Lancers, Mustangs to light up the night

A Thanksgiving Eve clash between the Notre Dame-Fairfield and Immaculate may not have anything on the line in terms of playoff possibilities with both teams are out of contention or even town bragging rights -- but there is still a lot to play for in this Southwest Conference rivalry.

The teams are battling for the Superintendent's Trophy and the right to enjoy their Turkey Day dinner that much more. This year's game will be held at 7 p.m. under the lights at Sacred Heart University. Notre Dame carried a 2-6 record into its game Monday against Newtown and Immaculate is now 1-8 after losing last week to New Fairfield -- but don't be fooled by those marks. Both teams have been competitive and this game stands to bring out the best in both teams.

Notre Dame coach Joe Beler is in his first year with the Lancers, having previously coached at Foran High and Jonathan Law during the last seven years.

Although Immaculate comes all the way from Danbury, the annual matchup has the feeling of an intra-town battle given that they are both catholic high schools in the SWC, notes Beler, adding that he is excited to be a part of this rivalry for the first time.

"It's probably the next closest thing to being an in-town rivalry," Beler said. "I think any time you play on Thanksgiving is a special time. You have all of your alumni there for Thanksgiving."

The Lancers have been in position to win some of the games they've lost, including the 9-6 overtime setback to Brookfield after they turned the ball over deep in Brookfield territory with a chance to win. Then there was the game against Stratford that Notre Dame lost 20-15 after being in position to score late in that contest as well. The Lancers also fell 21-14 to Joel Barlow and 21-13 to Masuk. The Lancers have found a way to win close games too, defeating New Fairfield 17-14 and edging Bunnell 13-12 earlier this month.

"We've been getting better every week," Beler said.

The Lancers are led by senior Brody Brandstatter, a returning all-state linebacker who has compiled 85 tackles in the first eight games this season; along with Joe Dobbins, the team's leading rusher and outside linebacker; Kevin Trella, a guard and defensive lineman; and Danny Goncalves, a wide receiver and defensive back. Quarterback Collin Finnucan was nicked up recently and may not start in the Thanksgiving Eve game, Beler said. Goncalves would step in the quarterback role if necessary, the coach added.

Freshman running back Nigel Beckford has also stepped in and played a significant role for Notre Dame this year. Three of the team's five starting linemen are sophomores, giving Notre Dame a mix of youth and veteran presence throughout the lineup. The team's secondary is led by Chis Pond, who the coach describes as the "quarterback of the secondary."

The Lancers rushed for 200 yards and passed for 170 yards in the game against Bunnell, so Immaculate won't be able to necessarily focus on stopping the ground game or passing attack.

"We're a very balanced team," Beler said. "The kids have given 110 percent."

Immaculate, meanwhile, has also fought hard all season only to result in one win.

"They're a very similar team to us," Beler said. "They've been in every single game."

"Both teams are competitive and have had the same problems this year as far as injuries and depth at positions," Immaculate coach Roger Hancock said.

Both coaches anticipate this will be an ultra-competitive game with neither team's record a factor.

"Nobody cares what happened in the past. It's all about this one game, this one time. The kids fed off it last year," said Hancock, whose team ended a seven-year Lancer winning streak in the annual contest with last year's win in Danbury.

Immaculate has been in every game at least until halftime -- often tied or trailing only by a touchdown, Hancock said. Immaculate's losses have included a 20-17 defeat to New Milford and a 22-16 setback to Oxford. The Mustangs' lone win came in a 28-21 victory over Barlow.

Hancock said injuries are part of the game that all teams have to overcome and he doesn't use his team's injuries as an excuse for the struggles this season. The coach, however, does point out that depth has been a problem, because of players being hurt.

"We haven't been in one game where we've been completely healthy," he said.

If Immaculate could have been healthy, and more consistent, the story could be much different this year, Hancock said.

"We haven't been consistent on both sides of the ball in one game this year," he said. "Our thing is consistency -- that's our weakness. We're strong all over."

Among Immaculate's top players is senior captain Brendan Bader, a versatile player who fills roles as running back, wide receiver, defensive back and kicker. "He does it all," Hancock said.

Senior captain Teddy Fable, an offensive and defensive lineman, is described by his coach as the "glue that holds the offensive line together."

Junior Justin Walter, a 6-foot-3, 285-pound offensive and defensive lineman has come into his own this season, the coach added.

Hancock said this isn't looked at as just another game. He said the team talks about the pride that goes along with the rivalry. The coach anticipates an especially electric atmosphere since this year's game will be under the lights at SHU.

"It's going to be an unbelievable atmosphere," Hancock said.