Michael Casinelli of Shelton did all he could to make his Gael football team the best it could be. In earning All State, All-Walter Camp, All-Southern Connecticut Conference, as well as USA Today All USA Connecticut honors, Casinelli put in his time in the weight room and went over video of opponents.

He was as diligent with his studies. Casinelli was a member of the National Honor Society and the Italian National Honor Society, as well as becoming an Eagle Scout with the Boy Scouts of America. Casinelli, at 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds, will play defensive end for coach Mike Cerasuolo’s Springfield College Pride, which opens its season on Friday with a home game against Western New England.