Scenes from today’s Compo Beach memorial service for Greg LaValla of Westport, a longtime PAL volunteer and coach, who died Tuesday at age 51. Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Today’s homecoming game drew a large crowd to the Staples turf. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Tony Riggio for WestportNow.com

The Staples football team paused for the National Anthem before today’s homecoming game against Westhill. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Tony Riggio for WestportNow.com

The Hit-Mees are the 2014 Westport Wednesday Night softball champs. The team started in 1994 by 10 staples High School class of 1988 alumni. The team has won several Westport men’s softball championships over the years while mixing in many different players. This year’s championship marks a repeat from last year. The team is led by Justin Carmichael, Staples ‘89. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

Aidan Wisher worked the right side of the field well tonight against Norwalk. The Staples boys soccer team battled the undefeated Bears evenly all night long. But Norwalk converted an indirect free kick 10 minutes from the end of regulation time, eking out a 1-0 victory. The Wreckers – now 3-2-1 – are home Tuesday, against New Canaan (4 p.m.). Kim Lake for WestportNow.com

The Staples boys soccer bench celebrates one of Andrew Puchala’s three goals tonight as Staples rallied from a 3-0 deficit to stun Ridgefield 4-3 at the losers’ stadium.The tri-captain scored a hat trick and Nate Argosh added another. In Staples’ 56-year history, no team had ever erased a three-goal lead. On Tuesday, Staples is at Norwalk at 7:15 p.m. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Kim Lake for WestportNow.com

Jesse McCray: honored by fellow coaches. Contributed photo

The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association has named Staples High School Coach Jesse McCray the 2014 Girls High School Track and Field Coach of the Year for Connecticut.

This honor is based upon the performance of the Staples High School track and field team throughout the 2014 season and is “a reflection of the hard work and dedication of the student athletes and the coaching staff,” an announcement said.

The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association is a nonprofit professional organization representing cross country and track and field coaches of all levels.

McCray also is also a longtime coach with the Staples varsity football team and runs a track camp for Westport PAL. He lives in West Haven with his wife Michele and their son Gabriel.

The Staples football team shut out Wilton High School 24-0 at Wilton tonight.

Staples (1-1) led 7-0 at the half but dominated the game when play resumed.

Next up, the homecoming game against Westhill on Saturday, Sept. 27.

Staples tri-captain Andrew Puchala (c) returned from an injury today, and scored the go-ahead goal to help lead the Staples boys soccer team to a 4-2 victory over Bassick at Loeffler Field. The Wreckers scored three goals in nine minutes to roar back from a 1-0 deficit, thanks to strikes by Puchala, Josh Berman, Patrick Beusse and Nate Argosh. Kenji Goto keyed the defense for Staples, which is now 2-1-1. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Kim Lake for WestportNow.com