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Avon football team excited about challenge of playing in CCC

Avon's Andrew Blackmore and QB Ian McDonald work in preseason practice Wednesday at Avon High.

Avon’s Andrew Blackmore (foreground) and QB Ian McDonald work in preseason practice Wednesday at Avon High.

AVON, Aug. 19 – The first game of the 2015 season is a little over three weeks away. But there is a sense of anticipation among the players of the Avon High football team – even on the third day of practice on a warm, August evening.

After spending nine successful seasons in the Pequot Football Conference that included three CIAC playoff appearances and five Uncas Division titles, the Falcons are returning to their roots and Central Connecticut opponents they competed against for years.

Avon (7-4 in 2014) begins play in the Central Connecticut Conference on Friday, Sept. 11 when they travel to Rocky Hill. In football, the CCC is split into three divisions and Avon is the Eastern Division in Division III – a conference where they can be very competitive.

By enrollment, Avon is the largest team in the Div. III Eastern Division. Nine of the 10 opponents on this year’s schedule, Avon has played before in their 57-year history. Tolland was a big rival with Avon in the Pequot Conference before they left. Avon used to battle with Berlin and Plainville in the now-defunct Northwest Conference.

Third-year head coach Jim Caouette is excited – which isn’t a surprise. He is always optimistic about his team and his players. But he feels he has some talented players that could help Avon compete in the CCC Div. III Eastern Division race.

Avon returns three All-Pequot Uncas Division players WR/TE Geoff Kirk, tackle Harrison Gill and linebacker Teddy Allmendinger, who ran for a team-high 1,278 yards and 13 TDs last year. Quarterback Ian McDonald returns along with Avon’s two leading receivers from a year ago – Kirk (17 receptions, 428 yards, 5 TDs) and Luke Meaney (12-235, 2 TDs).

Avon's leading receiver from a year ago, Geoff Kirk (with ball) is back for the Falcons.

Avon’s leading receiver from a year ago, Geoff Kirk (with ball) is back for the Falcons.

Avon’s first scrimmage will be Monday, Aug. 24 at Watertown at 4 p.m. They’ll be at Weston on Thursday, Aug. 27 at 4 p.m.,  and host New Milford on Sept. 4 at 4 p.m.

The season begins in Rocky Hill with the first home game of the year against East Catholic at 1 p.m. We’ll have a more extensive look at the Falcons prior to the season opener against the Terriers.

2015 schedule
Fri. Sept. 11:    at Rocky Hill, 7 p.m.
Sat. Sept. 19:   EAST CATHOLIC, 1 p.m.
Fri. Sept. 25:    TOLLAND, 7 p.m.
Sat. Oct. 3:      FERMI-Enfield, 2 p.m.
Sat. Oct. 10:    BLOOMFIELD, 1 p.m.
Fri. Oct. 23:     at Berlin, 6:30 p.m.
Sat. Oct. 31:    at Northwest Catholic, noon
Sat. Nov. 7:     ROCKVILLE, 2 p.m.
Sat. Nov. 14:   PLAINVILLE, 1 p.m.
Tues. Nov. 24: at Simsbury, 6 p.m. 

Gerry deSimas, Jr., is the editor and founder of The Collinsville Press. He is an award-winning writer and has been covering sports in Connecticut and New England for more than 30 years.

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