Staples junior Jack Speranza (21) jumps out of the way in Staples-Trumbull action tonight at Trumbull. The Wreckers rolled over the Eagles 38-16. (CLICK TO ENARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Highlights of tonight’s Staples-Trumbull football game which saw the Wreckers overpower the Eagles 38-16. WestportNow.com photos

Max Hoberman’s 16th minute blast powered the Staples boys soccer team to a 1-0 victory today over New Canaan at the Rams’ Dunning Stadium.

Dylan Evans (r) denies Robert Velente any space in New Canaan. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Carl McNair for WestportNow.com

The win –- accomplished with excellent team play and very strong defense –- secured an FCIAC tournament berth for the Wreckers. The three-time league champions now earn a chance to make it four in a row, beginning Friday.

Hoberman’s goal came off of quick, crisp passes from David Hoffman and Lorenz Esposito –- on a play initiated by Hoberman himself.

Goalkeeper James Hickok came up with several big saves, while defender Jake Malowitz cleared a New Canaan shot off the goal line late in the match.  Taylor McNair, Alex Tonsberg, Aaron Liu, Ben Root and Harry Birch also contributed offensively, while Steve Smith and Dylan Evans were strong on both sides of the ball.

Terence Gibbons shields the ball from a Westhill player today as the Wreckers fell 3-0 to the Vikings at Stamford, dropping their record to 8-2-3.  Staples travels to New Canaan on Friday at 4 p.m. for a crucial FCIAC match. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Carl McNair for WestportNow.com

By James Lomuscio

Stuart McCarthy says that the national 2011 Excellence in Youth Sports award to be presented to the Westport Parks and Recreation Department next month is “not about teaching kids to play ball.”

Westport’s PAL football program led by Carmen Roda (l) is one of the Westport sports programs that benefits from the town’s participation in the National Alliance for Youth Sports. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

“It’s about teaching adults how to treat kids properly in an youth sports setting,” said McCarthy, parks and recreation director.

That means no angry adults who put undue pressure on children to win, be they frustrated athletes or parents wanting to live vicariously through their children,

The award will be presented by the National Alliance for Youth Sports (NAYS) at the group’s Youth Sports Congress to be held from Nov. 30 to Dec. 3 in Orlando, Fla.

The Westport Parks & Recreation Department announced today that registration is under way for all children interested in playing youth basketball this winter who are in pre-K through grade 12.

Registration deadline is Friday, Oct. 28 for those children in grades 3 – 8. All other grades, registration is open until the program is filled.  Anyone wishing to register after the deadline is subject to late fees if space is available.

Registration can be done online at http://www.westportrecreation.com or in person at the Westport Parks and Recreation office at Longshore Club Park.

Mandatory evaluations will begin on Wednesday, Nov. 9, and conclude on Saturday, Nov. 12.

Harry Birch (5) celebrates with his Staples teammates today after heading in the game-winner against Fairfield Ludlowe. The Wreckers’ 1-0 victory raises their record to 8-1-3. They travel to Westhill in Stamford on Wednesday for a key FCIAC contest. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Carl McNair for WestportNow.com

Lorenz Esposito comes close to scoring against Fairfield Warde goalkeeper David Disilvestro today at home. But Esposito was denied –- and so were both teams, in today’s 0-0 draw at Loeffler Field. The Wreckers are now 7-1-3, and host Fairfield Ludlowe on Monday at 4 p.m. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Carl McNair for WestportNow.com