Marce Petroccio: “This is about as big as it gets.”WN photoThe New York Giants have selected Coach Marce Petroccio of Westport’s Staples High School its high school football coach of the year.

“I was shocked and surprised.” Petroccio said today. “This is about as big as it gets. It’s a tribute to the assistant coaches and the program. It really hasn’t sunk in yet.”

Petroccio’s Wreckers (11-1) ended the season state champs in the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic League (CIAC) Class L category with Saturday’s 35-7 win over East Lyme. It was the second Staples state crown in three years.

The Giants award was formally announced Tuesday night but word of the honor had reached Westport Monday and it was mentioned at Monday night’s Board of Education meeting.

Before boarding a bus back to Westport Saturday afternoon, Staples Coach Marce Petroccio asked his seniors to pose for a picture with him following the Wrecker win of the Class L state championship with a 35-7 rout of the East Lyme Vikings in West Haven. It was the second Wrecker state crown in three years. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

After Saturday’s Staples 35-7 Class L championship win over East Lyme, much of the talk again was about the Wrecker defense. East Lyme Coach Andrew Dousis summed it up this way: “No. 52 killed us, man.” He was talking about senior Pat Scott, seen here bringing down Viking tailback Tim Allen. Scott was named Wrecker MVP for his 18 tackles, three for loses. It was the second state title in three years for the Wreckers. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

The Staples Wreckers won the state Class L championship today by defeating East Lyme 35-7 in West Haven. The Wreckers end the season 11-1. Coach Marce Petroccio celebrates the victory with his players. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

The Wrecker defenders clicked on all cylinders again today as they led Staples to a 35-7 win over top-seeded East Lyme. Senior Pat Scott (52) was named Wrecker MVP as he made 18 tackles, three for loses. Here he brings down East Lyme tailback Tim Allen. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Staples junior Dylan O’Shea looks for daylight as the Wreckers rolled over East Lyme 35-7 today to win the state championship in Class L. Backing him up are Pat Scott and Chris Magee. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Staples senior Brian Weverbergh eludes an East Lyme tackler in a third quarter touchdown run today in the Wreckers’ 35-7 win to gain the state championship. The game was played at Strong Stadium in West Haven. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Wrecker Brian Weverbergh breaks through to score in today’s 35-7 Staples championship win over East Lyme. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Senior Nick Corona is airborne momentarily as he scores one of the Wrecker touchdowns in today’s 35-7 win over East Lyme. He ran for 76 yards in the Class L championship contest. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Betsey Lebow for WestportNow.com

Showing off the state championship trophy today after the Wreckers’ 35-7 win over East Lyme were (l-r) Nick Corona, Brian Weverbergh and Pat Scott. Scott was named MVP after making 18 tackles—three for loses—in beating previously unbeaten East Lyme. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo