'Standing Room Only' for Colonels Tonight

Ledyard High’s football home opener should feature some “standing ovations” from a “standing room only” crowd.

(Sorry, had to get the corny one-liners out of the way.)

Mignault Field will cast a different look tonight as the 1-0 Colonels host Windham at 6:30 p.m. The large, outdated homeside bleachers and pressbox have been removed to allow installation of new stands as part of a $335,000 project, 

Jim Buonocore, LHS coach and athletic director, promises plenty of quality accommodations, however, making Ledyard’s first home game of the year "business as usual."

“We have portable bleachers that were used at the Ledyard Fair,” Buonocore said. “The band will have seating located behind the end zone closest to the concession stand and all of the other portable bleachers will be located on the visitors side. Fans will be allowed to stand outside the fence as normal, and we do not anticipate any difficulties with the venue.”

Buonocore said local DJ Brennt Smith has provided a public address system. The clock operator and assistant coach spotters will work in the visiting press box along with film crews.

One constant that won’t change: Ledyard looks like a quality football team again.

The Colonels opened with a decisive 33-8 win over Killingly last week behind the 275-yard, three-TD performance of senior back Alex Manwaring. He will pose a handful of problems for a Windham defense that allowed 325 yards rushing in its 33-0 opening loss to Nrowch Free Academy .

Buonocore couldn’t ask for a better first game from a squad dominated by new starters.

“We had a very nice opening night at Killingly,” he said. “Our kids played with physical toughness and executed their assignments very well. Our offensive line set the tone for the night  with a 10-play opening drive that went for a score. I was impressed with how we ran around on defense and tackled very well. As always, we need to get better each and every day.”

Junior quarterback John Rainey, a first-year Colonel starter, played well. The former starter for the St. Bernard Saints ran for a 20-yard score and passed 62 yards for a TD to senior receiver Slade Baxley.

Despite the dominant showing, Buonocore sees room for improvement.

"We need to cut back on the penalties and continue to add to our offense and defense in terms of what we do," he said.

Windham poses more of a challenge than Killingly based on its track record under veteran head coach Brian Crudden and its handful of quick skill players.

"Windham is extremely fast," Buonocore said. "We need to contain and limit the number of touches they get on offense and special teams. We want to control the clock and the line of scrimmage. If we can do that our chances for success increase."