Woodland’s DeBiase goes out an all-star

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Woodland senior Jack DeBiase (12) comes on a blitz Saturday during the 13th Annual Governor’s Cup in Southington. DeBiase played strong safety for the Connecticut All-Stars and snagged an interception. JOHN GORALSKI
SOUTHINGTON — If it was the final football game of Jack DeBiase’s career, it couldn’t have ended any better.

DeBiase started at strong safety for the Connecticut All-Stars in the 13th Annual Governor’s Cup against Rhode Island at Fontana Field in Southington on Saturday and made a leaping interception in the third quarter of Connecticut’s 37-6 win.

After Connecticut took a 24-6 lead early in the third quarter, DeBiase picked off a pass by Trevor Vasey. The interception led to a scoring drive in which St. Joseph’s Joe DellaVecchia hit Brookfield’s Brian Kelly for a 20-yard touchdown pass.

“I dropped back in my zone in the flats and I had nobody so I looked across the field for a crossing receiver and saw him running deep,” DeBiase said of the play. “Our D-line was chasing the quarterback so he tried to go for the guy crossing, but I laid out and got in front of him and caught the ball.”

DeBiase had nine career interceptions, including six in 2010. Perhaps his most memorable play was a 96-yard touchdown following an interception in the red zone at Naugatuck which gave the Hawks the momentum en route to a 25-6 win.

DeBiase was the first player in Woodland history to be selected to play for the Connecticut All-Stars, coached by Masuk’s John Murphy. The all-state running back and defensive back was invited to a combine at the New Haven Fieldhouse in March and practiced throughout June at Southington High School.

The Prospect native was excited to only play defense and felt confident about the team’s offensive firepower, including Ansonia’s Montrell Dobbs.

“It was pretty sick,” DeBiase said. “Being a defensive player in that game you were not worried about giving up points to Rhode Island because we knew our offense was disgusting.”

Practicing with the team didn’t much interfere with DeBiase’s baseball schedule. DeBiase plays for the Waterbury Wild of the Tri-State League.

“I think I only missed like one game of baseball so it worked out,” DeBiase said.

DeBiase was a two-time all-state pick in football and earned all-state baseball honors this spring. He will head to the University of Massachusetts Boston in the fall to play baseball.

But Saturday was the final day of football for DeBiase, who set school records for career rushing yards (3,640), solo tackles (109), and total tackles (220), as well as being fourth in touchdowns (46).

“I wanted to go out with a bang,” DeBiase said. “I think I’ve had a pretty successful career and am thankful for all the opportunities.”