BRACKETOLOGY. GAMES. STORYTIME. SABBATH
Somehow, we’ve already reached the end of October, HELLOWEEN, and Week 8 of our glorious and enthralling football season. It was just a few days ago that The Greatest retired and Mets fans were yowling about both the team’s offense and their own lot in life.
Weren’t sure when we’d do another BRACKETOLGY, but here we are. It’s a good thing, too, given the season flipped its wig in Week 7. That and we seem to need more distractions disrupt the staff’s already manic sleep patterns.
GROUND RULES:
1. These are not to be taken as gospel. BRACKETOLOGY was done in about an hour (albeit an hour in Mercury time).
2. Just because we didn’t pick your team to qualify doesn’t mean we hate you. Hell, we don’t even KNOW you, man. Should you choose to believe that this is the worst insult you’ve ever suffered, then use it as motivation, go win a state title, and give us a free meal at your year-end banquet for providing the extra incentive you needed.
3. We plan on being wrong on about half of these and; in fact; look forward to it. To err is human. To mock one’s self is divine.
Quote David Letterman; “This is not a competition; it's only an exhibition. Please; no wagering.”
HEY! HO! LET'S GO.
Average: 128.33.
Schedule: Friday vs. Amity (1-5); Nov. 6 vs. Hand (5-1); Nov. 13 vs. Hamden (1-5); Thanksgiving at Derby (5-2).
Outlook: Mortal lock, although the season-ending injury to the disruptive Chris Kanios is a bummer.
Average: 125.
Schedule: Friday vs. New Britain (4-2); Nov. 6 vs. East Hartford (4-2); Nov. 14 at Bulkeley/HMTCA/Weaver (0-6); Thanksgiving at Cheshire (3-3).
Outlook: Mortal lock.
Average: 120.
Schedule: Friday at Wilton (1-4); Nov. 7 vs. Fairfield Warde (1-4); Nov. 14 vs. Staples (5-1); Thanksgiving vs. New Canaan (5-0).
Outlook: Mortal lock. Man, sure wish we could be at the 1-Percent Bowl (New Canaan on Thanksgrabbing).
Average: 116.67.
Schedule: Friday vs. Stratford (5-1); Nov. 6 vs. New Milford (3-3); Nov. 13 at New Fairfield (5-1); Nov. 25 at Masuk (5-1).
Outlook: Mortal lock. The Nighthawks run the table and run their South-West Conference winning streak to 42 games.
Average: 103.33.
Schedule: Saturday at Hartford Public (1-5); Nov. 6 at New Britain (4-2); Nov. 13 vs. Simsbury (1-5).
Outlook: Mortal lock.
Average: 95
Schedule: Nov. 7 at St. Joseph (4-1); Nov. 14 at Darien (5-0); Thanksgiving vs. Greenwich (2-3).
Outlook: Tougher than it looked a week ago as the Wreckers' starting backfield and defensive backfield are infirmed. They need to get healthy quick as they reach the hell portion of their schedule next weekend. They’ll likely need to win two of their final three to qualify.
Average: 93.33.
Schedule: Saturday at Wilbur Cross (2-4); Nov. 6 at Hamden (1-5); Nov. 13 vs. Hand (5-1); Thanksgiving at Fairfield Prep (3-3).
Outlook: Tenuous. Westies can’t take another loss. They should beat Hand even though the latter will give them fits with their passing game. Prep game is worrisome as it can bang up front with them.
Average: 90.
Schedule: Friday vs. McMahon (1-4); Nov. 6 at New Canaan (5-0); Nov. 13 vs. Norwalk (3-2); Thanksgiving at St. Joseph (4-1).
Outlook: Not loving it given the Eagles still have to play New Canaan and St. Joseph. A split would do wonders.
Average: 85.
Schedule: Friday, at Ledyard (5-1); Nov. 6 vs. Bacon Academy (5-1); Nov. 13 vs. Stonington(1-5); Thanksgiving vs. New London (1-5).
Outlook: Doubtful. The Wildcats must win out, and tonight's game could stake them.
Average: 83.33.
Schedule: Friday at Simsbury (1-5); Nov. 6 vs. Bulkeley/Hartford Magnet/Weaver (0-6); Nov. 13 at Newington (2-4); Nov. 21 vs. Hall (3-3).
