Eric Beatty throws the ball during Pomperaug High School football practice in Southbury on Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012.
SOUTHBURY -- There are few high school football teams in the state as practiced as Pomperaug at the cruel math that cuts seasons off at Thanksgiving.
The Panthers have posted consecutive 8-2 campaigns, only to have their playoff hopes put out by tiebreaking measures. They've been trained to expect the worst when inputting their data into a convoluted equation, like anyone who's ever fumbled around with a TI-83.
"It's a game of inches," second-year coach Dave Roach said from practice Wednesday, "and also a game of decimals."
"Last year, just sitting around on the computer and seeing (the different scenarios), where people had a win against somebody else and that determined whether we got in our not -- we have to make it up to us this year, you know?" said senior captain Carl Gatzendorfer, who has emerged as a pass-catching running back in addition to his duties as a cornerback. "We can't let anybody dictate where we want to go."
Gatzendorfer and senior quarterback Eric Beatty, friends since Pop Warner who have since swapped positions, are among the leaders of a team that's seen significant turnover on both sides of the ball. Gone to graduation are running back Andrew Reel and receiver Matt Paola, but here to stay is "the hammer," the formation from which the Panthers forged their punishing, run-heavy identity under legendary coach Chuck Drury.
The defense is fueled by math that's easy enough -- "11 hats on the ball." However, there are some daunting offensive numbers that require the Panthers' attention, the 186 touches and 1,696 all-purpose yards Reel and Paola combined to pile up in 2011.
Gatzendorfer, along with speedy tailback Dylan McAllister (6.5 yards per rushing attempt in 2011), a fellow senior, will assume much of that load. Which, according to Roach, is good news for Panther fans.
"Kids just fill the void," Roach said. "They miss (the departing seniors) and they want to be like them. They're always asking for their jersey numbers. They want to make their own identity, but at the same time, it's a respect thing."
Of Gatzendorfer, who saw limited action on offense a year ago, Roach said, "He's like having another coach on the field. As a possession receiver, I equate it to having a Wes Welker. He's a sure-handed guy and he's not going to drop the ball. Maybe that's not great for fantasy sports."
Welker was actually a fantasy stud last season, trailing only Detroit's Calvin Johnson in receiving yards. But the point is taken: Put the pigskin in Gatzendorfer's hands and it's likely to stay there. Worst case, it's a catch. Best case, he's darting upfield for six.
"I always trust Carl," said Beatty, who threw four of his 11 touchdown passes last season in a Week 2 rout of Bethel, an eventual playoff team. "He's got the surest hands on the team. We're always on the same page, too."
Teammates feel the same way about Beatty, who, according to Roach, took charge of offseason passing drills, growing comfortable in his leadership role.
"He's stepped it up this year big-time," Roach said. "The only way you're going to get leaders nowadays is if you give them the chance to lead. He was given that opportunity and he was successful with that."
The Panthers have dropped down a class, from LL to L, but a gruesome schedule out of the gates will make punching a playoff ticket harder than ever. A season-opener at Masuk, the juggernaut to whom they fell 49-3 last year, followed by a trip to Newtown, a team they beat 16-9 but lost out to in tiebreakers, won't leave much to chance; taking an 0-fer could effectively cancel their postseason.
The Panthers say bring it on.
"I was really energized by it," Beatty said. "(Masuk) whupped us the last two years. For our senior year, it's the best way to start the season, to really prove ourselves as a team."