For just the second time in the last 20 years, the South Windsor High School football team is heading to the state playoffs. After moving to 8-2 with a win over Enfield, the Bobcats secured the 6th overall seed in the CIAC class L playoffs. But what makes this feat so significant for South Windsor?
When looking at the history of the South Windsor High School football team, playoff appearances have been hard to come by as of late. The most recent appearance was in 2017, when the Bobcats won round one of states 35-13 vs. Naugatuck, then found its way in the state semi finals, where they would ultimately lose to Greenwich.
Before that, it becomes foggy on the last appearance, but despite some decent seasons in the late 90’s and early 2000’s, no major years stick out, that is until you hit 1988. 88’ is the only time the Bobcats have made a championship appearance in the entire history of the program. The ‘Cats would ultimately lose this game 22-19 to Bristol Eastern.
From 2011 through 2019, the Cats had similar seasons. In 2011 the team was 1-9, 2-8 in 2012, 1-10 in 2013 and 1-10 in 2014. Under the leadership of Coach David Hodge, the team started rebuilding in 2015 with a record of 4-6, then went 6-4 in 2016 leading them to their last playoff appearance in 2017. Just one season ago, the Bobcats finished with a 1-9 record, putting them 20th in the class L rankings, as well as sitting them dead last in the Central Connecticut Conference tier two rankings.
Turning a .500 team into a playoff contender in just one year is likely yet not common, but to go from bottom of the league with just one win into a playoff team in just one season feels almost impossible, but yet it was done by this exceptional crew in South Windsor.
A new addition to this crew was former SMSA head coach, Kevin Quinn. This is Quinn’s first year coaching with South Windsor as the defensive coordinator.
On Tuesday, November 28th, the Bobcats will travel to Falcon Field in Meriden to battle Maloney. And while the game will be a tough one for the ‘Cats, without question, the players are excited and ready for this challenge.
“I feel good. I feel we worked hard to get here, and we all locked in because we didn’t like the results from last year. We worked hard and this was the benefit,” said senior Nieko Feher.
While the Spartans are the higher seed and favored as the number 1 team, potentially looking over South Windsor and ahead to a replay of last year against New Canaan, the South Windsor players acknowledge the accomplishments that they have had this season and how far they have come.
“We have all progressed a lot from the beginning. A lot of guys weren’t as consistent and didn’t have the game sense that they have now, but now that we have played together for so long, we have been able to mesh together. We have a good chance to win. We are the 6th seed for a reason,” said senior Nick Perez.
The playoffs will always sort out the good from the great, the unprepared from the unexpected, and the weak from the strong. With this game potentially being the last time any of the seniors will ever suit up in the maroon and gold, the Bobcats are prepared for the tough task ahead, embarking on something rarely seen from South Windsor High School football.