Outlook: Good. Wacky things happen in rivarly games such as Conard-Hall, but the former has played better than the latter.
Average: 78.
Schedule: Friday, vs. Bridgeport Central (1-5); Nov. 7 at Westhill (1-4); Nov. 14 at Greenwich (2-3); Nov. 25 vs. Danbury (0-5.)
OUTLOOK: Not as good as it looks. One would think otherwise judging by records. Two of Greenwich's three losses were to state forces (Darien and New Canaan), and it scrapped with the latter in a 24-14 loss last weekend. The other loss was to Trumbull.
THE EIGHT: No. 1 Darien (9-0) vs. No. 8 Conard (8-2); No. 2 Shelton (10-0) vs. No. 7 West Haven (8-2) (THE REMATCHENING); No. 3 Southington (10-0) vs. No. 6 Staples (7-2); No. 4 Newtown (12-0) vs. No. 5 Glastonbury (8-1).
Average: 126.67 (62 tiebreaker points)
Schedule: Saturday at Capital Prep/Achievement First (4-1); Nov. 7 vs. Bullard-Havens (5-1); Nov. 13 at Cheney Tech (4-2); Thanksgiving at Bridgeport Central (1-5).
Outlook: Mortal lock. Cap/First is all that stands between it and an unbeaten regular season.
Average: 126.67 (54 tiebreaker points).
Schedule: Friday vs. Hillhouse (5-1) at West Haven; Nov. 6 vs. Lyman Hall (1-5); Nov. 13 at Foran (5-1); Thanksgiving at Amity (1-5).
Outlook: Mortal lock. It's beaten ND-West Haven. We trust it can get to 10-0.
Average: 124.
Schedule: Friday at Norwalk (3-2); Nov. 6 vs. Trumbull (4-1); Nov. 13 vs. Fairfield Ludlowe (1-4); Thanksgiving at Darien (5-0).
Outlook: Mortal lock, regardless of what happens on Thanksgrabbing.
Average: 123.33.
Schedule: Friday vs. Windsor (6-0); Nov. 6 vs. Maloney (5-1); Nov. 13 at Manchester (1-5); Nov. 25 vs. Newington (2-4).
Outlook: Mortal lock. Not sold on Maloney, and the Eagles should roll
Average: 120.
Schedule: Friday at Wethersfield (6-0); Nov. 7 at South Windsor (2-4); Nov. 14 at Northwest Catholic (3-3); Nov. 25 vs. Middletown (5-1).
Outlook: Mortal lock despite the presence of Wethersfield and Middletown.
Average: 117.14.
Schedule: Friday vs. Sacred Heart/Kaynor Tech (0-6); Nov. 13 at St. Paul (4-2); Thanksgiving at Watertown (2-4).
Outlook: Mortal lock. Reckon the Red Raiders will wreck a terrible havoc to close out the regular season after last weekend's embarassing beating from Ansonia.
Average: 105.
Schedule: Friday vs. Xavier (3-4); Nov. 6 at Shelton (6-0); Nov. 13 at West Haven (4-2); Nov. 25 at Guilford (1-5).
Outlook: Not good with Shelton and West on successive Fridays.
Average: 103.33.
Schedule: Friday vs. Newington (2-4); Nov. 6 vs. E.O. Smith (3-3); Nov. 13 vs. Bristol Eastern (1-5); Nov. 25 at Windsor (6-0).
Outlook: Better than we imagined. Maloney's 53-34 win over Bristol Central cleared a path for the Blue Dragons. They'll be 8-1 when they go to Windsor and even a loss shouldn't keep them out of states.
Average: 101.67.
Schedule: Friday at Pomperaug (0-6); Nov. 6 at Brookfield (4-2); Nov. 13 vs. Stratford (5-1); Nov. 25 vs. Newtown (6-0).
Outlook: Not confident. We don't know what to make of next week's game. Masuk beat one-win Notre Dame-Fairfield, 14-7. Brookfield was on the wrong end of the season's most surprising score (a 28-21 overtime loss to Bunnell).
Average: 96.67 (68 tiebreaker points).
Schedule: Friday vs. Cheshire (3-3); Nov. 6 at Amity (1-5); Nov. 13 vs. Wilbur Cross (2-4); Thanksgiving at Hamden (1-5).
Outlook: Mortal lock. The Green Knights have cleared Hell on their schedule (Shelton, North Haven, Fairfield Prep, Hand, and West Haven).
