Let the Games Begin

FCIAC fall sports are starting in a big way this week, with a number of teams playing opening matches. Varsity soccer kicks off on September 2 along with girls volleyball. Field hockey play starts on the third and girls swimming dives in on Friday.  Next week brings cross country competition on September 9 and the much-anticipated start of football under the Friday night lights on September 12.  

Meanwhile, the Blue Wave boys golf team is heading into Week 3 with a 2–0 record. The squad edged out Fairfield Warde 156–159 at Wee Burn Country Club, led by medalist Matt West, who fired an impressive 36 (+1). The team then went on to defeat New Canaan 155–164 on the Rams’ home course at the Country Club of New Canaan.

With the new school year starting on August 27, Darien High School's new cell-phone policy require ninth through 11th graders to store phones in pouches throughout the school day. This follows upon the success of the same policy implemented in the elementary and middle schools last year. 

Reducing classroom distractions and increasing academic achievement are drivers of the cell phone bans. Fully 72% of high school teachers, a third of middle school teachers, and even 6% of elementary school teachers find students distracted by cellphones.  The bans are seeking to reduce the disruptions presented by unstructured use of phone, media pings, text dings and video games.

Darien seniors will not need to lock their phone in a pouch, but will be required to keep cell phones in their backpack. They will only be allowed to use their phone in senior privilege space or when they leave school grounds during a free period. 

Wave Football - A Look Around the FCIAC

New Canaan enters the season with high expectations under veteran coach Lou Marinelli, who has amassed 386 wins and 15 state championships, including seven in the past 11 years. The Rams finished 12–1 last season, defeating Darien in both the Turkey Bowl and the Class L final. They return 12 starters but must replace quarterback Luke Robinson, who threw for 2,048 yards and 28 touchdowns with a completion rate near 70 percent.

Darien’s Week 3 opponent, Staples (9-1), is a Class LL contender with 10 returning starters. Senior quarterback Nick Weil returns after passing for 2,174 yards and 24 touchdowns last season.

St. Joseph High School (7-3) , the reigning Class M champion, returns 11 starters under longtime head coach Joe Vecchia, now in his 27th season. The Cadets will face Darien in Week 6. Junior quarterback HT Jones, who threw for 1,611 yards and 32 touchdowns last year, returns alongside standout running back Finn Kilmartin.

Week 9 will see Darien square off against Greenwich (8-2), the 2024 Class LL champion. The Cardinals have claimed league titles in two of the past three seasons and return 12 starters. While they must fill the quarterback position, their defense remains formidable, having allowed just 9.3 points per game last season. Five defensive starters are back.