Xavier high school football preview 2026: What you need to know about the Falcons.

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Xavier's #26 Milo Chandler carries for the Falcons during a CIAC high school football game against Fairfield Prep at Xavier High School in Middletown, Conn., Tuesday, November 25, 2025. (Dave Zajac/Hearst Connecticut Media)

Master list: CT high school football previews for 2026

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XAVIER

[Vitals]

  • COACH - Sean Marinan (17th season, 123-51-1)
  • HOME FIELD - Larry McHugh Field, Middletown
  • PLAYOFF CLASS - MM
  • CONFERENCE - SCC
  • 2025 RECORD - 3-7
  • RETURNING STARTERS (off/def) - 4/5
  • TEAM SOCIAL MEDIA - X: @XFalconFootball, @XavierHFBC

[They're Here]

  • Milo Chandler, Sr., WR/CB (5-9, 163)
  • Liam Lefebvre, Sr., OT/ILB (5-11, 204)
  • Jake Barnhart, Sr., OL/DL (6-1, 204) 

[Reason to Cheer]

Three starters return to the offensive line and there is some experience back on defense.

[Reason to Fear]

Numbers in the program are down, Marinan said, which translates into a lack of depth at several positions for the Falcons..

[The Bottom Line]

Though there was an air of optimism surrounding five-time state championship coach Sean Marinan's return to Xavier, the season was still a struggle for the once-mighty Falcons. They went 3-7 for the second-consecutive year and were outscored 336-158.

Liam Lefebvre and Jake Barnhart are two returnees to the defense and on the offensive line for the Falcons. Milo Chandler will be a starting receiver and cornerback.

But there is little depth or experience at the skill positions, which may not bode well for Xavier to try and get to, or over, .500.

The schedule should help bring this group along. Gone are games vs. West Haven, Class L finalist Cheshire and defending state champions Sheehan and Hand. In their place are games against East Haven, Guilford, Foran, Wilbur Cross/Career and Notre Dame-West Haven. A pair of SWC teams, Stratford and Notre Dame Prep, are the Falcons' two Alliance games and they conclude the season at Fairfield Prep.

[2026 Schedule]

  • Sept. 11 - EAST HAVEN, 7 p.m.*
  • Sept. 18 - STRATFORD, 7 p.m.@
  • Sept. 25 - at Guilford, 6:30 p.m.*
  • Oct. 2 - at Notre Dame Prep, 6:30 p.m.@
  • Oct. 9 - JONATHAN LAW, 7 p.m.*
  • Oct. 16 - at Foran, 7 p.m.*
  • Oct. 23 - HILLHOUSE, 7 p.m.*
  • Nov. 6 - at Wilbur Cross/Career, 6 p.m.*
  • Nov. 13 - NOTRE DAME-WEST HAVEN, 7 p.m.*
  • Nov. 24 - at Fairfield Prep, 6 p.m.*


* Conference game
@ CT HS Alliance game

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This article originally published at Xavier high school football preview 2026: What you need to know about the Falcons..

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