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Woodland’s Sean McAllen (center) bursts down the field during the Hawks’ George Pinho Trophy-victory over Naugatuck on Friday. Woodland is hanging around the Class S playoff chase (Photo via Rachael Assuncao on Flickr – Click for full gallery)
Chris Anderson started the football program at Woodland in 2002 and quickly turned the Hawks into a state power.
Under Anderson, Woodland won the Class SS state title in 2004 and 2005. He compiled a 49-21 record before stepping down in 2007.
Anderson left the Woodland job to pursue opportunities at the collegiate level. He coached at the University of New Haven as the quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator before resigning in 2012 after the Chargers advanced to the NCAA Division II playoffs.
When Anderson’s predecessor at Woodland, Tim Shea, stepped down following the 2013 season, Anderson applied for the job but ultimately pulled his name from consideration. The Hawks hired Tim Phipps, who went 4-7 last season before resigning to take the same position at Hopkins.
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This time, the opportunity was too good to pass up. Anderson was hired for his second stint as head coach at Woodland in June.
Anderson, who remained a physical education teacher at the school, inherited a young and inexperienced squad.
“My expectations were to learn how to practice successfully,” Anderson said. “Have them learn my methods and learn about them. We didn’t go and set any win-loss expectations. We wanted to be great every day and see where it went.”
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In his first season back, Anderson has the Hawks in the hunt for a state playoff berth. Woodland is 6-2 with games remaining against Kennedy (Friday) and Seymour (Nov. 25).
The Hawks are currently ranked 11th in the Class S standings. The top eight teams qualify.
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Woodland celebrates with the George Pinho trophy after defeating Naugatuck last week. (Photo via Rachael Assuncao on Flickr – Click for Photo Gallery)
“It’s been a real pleasure to coach these kids,” Anderson said. “We have come together as one. It’s not a great team, but we will play hard and we will fight. We want to win.”
Anderson was victorious in his first game back when Woodland defeated Oxford 27-7 in the season opener. The Hawks then were crushed in back-to-back weeks by Torrington (44-13) and Wolcott (55-15). Woodland has since won five in a row.
“We’ve made huge strides,” Anderson said. “The first couple of weeks we only had a handful of players that had varsity experience. We had a brand new offensive line — six across the board, including the tight end. We felt if we stayed the course, we would get better and better as the season went on.”
Anderson was pleased with how his team responded to the early-season struggles.
“This group has a lot of pride, a lot of guts,” Anderson said. “They didn’t know me from Adam, they weren’t around when we were doing our thing back in the day. They stayed the course, they continued to believe and they continued to fight.”
Senior running back Sean McAllen (5-foot-10, 180 pounds) has brought stability and leadership to the otherwise young group. McAllen has been one of the state’s best at his position this season. McAllen has rushed 145 times for 1,682 yards and 22 touchdowns. He’s also made four touchdown receptions.
Earlier this season, McAllen became the school’s all-time leading rusher, surpassing the former record held by current Woodland offensive coordinator Jack DiBiase.
This past week, McAllen rushed for 462 yards and six touchdowns in a 50-24 win over Naugatuck. McAllen’s yardage total was the fifth-highest in a single game in state history.
“He’s a beast,” Anderson said. “He epitomizes what Woodland toughness is all about. His leadership is totally by example.”
McAllen, also a strong safety, has made 50 tackles, four interceptions and one sack. He also punts and returns kickoffs and punts.
Freshman Zach Bedryczuk won the starting job at quarterback in the preseason. Bedryczuk has done an effective job of directing the Hawks’ Wing-T offense. He’s completed 25 of 50 passes for 537 yards and seven touchdowns.
“He’s a very savvy athlete,” Anderson said. “He has great sports knowledge. He’s a three-sport athlete; pitcher; point guard. He’s a winner. That was one of the things that was intriguing to me. He’s done a really good job of handling the offense.”
Senior right tackle Semir Dervisi leads a rebuilt offensive line.
“He’s the anchor of the offensive line,” Anderson said. “If he’s not an all-league or a class all-state pick, I don’t know what is.”
The offensive line also includes junior right guard Cody Doyle, senior center John Searles, senior left guard Paul Pronovost and senior left tackle Colin Shea. Senior Guy Massimo (six catches, 44 yards, one touchdown) is the tight end. Senior Davie Bobbie moved from fullback to right guard when Doyle sprained an MCL in the season opener, but Doyle has since returned.
“The offensive line has really jelled,” Anderson said. “They have been opening up tremendous holes for Sean.”
Senior John Scirpo, the cousin of former Woodland standout Anthony Scirpo, has been one of the team’s top receivers. He’s made seven catches for 152 yards and two touchdowns.
Fellow senior Coby Vaccarelli has added 28 carries for 256 yards and one touchdown. Vaccarelli has also made 66 tackles, three sacks and two interceptions, while Massimo has made three interceptions.
“Coby complements the run game to take some pressure off Sean,” Anderson said.