By Andy Hutchison

WESTPORT — The roster may be somewhat different, but this year’s Staples High football team aims to be in state championship contention again this fall.

One year removed — after graduation of several key players — from a 9-1 campaign, Staples Coach Adam Behrends is confident his 2023 lineup will be formidable and will more than hold its own in the tough FCIAC and beyond.

“We’ve never had a shortage of athletes in town,” said Behrends, adding that the Wreckers have been putting in a lot of effort on the field and in the weight room throughout the year. 

“I’m excited for them to start getting their payoff for all the hard work they’ve been doing in the off-season.”

Last fall, the Wreckers lost only to St. Joseph during the regular season, which included a win over eventual Class LL State Champion Greenwich. Staples fell by just one point to eventual Class LL runner-up Fairfield Prep in the tournament quarterfinals. 

This year’s goal is to win it all.

Staples graduated, among others, several receivers and defensive backs, opening the door for newcomers to step up.

“Our coaches have done a really good job of developing guys to step in for the guys we lost,” Behrends said.

Captains are offensive lineman and linebacker Andew Rossman, quarterback Caleb Smith, wide receiver and defensive back Sam Petrosinelli and offensive and defensive lineman Tanner Chluspa.

It remains to be seen who Smith’s favorite targets will be, but other players will rise to the occasion, Behrends anticipates. The coach pointed out that nobody expected one of last year’s grads, Tyler Clark, to do what he accomplished — hauling in more than 80 receptions.

“I trust our guys. I think we’ll be ready to go,” said the coach, whose squad kicks off the season with one of two tilts against non-conference opponents when West Haven visits Westport at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 8.

“They’ve got good athletes. Their kids can all run. They’re a physical team,” said Behrends, noting that West Haven is a top-15 team in the state. Southington, in the top 10, is also on the schedule for a week three matchup and road game for the Wreckers. 

Staples hosts Ridgefield, in its first FCIAC clash, at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept 14. The Wreckers will look to avenge last year’s setback to St. Joe’s when the Cadets visit Westport at 7 p.m. Nov. 10 at 7. The annual Thanksgiving game with Greenwich will take place in Greenwich on Thursday, Nov. 23. 

But Behrends and company are not looking past West Haven.

“We’re just looking forward to West Haven right now. We have a hard schedule. We can’t be looking ahead of people,” he said.

(Game schedules are subject to change; click for the latest CIAC updates.)

Andy Hutchison has been covering school sports — including Staples athletics — as well as news and feature stories in Fairfield County, since the 1990s.