Howdy,

Third-ranked Ansonia will attempt to tie Cheshire’s state-record 49th game winning streak when it plays at unbeaten and seventh-ranked Newtown tonight.

That’s really all you need to know about Week 6 of this, our sassy football season.

That’s not enough for you? Okay. We’ll provide YOU with some more WORDS

Public service announcement — follow all of this weekend’s action on Twitter at #cthsfb. Polecat Worldwide is also dispatching one of its lackeys to Newtown tonight. You may follow him at @MetalNED if you so choose.

And it goes a little something like this:

TONIGHT

McMahon at Stamford

Kickoff: 6 p.m.

Records: McMahon 4-1; Stamford 4-1.

WORDS: McMahon head coach A.J. Albano told Dave Ruden of the Ruden Report that his Senators haven’t gotten the attention that Stamford has despite having the same record. The Black Knights earned their cred after winning at Staples in Week 4 (37-34), so, fair or not, McMahon has to knock off an FCIAC heavyweight to get folks to notice it. A win against stun-and-gun Stamford would do the trick. The Senators like to batter opponents with the run. The Black Knights like to spread opponents out and throw, throw, throw. Stamford QB Jalen Brown slightly fractured the index finger on his throwing hand and had to leave last week’s 47-32 win at Ridgefield. Ruden tweeted Thursday that Brown would start tonight. edge McMahon does have one edge over Stamford and most other teams — its unis are sharp.

No. 8 Ledyard at Montville

Kickoff: 6:30 p.m.

Records: Ledyard 5-0 (3-0 ECC Medium); Montville 4-1 (3-0).

WORDS: To the winner goes the ECC Medium Division title. Yep, a division clinching in mid-October. Ledyard has blowtorched its way through the ECC and leads the state with 253 points. But how about that Colonels defense? Linebackers Leo Clinton Jr. (28 tackles) and Kyle Zeppieri (30 tackles, three sacks) have helped the unit allow just 55 points. Montville knows it’s going to have to be at its best to hang with the Colonels. The Indians want to run the ball, but proved capable throwing it last week when Stonington halted their rushing attack. Tyler Quidgeon completed 10 of 18 passes for 290 yards and two TDs and scored on a 4-yard run in a 22-21 win.

Windham at Griswold

Kickoff: 6:30 p.m.

Records: Windham 5-0 (2-0 ECC Small); Griswold 2-2 (1-0).

WORDS: Windham head coach Brian Crudden told the Norwich Bulletin last week that, “the ECC Small Division goes through Griswold.” Crudden isn’t trying to build up the Wolverines and/or pretending that his Whippets are underdogs. The Wolverines have run the Small division, and they’ve beaten Windham the previous two years. The Whippets would be in great position to win the Small with a victory tonight as their remaining division games are against struggling St. Bernard/Norwich Tech and Woodstock Academy. Joseph Santiago ran for 142 yards and a TD and caught a TD in last week’s 47-8 win over St. Bernard/Norwich Tech. Cole Mileski threw three touchdowns in last week’s 27-24 upset of Norwich Free Academy.

No. 3 Ansonia at No. 7 Newtown

Kickoff: 7 p.m.

Records: Ansonia 5-0; Newtown 5-0.

On the air: Ivy Radio.

WORDS: Ansonia has the 48-game winning streak, big-game experience, and the speed advantage with quarterback Jai’Quan McKnight, running back Tajik Bagley, and receiver Tyler Bailey. The Nighthawks have a more veteran team and a significant size advantage (starting offensive tackle Peter Manfredonia goes 6-foot-3 and 280 pounds). We’re most curious how the Chargers’ defense will match up with Newtown’s passing game. QB Jacob Burden is a first-year starter, and leading receiver Troy Frangione is out sick. That should allow Ansonia to focus more on All-State receiver Julian Dunn, who’s already dealt with double teams this year.

Hall at No. 2 Southington

Kickoff: 7 p.m.

Records: Hall 4-0 (1-0 CCC D-1 West); Southington 4-0 (2-0).

WORDS: The one thing that kept the defending CIAC Class LL champion Blue Knights from finishing unbeaten last season and laying claim to the No. 1 ranking in The Day coaches’ poll was Hall. Southington rolled into West Hartford almost a year ago and had a 21-point lead in the first quarter. It started the fourth quarter with a 16-point edge. And then the Warriors went loco and scored four unanswered touchdowns for a 49-37 win. We’re sure that topic has been discussed by Southington a few times this week. THIS is the game to go to if you don’t feel like laboring through the I-84 Waterbury crawl to get to Newtown.

SATURDAY

West Haven at No. 5 Xavier

Kickoff: 1 p.m.

Records: West Haven 3-2; Xavier 5-0.

On the air: WCNX 1710-AM.