Average: 96.67 (54 tiebreaker points).
Schedule: Friday at Farmington (2-4), Nov. 6 at Wethersfield (6-0); Nov. 13 vs. East Catholic (4-2); Thanksgiving at Platt (2-4).
Outlook: Fair. The Central win boosted the Spartans' chances. Must win at worst three of their last four. Don't think they're going to get much help with bonuses, though.
Average: 88.33
Schedule: Friday vs. North Haven at West Haven (5-1); Nov 6, at Foran (5-1); Nov. 13, at Guilford (1-5): Thanksgiving vs. Wilbur Cross (2-4).
Outlook: Poor. The Acs play the two best teams in the SCC D2 in succession (and North Haven has made a convincing claim as the SCC's best).
Average: 85.
Schedule: Saturday at Northwest Catholic (3-3); Nov. 7 vs. Rockville (0-6); Nov. 14 vs. Plainville (3-3); Nov. 24 at Simsbury (1-5).
Outlook: Meh. HATS OFF to Falcons for going on the road last weekend and giving Berlin its first loss. They also saved their playoff chances. Their remaining four foes are an anchor, though, as they'll provide limited playoff points.
Average: 81.67.
Schedule: Friday at Waterford (1-5); Nov. 6 vs. Killingly (5-1); Nov. 13 vs. Woodstock Academy (1-5); Thanksgiving at Ledyard (5-1).
Outlook: Poor. They close the season against two of the ECC’s best teams (Killingly and Ledyard).
THE EIGHT: No. 1 Harding (10-0) vs. No. 8 Middletown (8-2); No. 2 North Haven (10-0) vs. No. 7 Notre Dame-West Haven (8-2) (THE REMATCHENING); No. 3 Windsor (10-0) vs. No. 7 Wethersfield (9-1); No. 4 Torrington (9-1) vs. No. 5 New Canaan (8-1).
Average: 108.33.
Schedule: Friday at Stonington (1-5); Nov. 6 at Fitch (4-2); Nov. 13 vs. Montville (3-2); Thanksgiving vs. Quinebaug Valley (3-3).
Outlook: Great. Fitch and Montville.
Average: 105.
Schedule: Friday vs. East Lyme (2-4); Nov. 6 at Norwich Free Academy (4-2); Nov. 20 at Griswold (3-3); Nov. 26 vs. RHAM (0-6).
Outlook: Good. Status changes to "mortal lock" if it beats NFA.
Average: 103.33 (58 tiebreaker points).
Schedule: Friday at Plainville (3-3); Nov. 6 vs. Tolland (2-4); Nov. 13 at Rocky Hill (4-2); Nov. 20 at New Britain (4-2).
Outlook: Shaky after the Avon loss. New Britain ain't going to be easy.
Average: 103.33 (56 tiebreaker points).
Schedule: Friday vs. Norwich Free Academy (4-2); Nov. 6 at East Lyme (2-4); Nov. 13 vs. Plainfield (3-3); Nov. 26 vs. Fitch (4-2).
Outlook: Near lock. "Near" upgraded to "mortal" should it beat NFA (worth 160 points if the Colonels win).
Average: 103.33 (52 tiebreaker points).
Schedule: Friday at Bassick (1-4); Nov. 7 at Prince Tech (4-2); Nov. 14 vs. Bullard-Havens (5-1).
Outlook: It made itself a mortal lock by knocking out Capital Prep/Achivement First last week and snapping the latter's 48-game Constitution State Conference winning streak. Good job, THE UNITED.
Average: 103.33 (52 tiebreaker points).
Schedule: Friday at Bunnell (3-3); Nov. 6 vs. Notre Dame-Fairfield (1-5); Nov. 13 vs. Newtown (6-0); Thanksgiving at New Milford (3-3).
Outlook: Mortal lock. Newtown is the only game where the Rebels won't be a heavy favorite.
Average: 102.
Schedule: Friday at Stamford (3-3); Nov. 7 vs. Staples (5-1); Nov. 14 at Westhill (1-4); Thanksgiving vs. Trumbull (4-1).
Outlook: Better than it looks. The Cadets have beaten larger schools and will continue to do so. A team gets 10 extra points for beating a school one division larger, 20 for beating a school two divisions larger. St. Joes has two challenging games left and must win at least one. Easier said than done, but doable.
