Southington Takes Back Apple Valley Classic Trophy In Win Over Cheshire

Blue Knights celebrate around Apple Valley Classic trophy NMR PHOTOGRAPHY

Southington football entered their Thanksgiving matchup against Cheshire having lost the last two Apple Valley Classic rivalry games. Between a stout defense and an explosive offense, the Blue Knights reclaimed the trophy with a 31-0 victory.

“The rivalry goes in circles, for both towns. It’s a positive, competitive, good rivalry. Hats off to Cheshire, they have a great team this year,” head coach Rob Levesque said. “That kind of game, records go out the window, playoffs go out the window, we’re coming, they’re coming and we’re going to get after it. It’s what was expected. My kids loved it and played great.”

Game Recap: First Half

Southington’s first score came after three straight runs from sophomore Benjamin Beaulieu, when junior quarterback Luke Prozzo found senior Jaxiel Rivera from 36 yards out to put the Blue Knights on the board. The extra point made it 7-0 with 8:27 remaining in the first quarter.

It wasn’t long before Southington got possession back. Cheshire fumbled the ball on fourth-and-one, with Blue Knights senior Daniel Corrado recovering it. Southington then went on an extended drive that featured a long Prozzo run and another deep pass to Rivera. With 1:49 remaining in the quarter, sophomore Sawyer Trudeau gave the Blue Knights a 10-0 lead on a 26-yard field goal.

Cheshire seemed to be getting some momentum, blocking a Southington punt to start the second quarter. They would then convert a fourth-and-six. However, senior Austin Sirois halted the Rams in their tracks with a tackle for loss that forced fourth-and-11, and Cheshire missed a 43-yard field goal.

On its next drive Southington capitalized on a pair of strong runs from senior Lonnie Green, including one for 13 yards. Prozzo then converted fourth-and-two to junior Leif Renehan. With the receiver breaking tackles deep into Cheshire territory, the Blue Knights tacked on a 23-yard Trudeau field goal to take a 13-0 lead into halftime.

RB Lonnie Green breaks off a big run

OLB Daniel Corrado waits for the snap

WR Jaxiel Rivera lines up

K Sawyer Trudeau kicks field goal

RB Leif Renehan gains key yards

Recap: Second Half

The Blue Knights brought out the fireworks to open the second half, as Prozzo found Beaulieu for a 40-yard touchdown pass with 10:53 left in the quarter. While the kick was blocked, Southington was up 19-0.

Next, Cheshire started driving down the field, converting on fourth-and-11. But a Sirois interception again stopped their momentum. The turnovers weren’t done yet – on the first play of Cheshire’s next drive, junior Connor Orange recovered a fumble.

The ensuing drive saw a Prozzo interception get called back for pass interference. A few plays later, Beaulieu ran in a three-yard touchdown. Orange wasn’t finished recovering turnovers, picking up his second of the quarter shortly thereafter. Southington took a 25-0 lead into the final frame.

Beaulieu put the finishing touches on the victory by scoring a five-yard rushing touchdown with just over 11 minutes remaining. It was the only score the fourth quarter as the Blue Knights put the seal on a rivalry win.

Southington not only took back the Apple Valley Classic, they chalked up their fifth victory in a row, the last four before a home crowd.

“Being in Southington is special,” Levesque said. “Being on the road is hard to do so many weeks in a row. After the bye and a bad loss to New Britain, we had a reset. We had to make some real changes in the way we did things, the way we prepared. We did that, and it was the perfect time in the season to hit the reset button. The kids bought in and they’ve been executing.”

RB Ben Beaulieu runs past defenders....

...goes in for the touchdown...

... and celebrates with his teammates.

Luke Prozzo Makes His Return

Senior quarterback Prozzo had been out of action since suffering an injury in Southington’s win over Hall, which was later revealed to be a second grade AC sprain in his shoulder. After a lengthy recovery, the quarterback was finally able to get in a couple days of practice leading into the Thanksgiving clash.

