Howdy,

State high school sports have been a bummer the last few weeks.

Bassick football forfeited a game and Bridgeport Central boys' soccer was disqualified from the Class LL tournament after reaching the semifinals, both due to the use of ineligible players.

Coginchaug's entire coaching staff walked due to some players and parents allegedly being troublesome and rancorous.

Le affaire Berlin has gotten messier.

The world certainly hasn't helped with the recent massacres in Beirut, Paris and other places that have received less international focus (as if life's everyday awful wasn't enough to make you want to chug formaldehyde daily).

Please allow us to provide YOU with a distraction — a more nuanced BRACKETOLOGY than the one provided Sunday.

WARNING — Do not read any further if you have ADHD and/or if math causes you pain. There's just too many WORDS and MATHS to digest.

COMMENCE BRACKETOLOGY.

GROUND RULES:

1. These are not to be taken as gospel. The forecast was done over a few hours and, because it involved the maths, causes blackouts among the Polecat staff.

2. Just because we didn’t pick your team to qualify doesn’t mean we hate you. Hell, we don’t even KNOW you. Should you choose to believe that this is the worst insult you’ve ever suffered, use it as motivation, and go on to win a state title, then we expect 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 an exhibition, not a competition. Please, no wagering.”

Before we proceed, a quick explanation about “bonuses:”

• A team receives 10 points for every win and five points for each tie earned by any opponent it beat.

• A team receives five points for each victory and 2.5 points for each tie earned by an opponent it tied.

Guaranteed points are the 10 points a team receives for any game involving two teams that it beat.

Remember, kids — the top eight teams in each division qualify.

The higher seeds get to host both a quarterfinal (Tuesday, Dec. 1) and semifinal (Monday, Dec. 7).

The finals will be played on Saturday, Dec. 13 at a site to be determined. The CIAC's football packet said that games may be held on Friday, Dec. 12, but we're told that's not likely as the athletes would get only three daze of rest.

New Britain, Trumbull and West Haven are three of the potential championship sites (please West Haven please West Haven please West Haven please West Haven).

We implore you to follow the ROBOABACUS built by Matt Fischer, the CIAC's Director of Technology Services and Black Ops. It updates the playoff races in real time and improves your hygiene.

[naviga:u]CLASS LL:[/naviga:u] Three spots, seven teams.

IN

SHELTON (9-0)

NEXT: Derby (6-3), Thanksgrabbing.

BONUSES: AMITY (2-7) over North Haven (9-0); WILBUR CROSS (2-7) over Hillhouse (7-2).

WIN: 145-143 point average.

LOSS: 132-130.

Win gets it a home quarterfinal and a shot at the top seed. Said it before and we’ll say it again — Shelton hasn’t lost to the Red Raiders since 2002.

SOUTHINGTON (9-0)

NEXT: at Cheshire (4-5), Thanksgrabbing.

BONUSES: NEW BRITAIN (5-4) over Berlin (7-2); SIMSBURY (1-8) over Avon (7-2).

WIN: 144-142.

LOSS: 130-128.

Win gets it a home quarterfinal and a shot at the top seed.

DARIEN (8-0)

NEXT: vs. New Canaan (8-0) at Boyle Stadium, Stamford, Thanksgrabbing.

BONUSES: ST. JOSEPH (6-2) over Trumbull (5-3); FAIRFIELD WARDE (2-6) over Fairfield Ludlowe (2-6); DANBURY (1-7) over Ridgefield (6-2); McMAHON (2-6) over Norwalk (4-4); STAMFORD (3-5) over Westhill (1-7); WILTON (3-5) over Trinity (7-1).

WIN: 146.67-140.

LOSS: 126.6-120.

Win gets it a home quarterfinal and a shot at the top seed.

NEWTOWN (8-1)

NEXT: at Masuk (6-3), Thanksgrabbing Eve.

BONUSES: NEW MILFORD (4-5) over New Fairfield (8-1); BARLOW(3-6) over Weston (4-5).

WIN: 129-127.

LOSS: 113-111.

Win gets it a home quarterfinal.

GLASTONBURY (8-1)

NEXT: Finished regular season

BONUSES: NEW BRITAIN (5-4) over Berlin (7-2); SIMSBURY (1-8) over Avon (7-2).

AVERAGE: 124.44-122.22.

Needs Darien or Newtown to lose to get a home game.

