Brian Mazzone Head Coach (54-26-Regular Season, 2-4 Playoffs, 56-30 Overall .675)
Coach Mazzone begins his tenth year as the head coach of the Bulldogs. He now stands alone as the longest tenured football coach in school history. This is something that Coach Mazzone is extremely proud of. In 2023 the Bulldogs had their second consecutive 4-6 season. In 2021, although they did not qualify for the playoffs, the Bulldogs won the 2021 Pequot Uncas Division Championship. Their third such title in five years. It was highlighted by All State seasons by Logan Briggs and Mark McLaughlin. In 2020 the Bulldogs did not play any games due to the COVID-19 shutdown.
2019 was another successful season for the Bulldogs. They finished 8-2 in the regular season, good enough to qualify as a 6 seed in the Class S State Playoffs. The team had five All Conference members and Logan Briggs was named to the All State Team. This was the Bulldogs fourth consecutive appearance in the Class S playoffs. They are only the second team in league history to qualify for the playoff in four straight years. With a win over Cromwell/Portland on 10/9, Mazzone became the all time wins leader at Stafford as he captured his 37th win in a 44-7 victory. The Bulldogs were also ranked #10 in the Hartford Courant Area Poll to end the regular season.
2018 was the Bulldogs winningest season in school history. The Bulldogs finished the regular season at a perfect 10-0. 10-0 was good enough to earn the Bulldogs the outright Pequot Conference Championship and the Uncas Division Champions. The Bulldogs made the Class S playoffs as a 3 seed and were the home team in the quarterfinals against Cromwell. In a dominating performance the Bulldogs won 41-6 for their second playoff victory in as many years. In the semifinals the Bulldogs lost a heart breaker to Haddam-Killingworth 21-14 in OT which ended the Bulldogs dream season. The Bulldogs finished number 9 in The Hartford Courant area poll and number 20 overall in the GametimeCT final poll. The Bulldogs were chosen by the Hartford Courant as their fall sports Team of the Year for the All Courant section. Coach Mazzone was also named both Uncas Division and Pequot Conference coach of the year for the 2018 season. Mazzone was also named the Connecticut High School Coaches Association State Coach of the Year for 2018, and was named a finalist for the Walter Camp Football Foundation's Coach of the Year in 2018. Currently Mazzone is the Pequot Conference Co-President along with Peter Nye of Morgan. Mazzone was also named the Head Coach for Team Nutmeg in the Connecticut Super 100 All Star Game for 2019 and they were victorious 41-21.
In 2017 the Bulldogs had another season for the ages. They finished 10-2 and competed in the Class S Semifinals. The Bulldogs were the 5 seed in Class S and met the Bullard Havens Tigers in the quarterfinals. In the fourth quarter the Bulldogs overcame a 12-7 deficit on a blocked punt TD by Anthony Desso and wound up winning 20-12, the first postseason victory in school history. In the semifinals they again faced off against Ansonia High and fell 52-19 in a spirited effort. For the second consecutive year the Bulldogs finished number 10 in the Hartford Courant Area poll. In 2018 Coach Mazzone served as an assistant coach (ILB/Special Teams) for Team Connecticut in the Connecticut vs. Rhode Island Senior All Star Game.
In 2016 the Bulldogs had a record setting season, finishing with a school record nine wins. The Bulldogs, who finished 9-1, earned a share of the Pequot Conference Championship. In addition to the league honors, the Bulldogs qualified for the Class S state playoffs for the first time in school history. The team earned a #7 seed and lost to the eventual state champion Ansonia in the quarterfinals, 48-0. The Bulldogs also finished the season ranked as the number 10 overall team in the Hartford Courant's season Area Top 10 poll. Again, the Bulldogs claimed the Air and Speed Bowl Trophy with a 47-14 victory over Windsor Locks and they finished 3-1, second place in the division. Coach Mazzone was named Co-Coach of the Year for the Pequot Conference and the Uncas Division Coach of the Year.
In 2015 the Bulldogs showed a strong improvement in finishing 4-6, 4-2 in division which was good for third place, and they won the Air and Speed Bowl over Windsor Locks 28-14. He was also named Pequot Uncas East Dvision Coach of the Year.
