Friday's Games

Thames River at Quinebaug Valley, 6 p.m.

Records: Thames River (2-3, 2-2 CSC); Quinebaug (0-5, 0-4)

Last week: Thames River was idle; Quinebaug lost to Bullard-Havens 42-0

Outlook: A victory gives the Crusaders a .500 record overall and a 3-2 record in the Constitution State Conference, moving them into the upper half of the league. Thames River has made some long bus trips to road games this season, but this will be one of the shortest. Quinebaug is winless and has scored 28 points in five games.

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

Records: Fitch (2-3, 1-1 ECC Div. 1; New London (5-0, 1-0)

Last week: Fitch defeated Bacon 48-7; New London defeated Stonington 14-7

Outlook: Will this be closer than the experts think? The Whalers barely survived Stonington last week, needing Melquann Gomez's touchdown pass to Major Roman with nine seconds left to win. New London had trouble running the ball against Stonington's defense. Fitch, meanwhile, has scored 74 points in its last six quarters, perhaps finding a rhythm that eluded the Falcons earlier this season.

Ledyard at East Lyme, 6:30 p.m.

Records: Ledyard (2-3, 0-0 ECC Div. 1); East Lyme (0-5, 0-3)

Last week: Ledyard defeated Waterford 12-6; East Lyme lost to NFA 36-10

Outlook: In spite of a 26-point loss, East Lyme played fairly well last week, running for more than 230 yards against NFA's defense. Coach Rudy Bagos remains hopeful his team can build off the positives. Ledyard won a big game last week, using good defense to defeat Waterford. Neither offense has distinguished itself this season. The more efficient offense here probably wins the game.

NFA at Stonington, 6:30 p.m.

Records: NFA (3-2); Stonington (3-2)

Last week: NFA defeated East Lyme 36-10; Stonington lost to New London 14-7.

Outlook: This could be the best game of the weekend. Stonington's defense proved plenty legitimate last week and could face an NFA offense without quarterback Shea McManaway, who left the game last week and underwent concussion protocol. That would mean Jawaun Johnson, the most dynamic player in the ECC, would likely get the call for the Wildcats at quarterback, providing Stonington's defense with quite the headache.

Waterford at Griswold, 6:30 p.m.

Records: Waterford (3-1); Griswold (1-4)

Last week: Waterford lost to Ledyard 12-6; Griswold lost to Windham 47-13

Outlook: The Lancers still control their playoff destiny, although last week didn't help. Too many turnovers and general carelessness contributed to the loss. This is a must win for Waterford, which still has Stonington and New London remaining on the schedule, among others.

Prince Tech at Valley/Old Lyme, 6:30 p.m.

Records: Prince Tech (3-2); Valley/OL (4-1)

Last week: Prince Tech defeated Platt Tech 34-0; Valley/OL defeated North Branford 45-0

Outlook: Constitution Athletic Conference teams leaving the league to play nonleague games is normally dicey and this is Prince Tech's lone game outside the CSC this season. Valley/OL played very week last week against North Branford and has itself contending for a Class M playoff spot.