WIN OUT, COUNT BONUSES

RIDGEFIELD (6-2)

NEXT: vs. Danbury (1-7), Thanksgrabbing Eve.

BONUSES: BRIDGEPORT CENTRAL (1-8) over Harding (9-0); FAIRFIELD LUDLOWE (2-6) over Fairfield Warde (2-6); NORWALK (4-4) over McMahon (2-6); WESTHILL (1-7) over Stamford (3-5).

WIN: 104.44-100.

LOSS: 92.2-87.78.

The Tigers have one of the lowliest opponents of this group but the lowest floor. Danbury is only worth 110 points (100 points for the win, 10 for the Hatters’ number of wins). Conard and West Haven would both get 150 from their respective opponents. Ridgefield has bad bonuses, too, and every point counts in this race. It really needs Conard, Greenwich or West Haven to lose (which is possible).

CONARD (7-2)

NEXT: vs. Hall (5-4), Saturday.

BONUSES: NEW BRITAIN (5-4) over Berlin (7-2); NEWINGTON (2-7) over Wethersfield (8-1); SIMSBURY (1-8) over Avon (7-2).

WIN: 107-104.

LOSS: 92-89.

Bonuses are bad, but it needs just one to beat Ridgefield’s max.

STAPLES (6-2)

NEXT: vs. Greenwich (4-4).

BONUSES: ST. JOSEPH (6-2) over Trumbull (5-3); FAIRFIELD WARDE (2-6) over Fairfield Ludlowe (2-6); DANBURY (1-7) over Ridgefield (6-2); McMAHON (2-6) over Norwalk (4-4); STAMFORD (3-5) over Westhill (1-7); WILTON (3-5) over Trinity Catholic (7-1).

WIN: 107.78-101.11.

LOSS: 92.22-85.56.

Bonuses aren’t encouraging other than St. Joseph. Four bonuses gives it 105.55 to pass Ridgefield’s max. Wreckers also have the highest possible max of this foursome.

WEST HAVEN (6-3)

NEXT: at Fairfield Prep (5-4), Thanksgrabbing.

BONUSES: HAMDEN (1-8) over Notre Dame-West Haven (7-2); CHESHIRE (4-5) over Southington (9-0); FORAN (6-3) over Law (1-8).

WIN: 105-102.

LOSS: 90-87.

Odds are the Westies will only get one bonus (Foran). Its max is 0.6 better than the Tigers.

HELP

XAVIER (6-4)

NEXT: Finished regular season.

BONUSES: FAIRFIELD PREP (5-4) over West Haven (6-3); HAND (6-3) over Guilford (2-7); AMITY (2-7) over North Haven (9-0); HAMDEN (1-8) over Notre Dame-W.H. (7-2); CHESHIRE (4-5) over Southington (9-0); NORWICH FREE ACADEMY (5-4) over New London (2-7).

AVERAGE: 89-83.

Falcons received a lot of miracles last season to sneak into states at 6-3. It’ll take just as many to qualify this year.

NFA (5-4)

NEXT: vs. New London (2-7).

BONUSES: GRISWOLD (5-3) over Bacon Academy (7-1); GRISWOLD (5-3) over Plainfield (3-6); WINDHAM (7-2) over Montville (4-4); STONINGTON (2-7) over Westerly, R.I. (2-5); WATERFORD (3-5) over Montville (4-4).

WIN: 87-82.

LOSS: 75-70.

The Wildcats have the lowest maximum of the seven teams vying for berths. They cannot pass Ridgefield, Conard, or West Haven under any circumstances and would struggle to catch the others. NFA’s best hope is to win, have Staples and Trumbull lose, and hope Staples and Xavier get as few bonuses possible.

TRUMBULL (5-3)

NEXT: at St. Joseph (6-2), Thanksgrabbing.

BONUSES: BRIDGEPORT CENTRAL (1-8) over Harding (9-0); FAIRFIELD LUDLOWE (2-6) over Fairfield Warde (2-6); McMAHON (2-6) over Norwalk (4-4); WESTHILL (1-7) over Stamford (3-5); GREENWICH (4-4) over Staples (6-2).

WIN: 90-84.44.

LOSS: 72.22-66.67.

Trumbull has the toughest remaining opponent. It doesn’t have a mortal lock bonus, either.

