Fairfield Scores and Standings: Sept 8

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The Town of Fairfield honored its various Little League champions during a ceremony on Wednesday at Independence Hall.

The Board of Selectman issued certificates of congratulations to each team member, their managers and coaches at this special recognition ceremony.

Among those honored was Fairfield's 12-year-old softball team, which won the New England Regional championship at the Giamatti Little League Center in Bristol.

Also recognized were Fairfield's 11- and 12-year-old Little League state championship teams. The 12-year-old All-Stars reached the New England Regional semifinals and came within two games of a return trip to the Little League World Series.

The Fairfield Wildcats eighth grade Blue football team opened its season with a 15-14 win over Wilton.

After Wilton grabbed a 6-0 lead, special teams big man Connor Reilly blocked the extra point. Fairfield’s Chris Howell tied things up in the second quarter with a 60-yard run up the left side. Fairfield went for two and Spencer Foley came through big with a power run up the middle for an 8-6 lead.

Fairfield’s defensive line of James Speer, David Abrahams, Mark Schwartz and Lee Johansson kept the pressure on, allowing Wilton only eight points in the second half.

Fairfield was down 14-8 in the last minute of play when quarterback Conor Gallagher scored on a keeper up the middle to tie it and Chris Howell ran in for the deciding extra point. Chase Lind put the game on ice with an interception in the final minutes.

The Blue team will host Westport’s Senior North team on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. at Ludlowe High School.

The 2010 Wildcats Red semifinalist youth football team was back at it on the gridiron Saturday night as it traveled to New Canaan to kickoff its Fairfield County Football League season. The eight grade Red team fell to last year's undefeated New Canaan Black team, 26-6.

Fairfield forced three turnovers on monster tackling by Peter Siccardi, Kenton Clarke, Devin Dyer and Tommy Magnusson. Kenton Clarke had two sacks.

Although New Canaan scored early, Fairfield bounced back. The Fairfield offense caught the New Canaan defense off guard when quarterback Timmy Foley scrambled out of the pocket and ran down the sideline for a 60-yard touchdown, accompanied by a key block downfield from Tommy Smalley.

Foley also connected on five other passes, one a 30-yarder to Matt Kerrigan right before the end of the half. Great blocking by linemen Patrick O'Donovan, Tommy Magnusson and Harry Graham helped Foley keep his composure in the pocket.

The Wildcats' eight grade Red team next plays New Canaan Red in New Canaan at Saturday at 8 p.m.

The third grade Fairfield Bantam Red Wildcats began their season with a 6-0 victory over Darien White on Sunday with both teams’defenses play well throughout the game.

The Fairfield scoring drive was highlighted by running back Mathew Burger's 30 yard run in the first quarter. Running back Harry Chandler scored the go-ahead touchdown from two yards out.

Fairfield's defense was outstanding all day, led by defensive tackle Jack McKenna, middle linebacker Ryan McIntosh and guard Jimmy Cullinan, who also recovered a fumble to help preserve Fairfield's slim lead.

Fairfield will play its next game on Sunday at 11 a.m.against Darien Blue at Darien High School.

The seventh grade Blue team opened its season with a 14-7 loss to Darien White on the road.

Fairfield Blue pulled within 14-7 on 70-yard touchdown run from Ross Gallace in the third period. In the fourth quarter, Josh Smith forced a fumble and Fairfield recovered.

With time running out, quarterback Jack Dowden completed two fourth-and-10 passes to Tyler Petry and Jeremy Thorne to keep the comeback alive.

However, with no timeouts remaining, the drive stalled at the Darien 20 yard line as time expired. Ethan Burger led the Blue team in tackles.

With a record of 13-3, the Fairfield Mariners have clinched the second seed for the upcoming playoffs in the Fairfield County Senior Men's Baseball League.

The Mariners finished one game behind regular-season champion Monroe Top Hats (14-2).

The top four teams advanced to the top pier playoffs while the fifth- through eighth-place teams vie for the Presidents Cup.

The Bridgeport Brewers (9-8) are currently third, followed by the Trumbull Titans (8-6). The New Canaan Cannons (8-9) are fifth and the Stamford Phillies (7-8) are sixth.

In play-in games on Saturday, the Phillies face the Brewers and the Cannons take on the Titans. The first round of the playoffs begin on Sunday.

Signups for the Fairfield PAL travel girls and boys basketball teams will begin Sept. 13. The tryouts are for girls and boys in grades five through eight and the teams will compete in the Fairfield County Basketball League (FCBL).

Sign-up sheets will be available at The Higgins Group office at 1530 Post Road from Tuesday, Sept. 13 through Sept. 27.

Forms and payments need to be returned to The Higgins Group or to Paul Krumins PO Box 751 Fairfield CT 06824 postmarked no earlier than September 13.

Space on these competitive travel teams will be limited. For more information please email: Krumins@HigginsGroup.com

The Connecticut Premier AAU Girls Basketball clinics for girls in grades four through 12 get under way on Sept. 17 at Staples High School. They will take place every Saturday through Nov. 5.

Here is the schedule: grades 4-7 from 9-10:30 a.m; Grades 8-12 from 10:30 a.m. to noon.

Tryouts for the 2012 season will take place on Oct. 29 and Nov. 5 at Staples High School. Visit www.ctpremier.com for forms and tryout information.

The clinic will be run by Dave Danko, girls basketball head coach at Fairfield Warde High School. He will be joined by many other AAU coaches. Limited space available.

The fee is $150. Make checks payable to CT. Premier. Please contact Danko by phone at (203)-209-0861 or Steve McGillicuddy at (203)-394-2230 or e-mail mcgillicuddysteve@yahoo.com

Here is this week's scrimmage schedule involving Fairfield teams:

FOOTBALL

Thursday -- White Plains (N.Y) at Fairfield Warde, 6 p.m.

Friday -- Fairfield Prep at Staples, 4 p.m.

Friday - Platt Tech at Fairfield Ludlowe, 6 p.m.

Saturday -- Morgan at Notre Dame-Fairfield, 1 p.m.

BOYS SOCCER

Thursday -- Fairfield Prep at New Canaan, 4 p.m.

Thursday -- Masuk at Fairfield Warde, 3:30 p.m.

Friday - St. Joseph at Fairfield Ludlowe, 4 p.m.

Saturday - Fairfield Prep at Norwalk, 5 p.m.

GIRLS SOCCER

Thursday -- Amity at Fairfield Ludlowe, 4:30 p.m

Friday -- Hand at Fairfield Warde, 4 p.m.

Saturday -- Fairfield Ludlowe at Bethel, 3 p.m.

FIELD HOCKEY

Thursday - Fairfield Ludlowe at New Canaan, 4 p.m.

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL

Thursday -- Fairfield Warde at Bunnell, 3:45 p.m.

Saturday -- Fairfield Ludlowe at Barlow jamboree, 8 a.m.

Saturday -- Fairfield Warde at Staples, 9 a.m.