Despite ending the 2023 campaign on a bit of a down note for Thanksgiving Week, the North Branford football team experienced a great deal of growth throughout its 10 games on the gridiron, while setting the table for a very bright future looking towards next fall.

The T-birds traveled to Coginchaug on Nov. 22 and faced off with Coginchaug/Hale-Ray/East Hampton, when North Branford suffered a 42-21 loss. Yet despite the defeat, the Thunderbirds finished all even with a .500 record at 5-5 overall. While North Branford entered the campaign with many question marks and a young squad, the Thunderbirds answered them with composure and persistence in fighting for a postseason berth until the end.

“You always set the goals high every year, but coming into this year, we really didn’t know what to expect,” said first-year Head Coach Anthony Salvati. “We had a new staff, new system, and only a handful of players with quality varsity experience; it really was a wait-and-see approach. Once we got into camp in August, we knew we would be competitive and compete with most teams in the league. I would say the major accomplishment this year was competing all the way to the very end, and having a chance at a playoff berth despite only having six seniors to lead the way.”

Sophomore AJ Sigel gained 138 ground yards on 14 rushes for all three of North Branford’s touchdowns on the evening, while he also completed a 17-yard pass for his lone attempt through the air to senior Luke Blomster. Junior Tommy Hansen was the leading ground gainer for the T-birds, with 173 yards on 33 carries.

Defensively, senior Aidan Chittenden led in the tackles category with eight on the night, plus senior Lucian DePino added seven. Blomster, sophomore Zach Beecher, and senior Pat LeBeau nabbed six tackles apiece.

A fearsome foursome shared the leadership duties for the T-Birds this year, with senior captains of tight end and outside linebacker Blomster (6-foot-1, 190 pounds); receiver and free safety Braden Burns (6-foot-1, 180 pounds); 6-foot-2, 250-pound two-way lineman Chittenden; and fellow duo lineman DePino (6-foot-3, 280 pounds). Salvati savored each and every moment he had with this group, and cherished their contributions to the program.

“We will undoubtedly miss our four captains and senior class as a whole,” said Salvati. “Their leadership, dedication, and work ethic were contagious to the entire team, and it helped raise the standards as to what it means to be a North Branford football player. I am honored to be their coach, even if only for one season. They will be missed on and off the field, and the foundation they have laid for our program will live on for years to come.”

On the upside, North Branford graduates a few seniors and returns a great deal of underclassmen with a new level of seasoned veteran experience on varsity. Additionally, the youth ranks are seeing some great successes to help enhance optimism surrounding the outlook on North Branford football.

“We are losing some key players in key spots, especially up front on the line, but with that being said, we have a heck of a lot of players returning with varsity experience now,” Salvati said. “It is fun to watch almost a dozen sophomores and freshmen growing before your eyes on Fridays in varsity action. The upperclassmen really embraced their roles as leaders and took the younger players under their wings. Most of our defense will be returning, as well as our quarterback, running back, and most of our wide receivers. Also, two of our three youth programs are in their championship games; the future of North Branford football is bright.”

Anthony Salvati’s assistant coaches were Jon Byrd, Nick Sagnella, Mike Katz, Nick Mancini, Jake Dobos, and Nick DiMaggio.

The 2023 North Branford football team roster is comprised of seniors Blomster, Braden Burns, Chittenden, LeBeau, Chris Olsen, and DePino; juniors in Hansen, Tyler Scott, Ethan Helff, Sean Boardman, and Jayden Giardina; sophomores of Brandon Longo, James Criscio, Sigel, Luca Landino, Gregory Ferraro, Beecher, Joseph Raffone, Chase Nugent, and Christopher Bruno; and freshmen with Christian Wright, Dylan Yarnall, Landen Burns, Craig Miller Jr, Nicolas Salvati, Mario Urbano, Angelo Raffone, Daniel Frani, Jacob Hoskins, Connor Watterworth, and Frank Laboy.

2023 North Branford Football Regular Season Results

Sept. 15: North Branford 21, Ellington 17

Sept. 21: North Branford 56, Plainfield 6

Sept. 29: North Branford 42, Capital-Achievement 6

Oct. 6: Granby-Canton at Granby Memorial 39, North Branford 13

Oct. 20: North Branford 48, Haddam-Killingworth 36

Oct. 27: Valley Regional-Old Lyme 10, North Branford 6

Nov. 3: Rockville 35, North Branford 14

Nov. 10: North Branford 37, Morgan-Old Saybrook-Westbrook 34

Nov. 17: Cromwell-Portland 52, North Branford 18

Nov. 22: Coginchaug/Hale-Ray/East Hampton 42, North Branford 21