Average: 100.
Schedule: Friday at Newtown (6-0); Nov. 6 vs. Barlow (1-5); No. 13 at Masuk (5-1); Thanksgiving vs. Bunnell (3-3).
OUTLOOK: Poor. Trouble starts with Newtown coupled with ending the regular season with Masuk and Bunnell.
Average: 96.67.
Schedule: Friday vs. East Haven (5-1); Nov. 6 vs. Hillhouse (5-1); Nov. 13 vs. North Haven (6-0); Thanksgiving at Law (0-6).
Outlook: Better than it looks. Foran has played like the best non-North Haven team in the SCC D2. It would all but clinch with wins this and next week.
Average: 95 (64 tiebreaker points).
Schedule: Friday at Weston (2-4); Nov. 6 vs. Masuk (5-1); Nov. 13 vs. Notre Dame-Fairfield (1-5); Thanksgiving at Bethel (1-5).
Outlook: Good, loss to Bunnell nonwithstanding. The Bobcats are the better team in their next four games.
Average: 95 (42 tiebreaker points).
Schedule: Friday at Foran (5-1); Nov. 6 vs. North Branford (3-3); Nov. 13 vs. CREC Coop (1-5); Thanksgiving at Branford (2-4).
Outlook: Not good. A win over Foran is a must given the points that's worth.
HYDE/CAREER/WHITNEY TECH (4-2)
Average: 83.33.
Schedule: Friday vs. Hartford Sports/University (1-5); Nov. 6 at Coventry/Windham Tech/Bolton (0-6); Nov. 13 at Cromwell/Portland (5-1); Nov. 25 vs North Branford (3-3).
Outlook: Poor. The Howling Wolves are already on the edge and close the season with another team fighting for its playoff life (C/P), and North Branford is better than its record shows.
THE EIGHT: No. 1 Killingly (9-1) vs. No. 8 Foran (8-2); No. 2 Ledyard (9-1) vs. No. 6 New Fairfield (8-2); No. 3 Bacon Academy (9-1) vs. No. 6 St. Joseph (7-2); No. 4 Abbott Tech/Immaculate (8-1) vs. No. 5 Brookfield (8-2).
CLASS S
Average: 141.67.
Schedule: Friday vs. Oxford (3-3); Nov. 6 vs. St. Paul (4-2); Nov. 13 vs. Wolcott (5-1); Thanksgiving at Naugatuck (3-3).
Outlook: Mortal lock.
Average: 130.
Schedule: Friday at Morgan (6-0); Nov. 6 vs. Nonnewaug (4-2); Nov. 14 at Coginchaug (3-3); Nov. 25 vs. Canton (0-6).
Outlook: Mortal lock. Check the Bears' schedule after this week.
Average: 126.
Schedule: Saturday vs. Westhill (1-4); Nov. 6 at Stamford (3-3); Nov. 13 at Bridgeport Central (1-5); Thanksgiving vs. Wilton (2-4).
Outlook: Mortal lock. It’s also a Class S program in a large-school league (the FCIAC). The Crusaders would cash in with wins over LL schools Fairfield Ludlowe, Westhill and B.C. as well as Class L Wilton as they'd get an extra 110 points just for beating larger schools.
Average: 123.33.
Schedule: Friday vs. Granby (6-0); Nov. 6 at Haddam-Killingworth (3-3); Nov. 13 vs. Ellington (5-1); Thanksgiving at Old Saybrook/Westbrook (5-1).
Outlook: Good. Must split at worst with Granby and Ellington, though.
Average: 111.67.
Schedule: Friday vs. St. Paul (4-2); Nov. 6 vs. Seymour (5-1); Nov. 13 at Ansonia (6-0); Thanksgiving vs. Holy Cross (2-4).
Outlook: Good thanks to the Cap/First loss. The Eagles would sill have good odds with a loss at Ansonia.
Average: 111.67
Schedule: Saturday at East Catholic (4-2); Nov. 6 vs. Northwest Catholic (3-3); Nov. 13 vs. Platt (2-4); Nov. 20 vs. Fermi (0-6).
Outlook: Mortal lock.
Average: 108.33.
Schedule: Saturday vs. Canton (0-6); Nov. 13 at Morgan (6-0); Nov. 21 vs. Enfield (0-7); Nov. 25 at Coventry/Windham Tech/Bolton (0-6).
