YOUR Week 4 itinerary and STORYTIME
Howdy,
It's October, and our sweet, sensuous football season has reached Week 4.
Wait, WHAT?
Weren't we just watching Cheshire kick the season off? Or being wowed by New Canaan upset of Hand? Or being amazed by yet another Derby comeback against St. Paul?
SLOW THE SEASON DOWN IT'S GOING TOO QUICK.
Man, this season is just whipping past us. We all must savor every moment of it because it's going to be Black Friday before we know it.
Here's a quick run-through of games that YOU need to check out.
And it goes a little something like this:
No. 5 St. Joseph at No. 4 Darien
Kickoff: 3:15 p.m.
Records: St. Joseph (3-0, 0-0 FCIAC East); No. 4 Darien (3-0, 1-0).
On the air: MSG Varsity; Hersam Acorn Radio.
WORDS: This week's main event. St. Joseph's offensive speed may give the Blue Wave trouble. The Cadets want to run and run often and, hey, it just so happens that they have one of the state's top tailbacks in Mufasha Abdul-Basir (602 yards, 3 TDs). New QB Kevin Trefz has gradually grown into his new job (278 yards, 2 TDs; 164 yards, 3 TDs). WR Lars Pedersen has 454 all-purpose yards and scored four times. Abdul-Basir and Trefz can count on some backfield encounters with Darien defensive ends Marc Evanchick (21 tackles, seven sacks) and George Reed (23 tackles).
Kickoff: 6 p.m.
Records: Seymour (2-0, 1-0 NVL Copper) at Ansonia (3-0, 2-0)
On the air: The lovable George DeMaio on WELI-960 AM.
WORDS: Ansonia has won 46 straight games and needs four more to beat Cheshire's state-record. It's not in the best physical shape right now as QB Jai'Quan McKnight (lower leg) and RB Tajik Bagley (ankle) both missed last week's game to injury. Head coach Tom Brockett hopes that both will play tonight. Both were practicing when Kountry Kyle Brennan of the Waterbury Anarchist-American dropped by Ansonia yesterday. Receiver Tyler Bailey filled in for Bagley last week and ran for 170 yards and scored five times in a 40-0 rout of Wilby. Linebacker Paul Makinano and the Chargers' defense have impressed thus far. The Wildcats were the only team to push Ansonia last season and led until the final seven minutes, losing 21-20. They haven't beaten the Chargers since 2004, either. Running back Joey Salemme is the axis on which Seymour's offense spins. He's rushed for 641 yards and eight touchdowns. In two games. Senior DE Julian Falcioni (19 tackles, two sacks) is both strong and swift.
Glastonbury at Norwich Free Academy
Kickoff: 6:30 p.m.
Records: Glastonbury (1-2); NFA (2-0).
WORDS: NFA has a problem — the bulk of the teams on its schedule aren't in its weight class. It's final six opponents after tonight are a combined 6-11 (including winless Griswold and Fitch). The Wildcats want to make the playoffs for a third straight year, and it doesn't do a playoff team any good having coasted through the regular season without a challenge. So its good that they scheduled Glastonbury as it can give them the challenge they need. Don't be fooled by the Tomahawks' record. They were outgained, 428-129, against second-ranked Southington in Week 1, but hung around before losing (41-38). They lost in overtime to unbeaten Hall the following week. Running backs Romelle Jack and Donevin O'Reilly have been Glastonbury's top offensive players. NFA's Khaleed Exum-Strong has run for 590 yards and eight touchdowns thanks to one of the state's most mammoth offensive lines.
North Branford at Valley Regional/Old Lyme
Kickoff: 6:30 p.m.
Records: North Branford (3-0, 3-0 Pequot Sassacus); Valley Regional/Old Lyme (3-0, 3-0).
On the air: Does Twitter @MetalNED count? No? You're a jerk.
WORDS: Speaking of not being challenged, North Branford and the WARRIORCATS have both tore through their first three games like the Hulk through a house made of meatloaf. Both teams are a good match for one another as they each have experience and athletes. Thunderbirds QB Eddie Miller has thrown for 305 yards and eight TDs, and he can scoot, too (221 yards, 1 TD). Receiver Austin Calamita has 861 all-purpose yards and 11 TDs. OL/VR's Justin Cheverier (237 yards rushing, 3 TDs) is a four-year starter, and QB Chris Jean-Pierre is a dual threat (257 yards passing, 5 TDs; 114 yards rushing, 3 TDs).
No. 9 Hand at North Haven
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Records: Hand (2-1); North Haven (2-1).
On the air: Livestream.com.
