By Michael Letendre
BRISTOL – The Bristol Central football team has hit the season running, carrying a 1-3 ledger after four games – playing several tough teams that help make up the CCC’s challenging Tier II division.
Head coach Jeff Papazian has his hands full against some truly talented competition, but the long-time mentor has been there, done that and will continue to put all the right pieces into play for the Rams.
Central managed to score its lone victory of the season in a Connecticut Football Alliance showdown against Fairfield Warde – posting a 42-13 victory, getting that first all-important win.
Junior Jack Hartley has been running the offense for Central and the former All-Conference standout from Bristol Eastern has more than earned his keep.
The athlete leads the program in rushes (96), yardage (344), rushing touchdowns (3), passes made and attempted, yardage thrown (43) and touchdowns (1).
He averages 3.6 yards-per-carry and truly does a little of everything for the team at Central.
Hartley, at 5-foot-10 and 175 pounds is a certifiable bulldog on the field and will continue to put up numbers as the season progresses.
He might not be Victor Rosa or Tre Blair, but Hartley certainly packs a punch out on the field, crashing into opposing defenses off those direct snaps.
Hartley was a big factor in Central getting off the snide against Fairfield Warde but he’s not the only player churning out offense for the Rams to date.
Jayden Glasper cashed in on 29 carries for 100 yards (3.4 yards-per-carry) for a touchdown while back Tristian Toussaint (22 carries, 145 yards, 6.6 yards-per- carry, two TDs) has been extremely productive this season.
Anthony Paulino (eight rushes, 131 yards, two TDs) also provided a spark while Cassias Breland, Donato Salzillo, Ty Chasse and Aidan Lamarre all making rushes for the Central team.
Quincy Lawson (five catches, 37 yards, TD) and Breland (two catches, 25 yards) have helped move the chains via receptions.
Defense
After four games, senior standout Jack Jones is leading the squad in tackles (11.3-per-game) and tackles for losses (seven).
Tyler Ryan (7.3 tackles-per-game) has been getting things done defensively as has Lamarre (6.3, two tackles for losses).
Tim Sample and Lawson each average nearly four tackles-per-game while Julieen Lopez, Lawson and Lamarre have all managed to pick off a pass this year.
In terms of defense, Central allowed 37 total points over first half play but yielded 60 points over third and fourth period action.
Central hopes to continue to improve upon that defense but must contend with several heavy hitters from Tier II over the next several games.
One game left before the bye week
Central has a tough task to tackle this Thursday as Berlin (3-1) travels to Bristol for a CCC Tier II event.
After being shutout against Wilton, the Redcoats have won three straight – averaging 38.0 points-per-game over that stretch.
It certainly would be a feather in Central’s cap to knock Berlin off the friendly confines of the turf field at BCHS. Game time is 6:30 p.m.