Outlook: Not good. The Purple Knights must beat Morgan as they're going to get the bare minimum in points from other three opponents (i.e. only 100 for the win).
CAPITAL PREP/ACHIEVEMENT FIRST (4-1)
Average: 108.
Schedule: Saturday vs. Harding (6-0); Nov. 7 at Wilcox Tech (1-5); Nov. 14 vs. Prince Tech (4-2); Nov. 21 vs. Cheney Tech (4-2).
Outlook: Shaky. It must beat Harding to both hold itself at a loss and all the potential bonuses that could be gained by the Presidents beating future opponents.
Average: 106.67.
Schedule: Saturday at Enfield (0-7), Nov. 7 at Harding (6-0); Nov. 14 at Abbott Tech/Immaculate (5-1); Thanksgiving vs. Bassick (1-4).
OUTLOOK: Bad. Back-to-back games with Harding and THE UNITED.
Average: 105.
Schedule: Friday vs. Derby (5-2); Nov. 6 at Wolcott (5-1); Nov. 12 at Holy Cross (2-4); Nov. 25 vs. Woodland (4-2).
Outlook: Fair. Another team that benefitted from the Cap/First loss. The playoffs start tonight for the Wildcats as Derby, Wolcott and Woodland are all Class S hopefuls.
Average: 105.
Saturday at Lewis Mills (2-3); Nov. 7 vs. Valley Regional/Old Lyme (2-4); Nov. 13 at Stafford/East Windsor/Somers (2-3); Thanksgiving vs. Morgan (6-0).
OUTLOOK: Looks good on paper, but must beat Morgan.
Average: 101.67.
Schedule: Saturday at Gilbert/NW Regional (4-2); Nov. 7 at Windsor Locks/Suffield/East Granby (1-5); Nov. 13 vs. Hyde/Career/Whitney Tech (4-2); Thanksgiving at Rocky Hill (4-2).
Outlook: Good. Must win its next two and, at worst, split its last two.
Average: 97.14.
Schedule: Friday at Seymour (5-1); Nov. 6 at Oxford (3-3); Thanksgiving vs. Shelton (6-0).
OUTLOOK: Poor. Hasn't beaten Shelton since 2002.
Average: 90.
Schedule: Friday at Cheney Tech (4-2); Nov. 7 vs. Abbott Tech/Immaculate (5-1); Nov. 14 at Capital Prep/Achievement First (4-1); Nov. 21 vs. Platt Tech (1-5).
Outlook: Awful. The United and Cap/First in consecutive weeks. EEP.
Average: 87.14.
Schedule: Nov. 6 at New London (1-6); Nov. 13 vs. East Lyme (2-4); Nov. 25 vs. Montville (3-2).
Outlook: Not good. The Whippets have picked up few bonuses having played so many losing teams. New London and East Lyme won't fix that.
THE EIGHT: No. 1 Ansonia (10-0) vs. No. 8 Cromwell/Portland (8-2); No. 2 Granby (10-0) vs. No. 7 Seymour (8-2); No. 3 Trinity Catholic (8-1) vs. No. 6 Wolcott (8-2); No. 4 Morgan (9-1) vs. No. 5 Bloomfield (9-1).
• • • •
YOUR games of Week HELLOWEEN:
GRANBY (6-0) AT MORGAN (6-0), FRIDAY, TONIGHT, 6:30
….and then there were two unbeaten teams in the Pequot Football Conference. The Granbanarians knocked off unbeaten Ellington last weekend (37-20), powered by their sexy flexbone offense. Key on running back Connor Field (1,101 yards rushing, 13 touchdowns), get burned by QB Dominic Pagano (635 yards rushing, 12 TDs) and vice-versa. The Bears love to run. The Huskies love to chuck it. Chucky Kostek has thrown for 1,446 yards and 18 touchdowns. Mateo Zumpano has been Kostek’s buddy (36 catches, eight touchdowns).
NORWICH FREE ACADEMY (4-2, 1-1 ECC Large) AT LEDYARD (5-1, 1-1), TONIGHT, 6:30 p.m.