THE EIGHT: No. 1 Darien (9-0) vs. No. 8 West Haven (7-3); No. 2 Shelton (10-0) vs. No. 7 Staples (7-2); No. 3 Southington (10-0) vs. No. 6 Conard (8-2) (THE REMATCHENING); No. 4 Newtown (9-1) vs. No. 5 Glastonbury (8-1).

Polecat staff projects a LUDICROUS finish for the top three seeds. Darien edges Shelton and Southington for the top spot with a 143.3 average. The Gaels and Blue Knights finish with 1,430 points, with Shelton earning the second seed based on tiebreakers. The staff hopes they're right as they don't want to see Darien and Southington meet unless it’s the final.

• • • •

[naviga:u]CLASS L:[/naviga:u] High on talent, low on drama.

IN

NORTH HAVEN (9-0)

NEXT: at Amity (2-7), Thanksgrabbing.

BONUSES: FAIRFIELD PREP (5-4) over West Haven (6-3); NOTRE DAME-W.H. (7-2) over Hamden (1-8); Hillhouse (7-2) over Wilbur Cross (2-7).

WIN: 151-148.

LOSS: 138-135.

The Indians earn a home quarterfinal with a win or two bonuses. They'd be the top seed with a win and one bonus.

HARDING (9-0)

NEXT: at Bridgeport Central (1-8).

BONUSES: PLATT TECH (2-6) over O'Brien Tech (2-6); THAMES RIVER (5-3) over Woodstock Academy (1-8).

WIN: 148-146.

LOSS: 136-134.

A win gives the Presidents a home quarterfinal in their first playoff appearance.

NEW CANAAN (8-0)

NEXT: vs. Darien (8-0), Thanksgrabbing.

BONUSES: TRUMBULL (5-3) over St. Joseph (6-2); BRIDGEPORT CENTRAL (1-8) over Harding (9-0); FAIRFIELD LUDLOWE (2-6) over Fairfield Warde (2-6); NORWALK (4-4) over McMahon (2-6); WESTHILL (1-7) over Stamford (3-5); GREENWICH (4-4) over Staples (6-2).

WIN: 153.33-146.66.

LOSS: 132.22-125.56.

The Rams have the division's highest possible maximum. Their bonuses are shaky, though.

WINDSOR (9-0)

NEXT: vs. Middletown (8-1).

BONUSES: NORTHWEST CATHOLIC (3-6) over East Catholic (6-3); SOUTH WINDSOR (3-6) over Rockville (2-7); E.O. SMITH (4-5) OVER Tolland (2-7); FARMINGTON (3-6) over Plainville (3-6); RHAM (1-8) over Bacon Academy (7-1).

WIN: 147-142

LOSE: 129-124.

Win and get a home quarterfinal. Cannot pass North Haven if it wins.

TORRINGTON (8-1)

NEXT: at Watertown (4-5), Thanksgrabbing.

BONUSES: WOLCOTT (6-3) over Holy Cross (2-7); CROSBY (3-6) over Kennedy (3-6); DERBY (6-3) over Shelton (9-0); NAUGATUCK (5-4) over Ansonia (9-0); WOODLAND (7-2) over Seymour (8-1); SACRED HEART/KAYNOR TECH (0-9) over Wilby (0-9).

WIN: 136-130.

LOSE: 122-116.

Needs a win and one of the top four to get a home quarterfinal.

WETHERSFIELD (8-1)

NEXT: vs. Newington (2-7), Thanksgrabbing Eve.

BONUSES: FARMINGTON (3-6) over Plainville (3-6); MIDDLETOWN (8-1) over Windsor (9-0); RHAM (1-8) over Bacon (7-1); MANCHESTER (2-7) over East Hartford (5-4).

WIN: 131-127.

LOSE: 119-115.

Wethersfield would play a home quarterfinal with a win over Newington, and preferably two of the aforementioned five teams to lose (it has a very slim chance to out-point Torrington).

WIN-AND-IN

NOTRE DAME-WEST HAVEN (7-2)

NEXT: at Hamden (1-8), Thanksgrabbing.

BONUSES: HAND (6-3) over Guilford (2-7); AMITY (2-7) over North Haven (9-0); WILBUR CROSS (2-7) over Hillhouse (7-2); CHESHIRE (4-5) over Southington (9-0).

WIN: 124-120.

LOSE: 112-108.

