By Ron P. Coderre

This week’s RPC sporty shoutout is sent along to former Putnam High School three-sport standout Jim St. Jean.  Currently his life is filled with caring for his business, Chase Graphics in Putnam.  In his spare time St. Jean enjoys clearing the cobwebs with his regular exercise program and an occasional quality cigar.

The Connecticut High School Coaches Association recently released its All State selections for the recently concluded football season.  The two teams that enjoyed the most success on the gridiron, Killingly and Plainfield, were the only local schools to place players on the dream team.

Killingly, which finished the season at 10-2 and a berth in the Class M postseason semifinals, had three of its players elected.  The three honorees were all juniors, which bodes well for the Redmen’s football future.

Named to the Class M All- State team were running back Spencer Lockwood, tight end Jake Gauthier and lineman Alex Fontaine.  

Lockwood is a premier running back who is attracting a great deal of attention from a number of NCAA Division I colleges.  And rightfully so, Lockwood put up numbers this season that haven’t been seen in many seasons.  In 12 games he rushed for 29 touchdowns and recorded 2,456 yards from scrimmage.  He’s amassed more than 3,000 yards in two seasons.

The rugged Gauthier was the favorite target of quarterback Kyle Derosier.  He had 18 catches for 286 yards and six touchdowns.  Gauthier could be counted on whenever Killingly marched into the red zone.  He also projects as a Division I prospect.

Big Alex Fontaine was the man that Lockwood relied on whenever the team was in short yardage situations.  As a member of “The Hogs” it was his ability to open holes for his running back that has also opened eyes by many area college coaches.

In Plainfield another junior was selected for the Class S All State unit.  Offensive lineman Izaiah Thompson was a man among boys in Class S.  The big lineman possesses the strength to move into the college ranks as he prepares for his senior season with the Panthers.

The only senior among the five local players who garnered All State honors was Plainfield quarterback Marcus Robinson.  He was selected as the kicker on the All State unit.  Robinson was a throwback who could best be described as a triple threat.  He could kick and he could throw, give him the ball and just look at him go.  He accounted for 11 touchdowns through the air and ran for six.  Robinson led Plainfield to a highly satisfying 6-4 season.     

Worcester College Hoops Features 

Local Talent…

Last weekend college basketball in Worcester witnessed three local talents playing prominent roles in their team’s victories.

At Clark University sophomore Adam Converse is beginning to establish himself in coach Paul Phillips rotation.  In a victory over Western New England the 6-foot, 5-inch Converse played a key role in the 77-52 win as he scored eight points on three baskets and a pair of free throws.

Up the road from Clark at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Adam Converse’s brother Ian Converse continues to lead the 7-2 Engineers to what could be a road to the Division III Regional tournament.  In an 87-62 win over Salem State the senior forward contributed 10 points as his team had a relatively easy time with Salem State.  Converse, who led Woodstock Academy to a State Class L title as a senior, is enjoying a banner season averaging double figures in scoring and rebounding for WPI.

And at Worcester State University, the Lancers finally picked up their first win of the season.  They topped Salve Regina 63-55.  A big reason for the win was the return of former Putnam Science Academy big man Paul Brooks.  The 6-9 center has been hobbled early in the season.  He scored five points in his return to the court.

Local Athletes Shine in Bulletin 

Selections…

The Norwich Bulletin announced its fall athlete All-Bulletin selections recently.  There were a large number of local athletes among the group of honorees, who stretched from the Massachusetts border to the New London – Groton seashore.

Coach Chad Neal of Killingly was deservedly selected the football coach of the year.  Neal led his Redmen to a 10-2 record and a second trip to the Class M CIAC tournament.  Players named from Killingly included junior linebacker Zach Caffrey; junior tight end Jake Gauthier; junior running back Spencer Lockwood; and junior lineman Alex Fontaine.

Plainfield senior quarterback Marcus Robinson and junior lineman Izaiah Thompson were selected from Plainfield.  Junior running back Kameron Janice of Woodstock Academy was also selected.

Volleyball Selections: Killingly junior Ally Conde; Woodstock Academy sophomore Maddie Gronski; and Marianapolis junior Sophia Widmeyer.

Girls Soccer: Plainfield senior Shannon Sweeney and senior Morgan Savageau; Woodstock Academy junior Kennedy Davignon; Putnam junior Morgan Foucault; Marianapolis senior Emily Sheridan; and Pomfret School senior Sydney Fisher.

Boys Soccer: Pomfret School senior Davis Chase; and Woodstock Academy sophomore Ethan Holcomb.

The selection of Girls Cross Country Athlete of the Year was Killingly senior Katie Stevens.  She finished in the top 25 in the Connecticut State Open and was the only female runner from the Eastern Connecticut Conference to run in the New England Open.  The All State runner will compete at Central Connecticut State University in September.  Killingly senior Angie Rafter was also honored.  Woodstock Academy senior Sylvia Lawrence and junior Hannah Matsas were also selected.

Boys Cross Country: Marianapolis freshman Joel White; and Woodstock Academy senior Max Chace.

Field Hockey: Killingly junior Alexis Smith.

RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: Merry Christmas to all our faithful readers.

 

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