Friday's Games

Montville at Killingly, 6:30 p.m.

Records: Montville (2-3); Killingly (3-1)

Last week: Montville lost to New London 41-0; Killingly was idle

Outlook: Montville coach Tanner Grove was upbeat after last week's game, despite the loss to New London. He asked his team to compete, which it did, despite an alarming number of injuries. It doesn't get much easier here. Killingly is rested off a bye week and remains of the ECC teams with a legitimate chance of reaching the postseason.

Stonington at New London, 6:30 p.m.

Records: Stonington (3-1); New London (4-0)

Last week: Stonington was idle; New London defeated Montville 41-0

Outlook: Not many other teams in the ECC have played better defense than the Bears, who have allowed 41 points in four games — and not all have been yielded by the first-team defense. New London, meanwhile, has allowed merely 26, but with a far more potent offense. Stonington's defense may be able to keep the Bears in the game, but can the offense score enough to match quarterback Melquann Gomez and the rest of the Whalers?

Waterford at Ledyard, 6:30 p.m.

Records: Waterford (3-0); Ledyard (1-3)

Last week: Both teams were idle

Outlook: This has not happened in many years, a football game with bigger significance for Waterford than Ledyard. But the Lancers, who have endured two bye weeks thus far, are unbeaten and have the potential for a special season. Quarterback Spencer Hoagland has played as well as anyone else in the league, while Kyle Cardoza, among others, leads a feisty defense. Ledyard has scored 32 points all season, 12 of which have come on defense or special teams.

North Branford at Valley/Old Lyme

Records: North Branford (1-2); Valley/OL (3-1)

Last week: Both teams idle

Outlook: It's been a long two weeks for the Warriors, who endured a 48-26 loss to Cromwell/Portland two weeks ago. Such losses are uncharacteristic for Valley under coach Tim King, who has a state title on his resume. This game can be heard live on theday.com and will be the subject of the weekly "WiredZone" feature with sound from the field that includes King and North Branford coach Mark Basil.

Saturday's games

East Lyme at NFA, 2 p.m.

Records: East Lyme (0-4, 0-2 ECC Div. I); NFA (2-2, 1-0)

Last week: East Lyme was idle; NFA defeated Staples 33-14

Outlook: NFA may be the state's best 2-2 team, given its schedule to date: Xavier, Darien and Staples. Last week's win came, as NFA coach Jemal Davis said, "as a total team effort." Jawaun Johnson was a threat at runner and receiver, quarterback Shea McManaway was efficient and the defense (Adelino Daviega, Malik Gibson) was dominant. The Wildcats begin a stretch of five straight games against the ECC with a Division I game against the struggling Vikings.

Fitch at Bacon Academy, noon

Records: Fitch (1-3); Bacon (0-4)

Last week: Both teams were idle

Outlook: Fitch coach Mike Ellis thought his team may have knocked down a barrier during its last game, a 35-26 loss to Waterford. Fitch nearly came all the way back from a 28-9 deficit, playing its best half of the season. Did the bye week quell the momentum? We'll see. Bacon is winless and has scored 20 points in four games, losing competitive games to Ledyard (8-6) and Stonington (7-0).