The Green Knights would be no worse than seventh with a win. They cannot pass North Haven, Harding, or New Canaan. Hillhouse cannot catch them.

MIDDLETOWN (8-1)

NEXT: at Windsor (9-0), Thanksgrabbing Eve.

BONUSES: NEWINGTON (2-7) over Wethersfield (8-1); SOUTH WINDSOR (3-6) over Rockville (2-7); E.O. SMITH (4-5) over Tolland (2-7); BRISTOL EASTERN (1-8) over Bristol Central (6-3); FARMINGTON (3-6) over Plainville (3-6); RHAM (1-8) over Bacon (7-1).

WIN: 131-125.

LOSE: 112-106.

It better win becauses odds are that Avon and Hillhouse won't (especially Avon).

HELP

AVON (7-2)

NEXT: at Simsbury (1-8), Nov. 24.

BONUSES: FERMI (0-9) over Bloomfield (8-1); NORTHWEST CATHOLIC (3-6) over East Catholic (6-3); BERLIN (7-2) over New Britain (5-4); ROCKVILLE (2-7) over South Windsor (3-6); TOLLAND (2-7) over E.O. Smith (4-5); ROCKY HILL (7-2) vs. Cromwell/Portland (8-1); PLAINVILLE (3-6) vs. Farmington (3-6).

WIN: 113-106.

LOSE: 101-94.

The Falcons need a win and a loss by ND or Middletown and bonuses. ND's minimum with a loss (1,080) is 20 points higher than Avon's minimum with a win (1,060). The Falcons minimum with a win matches Middletown's minimum with a loss.

HILLHOUSE (7-2)

NEXT: vs. Wilbur Cross (2-7).

BONUSES: BRANFORD (4-5) over East Haven (7-2); CREC (3-6) over Dean Tech, Mass. (0-9); GUILFORD (2-7) over Hand (6-3).

WIN: 106-103.

LOSE: 93-90.

The Academics can only catch Middletown, provided that they get every bonus and the Blue Dragons get none.

THE EIGHT: No. 1 North Haven (10-0) vs. No. 8 Avon (8-2); No. 2 Harding (10-0) vs. No. 7 Notre Dame-West Haven (8-2); No. 3 Windsor (10-0) vs. No. 6 New Canaan (8-1) (WHOA); No. 4 Torrington (9-1) vs. No. 5 Wethersfield (9-1).

• • • •

[naviga:u]CLASS M:[/naviga:u]

IN

KILLINGLY (8-1)

NEXT: vs. Quinebaug Valley (6-2).

BONUSES: BACON (7-1) over Griswold (5-3); PLAINFIELD (3-6) over Griswold (5-3); WATERFORD (3-5) over East Lyme (2-7); STONINGTON (2-7) over Westerly (2-5); FITCH (5-4) over Ledyard (8-1); BACON (7-1) over RHAM (1-8); NEW LONDON (2-7) over NFA (5-4).

WIN: 140-133.

LOSS: 123-116.

Killingly gets a top seed with a win. A win and one bonus would likely be enough to get it the top seed because New Fairfield should top out at 134. Can't fall farther than four with a loss.

NEW FAIRFIELD (8-1)

NEXT: at New Milford (4-5).

BONUSES: BETHEL (2-7) over Brookfield (7-2); BUNNELL (4-5) over Stratford (6-3).

WIN: 135-133.

LOSS: 119-117.

All but clinches a top two seed with a win. Guaranteed a top two seed with a win and both bonuses. It gets a home quarterfinal at worst as it cant fall farther than fourth with a loss.

THE ABBOTT TECH/IMMACULATE UNITED (8-1)

NEXT: Regular season over.

BONUSES: BASSICK (1-7) over Thames River (5-3); VINAL TECH/EAST HAMPTON/GOODWIN TECH (0-8) over Wilcox Tech (1-7); CAPITAL PREP/ACHIEVEMENT FIRST (6-2) over Cheney Tech (4-5).

AVERAGE: 131.11-127.78.

Needs one of the top four teams to lose to get a home quarterfinal.

LEDYARD (8-1)

NEXT: vs. Fitch (5-4), Thanksgrabbing.

BONUSES: GRISWOLD (5-3) over Bacon (7-1); EAST LYME (2-7) over Waterford (3-5); MONTVILLE (4-4) over Windham (7-2); STONINGTON (2-7) over Westerly (2-5); MONTVILLE (4-4) over Waterford (3-5).