Prozzo was informed that he was going to be the starter on Wednesday night. When he learned of that decision, he said, “I knew I was going to lead the team to a victory.” The junior would go on to complete 13-of-26 passes for 161 yards and two touchdowns, and get named Southington’s Apple Valley Classic Offensive MVP.

Prozzo admits he was playing at about 80 percent capacity, but felt that he “had to be out here with the boys.” Once he completed his first touchdown pass to Rivera, he knew he was “on his A-game.” From there, Prozzo was solely focused on winning the rivalry matchup.

“They took it from us two years in a row, so it felt great to take that back,” Prozzo said. “We have the right momentum going into the playoffs, and I think we’re going to get it done.”

While Prozzo may not have been competing come gameday, he remained active in team preparations and was fully involved in Southington’s growing success.

“Luke is a gamer at all points,” Levesque said. “He’s never been gone, he’s been in the huddles, he’s been in the films, in the practices. He’s been doing everything he can. He hasn’t missed a beat in terms of the mental reps that it takes to play this game.”

Heading into the playoffs, Levesque and company will have a decision to make at starting quarterback. In Prozzo’s absence, sophomore Jacoby Roman led the Blue Knights to five victories. Whoever ends up getting the starting nod, Levesque is confident Southington’s quarterback will deliver.

“There’s a lot of factors that go into the decision,” Levesque said. “Obviously Jacoby has won the last four games for us. He’s been tremendous for us. It’s a good, healthy competition between them. We’re going to continue to ride that, that’s a good problem to have. Great character kids and competitors.”

QB Luke Prozzo steps back to pass

Blue Knights Offense, Defense Both Shine

Defensively, Southington held Cheshire to just 61 yards total. With three fumble recoveries and an interception, the Blue Knights easily won the takeaway battle. That they are ‘takeaways’, not just turnovers, is something Levesque emphasizes, as he wants Southington to be intentional when they attack on defense.

“Sudden change is a big part of the game,” Levesque said. “It’s a game of motion and momentum. We led the turnover battle and it led to some sudden change. We focus a lot on takeaways. We don’t like to call them turnovers, takeaways are on purpose. It worked for us today.”

Orange, who had two of those fumble recoveries, was named Southington’s Apple Valley Classic Defensive MVP. He argued it should be a team award as he wasn’t the only one who stepped up to help set a new standard in the rivarly with Cheshire.

“We really wanted to start a new standard around here,” Orange said. “We knew they were going to run the ball a lot. We really worked hard for our outside linebackers to set the edge. This whole week has just been preparing. 100 percent intensity, 100 percent locked in.”

With three total touchdowns and 155 yards of offense, Beaulieu was named the Apple Valley Classic MVP. The Blue Knights had 134 total rushing yards with Beaulieu contributing 100 of them. Still, for the sophomore, his favorite moments on the field are not individual achievement but soaking in a score with his teammates.

“It feels amazing. After you score, being able to be with your offensive linemen in the end zone. That’s the best feeling in the world,” Beaulieu said. “I feel sorry for people who can’t experience it because honestly it’s amazing. I’m super grateful for it.”

It has been a rollercoaster season for Beaulieu, who began the year as a backup before going on to win MVP. Whatever role he was put in, the running back was ready.

“Offseason it was a lot of, ‘What can I do to help this team the most?’ Whether that would be starting or being on special teams, just to help anywhere in practice,” Beaulieu said. “Being able to get an opportunity was great, I know I’m built for it. I have a great offensive line I can trust.”

All three players kept focused on the Blue Knights’ trusted mantra, ‘1-0 every week’. As they head into postseason play, they know what they’re capable of and are prepared to put the work in to succeed.

“Our mentality is just to keep on going,” Prozzo said. “Whatever is working is working.”

“We just got to keep working hard,” Orange added.

“1-0 every week, keep it rolling,” Beaulieu concluded.

