A Playoff Resurgence for the Eagles
The Maloney High School football program, under the steady guidance of coach Kevin Frederick, is back in the postseason after a decade‑long playoff drought. The Eagles finished the previous season tenth in the Class L rankings, a placement that masked a 93‑33 record over Frederick’s twelve years at the helm. Their home turf, Falcon Field in Meriden, will host a slate of games that begin in early September and stretch into late November.
At the helm of the offense, quarterback Eli Showerda returns as the starter, having posted a 61.5 percent passing accuracy last year. He threw for 1,739 yards and 18 touchdowns while keeping interceptions to just two, numbers that signal a matured arm and better decision‑making.
Complementing Showerda, running back Devan Bacote emerged as the team’s workhorse, racking up a league‑leading 16 touchdowns and amassing 1,092 all‑purpose yards. His blend of speed and vision gives the Eagles a dynamic ground attack that can shift momentum in any quarter.
The receiving corps will be anchored by Jameir Diaz, Jayden Soto and Joel Lopez, each of whom contributed significantly in the previous campaign. Their route running and ability to find the end zone add depth to a passing attack that now looks poised to exploit defenses more effectively.
Defensively, the Eagles rely on veteran Rafael Rivera, who led the unit with 72 total tackles, including 27 solo stops, four forced fumbles, a sack, an interception and a blocked kick. Joining him in the backfield is Esai Alvarez, whose presence should tighten a defense that aims to build on its recent successes.
The 2025 schedule opens with conference play on September 10 against Glastonbury and continues through November 26, offering a series of tests that could cement the team’s return to playoff contention.
Looking Ahead
With a blend of experienced starters and promising underclassmen, the Eagles are positioned to challenge for a higher seed in the upcoming CIAC playoffs. The chemistry forged during offseason workouts and the continuity of key players suggest that the team could exceed expectations and perhaps rewrite the narrative of their recent playoff absence.