WIN: 134-129.

LOSS: 118-113.

Almost guaranteed a home quarterfinal with a win. It would pass ATI with a win and two bonuses. Could fall as far as eight with a loss.

BROOKFIELD (7-2)

NEXT: at Bethel (2-7), Thanksgrabbing.

BONUSES: MASUK (6-3) over Newtown (8-1); NOTRE DAME-FAIRFIELD (2-7) over Pomperaug (0-9); STRATFORD (6-3) over Bunnell (4-5).

WIN: 124-121.

LOSS: 112-109.

Needs a win, and for two of the four teams ranked above it to lose to get a home quarterfinal.

WIN-AND-IN

BACON ACADEMY (7-1)

NEXT: at Griswold (5-4), Friday; vs. RHAM (1-8), Thanksgrabbing.

BONUSES: EAST LYME (2-7) over Waterford (2-7); WOODSTOCK (1-8) over Thames (5-3); STONINGTON (2-7) over Westerly (2-5); GRISWOLD (5-4) over Plainfield (3-6) (with a win over Griswold).

HIGH: 132-128.

LOW: 105-101.

Probably need to win out to qualify. Almost clinches a home quarterfinal with a win. A loss to Griswold and a win over RHAM will put it in a death match for one of the lower seeds.

BERLIN (7-2)

NEXT: at New Britain (5-4), Friday.

BONUSES: ROCKVILLE (2-7) over South Windsor (3-6); TOLLAND (2-7) over E.O. Smith (4-5); PLAINVILLE (3-6) over Farmington (3-6).

WIN: 116-113.

LOSS: 99-96.

Win, or hope that two of the three lose St. Joseph, East Haven, Stratford, Foran, and/or Hyde/Career/Whitney Tech. It would still have a chance to outpoint Foran and H/C/W even if it lost. Also has to hope it doesn't get CIAC doesn't drop an anvil on its season.

ST. JOSEPH (6-2)

NEXT: vs. Trumbull (5-3), Thankgrabbing.

BONUSES: FAIRFIELD WARDE (2-6) over Fairfield Ludlowe (2-6); DANBURY (1-7) over Ridgefield (6-2); McMAHON (2-6) over Norwalk (4-4); WILTON (3-5) over Trinity (7-1).

WIN: 116.67-112.22.

LOSS: 97.77-93.33.

Likely tops out at 114.44 as its hard to envision Danbury or Wilton winning. A loss would have it hoping East Haven, Stratford, Foran, and H/C/W all lose as it Berlin would outpoint it with just two bonuses.

HELP

EAST HAVEN (7-2)

NEXT: at Branford (4-5), Thanksgrabbing.

BONUSES: CREC (3-6) over Dean Tech, Mass. (0-9); GUILFORD (2-7) over Hand (6-3); HAMDEN (1-8) over Notre Dame-W.H. (7-2); LAW (1-8) over Foran (6-3); North Branford (5-4) over H/C/W (6-3).

WIN: 108-103.

LOSS: 93-88.

Must win because it cannot catch Bacon, Berlin or St. Joseph, even if they all lost. In with a win and a Berlin or St. Joseph loss.

STRATFORD (6-3)

NEXT: vs. Bunnell (4-5), Thanksgrabbing.

BONUSES: MASUK (6-3) over Newtown (8-1); NEW MILFORD (4-5) over New Fairfield (8-1); BETHEL (2-7) over Brookfield (7-2); WESTON (4-5) over Barlow (3-6).

WIN: 101-97.

LOSS: 87-83.

Must win and hope that two of three lose Berlin, St. Joseph and/or East Haven. Near impossible for it to catch Bacon if it lost. A win outdistances Foran, and it would need one bonus to beat H/C/W's max. Three of those four bonuses are near impossible, though.

FORAN (6-3)

NEXT: at Law (1-8), Thanksgrabbing.

BONUSES: GUILFORD (2-7) over Hand (3-6); NEW LONDON (2-7) over NFA (5-4).

WIN: 96-94.

LOSS: 85-83.

Lions need a win and for St. Joseph, East Haven and Stratford to all lose. They and H/C/W would be in a numbers battle if they both won. Berlin is all but out of their reach because it needs one bonus to beat Foran's max.