OLB Connor Orange with his Defensive MVP award

Southington's stout defense shut out Cheshire

Glastonbury Awaits

With the win, Southington ended their regular season with a 7-3 record. They clinched the No. 4 seed in the Class LL State Tournament and will host No. 5 Glastonbury on Tuesday, December 2. Kickoff is set for 6:30.

It will be a rematch of the school’s regular season matchup, a game that saw Glastonbury come away with a 41-35 victory in overtime. But Southington is now a much different team than they were back in Week 2. With momentum from their win over Cheshire, Levesque and the Blue Knights are ready for playoff action.

“We’ll see who we get. The coaches are going to gameplan, and the players are going to trust us. We’re going to trust them,” Levesque said. “We’re going to go out and play.”

WR Roscoe Cook hauls in a pass

The crowd for the Apple Valley Classic

For more SHS sports photography, check out NMR Photography.

Soccer Captain Bafuma Rides Confidence Boost To College

PHOTO COURTESY OF EMILY BAFUMA

Playing soccer has always seemed natural for Emily Bafuma. Born with an abundance of energy, she developed a love for the game that drove her to succeed and athleticism that helped her shine on the pitch. Together those qualities have put the Southington senior in a position to continue her standout career at the college level.

“I had a lot of energy growing up. I was a very energetic, active kid, I was always running around,” Bafuma said. “When I was little, they just signed me up for soccer and I loved it. I had a lot of friends there, so I stuck with it.” 

Bafuma began playing soccer when she was around six-years-old. Her mother Roxanne and neighbor Matt convinced her to play and served as some of her first coaches in the rec league.

A few years later she joined the Southington Soccer Club. There she learned the fundamentals and got the basic skills down. While she still had a long way to go, she was beginning to see what it would take to succeed in the sport.

Bafuma ultimately settled into her position as a left winger. Outside forward is a position that demands speed and energy, and plenty of running. Bafuma welcomed the challenge, using her natural gifts to her advantage.

“It’s definitely one of the more fitness-heavy positions on the field,” Bafuma said. “It’s a lot of running, you go box-to-box on the end line. I was always faster and athletic. While playing that position, my speed and running ability have really helped me.”

Eventually Bafuma was ready for the jump to high school soccer. It was a no-brainer decision to join the Blue Knights as a freshman. Still, she wasn’t looking at the big picture of her career - she just wanted to play.

“I didn’t go into it seeing it as an end point,” Bafuma said. “I just loved it, so I kept doing it.”

NMR PHOTOGRAPHY

Bafuma’s Junior Year Marks Major Step Up

She began her tenure with the Blue Knights on the JV squad. Bafuma admits it was a big step up from the competition she was used to. But with the support of her upperclassmen and friends, Bafuma was able to find her footing at the high school level.

“It was definitely a much higher, much faster level of play,” Bafuma said. “The main difference between the levels of soccer is how much faster it gets. Competing against bigger, stronger girls was definitely a challenge. I’m like 5’1”, on the shorter side, so that was something to get used to.”

As a sophomore she was cross-rostered, playing both JV and varsity. She also played club soccer, joining a team, Vale, which also featured Southington senior Gianna Mathews and junior Alannah Terry. Bafuma felt an instant spark on Vale and knew it was the club team for her.

But the new team brought challenges. Now playing through both winter and spring, Bafuma had to be much more cautious. She wasn’t able to do the same workouts she did year round.

“It’s definitely a lot,” Bafuma said. “I have to focus on staying healthy, injury prevention. I like to lift, I like being in the gym. During high school season, with practices every day, that’s just not something that would benefit me. The lifting would slow me down or overwork me. In the winter and spring when club practices are only like three days a week with one or two games, I’m able to fit in more strength training.”

During Bafuma’s first season with Vale she focused on the technical aspect of her game. Rather than relying on her speed, she wanted to have more control and touch. She knew she needed to do more than just run after the ball and shoot.

Her dedication paid off, as Bafuma was named a starter for the Blue Knights entering her junior season.