WORDS: Saturday is a big day for Xavier. It’ll be playing its first game on its new on-campus field. Legendary coach Larry McHugh will be on hand and have said field being named after him. What follows will be a game between two teams that aren’t closes friends. The Westies lost a 40-33 shootout last week to its most bitter rival, Notre Dame of West Haven. A third defeat would pretty much sink West Haven’s Class LL playoff chances. Defense has been the Falcons’ defense has they’ve allowed just 37 points. They’re also entering the brutal part of their schedule as they conclude the season with games at aforementioned Notre Dame, vs. Hand, at No. 9 Shelton, and vs. Fairfield Prep.

Morgan at Canton

Kickoff: 1:30 p.m.

Records: Morgan 4-1; Canton 5-0.

WORDS: Which Morgan team shows up this week — the one with All-State running back Jake Ward, or the one without him? A knee injury kept Ward out of last week’s shocking 26-25 loss to Coginchaug, and head coach Mike Eagle told Pooch Diggity Dogg of the GameTimeCT Monolith that Ward is day-to-day. Morgan likely can’t afford another defeat as Class S doesn’t looking inviting for any team with two losses. Canton has been a great story as the program was resurrected in 2006, has all of 27 players in the entire program, and is unbeaten having already knocked off Pequot Football Conference Uncas Division powers Ellington/Somers (21-14) and Windsor Locks/Suffield/East Granby (37-13). Dan Delos leads the Warriors in rushing yardage (720) and touchdowns (11).

Hartford Capital/Achievement First at Abbott Tech/Immaculate

Kickoff: 7 p.m.

Records: HC/AF 4-1 (4-0 CSC); AT/I 4-1 (4-1).

WORDS: Mentioned a moment ago that two losses could be too costly for Class S playoff hopefuls. Whelp, HC/AF already has one and is eighth in the current S rankings. It also wants to win its fourth straight Constitution State Conference title — it hasn’t lost a league game since Oct. 15, 2010 (to Quinebaug Valley, 29-19). AT/I has been a success in its first year as a co-op. It lost two weeks ago to unbeaten Prince Tech, 21-20, after failing to score on a two-point conversion run with five minutes remaining.

• • • •

STORYTIME~!

Marc Allard, Norwich Bulletin: Area capsules HERE and HERE.

Doug Bonjour, Hearst Inc.: Ansonia knows plenty at stake against Newtown; and, area notebook.

Gentleman Jim Bransfield, Middletown Press: Area previews and picks.

Kountry Kyle Brennan, Waterbury Anarchist-American: Ansonia vs. Newtown preview; and he reviews The Day of New London coaches’ poll and New Haven Register media poll.

Roger Cleaveland, Waterbury Anarchist-American: Ansonia’s foundation built by many people; and, Ansonia wants this record back.

Hartford Courant: Game capsules.

Bodacious Bryant Carpenter, Meriden Record-Journal: Game capsules.

Gerry deSimas Jr., The Collinsville Press: Canton, Avon face big Sassacus tests this weekend.

Pooch Diggity Dogg, GameTimeCT Monolith: New players have Ansonia on brink of history; Ansonia, Brockett attempt to break streak he grew up admiring; and, Pooch’s Picks.

Mike DiMauro, TEAM DAY: Area previews.

Scott Ericson, Hearst Inc.: McMahon plans to control Stamford with running game; and, area previews.

David Fierro, Hearst Inc.: Greenwich set for Homecoming Day game vs. Trumbull.

Dave Greenleaf, Bristol Press: Bristol Central plays big road game against Middletown.

Mark Jaffee, Waterbury Anarchist-American: Chargers must deal with Newtown star (receiver Julian Dunn); Newtown can boast of winning tradition, too; Newtown stands in way of Ansonia’s record quest; and, Week 6 predictions.

Cameron McDonough, New Britain Herald: Southington faces big challenge against Hall; and, New Britain ready to defend Simsbury’s triple option attack.

Chris McLaughlin, New Britain Herald: Berlin needs to keep focus on Plainville.

Josh Nash, Norwalk Hour: Senators and Black Knights are ready for a big mid-season showdown; Norwalk’s O’Hara is back in the Bears’ den; and, area previews.

Keldy Oritiz, New Haven Register: North Haven to honor John Liquori’s memory.

Kevin D. Roberts, Bristol Press: Bristol Eastern hosts improved Maloney.

Dave Ruden, The Ruden Report: McMahon and Stamford have earned their moment in spotlight; and, FCIAC previews.

Jason Sonski, Hearst Inc.: Newtown linebackers hit hard.

Sean Patrick Starfish, GameTimeCT Monolith: Games to watch.

Matt Staub, New Britain Herald: Plainville needs to finish against Berlin.

Derek Turner, GameTimeCT Monolith: CCC game previews; and, CCC notebook, focusing on East Catholic and its interpretation of GOD’S OFFENSE.

• • • •

Thanks for reading. More soon.

Vaya con dios.