By Andy Hutchison

WESTPORT–The high school football season is about to kick off, and the Staples High School Wreckers have a game-by-game focus with an ultimate objective of winning it all. 

Coach Adam Behrends and the Wreckers open the slate with a home tilt Friday, Sept. 9 when non-conference foe Conard travels to Westport for a 7 p.m. contest. 

Staples is led by captains: Wide receivers / defensive backs Tyler Clark and James Hillhouse, along with quarterback / wide receiver / defensive back Will Holleman, linebacker Zach Roseme, and defensive lineman / tight end Jack Whittle. 

This group leads a solid core of returnees who will strive to keep the season going into December, culminating with a Class LL state playoff run. The Wreckers went 7-3 a year ago and narrowly missed qualifying for the playoffs. 

“First goal is to beat Conard week one,” Behrends said. “Looking to have a strong season and make the playoffs and end the season with a win.” 

Cohesion is a strength of the squad. 

“We have a very close-knit team from the coaches all the way down to all of our sophomore and freshmen players. Very tough, intelligent kids. We need to work on consistency and starting off fast,” Behrends said. 

Staples takes on its first FCIAC rival in week two with a Saturday, Sept. 17 at 1:30 p.m. visit to St. Joseph. Week three features the second and final crossover matchup with a Friday, Sept. 23 trek to Newington at 6:30 p.m. 

In addition to St. Joes, Staples will take on Trumbull, Danbury, Stamford, Norwalk, Westhill, Ridgefield and Greenwich. The Greenwich game marks the annual Thanksgiving clash and will take place in Westport on Thursday, Nov. 24 at 10 a.m. 

“Our FCIAC schedule is pretty solid from top to bottom,” Behrends said. 

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