Prior to coming to Stafford Coach Mazzone had previous stints as an assistant at Enfield High (2000), Fermi High (2005-2009), and Ellington High (2004, 2010-2014). He held a wide range of titles including freshman coach, JV coach, special teams coordinator, offensive and defensive line coach, and associate head coach. At Ellington he was a part of the 2011 Pequot Conference Championship team, 2013 Pequot East Division Champions, and Class M playoff teams in 2011, 2012, and 2014.
Mazzone is a class of 2000 graduate of Enfield High where he was a captain in 1999, and team MVP of a 7-2-1 Raiders squad. He was also a captain of the basketball team and competed in shot, discus, javelin, the 100m and long jump for the track team. Upon graduating he played at Westfield State College as a reserve defensive lineman from 2001-2003. The Owls won three consecutive Bogan Division Championships, and the 2001 NEFC Championship—advancing to the Division III NCAA Tournament.
Coach Mazzone is currently an assistant varsity baseball coach at Enfield High School (2019-). He also was an assistant baseball coach at Fermi (2006-2010), and the head track coach at Enfield High (2014). From 2008-2010 Fermi made the Class L post-season each year, culminating with a 15-5 season, the best in school history. At Enfield High Coach Mazzone was lucky to coach Tryik Henry who won the Class M title for Long Jump, and a National Title at the New Balance Nationals in 2014 in the 110 hurdles.
Coach Mazzone is an English teacher at Enfield High School and he lives in Enfield with his wife Kelly, a social studies teacher at Enfield High and assistant girls lacrosse coach at EHS and his two sons Brodie and Brock. Brodie and Brock both attend Mazzone Football Camp , Brodie plays Somers Flag football, Powerhouse Baseball, and St. Bernard's basketball. Brock plays ESA Soccer and St. Bernard's basketball.
Beau Weed Offensive Coordinator
Coach Weed begins his tenth season as an assistant coach. Coach Weed has coached offensive line, defensive line, wide receivers, quarterbacks, and linebackers during his tenure. In 2022, Coach Weed was elevated to the offensive coordinator and he will continue in that role in 2023. Coach Weed was the Head JV Coach from 2015-2018. In 2018 the JV team finished with a promising 5-3-1 record. In 2016 the JV team finished 4-4. The record was impressive considering their 0-3 start. The squad began with 14 first time football players and showed a substantial improvement during the season. In 2015 the JV team finished 4-4 and played a complete schedule for the first time in six years.
Coach Weed has coached wide receivers, defensive line and most prominently the offensive line. Coach worked with the offensive line from 2017-2021. He now works with the quarterbacks. Coach Weed was also an assistant offensive line coach for Team Nutmeg in the 2019 Super 100 Senior All Star Game, which they won 41-21.
Weed is a graduate of Stafford High’s class of 2012. In 2011 he was an All-Conference lineman at center for a strong Bulldogs squad. Upon graduating he continued his playing career as a lineman for the Eastern Connecticut State University Club Football Team.
He was also the assistant basketball coach for nine years and was the head golf coach at Stafford for four years.
Coach Weed recently graduated from ECSU and has a master’s degree from Franklin Pierce College in education. He currently works at TTM in Stafford and lives with his wife Danielle and son Colton in Tolland.
Ian Learned--Wide Receivers/Defensive Backs
Coach Learned returns to Stafford Football for his seventh season in 2024. Learned was a quarterback and defensive back for the Bulldogs from 2006-2009. Although the team did not have any winning seasons, Learned helped lead the Bulldogs to some of their more competitive and successful seasons as the QB. His performance on Thanksgiving Eve against Windsor Locks in 2009 helped bring the Bulldogs a huge victory. Learned was a teammate of Coach Weed and Artruc during his time at Stafford and the three look to bring their knowledge of the game and love for the program to our athletes. From there Learned attended Springfield College and Uconn and is currently a special education teacher In Rocky Hill and lives in Stafford with his wife, Kelly.