HYDE/CAREER/WHITNEY TECH (6-3)

NEXT: vs. North Branford (5-4), Thanksgrabbing Eve.

BONUSES: COVENTRY/WINDHAM TECH/BOLTON (0-9) over Ellington (6-2); WINDSOR LOCKS/SUFFIELD/EAST GRANBY (2-7) over Stafford/East Windsor/Somers (3-5); GILBERT/NORTHWEST REGIONAL (4-4) over Coginchaug (3-6).

WIN: 97-94.

LOSS: 82-79.

Win and hope St. Joseph, East Haven, and Stratford lose. Most likely maxes out at 960 points as there's no way Ellington loses.

THE EIGHT: No. 1 Killingly (9-1) vs. No. 8 East Haven (8-2); No. 2 New Fairfield (9-1) vs. No. 7 St. Joseph (7-2); No. 3 Bacon Academy (9-1) vs. No. 6 Brookfield (8-2); No. 4 Ledyard (9-1) vs. No. 5 Abbott Tech/Immaculate (8-1).

• • • •

CLASS S: CHAOSPHERE.

IN

ANSONIA (9-0)

NEXT: at Naugatuck (5-4), Thanksgrabbing.

BONUSES: KENNEDY (3-6) over Crosby (3-6); DERBY (6-3)over Shelton (9-0); TORRINGTON (8-1) over Watertown (4-5); SEYMOUR (8-1) over Woodland (7-2); WILBY (0-9) over Sacred Heart/Kaynor Tech (0-9).

WIN: 160-155.

LOSS: 143-138.

Already clinched one of the top three seeds. Needs one bonus to earn the two seed at worst. Top seed with a win.

GRANBY (9-0)

NEXT: vs. Canton (0-9), Thanksgrabbing Eve.

BONUSES: VALLEY REGIONAL/OLD LYME (5-4) over Haddam-Killingworth (5-4); LEWIS MILLS (5-3) over Stafford/East Windsor/Somers (3-5); ELLINGTON (6-2) over C/WT/B (0-9); MORGAN (8-1) over Old Saybrook/Westbrook (6-3).

WIN: 149-145.

LOSS: 139-135.

Locked down a home quarterfinal. Would be in a point race for No. 2 if it and Trinity Catholic both won.

TRINITY CATHOLIC (7-1)

NEXT: at Wilton (3-5).

BONUSES: TRUMBULL (5-3) over St. Joseph (6-2); BRIDGEPORT CENTRAL (1-8) over Harding (9-0); LUDLOWE (2-6) over WARDE (2-6); RIDGEFIELD (6-2) over Danbury (1-7); NORWALK (4-4) over McMahon (2-6).

WIN: 148.89-143.33.

LOSS: 132.22-126.67.

Home quarterfinal with a win.

BLOOMFIELD (8-1).

NEXT: vs. Fermi (0-9), Friday.

BONUSES: ROCKVILLE (2-7) over South Windsor (3-6); TOLLAND (2-7) over E.O. Smith (4-5); PLATT (4-5) over Maloney (6-3); ROCKY HILL (7-2) over Cromwell/Portland (8-1); PLAINVILLE (3-6) over Farmington (3-6); AVON (7-2) over Simsbury (1-8).

WIN: 138-132.

LOSS: 127-121.

Win and it gets a home quarterfinal. Cannot catch Ansonia.

WIN-AND-IN

MORGAN (8-1)

NEXT: at Old Saybrook/Westbrook (6-3).

BONUSES: CANTON (0-9) over Granby (9-0); ELLINGTON (6-2) over C/WT/B (0-9); COGINCHAUG (3-6) over Gilbert/NW (4-4).

WIN: 134-131.

LOSS: 118-115.

Win, or a Cap/First loss.

SEYMOUR (8-1)

NEXT: vs. Woodland (7-2), Thanksgrabbing Eve.

BONUSES: DERBY (6-3) over Shelton (9-0); WATERTOWN (4-5) over Torrington (8-1).

WIN: 131-129.

LOSS: 114-112.

The Woodland game is a Class S qualifier. Win and/or a loss by two of the three — Cap/First, Windham and/or Wolcott, although it can outpoint the latter two teams.

CROMWELL/PORTLAND (8-1)

NEXT: at Rocky Hill (7-2), Thankgrabbing.