“Going into junior year, I had gotten a lot better with my new club,” Bafuma said. “I knew it was something I could do. I thought I very much belonged there. I was really nervous in the summer going into junior year, because I really wanted to make it. I feel like I had a little bit of pressure on myself. But it was all okay, I had so much fun and still ended up making it.”

A Senior With New Goals

Having won a starting spot on the squad, Bafuma went into her senior season with clear goals. On the pitch, she wanted to play with more confidence. And she wanted everyone else on the squad to know they had their own important roles to play.

“I wanted to get a lot more confident in my play. I didn’t want to just give the ball away as soon as I got it, I wanted to be able to take it myself,” Bafuma said. “For team culture, I wanted to make sure everybody, even if you’re a freshman, felt included. I wanted to be friendly with everyone and build a comfortable space and unified team. That’s something we achieved this year – how many friendships were made, how many people we all met.”

Bafuma was able to reach her goals as one of four senior captains on the Blue Knights. She joined Mathews, Abbie Patavino and Emily Boucher in helping Southington girls soccer become a tight-knit group.

“I just wanted to make sure everyone was heard and included, and having fun,” Bafuma said. “Yes, it’s a competitive sport and we want to win. But you’re with these girls every single day. Practices are going to be hard, it’s hard work. Soccer isn’t easy. But it only works if we’re all friends and all get along. Everyone got along so well. That was one of our strengths.”

Whether at Vale or at the high school, Bafuma has spent much of her soccer journey alongside Mathews. As both prepare for the jump to college soccer, Mathews won’t soon forget what it was like playing and being alongside Bafuma.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better person to be by my side,” Mathews said. “Emily is one of the most positive people you will ever meet and her energy is so contagious. I can’t wait to see all that she accomplishes at the collegiate level.”

All seven seniors on this year’s Southington roster had a special moment at this year’s Senior Night. The Blue Knights came away with a 10-1 win over Maloney. Bafuma remembers the excitement and the energy; it’s a game that will stick with her long after graduation.

Bafuma said she has achieved her senior year goal of playing with confidence. It’s something she has worked on since she was a freshman. Now, as she prepares to leave the Blue Knights, Bafuma walks onto the pitch with a more specific aim in mind.

“Normally I would be the workhorse,” Bafuma said. “I would just run down the sides, and if I got the ball I would just try and cross it to the center or immediately or pass it off. This year, I kept it at my feet a little more. The passes I made, I tried to make it be not just the first person I saw. I tried to make good decisions and take my time. In some games I think I was better at keeping the ball and being confident in my ability.”

Bafuma (No. 4) with her teammates NMR PHOTOGRAPHY

Bafuma Heads To Roger Williams

When Bafuma began her college tour, she wasn’t sure what she wanted to pursue. She also didn’t know if she would play soccer at the DIII level or club. But then she went to an open house at Roger Williams, and the big picture finally emerged.

Bafuma walked into the School of Architecture and was immediately astonished. She knew she was always artistic and good at math. The architecture program seemed like a perfect fit – and the campus’ waterside views didn’t hurt. With her major chosen, and an opportunity to play DIII soccer before her, Bafuma knew that Roger Williams was the right place.

“I walked into their School of Architecture. I saw all of the models the students had done. I was just like, “Oh my gosh, I would absolutely love building these.’ This is what I want to do,” Bafuma said. “It was a perfect combination of my skills.”

After her visit, Bafuma reached out to the Roger Williams coaching staff. She then attended an ID clinic, which allowed her to showcase her kills. Once Bafuma met with the team, her commitment to Roger Williams only became more solid. Bafuma knew playing for the Hawks would be perfect.

For a while, playing at the college level didn’t seem attainable, at least in Bafuma’s mind. It took a lot of effort for her to realize what she was capable of. But Bafuma never stopped moving towards that goal. Once she realized what was possible, the sky was the limit.

“Freshman, sophomore year, I didn’t think I’d be good enough to play in college,” Bafuma said. “Junior year, I started to get a little better. With the confidence I gained and the feeling that I could do this, I just have to work on this, this and this, I realized, ‘Wait, I can do this – and I want to.’ This is a sport I love and I can work for it, I can get there.”