WORDS: Hand has been a bit sluggish through three weeks given that folks expected it to maul teams this year. QB Nick van Dell has had to do a lot with leading-rusher Tom Wilson out with an ankle injury. van Dell has thrown for 597 yards and five TDs, and rushed for 122 yards and a score. His leading receiver has been Shane Sweitzer (11 catches, 140 yards, 2 TDs). North Haven is a favorite of everyone at Polecat Worldwide because it runs that funky GOD'S FATHER'S OFFENSE. Cole Pecora has been the leading bruiser (143 yards rushing, 2 TDs). Junior linebackers David Mikos (34 tackles) and Conner Suraci (27) have been the team's leading tacklers.
Stamford at Staples
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Records: Stamford 2-1; Staples 2-1.
On the air: WWPT-90.3 FM.
WORDS: Stamford has been scoring touchdowns like a Madden NFL 15 master. The Wreckers haven't given up a touchdown. The Black Knights have been a fun surprise. QB Jalen Brown has led an offense that's scored 134 points and gave Class LL runner-up Fairfield Prep hell before succumbing (59-40). Staples returned nine defensive starters this fall. Linebacker Nicolaas Esposito (36 tackles) and end William Newman have been racking up tackles.
Friday
Plainfield at Windham
Kickoff: 6:30 p.m.
Records: Plainfield (3-0, 0-0 ECC Small); Windham (3-0, 1-0).
WORDS: We're trying to remember the last time an ECC Small game was this dang interesting. Plainfield stunned New London with two touchdowns in the final three minutes last week for one of its biggest wins in a long time (21-17). Quarterback Steve Jankowski has gotten it done with both his arm (472 yards) and legs (199 yards). These Whippets love to run. Gilberto Torres (227 yards) and Joe Santiago (225 yards) are Windham's leading rushers. The winner is in great shape to win the division. Both WILL qualify for the S playoffs as their respective schedules are real favorable.
Saturday
Abbott Tech/Immaculate at Prince Tech
Kickoff: Noon.
Records: Abbott Tech/Immaculate (2-0, 2-0 CSC) at Prince Tech (3-0, 3-0), noon
WORDS: Co-op-ing has done wonders for Abbott and Immaculate as they've outscored foes, 76-20. Dominique Rogers has run for four TDs for the UNITED. The Falcons have already run for 1,401 yards and 14 TDs. Vernon McAlmont (572 yards, 5 TDs) and Vincent Ruff (425 yards, 5 TDs) have done much of the running.
Cheney Tech at Capital/Achievement First
Kickoff: Noon.
Records: Cheney Tech (3-0, 3-0 CSC) at Capital/Achievement First (2-1, 2-0).
WORDS: Cheney has gotten off to a hot start. Now it hits the road to face the team that's run the CSC the last three years. Rafael Lebron has thrown for 435 yards and seven TDs for the Beavers while Travon Holder leads the team in rushing (281 yards, 1 TD) and tackles (30). Trailblazers QB Rayshawn Phillips is one of the best in the league (five TD passes).
• • • •
STORYTIME
Doug Bonjour, Hearst Inc.: Area notebook.
http://www.ctpost.com/highschool/article/Harding-football-coach-assistant-placed-on-5794842.php
Gentleman Jim Bransfield, Middletown Press: Area preview.
Kountry Kyle Brennan solo, Waterbury Anarchist-American: Seymour targets Chargers' win streak; and, game preview.
Kountry Kyle Brennan and Remmington, NVL Blog: Game of the week preview (Seymour-Ansonia), and NVL picks.
Andrew Callahan, Hearst Inc.: Darien, St. Joseph meet in key FCIAC battle of unbeatens.
Bodacious Bryant Carpenter, Meriden Record-Journal: Area previews.
Ed Daigneault, Waterbury Anarchist-American: Kennedy game plan soaring.
Mike DiMauro, TEAM DAY: Plainfield's athletes are setting the right example for everyone.
Pooch Diggity Dogg, Digital First Monolith: North Branford ready for unbeaten rival Valley Regional; and, Pooch’s Picks.
Scott Ericson, Hearst Inc.: Explosive Stamford meets stingy Staples.
Hearst Inc.: Guide to the games.
Cameron McDonough, New Britain Herald: New Britain set at QB before game at Conard.
Chris McLaughlin, New Britain Herald: Newington takes on former coach, Manchester tonight; and, Berlin can’t afford letdown.
John Nestor, Digital First Monolith: Hall off to fast start.
Dave Ruden, The Ruden Report: Unbeaten Darien and St. Joseph meet with a lot on the line; and, The Blitz.
Sean Patrick Starfish, Digital First Monolith: Games to watch; and, Audibles.
Derek Turner, Digital First Monolith: CCC games to watch.
Tom Yantz, Hartford Courant: Area notebook.
• • • •
That’s all for now. Thanks for reading. More later.
Vaya con dios.
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