BONUSES: S/EW/S (3-5) over Lewis Mills (5-3); C/WT/B (0-9) over Ellington (6-2).

WIN: 132-130.

LOSS: 115-113.

The Panthers are involved in the other Class S qualifier. Win and/or losses by Cap/First, Windham and Derby, although it could outpoint Windham and Derby.

ROCKY HILL (7-2)

NEXT: vs. Cromwell/Portland (8-1).

BONUSES: FERMI (0-9) over Bloomfield (8-1); BERLIN (7-2) over New Britain (5-4); ROCKVILLE (2-7) over South Windsor (3-6); TOLLAND (2-7) over E.O. Smith (4-5); PLAINVILLE (3-6) over Farmington (3-6).

WIN: 121-116.

LOSS: 103-98.

Win and/or losses by Cap/First, Ellington, Windham, Wolcott, Derby, East Catholic, Old Saybrook/Westbrook, and Griswold.

CAPITAL PREP/ACHIEVEMENT FIRST (6-2)

NEXT: vs. Cheney Tech (4-5), Saturday.

BONUSES: THAMES (5-3) over Bassick (1-7); B-H (6-3) over Bassick (1-7); PLATT TECH (2-6) over O'Brien Tech (2-6); THAMES (5-3) over Woodstock (1-8).

WIN: 117.78-133.33.

LOSS: 101.11-96.67.

Win and/or losses by Ellington, Windham, Wolcott, Derby, East Catholic, Old Saybrook/Westbrook, and Griswold.

WOODLAND (7-2)

NEXT: at Seymour (8-1), Thanksgrabbing Ever.

BONUSES: HOLY CROSS (2-7) over Wolcott (6-3); KENNEDY (3-6) over Crosby (3-6); OXFORD (3-6) over St. Paul (4-5); WATERTOWN (4-5) over Torrington (8-1); NAUGATUCK (5-4) over Ansonia (9-0).

WIN: 119-114.

LOSS: 101-96.

Win and/or losses by Rocky Hill, Ellington, Windham, Wolcott, Derby, East Catholic, Old Saybrook/Westbrook, and Griswold

AIYEE-EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

ELLINGTON (6-2), WINDHAM (7-2), WOLCOTT (6-3), DERBY (6-3), EAST CATHOLIC (6-3), OLD SAYBROOK/WESTBROOK (6-3), AND GRISWOLD (5-3).

NO MAS. We’re not going to TRY sorting out this mess this week. Maybe next week. Maybe never. We're whimsical.

THE EIGHT: No. 1 Ansonia (10-0) vs. No. 8 Rocky Hill (8-2); No. 2 Granby (9-1) vs. No. 7 Capital Prep/Achievement First (8-1); No. 3 Trinity Catholic (8-1) vs. No. 5 Seymour (9-1); No. 4 Bloomfield (9-1) vs. No. 5 Morgan (9-1).

• • • •

The play that elicited the loudest reaction on the NFA sideline came early in the second quarter. That’s when 6-foot-2, 330-pound J’Von Brown stuck one of his big hands up and snatched the ball clean out of the air.

“As hard as that guy works,” teammate Griffen Gooden said, “to see him make a play like that…yeah, that was definitely exciting.”

The pick came on an attempted middle screen deep in Stonington territory. It was Brown’s first career interception and set up NFA’s first score of the night. But the big defensive lineman had thoughts of scoring himself.

“You know all linemen want to get one,” he said. “So I was definitely thinking about it. I just don’t have the moves to do it.”

• • • •

NFA’s Caleb Parker set a school record in the fourth quarter of Friday’s game when he recorded his 11th interception of the season. It came on a third-and-2 play with NFA comfortably ahead and about four-and-a-half minutes to go in the game. It was the last play of the night for the Wildcats’ first unit, as the JV team finished out the game.

Parker’s ballhawkish ways seem easy enough.

“I just look at where the quarterback is looking,” the sophomore free safety said. “Then I just see the routes and try to come down on them.”

With Parker now at the top of the list, it is interesting to see who is at No. 2 … Wildcats coach Jemal Davis, who had 10 picks.

“I haven’t said anything to him yet,” Parker said with a smile. “I’ll have to come up with something.”

• • • •

Thanks to Steve Nalbandian for the Norwich Free Academy notes.

