There was no shortage of anticipation as the Staples High School football team kicked off their 2025 campaign on the road against the Glastonbury Guardians. For a program with a storied pedigree and a trophy case that includes the 2023 state championship, questions still lingered entering the new season: Could a fresh-faced head coach and a revamped lineup keep the Wreckers’ legacy alive? On Friday night, September 12, 2025, at Glastonbury, the answer was a resounding yes, as Staples powered past the Guardians 17-3 to open their season on a high note.
Under the Friday night lights, the Wreckers wasted no time setting the tone. Senior running back Chaz Darby, making his debut as the starting back, capped a methodical 65-yard drive with a determined 5-yard touchdown run. That opening possession chewed up an impressive 9 minutes and 33 seconds, featuring five third-down conversions—six, if you count the score itself. Darby’s performance was nothing short of electric, and his 80 rushing yards on the night gave the Wreckers the spark they needed.
"I dreamed of one day being a kid playing on the field, but this is so much sweeter because you get to see what work does and what sacrifice does, and what coming together does for a team, because that was a team win," said Staples head coach Matty Jacowleff to his team in the post-game huddle. The rookie head coach, just 28 years old and promoted from his previous role as offensive coordinator, was visibly moved by his squad’s effort in his debut at the helm. Jacowleff is one of seven new head football coaches under the age of 30 in Connecticut this season, and he couldn’t have asked for a better start.
Staples, ranked No. 10 in the GametimeCT preseason poll, showcased both offensive patience and defensive grit. After Darby’s opening score and a successful extra point from senior kicker Mickey Ross, the Wreckers’ offense cooled off, but the defense picked up the slack. Glastonbury, led by senior quarterback Connor Finnerty and wideout Rocco Meigs, looked to answer back. The Guardians’ best chance in the first half came after a booming punt by Ross pinned them deep, but junior running back Dante Casdia twice found the end zone—only to see both touchdowns erased by holding penalties. The Guardians’ promising red zone march fizzled, and Staples held their ground.
The first half ended with a bang as Ross drilled a 46-yard field goal, sending the Wreckers into halftime with a 10-0 lead. That booming kick was a highlight for the senior, who also handled punting duties with poise. Glastonbury’s only points came early in the third quarter, when Thomas Pingel converted a 21-yard field goal after a 60-yard pass from Finnerty to Meigs set them up deep in Staples territory. But that would be as close as the Guardians would get.
Glastonbury’s offense, which had shown flashes of explosiveness, was repeatedly stymied by Staples’ new-look defensive front. The Wreckers, breaking in several new starters across the defensive line and linebacking corps, bottled up the Guardians’ rushing attack and pressured Finnerty into hurried throws. When Glastonbury threatened midway through the third quarter, penalties and a pair of sacks pushed them out of scoring range, and Staples seized back the momentum.
"We made too many mistakes," Glastonbury head coach Eric Hennessey admitted after the game. "I told the kids at the beginning of the game, 'We're playing a good football team, and we're a good football team; the team that makes the least mistakes tonight is going to win.' They made the least mistakes, so hats off to Staples." It was a night of what-ifs for the Guardians, who saw three potential touchdowns wiped out by penalties and self-inflicted wounds.
With the outcome still in question in the fourth quarter, Staples turned to their senior quarterback to put the game on ice. Nick Weil, who had already contributed 48 hard-fought rushing yards, took a read-option around the right end and dashed eight yards to the end zone with 6:57 left on the clock. Ross’s extra point made it 17-3, and the Wreckers’ sideline erupted in celebration. For Weil, it was his highest rushing total since October 2024 and a fitting start to his senior campaign.
Statistically, Staples’ offense was balanced and efficient. Darby finished with 80 yards and a touchdown, while Weil added his own rushing score and 48 yards on the ground. The Wreckers’ ability to convert on third down and control the clock proved decisive, especially against a Glastonbury defense that had reached the Class LL quarterfinals just a season ago.
The matchup also carried a sense of history. These two programs are no strangers to postseason clashes, with their last playoff meeting dating back to 2010—a 7-6 defensive slugfest won by Glastonbury. This year’s renewal, the first in 15 years, was equally physical, but it was Staples who emerged with bragging rights and a 1-0 record. Glastonbury, now 0-1, will look to regroup as they prepare for in-conference play.
Both teams now turn their attention to familiar rivals as the Connecticut High School Football Alliance season heats up. Staples will host Stamford at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, September 19, a game that’s sure to draw a raucous home crowd eager to see if the Wreckers can keep their momentum rolling. Glastonbury, meanwhile, faces Southington at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 18, hoping to clean up the mistakes and get back in the win column.
For the Wreckers, Friday’s triumph was more than just a season-opening win. It was a statement that the new era under Coach Jacowleff has arrived—and that Staples football, with its blend of tradition and fresh energy, remains a force to be reckoned with in Connecticut high school football. The road ahead is long, and the challenges will only grow tougher, but for now, the Wreckers are right where they want to be: undefeated, united, and hungry for more.