NFA is trying to hang in the Class LL playoff race and while nursing injuries galore. QB Jawaun Johnson will miss his fourth straight game to illness, and the offense has greatly suffered without him. The Colonels saw the light and committed to GOD’S OFFENSE this season. They’ve done it proud, too, with Manny Deshields-Sanabria being the primary back (925 yards, 10 TDs). Defenses can’t sleep on three-year starting QB Ty Ebdon either (353 yards passing, 4 TDs; 3 rushing TDs). DON’T FORGET — the game will be broadcast LIVE on CPTV Sports. Those of you who go, give CPTV producer Frankie Graziano a hug as his Mets are failing him.
DERBY (5-2, 1-1 NVL COPPER) AT SEYMOUR (5-1, 2-1), TONIGHT, 7
THIS is Valley Football. Derby has run on four of every five plays. That is an offense we can get behind. The Red Raiders have opted to have it revolve around Ricky Bartone the last three weeks. The senior has rushed 176 times for 1,188 yards and 13 touchdowns. He’s run 101 times for 796 yards and 11 touchdowns in his last three outings. DANG. He’s and linebacker Charlie Sampson are also tied with a team-high 59 tackles. Jaylen Kelley nearly does everything for Seymour. He throws (990 yards, 10 TDs). He runs (588 yards, nine TDs). He punts (37.2 yard average). Wildcats’ defensive lineman C.J. Falcioni is kind of a pain (42 tackles, four sacks).
EAST HAVEN (5-1, 1-1 SCC D2-EAST) AT FORAN (5-1, 1-0), TONIGHT, 7
Easties’ Head coach Melvin Wells has done two things in his first season. The first is defibrillate the program. It needs one more victory for its first winning season in 15 years. The second is that the Yellowjackets are winning with the run. It’s run 228 times to a meager 20 pass attempts. HAPPY. Austin Thornberg has averaged 7.4 yards a carry with 13 touchdowns. East Haven has a knack for picks, too. Michael Griffin has seven interceptions and Thornberg five. Foran has one of the SCC’s most prolific passing games. Lance DiNatale has thrown for 1,634 yards and 20 touchdowns and Brett Huber has been ridiculous (52 catches, 908 yards, 12 TDs).
NEW BRITAIN (4-2, 2-1 CCC D1-WEST) AT NO. 1 SOUTHINGTON (6-0, 3-0), TONIGHT, 7
Hey, New Britain — you’re the next contestant on “Keep Southington Under 50!” Defensive linemen Jonathan Bravo, Michael Glasper and Rafael Martinez will try to get their mitts on Blue Knights’ QB Jasen Rose. Hurricanes’ QB Daijion Hill will try to keep his team offense on pace with Southington’s. Rose has thrown for 1,520 yards and 25 touchdowns and run for six more. Austin Morin has 33 catches for 802 yards and 13 TDs.
NEW FAIRFIELD (5-1) AT BUNNELL (3-3), TONIGHT, 7
New Fairfield has been the better team through six games, but WAIT — if you apply transitive relation, New Fairfield lost to Brookfield in Week 1 (27-13), and the Bulldogs jolted Brookfield last weekend (28-21, overtime), so Bunnell beats the Rebels, right? RIGHT? Zach Tripodi has paced New Fairfield with 960 yards rushing and 14 TDs with middle linebacker Brian McGonnigle (52 tackles) holding it down on defense. Adam Wojenski (1,550 yards passing, 15 TDs) both passed and ran the Bulldogs to victory last weekend. Cole Davis lead the team in tackles (52) and rushing touchdowns (4).
NO. 6 NORTH HAVEN (6-0) VS. HILLHOUSE (5-1) AT WEST HAVEN, TONIGHT, 7
BELIEVE IT OR DON’T — North Haven is second only to Southington in points per game (48.5). The Lord takes care of those who help themselves and run GOD’S FATHER’S OFFENSE. QB Mike Montano has averaged 12.6 yards a carry and scored 14 times. He’s also thrown for 251 yards and a TD. Conner Suraci averages 8.8 yards a run with 6 TDs. The Academics’ offense has been pretty prolific, too (44 ppg). Damian Henderson has thrown for 815 yards and 9 TDs while tight end-defensive end Tyler Williams has caught 5 touchdowns and leads the team in tackles (44).
