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Sports

Groton-Mystic Falcons Take Flight

League Holds First Day of Football, Cheer Practice

The Groton-Mystic Falcons boast a history to rival any Southern New England Youth Football League entry, winning their share of championships in football and cheerleading.

Just last season, the Falcon cheerleaders won county competitions in Juniors and Micro Divisions. In 2008, the Senior Falcons won the football Super Bowl, adding to a long list of titles in Micro, Junior and Senior divisions.

Senior coach Darryl Sebastian expects another strong team this year, but before the first day of league practice Monday, he was greeted with a surprise.

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"Our numbers are down ... only 17 kids signed up for seniors (under 180 pounds, eighth grade and under)," Sebastian said. "I don't know if we're losing kids to X-box or the economy is taking its toll on families paying registration fees, but roster sizes are down all over the league."

Sebastian said late signups are allowed, especially for the seniors. Football and cheerleading squads practice from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Claude Chester Elementary School Field.

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"Perhaps some kids are wrapping up baseball and will join us," Sebastian said. "We've had 25 or more kids in the past. With 17, it's hard to run a full scrimmage in practice. And when you take injuries into account, I'd love to have a few more players."

Sebastian, who coached the Falcons in the 2008 title run, looks forward to working with his talented nephew, quarterback Robert Duncan, the star of the Junior Falcons last year.

"This is a back-dominated league," Sebastian said. "New London won it four years ago with Kyle McKinnon, we won it in 2008 with Saffwan Davis, Killingly had a great back two years ago and Plainfield had Jankowski last year. Robert and Ty Ebdon, the Ledyard quarterback, could be two of the better players in the league."

The Falcons will unveil new uniforms this season. They will also open against a new opponent Aug. 28 - the Stonington Bears Youth Football Program. Stonington enters its first SNEYFL season after playing previously in Rhode Island's Pop Warner Division.

"The uniforms look great," Sebastian said. "The league has had a strong off-season of fundraising. It's exciting to welcome Stonington into the league, although the league lost a couple of Stonington players who had been with us." 

Ledyard returns a strong nucleus from last year's Super Bowl runners-up, and New London, Waterford and Norwich look strong. New London should enjoy a strong bounce back year, playing home games at renovated Cannamela Field. Its roster size dropped after the Whalers had to travel to play games at Coast Guard Academy or on the road.

 

 

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