Good to hear. Hope he visits the Rent a lot over the next few years.
Tonight Newsome and his Charger teammates headed to the shore for their annual scrimmage with West Haven. Newsome scored 3TDs over the 3Qs of varsity action, as Ansonia beat WH 21-0. Jai'Quan McKnight (Class of 2015) continues to improve as a QB. Ansonia has made a conscious effort to throw the ball so far during the preseason. Matos (Class of 2013) has looked impressive. In fact, they have been pass heavy in their first two scrimmages. McKnight has the arm, Ansonia has the athletes to open things up, with Matos, O'Connor, and Finney. It could be to keep Newsome healthy and fresh, makes sense. If they get their passing game going, then that's bad news for opponents. It stretches a defense and leaves running lanes for Newsome. McKnight also picked off a pass on West Haven first offensive series of the scrimmage. Ansonia has size upfront, but they are young and inexperienced. They're coming together. The Chargers preseason schedule will have the young guys game ready. Ansonia's biggest strength could be their defense. They are fast, and physical. Ansonia finishes the preseason on Thursday, Sept 6 @ Shelton, 6PM.
http://runwayramblings.blogspot.com/2012/09/ansonias-newsome-enjoyed-trip-to-uconn.html
Jim Fuller - NHR
Saturday, September 01, 2012
Ansonia's Newsome enjoyed trip to UConn game
On my way home from the office today I took a little bit of a detour and decided to check out the always entertaining scrimmage between West Haven and Ansonia.
Back when I was the lead high school football writer I rarely missed the preseason showdown between the Blue Devils and Chargers which was a scrimmage in name only. Friday's event was no different as the teams, who figure to be two of the state's top squads, went at it as if it was a state playoff game. I had another reason to check out the action since Ansonia junior running back Arkeel Newsome has been offered by UConn and was in attendance at Thursday's home opener against UMass.
After Newsome scored three touchdowns in a 28-7 win over West Haven I spent a couple of minutes with Newsome, who ran for 3,763 yards and scored 62 touchdowns in 14 games as a sophomore.
"It was a great experience and they won," Newsome said. "It was kind of weird because both of the schools gave me offers and I went to the game and UConn won.
"
It was really exciting, they have an amazing crowd and I was happy to be a part it."
Newsome, who had seven 300-yard rushing games as a sophomore including a 401-yard effort against Derby, is in no rush to make his college decision. "I'm not that too close, I am just focused on our season."
So what was the best part of the trip to UConn (other than the fact that Ansonia coach Tom Brockett let him out of Thursday's practice a little early so he could make it to Rentschler?)
"Just how the fans the react to big plays, they are all into in and I was rooting along with them."
Newsome said that UConn and UMass are the only schools to offer him at the current time.
I've heard some rumblings that UConn has some interest in West Haven junior running back Ervin Phillips. Phillips, who is likely flying a bit under the radar, but is a dynamic player. For as impressive as he was on the field, it was the way he went over the West Haven's quarterback after an interception and encouraged him to leave the mistake in the past and move forward that made the biggest impression on me. When you combine his physical gifts with the leadership skills he possesses and somebody will be getting quite a gem when he picks a college.
