Jack Harrison, Sports Editor
@jhcourant
The New Canaan football team finally kicked off their 2020 campaign on October 2nd in a game against Darien at Dunning Stadium. But not really. The game was played under non-contact 7on7 rules, as mandated by the CIAC due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result of the CIAC’s decision in mid-September to cancel the tackle season, there will be no Friday night lights this fall.
The CIAC’s decision has impacted the mindset of many players across the state. David Siegel, a senior co-captain for New Canaan, said that many student-athletes will be losing a very important framework of their life if they don’t have a football season. “The team really relies on the structure during the season that helps to stay in check during the school year,” he said.
Assistant football coach AJ Albano stressed the importance of extracurriculars, specifically football, at schools around the state. “No matter if it’s football, or volleyball, or music, every kid needs a different way to enjoy school and make friends and have that social aspect,” he said. “When you lose that, it’s a big part of your life, your community, and your student career.”
However, Coach Albano also said that the team is trying to remain optimistic about the possibilities for a season. “We’re still going to keep working and we’re going to still hold out hope,” he said. “We’re going to keep practicing because the state has allowed us to keep practicing, and we’re going to have to take it one day at a time.”
Additional senior co-captain Reid Brown shares Albano’s positive attitude.“Obviously everyone is disappointed that we can’t play for the school and have an organized system right now,” he said. “We’re trying to figure that out and how we can play.”
The team also recognizes the importance of football to the community of New Canaan. “It’s been [forever]since New Canaan didn’t have a football season, and we don’t want 2020 to mess that up,” David said.
7on7 started up last week, with the team playing Darien on Dunning. However, 7on7 cannot replace the actual season, according to players. “If it’s not 11on11, then it’s not football,” Brown said. “We just want full football, whether that’s a private league or something in the spring.”
Albano agrees with Brown, as he said that 7on7 is more of an offseason activity rather than a full-season form of football. “If there is any possibility of playing some 11on11 padded football, whether it’s in the spring or the fall, or our kids play in some type of private league, that’s what we would like to see happen.”
7on7 football would not include linemen, which means kids like David would not have the opportunity to play competitive football their senior year. Siegel mentioned that many kids, including himself, are banking on this season for recruitment purposes. “We really need this season for film, and are kind of relying on our senior year to be able to play,” he said.
The idea of a privately-run league is quickly becoming a reality. A six to eight game season, with home games at the water tower field, allows the team to participate in events unaffiliated with the school or the state. “The goal is really to get a lot of meaningful games in during the short window we have,” said Siegel.
Siegel also stressed the importance of the inclusiveness that the prospect of a private league entails. “A private league in the fall is the best choice because we’ll be able to get real football in the fall, players will get their film, and linemen will be included.”
Coach Albano is excited about the possibility of football in the fall, but he wants to make sure that his players learn something from this experience. “Life is going to be tough sometimes. As you get older, you’re going to face challenges and adversity and all those things that high school kids don’t think about. My heart goes out to every senior, regardless if you would’ve played at the next level,” he said.
As they await what the future holds, David Siegel and his teammates can’t help but get excited. Due to Siegel’s knee injury, he hasn’t played in what feels like forever. “It’s been almost two years since I’ve played a snap of football, and it’s been very hard not being able to get on the field and hit someone. I have to say, I’m really looking forward to it.”
