By D.M.Livingston|Published Apr 30, 2025

Updated Dec 2, 2025 9:22PM

Waterbury-With spring football around the corner and Friday Night Lights just four months away, Waterbury is preparing to reclaim its place on the state football stage.

Crosby High School was a dominant force in the 1950s, winning two state titles, while Wilby High School has had moments of success. Waterbury Career Academy and John F. Kennedy High School have produced talented players, but recent decades have seen little success in state playoffs.

The new CIAC scheduling system, designed to level the playing field, could change that. With some of the fastest, strongest, and most athletic talent in the state, Waterbury’s teams are poised for a resurgence.

Historically, Waterbury schools faced state powerhouses like Ansonia, Holy Cross, and Watertown as regular matchups, often competing against schools with larger student populations and higher classifications.

Under the new system, Waterbury Public Schools will face similar-sized competition, making qualifying for state playoffs realistically possible for the first time in decades.

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It’s a long-awaited opportunity for the Brass City to shine on the gridiron once again.

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