Greenwich, Staples on to Connecticut State Final

06.04.2024

Greenwich and Staples will play for the Connecticut boys HS title after both won semifinals on Monday.

Greenwich was led by flyhalf Ignacio Piccione in their 25-12 defeat of Fairfield Prep. Piccione scored a try, converted two, and added two penalty goals to back up his teammates' two other tries with a personal haul of 15. Fairfield Prep got tries from Justin Tayman and Rob Murphy, with Murphy adding a conversion.

Staples, meanwhile, defeated Trumbull 54-17.

This was the culmination of a long stretch of strong results for Staples since they lost to Greenwich on March 28. During that time they have beaten Trumbull twice, Fairfield Rugby, Fairfield Prep, Ridgefield, and Simsbury. Their only loss was a non-league game at Georgetown Prep.

Looking ahead to the final Saturday on the campus of Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven, Staples Head Coach Jack Corcoran welcomed the challenge.

"We have the utmost respect for Greenwich, the history of their program, professionalism of their coaches, and the talent of their individual players," said Corcoran. "Our guys are eager for another crack at Greenwich after a disappointing performance at the beginning of the season."

Greenwich won that first meeting 34-5. "I am proud of our young men for embracing their identity as a blue-collar, salt-of-the-earth team."

This identity is personified by senior captain Andrew Rossman and junior center Kody Goldman, who both have been playing superbly.

"We have a fit, physical, deep team that is ready for this enormous test," said Corcoran.

SCSU will be hosting a day of championship games.

There will be a Froshmore tournament for much of the day, followed by the D2 final between the West Hartford Blackhearts and Fairfield Prep's D2 side.

West Hartford beat Mid State in the semifinals, while Fairfield Prep D2 beat Greenwich D2.

Then there follows the D1 final between Staples and Greenwich.