NO. 5 WINDSOR (6-0) AT NO. 10 WETHERSFIELD (6-0), TONIGHT, 7
EL JUEGO DEL FIN DE SEMANA~! (that’s “THE GAME OF THE WEEKEND” — learn a foreign language, for Rosetta Stone’s sake). Windsor has forced opposing defenses to pick which way they want to suffer — through the air via Jakhari Grant (1,380 yards, 14 TDs) and Tyler Coyle (19 catches, 517 yards, 7 TDs), or on the ground with Bennie Fulse III (705 yards, 14 TDs). The Eagles’ Devon Smith has shined in his first year at QB (1,049 yards, 13 TDs). Richard Williams is a brute at running back (10.5 yards a carry, 5 TDs) and most especially at linebacker (88 tackles, 6 sacks).
HARDING (6-0, 5-0 CSC) VS. CAPITAL PREP/ACHIEVEMENT FIRST (4-1, 4-1) AT WEAVER, SATURDAY, NOON
Been waiting all season for the contenders to the CSC throne (Harding) to finally meet the reigning king (Cap/First). And then THE UNITED knocked off the Trailblazers last weekend. Oh, well — you still need to check this game out. The Presidents have thrashed everyone but Abbott/Immaculate in their new league (they defected from the FCIAC). QB Taisun Phommachanh doesn’t play like a sophomore (1,504 yards, 20 TDs). Xavier Bass is busy on both defense (team-high 43 tackles and 6 sacks) and on offense and special teams (831 all purpose yards, 11 TDs). Soph Kyle Zajack has shined in his first season at quarterback (1,214 yards, 21 TDs). Middle linebacker Michon Hunt has been a defensive leader (60 tackles).
BLOOMFIELD (5-1, 2-0 CCC D3-WEST) AT EAST CATHOLIC (4-2, 0-1), Saturday, 1:30 p.m.
It’s another Class S play-in of sorts. Former Cap/First QB Rayshawn Phillips II has boosted the WARHAWKS’ passing game (1,331 yards, 14 TDs). Dillon Harris brings it at middle linebacker (69 tackles, 30 solo). The Eagles are one of our state’s top believers in GOD’S OFFENSE. Dre Brackett Jr. and Marc Zazzaro lead a rushing attack that averages 43 carries and 217 yards.
• • • •
STORYTIME~!
Mike DiMauro-Spagnuolo, TEAM DAY: Fitch, Ledyard and Old Lyme should take a bow; and, Week 8 capsules.
Sean Patrick Starfish, GameTimeCT.com/New Haven Register/21st Century Monolith: Games to watch.
Marc Allard and Owen Poole, Norwich Bulletin: Preview capsules.
Doug Bonjour, Hearst Inc.: Despite loss of Kanios, Shelton knows it must move on.
Doug Bonjour, Scott Ericson and Rich Gregory, Hearst Inc.: Guide to the games.
Gentleman Jim Bransfield, Middletown Press: Middletown region preview and picks.
Kurmudgeonly Kountry Kyle Brennan and Mark Jaffee, Waterbury Anarchist-American: Red Zone Show (yes, it’s a video).
Pooch Diggity Dogg, GameTimeCT.com/New Haven Register/21st Century Monolith: Seymour’s Kelley carries on Valley tradition; and, Pooch’s Picks.
David Glovach, New Britain Herald: Southington faces New Britain in huge matchup tonight; and, Key matchup tonight will be Southington’s o-line against New Britain’s d-line.
Dave Greenleaf, Bristol Press: Bristol Central should be evenly matched at E.O. Smith.
Meriden Record-Journal: Preview capsules.
Mike Lewis, Waterbury Anarchist-American: SCC Week 7 recap.
Thomas Liljedahl, Bristol Press: Bristol Eastern working to keep winning; and, St. Paul hopes to keep winning streak alive.
Joe Morelli, GameTimeCT.com/New Haven Register/21st Century Monolith: Hyde/Career/Whitney Tech co-op bolt Pequot to SCC.
John Nash, Norwalk Hour: Area notebook.
Pete Paguaga, Norwalk Hour: Wilton’s Sullivan learns being a kicker can be lonesome.
Dave Ruden, The Report Report: Weekend Game Plan.
Matt Straub, New Britain Herald: Going doesn’t get any easier for struggling Newington tonight.
Derek Turner, GameTimeCT.com/New Haven Register/21st Century Monolith: Talented and defending champs, Windsor believes it has something to prove.
Some dude, MaxPreps.com: 10 Connecticut games to see in the second half of the season.
• • • •
Thanks for reading. More soon. Enjoy the weekend.
Vaya con dios....
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