The East Haven football team looks prime to position itself another step closer to returning to the postseason as it enters competition this year. The boys may have had to lick their wounds in 2023, though they were necessary growing pains to drive forward this campaign.

Head Coach Scott Benoit and the Yellowjackets did not have the strongest of seasons a year ago. Yet the fortunate news for East Haven heading into 2024 is that there is no turnover in terms of the starting roster, with all starters coming back into the fold this fall after seeing the field last year. The in-game experience came in handy on Opening Night, as the Yellowjackets squeaked out a 21-18 road win over Lyman Hall on Sept. 13.

Benoit explained that the group may not have been ready to cross through that next threshold of success, but they are primed to make the move after now having experience on their side.

“Improvement will be our No. 1 goal this year. I think we will improve from last year’s team,” said Benoit. “Last year’s team was not ready to take that next step right then and there. But these guys grew up and got bigger physically and got better mentally. We had a good preseason, and we are looking to be a competitive team this year.”

At the top of the Yellowjackets’ full returning squad is a quadruple header of standout senior captains. Dante Rodrigues, fresh off finishing third in the outdoor track state decathlon, is a wide receiver for East Haven. Alex Dombrowski is in his second year as starting quarterback after converting from running back. Rocco D’Amato is a reigning All-SCC Team member at running back, and Joe Allen anchors both lines as a two-way player.

“They all are outstanding leaders, good players, and good students,” said Benoit. “Dante is an explosive athlete, three-year starter, and a high honor student. He is quiet but leads by example. Alex is a very good athlete and probably the most vocal out of all the captains. Rocco is an excellent player who easily already has over 1,700 career rushing yards. He is a quiet kid but solid student. Joe is a four-year starter who played multiple positions through the years. He’s a hard worker and a good kid. All of them really lead by example.”

Additional key returning upperclassmen pieces include seniors of Nick Bilides (wide receiver/defensive back), Richard Jones (offensive and defensive lineman), Zander Molster, and Chase Horton (also both two-way linemen); plus juniors of Trew Kitson (wideout and defensive back), Josh Hutchinson (running back/linebacker), William Mensah (tight end/defensive lineman), Blake Charboneau (offensive and defensive line), and Dom D’ Ambrosio (also in the trenches up front). An inspirational story for East Haven comes in the form of senior Aiden Loehmann–who is back after two ACL tears in as many years.

“We have a very talented team. All of these guys played last year. Our depth is an issue, but we are pretty good experience wise. We have a large senior class and will return many juniors for the following year,” said Benoit. “Nick Bilides is one of the best I have coached. Trew is an excellent wide receiver and defensive back. They are guys who can play at the next level. Blake is a talented kid, as is Dom D’ Ambrosio.”

While he touts the bounty of savvy veterans and same-look team from 2023, Benoit explained the boys are a year wiser to the game and that much more cohesive. All of those intangibles have been visible in the progress and prominence they have shown in the preseason, showing the way to a regular season with a lot of potential.

“This is a very experienced team that has grown from a year ago. Many of the seniors have been three or four-year starters,” said Benoit. “This is a close-knit team; they are all friends with no issues. We have returned the entire team from last year, so they all have playing experience, and it showed in the preseason. We had a very good preseason and did fairly well in scrimmages. We can’t wait to get going.”

The 2024 East Haven roster is comprised of seniors Bilides, D’ Amato, Dombrowski, Loehmann, Rodriguez, Daniel Lares, Molster, Jones, Horton, Dareon Streater, Allen; juniors Hutchinson, Anthony Lacen, Devon McCormick, Mensah, Kitson, Aedan Webster, D’ Ambrosio, Charboneau; sophomores Ean Theodore, Tyler DeMartino, Michael Aceto, Santino Maturo, Oliver Olszewski, Chase Bussert, Michael Dattilo; plus freshmen Gio DeJesus, Jacob Douston, Anthony Fowler, Charles Fowler, Jamoore Gleason, Frank Imperato, Jax Katynski, Mason Kruse, Antonio Natale, Kaydon Staron, and Dominic Verderame.

Scott Benoit is now in his sixth season as head coach. His staff is comprised of Chris Cuomo, Elliot Hastings, Anthony Perrotti, Rusty Dunner, Jim Vicario, Jake Marquardt, Mike Gagliardi, and Tanner Divito.

2024 East Haven Football Regular Season Results and Schedule

Sept. 13: East Haven 21, Lyman Hall 18

Friday, Sept. 20: at Foran at 7 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 4: vs. Law at 7 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 11: vs. Bassick at 6 p.m.

Saturday, Oc.t 19: vs. Plainfield at 11 a.m.

Friday, Nov. 1: vs. Amity at 7 p.m.

Friday, Nov, 8: at Cross at 6 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 15: vs. Harding at 6 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 22: at Hillhouse at Bowen Field at 6 p.m.

Thursday, Nov. 28: at Branford at 10 a.m.