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Greenwich QB Jack Wilson prepares to throw a pass during football action against St. Joseph in Greenwich, Conn., on Friday October 14, 2022.
Christian Abraham/Hearst Connecticut Media
SOUTHINGTON — Close to two months after last season ended, Jack Wilson still wasn’t cleared by doctors to resume any athletic activity.
Greenwich’s quarterback had taken a big hit during the Class LL quarterfinals in the third quarter against Fairfield Prep.
Wilson was in the middle of engineering another potential scoring drive for the Cardinals — this one could have put his team in command up two scores — when he took off on a designed run and scrambled for an 11-yard gain.
With defenders swarming, Wilson slid — giving himself up — when he was hit by a Fairfield Prep defender, shoulder to helmet.
Wilson’s head snapped back and hit the turf at Rafferty Stadium. He immediately released the ball and laid still on the field.
A flag was thrown against Fairfield Prep and a 15-yard penalty was assessed. Wilson — after an extended period — walked off the field, but never returned.
The Cardinals’ offense fell apart, while the Jesuits turned two fumbles into two touchdowns and left the field 21-14, winners. Fairfield Prep would advance to the finals.
On Saturday, Wilson will get another chance against Fairfield Prep, this time in the Class LL state championship game at 5:30 p.m. at Rentschler Field in East Hartford.
Wilson has watched last season’s game “north of five times” and rewatched the hit in the days after, but said he and his team hold no ill-will against the Jesuits.
“I think what happened last year, it was definitely motivation for me, but it’s not something I held against them at all,” Wilson said. “It’s just another game for me, obviously it’s a big game so I am going to take them as serious as any team in this situation.”
Initially when Wilson was cleared to resume physical athletic activity — working out in the weight room with his teammates, preparing for this season — Morello said he thought the concussion affected him mentally.
“It was a violent hit, and it took its toll for a month or two, it lingered,” Greenwich coach Anthony Morello said. “Sometimes concussions that are that severe can take its toll.
“You’re dealing with a loss to end your season and you’re dealing with trauma to your head, so it was a lot for him.”
When he got back under center his confidence never wavered. He has thrown for 2,211 yards and 25 touchdowns, improving on his numbers from his junior year. He hasn’t shied away from running the ball either.
“I think it’s just something that happens in the game that we play,” he said. “Those are the hits you've got to be willing to take.”
On the ground, he has rushed for 13 more touchdowns.
“I think if anything it has prompted me to stop sliding and to kind of deliver the hits more,” Wilson said.
Greenwich is 10-2, looking for its first state title since 2018. Both losses have come by one point.
The offense is averaging 42.4 points per game, an improvement from last season’s 31.2 points.
“Jack was experiencing everything for the first time (last year),” Morello said. “We faced the best defenses in the state: New Canaan, Fairfield Prep and Shelton, some really exceptional defenses week in and week out.
“It was a trial by fire, not just for him, but for me.”
Wilson went to former NFL quarterback Jay Fiedler’s camp to work on his mechanics and spent countless hours watching film with Morello and Greenwich quarterback's coach John Rich.
Wilson also found his voice.
“He has always been a great leader, but I think last year he was a bit introverted, he let the seniors do a lot of the talking. This year he is taking the reins,” Morello said. “He is the vocal leader on the field, he holds his teammates accountable.”
And like any successful leader, Wilson takes no credit for the season the Cardinals are having. He would rather name the multiple offensive weapons he has at his disposal — Jack Konigsberg and George Vomvolakis at running back, Charlie Dixon and James Wailgum at wide receiver and Dom DeLuca at tight end to name a few.
“Those guys just make me look good, week in and week out,” Wilson said. “It’s something we definitely like to take advantage of, having all those mismatches because we feel like you can only defend so much, so many areas, one of those guys is going to get open.”
And despite the big lights at UConn’s home stadium, Wilson has been telling his team to treat it like any other game they have played together.
“We know this is the biggest game in high school football, so no matter who it was against we are going to prepare the same way and make sure we are ready to go,” he said.