West Hartford’s Hall High School has a new coach, but he’s a familiar face on the sidelines.

Sports reporting is sponsored by Keating Agency Insurance

By Paul Palmer

Steve Markie is no stranger to Hall football, having served on Frank Robinson’s staff for 20 seasons as a coordinator, but this year he moves up to the role of head coach following the retirement of Robinson after 25 seasons.

“When Robbie stepped down it was a shock to all of us.”  Markie said. “He asked me what I thought about taking over.”

In one way it carries on a nearly 60-year connection among Hall football coaches. Frank Robison’s father – also named Frank – was head coach for 30 years at Hall. Among his players were Markie and Robinson’s son, Frank III, who were teammates. The elder Robinson retired in 1987 after 30 years.

Younger Frank put together a 129-118-1 record at Hall, finishing 7-3 last season and just missing a playoff spot. “The traditions here are still the same and that makes for a smooth tradition,” Markie said of the Hall program. “ I’m lucky enough to keep most of the staff and we added Robbie’s son, Franklin this year.”

Markie says he learned a lot of things that work from working on Robinson’s staff, and says he’s not planning on any big changes with the program. He’s also  grateful for another tradition at Hall – where former players are eager to come back and coach the next generation of players. “We have a family atmosphere and when guys go through here and believe what we do, many of them want to come back.”

There is one thing that Markie has had to give up taking the Hall job: his softball coaching duties at Newington High School.

Looking ahead to the 2024 season, Markie has a mix of inherited talent, but also some big challenges following graduation of many players from last year’s Titans team. That includes landing on a new starting quarterback, where there is a battle between senior Wells Gengras and junior Tommy Hussey. “They both are doing good things so far,” Markie said. “We will find a way to get them both playing somewhere on the field.”

One of the featured players again this year will be All-Conference running back Jackson Bracken, who rushed for more than 800 yards from scrimmage last season as a junior. Senior receiver Tyler Redden and junior tight end Quinn O’Neill will also be called upon to continue their production, and Markie is also intrigued by freshman receiver Jordan Scher in a program that sees few if any first years get a chance to play.

A big question mark is the offensive line which needs to be rebuilt from a year ago, with just one returning starter in Luc Abbatemarco.

The defense brings back a few starters in Redden, O’Neill, and Michael Griffin-Prado among others, but he will have to design a line. “We had to build a D line from scratch last year and this year we’re looking at new linebackers,” said Markie. The Titans will be relying on the athletic ability of several players who play other sports throughout the year to help fill some of the holes.

Markie and his staff will be leaning not only on the team captains, but also his seniors to develop younger players and help build the team culture. “We’ve been teaching our seniors be leaders and they have been great with the younger guys. They are really our conduit between the players and coaches.”

2024 HALL FOOTBALL SCHEDULE:

Sept. 13 vs Ridgefield, 7 p.m.

Sept. 20 at Manchester, 6 p.m.

Sept. 27 at West Haven, 6 p.m.

Oct. 5 vs Platt, 3 p.m.

Oct. 18 vs New Britain, 7 p.m.

Oct. 25 vs Glastonbury, 7 p.m.

Nov. 2 at Southington, 5 p.m.

Nov. 8 at Maloney, 6:30 p.m.

Nov. 14 vs East Hartford, 7 p.m.

Nov. 23 at Conard, 1 p.m.

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