Wolcott ends season on high note against Holy Cross

The Wolcott football team was looking for a positive end to its season on Thanksgiving morning against rival Holy Cross.
The Eagles entered with a solid record of 6-3, but a Class S state playoff berth was out of reach after back-to-back losses to Seymour and Ansonia. Still, there was a chance to send Wolcott’s seniors out with a victory.
The Eagles did that and more with a 42-0 victory over the Crusaders at Joe Monroe Field on the campus of Wolcott High School.
“We just said all week long that as a senior class we just wanted to go
out with a win,” senior Nate Filippone said told the Republican American’s Roger Cleaveland. “I couldn’t have done it without these
coaches and my offensive line. They did a heck of a job today. I just
did it for my team. I just wanted to leave the legacy here. That’s it.”
Filippone accounted for four touchdowns for the Eagles in his final game — two receiving, one rushing and one passing. Senior quarterback Rocky Griffin had another efficient day, something Wolcott has come to expect from him.
After giving up 52, 61 and 49 points to St. Paul, Seymour and Ansonia over the past three games, Wolcott’s defense allowing nothing to a Holy Cross offense that has struggled at times this season. As a matter of fact, junior Justin Fernandes recovered a fumble on a botched punt for a touchdown, according to Cleaveland’s article.
Wolcott finished the season with a 7-3 record, the fifth straight year that the program has won at least seven games. Holy Cross ended a tough season at 2-8.
Wolcott loses the following seniors to graduation (according to CIAC roster): Jacob Ramos, Anthony Mennillo, Damon Stefko, Robert “Rocky” Griffin, Jacob Gabriel, Brad Grasso, Nate Fillipone, Matthew DeFazio, Christopher Giuggio, Alexander Tapley, Jase Trelli, Phil Olmstead, Robert Pisani, Brendan Brown, Kyle Dunn, Cole Phelps, Christopher Spring, Justin Nadeau, Ryan Pawlak, Christopher Maisto and Brandon Romano.
Holy Cross loses the following seniors to graduation (according to CIAC roster): Justin
Witherspoon, Zach Mason, Ryan Pierce, Andrew Dzinski, Austin Callaway,
Nick Lomando, Aaron Velasquez, Tyler Cremin, Jonathan Buscarello, Mason
Wickline and Jeff Nobrega.