can to defend their home turf but the numbers are reaching the critical stage.
Undaunted, first-year coach Rocky Gagliardi pushes forward with hope and optimism that a foundation for an encouraging future is under construction.
The future lies in the development of promising quarterback Ross Zettergren.
Before anybody can judge Gagliardi, he needs to have some bodies.
The work ethic of the coaches and the gallant players should serve as an inspiration for potential players watching from the grandstands.
Farmington (1-5)
at Weaver (4-2)
Weaver H.S., Noon
Farmington continues to search for improved play in the trenches. Springing halfback A.J. Jones is an essential part of the plan. He went for 136 yards in the loss to East Hartford two weeks back.
The transition to the CCC has been an arduous one for the Indians, leaving this season as a learning experience for the underclassmen like sophomore quarterback Colan Callahan, 6-foot, 255-pound junior tackle Curtis Nonken and sophomore back Ben Edelson, who are expected to be the seeds of future success.
Weaver coach Rob Fleeting isn't blessed with big numbers but the Beavers used a win over New Britain to catapult themselves into Class MM contentio