Bafuma will be taking the confidence she gained at Southington to the next level. She says her positive attitude and ability to keep things light will be joining her too. While making the leap to college may be daunting, Bafuma is elated she’ll be doing so with her Roger Williams teammates.

“Soccer has been a huge part of my life for so long,” Bafuma said. “It has made me so many long lasting friendships, given me some of my closest friends.”

“Going into college, walking in with a group of people you’re already spending a lot of time with gave me another sense of security,” Bafuma said. “College is a little scary, you don’t know if you’re going to be able to make a lot of friends. If we all have a common interest, we’re all working hard together, it will help me build more friendships and relationships in college early on.”

See NMR Photography for more SHS Girls Soccer photos. 

Southington Wins Overtime Thriller Against Maloney

ILB William Cumberlidge and RB Benjamin Beaulieu NOLAN RICH PHOTOS

Southington’s head coach, Rob Levesque, was standing outside the end zone where his team had just pulled off a thrilling 35-34 overtime win. It was another chapter in what has become an exciting rivalry with Maloney. “We always have great games with them," he said. "Maloney and Southington, we are going to get after it no matter what our records are.”

It was a roller coaster of a game, bookmarked at both start and finish with plays by Southington’s William Cumberlidge. With just under eight minutes left in the opening quarter, Maloney lined up for a punt when Cumberlidge shot through the offensive line to block it, giving the Blue Knights excellent field position. A minute later, Southington took an early 7-0 lead on a 29-yard touchdown pass from Jacoby Roman, who found Leif Renehan out of the backfield.

Aggressive special teams play has been an emphasis for Southington, Leveque said after the game. “It’s been an area we have been working on. The kids have bought into special teams and we are getting better every single week.”

From there the teams went back and forth throughout regulation. Maloney tied the game at seven early in the second quarter with Savion Lamb’s 12-yard touchdown run. Southington’s offense moved the ball in the quarter, converting on three fourth-down attempts, but left two drives without points after a pair of missed field goals.

In the third quarter, Maloney would take the lead after a short 5-yard run by Devan Bacote on a drive that began with a 55-yard kickoff return. From that point on, the Southington offense leaned on the run game behind sophomore sensation Benjamin Beaulieu. Beaulieu would be the Blue Knights' closer, churning out tough yards and finishing the game with four rushing touchdowns.

Beaulieu's first touchdown run

Beaulieu's second touchdown

Beaulieu's fourth touchdown

After the game, Beaulieu was quick to credit his teammates, especially his linemen. “Thank my o-lineman! Did you see the holes I was running through? You could fit the Titanic through there!” he exclaimed.

As the clock ran out on regulation, both teams were tied at 28. Overtime followed; each team would get the ball on the ten and have four chances to score a touchdown. Maloney had the first crack at it. After two run stuffs by the Blue Knights defense, it was 3rd and a long eight yards to score for Maloney. Eli Showerda pulled a play-action pass and found wideout Joel Lopez Jr. in the corner of the end zone to give the Spartans a six-point lead. For a moment, as the special teams units trotted out, it felt like the air had been sucked out of Fontana Field.

As Cumberlidge took his position on the turf, he was determined to make lightning strike twice. “I told myself I was getting through this gap no matter what,” he said later. Cumberlidge burst through the line and blocked the extra point attempt, bringing the energy back into the stadium. Moments later, Beaulieu would find himself in the end zone for his fourth rushing touchdown of the night, and Southington would convert on their point after for the win. Fans stormed the field to embrace the seniors on their night.

Despite the win, which all but ensured that Southington would clinch a playoff birth, the team is still taking the same approach. According to Levesque, “It’s 1-and-0 every week, tunnel vision, and we’re moving on to Cheshire for a big rivalry game.”

After a rocky start, the team is moving forward, its aspirations bright as the regular season winds down. Southington’s recent string of wins is something fans won’t forget for a long time – and for the class of 2026, it is something they won’t forget for a lifetime.