Jesse Heussner ’11
Features Editor

Behind its brand new spread offense, the rejuvenated Staples football team has jumped out of the gates to a dominant 6–0 start.

After an underwhelming 6–5 season last year, Head Football Coach Marce Petroccio decided that it was time for an offensive change, as the Wreckers were held scoreless in three of their four games in 2008.

“I think we were too stale on offense last year,” Petroccio said. “This year’s offense is a new challenge for us and better suited for our players.”

The new offense features the Wreckers starting in the shotgun with the ability to spread the field and run the option. This contrasts last year, when the Wreckers almost never utilized the shotgun.

“The new offense give us the ability to put our athletes out in space,” Petroccio said.

Based on the Wreckers’ results, the shift to the spread offense looks to many like a genius move. The Wreckers have steamrolled all six of their opponents so far, including a 30–0 victory over a highly touted Ridgefield team.

Staples has posted an astounding average of 38.2 points per game, a huge improvement from the 15.8 points per game they averaged last year. Quarterback and quad–captain Brandon Pacillio ’10 attributes this to the team’s ability to mix up running and passing plays.

Pacillio has already thrown six touchdown passes, four of which were caught by receiver Brendan Rankowitz ’10. What’s perhaps most impressive is that Pacillio has completed over 63 percent of his passes with no interceptions.

“The offense gives us the ability to throw with more proficiency and keep defenses off balance,”

—Brandon Pacillio ’10

However, Pacillio injured his ankle in an Oct. 24 game and is expected to be absent from play for four to six weeks.

While the Wreckers have had success in their passing game, the spread offense has also opened up holes for their running backs.

Running backs Ryan Burke ’11 and Matt Kelley ’10 have combined for over 700 yards and seven touchdowns.

Pacillio has run for 216 yards, finding the end zone five times himself. In total, the Wreckers are averaging 245.5 rush yards per game and 103.3 passing yards per game.

“Mixing up the run and the pass keeps the defense totally off-balance,” Petroccio said. “We no longer feel like we have to pass on third down or run on second and one.”

With its offense clicking and its defense as strong as ever, the team is finally starting to gel.

“We have great chemistry on and off the field,” Pacillio said.

While it might be easy to get overconfident after such a hot start, Petroccio is making it a priority to focus on one game at a time.

“All of these guys are playing with a chip on their shoulder and playing with a passion for the game,” Petroccio said. “We are doing a good job of not getting too high or too low and keeping an even keel.”

The Wreckers will need to do just that if they want a shot at another State Championship, as their two biggest games of the year come during the last two weeks of the season.

Staples will travel to a battle-tested Trumbull team on Nov. 13, and will play longtime rival Greenwich at home on Nov. 26.