Devin Gilbert Running backs/Defensive Line
Devin also joins the staff for his sixth year in 2024. Devin was a four year starter at Stafford High and graduated in 2016. Devin was an all conference offensive tackle in 2015, and first team All Courant selection as a tackle. Devin was a two year captain for the Bulldogs and in his senior season he helped the Bulldogs rise back to prominence. Devin helped lead the Dogs to 4 wins and their first in over two seasons. Devin also capped an exciting Air and Speed Bowl with a rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter to clinch the win in his old number 61 jersey. Devin currently lives in Stafford and he holds a degree in sports management from Eastern Connecticut State University. He is currently the ISS teacher at Stafford High.
Bailey Raymond--Wide Receivers/Defensive Backs/Passing Game Coordinator
Coach Raymond returns to the Bulldogs in his fifth season. He has an extensive football background as a player. He graduated from Fermi High School in 2015 where he was a four year starter as a wide receiver, tight end, and free safety. Coach Raymond was a three time CCC All-Conference selection including an All State selection in 2014. He also played for Team Constitution in the CT Super 100 All Star Game.
Upon graduating from Fermi Coach Raymond spent 2015 and 2016 as a walk on TE at Temple University under current Panthers coach Matt Rhule. In 2015 he was named Scout Team Player of the Week prior to the Uconn game. The Owls went 10-4 winning the American Athletic Conference East Division and played in the Boca Raton Bowl vs Toledo. In 2016 Temple went 10-4 winning the American Athletic Conference Championship and playing in the Military Bowl vs Wake Forrest. In 2017 he transferred to Westfield State University and played on their team as a TE scoring 2 TDs and having 166 yards receiving before injuries forced him to hang up the cleats. He works full time as an electrician technician in Connecticut. He is currently finishing his degree at Westfield State and lives in Enfield.
Austin Castonguay--Defensive Line/Offensive Line/Long Snappers
Coach Castonguay returns for his fourth season. Coach Castonguay is a 2017 graduate of Stafford High and he was an All Conference nose tackle for the Bulldogs on their 9-1 conference championship team. Coach went on to play for Nichols College as an offensive lineman and long snapper for two seasons. He is currently a student and finishing his degree at Nichols. Coach currently lives and works in Stafford.
Tim Artruc--Running Backs/Linebackers
Coach Artruc returns to Stafford for his eighth season. He was with the Bulldogs from 2015-2020 after taking a two year leave. He could not stay way from the Dogs. Coach Artruc has been the head JV coach, outside linebackers, inside linebackers, running backs and special teams coordinators in the past. Coach was a standout at Stafford High. He had 1,006 yards rushing his senior year and was a Class S All State linebacker in 2011. He was one of only four players to ever have 1,000 yards rushing for Stafford and one of four to ever make All State. Coach also specializes in video technology for the team.
Sal Cimino--Quarterbacks/Defensive Backs/Special Teams Coordinator
Coach Cimino joins the Bulldogs staff for his second season in 2024. Coach comes from Mechanicsville High School in upstate New York where he was a 2013 graduate. He was an all conference quarterback and a two year captain for the Red Raiders. He also played baseball and basketball. Coach went on to play a season at Springfield College. He has two degrees from Springfield in sports management and education. Coach comes to Stafford after two seasons as the offensive coordinator at Windsor Locks High School. There he coached the quarterbacks and defensive backs as well. Since being an educator in Connecticut Coach Cimino has coached basketball as an assistant at Wilbraham and Monson Academy, was the head boys lacrosse coach at Suffield High, and is currently the head boys golf coach at Stafford High. He is currently a physical education teacher at Stafford High and lives in Windsor with his fiancé.
Stephen Dusza--Statistician
Stephen returns for his tenth consecutive season as the Bulldogs statistician. If you live in Stafford you know Dusza. He is a 2012 graduate of Stafford High, having graduated with Coach Weed and Artruc. Dusza took stats off and on for years in high school and college. His states are detailed and concise. He develops great bonds with the players and staff; he also makes sure the staff always has a table. Dusza attended Nichols College and was the manager for the men's basketball program for three seasons before graduating in 2015. Dusza is also an assistant boys basketball coach for the Stafford High School team. When Dusza is not with the Bulldogs he sells insurance for Paradiso Insurance in town. He is also Coach Mazzone's insurance agent. If coach doesn't like the defensive stats that Dusza gives him he could be fired from two jobs.
Steven Dousza--Statistician