• • • •

Killingly head coach Chad Neal is a swell guy and a fine coach. The Polecat staff also likes him because he knows that power football is sexy. His offense revolves around the run and will often line up two tight ends in addition to a (breathless sigh) fullback (JOY).

"It's no secret we like to run the football," Neal smiled after a Nov. 6 win over Fitch. "I love it. You can throw the ball all you want. I like throwing the ball here-and-there when your receiver is open."

Wise man, that Chad.

• • • •

Gaze lovingly upon The Day of New London Top 10 state coaches’ poll: 1. Southington (11 first-place votes); 2. Darien (two first-place votes); 3. New Canaan; 4. Shelton; 5. Windsor; 6. North Haven; 7. Ansonia; 8. Glastonbury; 9. Wethersfield; and, 10. Notre Dame-West Haven. A more detailed version is attached at the end of this here blog.

• • • •

The GameTimeCT.com/New Haven Register/21st Century Monolith Top 10 media poll: 1. Southington (24 first-place votes); 2. Darien (four first-place votes, double what it had last week); 3. New Canaan; 4. Windsor (one first-place vote); 5. Shelton; 6. North Haven; 7. Glastonbury; 8. Ansonia; 9. Wethersfield, and, 10. Notre Dame-W.H.

• • • •

Ned Freeman’s cold, calculating computer rankings for CalPreps and MaxPreps: 1. Darien; 2. Shelton; 3. North Haven; 4. New Canaan; 5. Notre Dame-W.H.; 6. Southington; 7. Newtown; 8. New Fairfield (8-1); 9. West Haven (6-3); and, 10. Trinity Catholic (7-1). Ansonia was 12th, Windsor 16th, and Glastonbury 20th.

• • • •

Dig the ballot Polecat HQ filed for the media poll:

1. Southington.

2. Darien.

3. New Canaan.

4. North Haven.

5. Glastonbury.

6. Shelton.

7. Windsor.

8. Notre Dame-West Haven.

9. Ansonia.

10. Wethersfield.

11. New Fairfield (8-1).

12. Newtown: Lost 13-7 to New Fairfield on Saturday. No shame in that. It was the Nighthawks' first league loss since Casey Cochran and Masuk ransacked them, 46-7, on Nov. 23, 2011.

13. St. Joseph (6-2): Didn't know what to do with it. It lost to Staples on Nov. 7 (28-20). The Wreckers, however, had tailback Ethan Burger knocked out on the first play of Saturday's 27-0 loss to Darien. That worries us. Speaking of Darien, that was the other team that beat the Cadets (49-7).

14. Conard (7-2).

15. Trinity Catholic: That Ridgefield win looks even better after the latter thrashed Greenwich on Saturday (37-7). Daffy thing is that Greenwich opened the season with a 42-38 win over Trinity. The Crusaders also have a fine shot to win Class S.

• • • •

Some NUMEROLOGIES that may interest only us:

• Southington leads the state with 463 points scored. Windsor has a state-best 50 points allowed.

• Coginchaug, Derby, Old Saybrook/Westbrook and Stratford are all 6-3. Each has scored less than it allowed. 

Derby has been outscored 257-237. It lost to Ansonia (48-0), Torrington (54-14), and Seymour (43-28).

Maloney has been outscored 259-258. It lost to Middletown (45-0), Wethersfield (44-0), and East Catholic (44-12).

Old Saybrook/Westbrook has been outscored 204-206. It lost to North Branford (33-7), Lewis Mills (27-7), and Valley Regional/Old Lyme (27-13).

Stratford lost to Brookfield (33-14), Newtown (34-6) and Barlow (37-8).

• Coginchaug is 3-6. It hass outscored opponents 203-182. One of those losses was a forfeit that was recorded as 1-0, though.

• The Naugatuck Valley League has three, five-team divisions. Every team in the Brass has three wins or less. Crosby (3-6) will play Kennedy (3-6) for the division title on Thanksgrabbing. Eep.

Four of the five teams in the NVL Iron are over .500 — Torrington (8-1), Woodland (7-2), Wolcott (6-3), Naugatuck (5-4)

• Enfield's opponents have a state-best 47-23 record. It would explain why its 0-8.

• A big reason why Notre Dame-W.H. is ranked in both The Day's state coaches and media polls despite its 7-2 record — its opponents are a combined 49-33. Yet it is still five games over .500. That's nutty. It's beaten West Haven (6-3 record), Xavier (6-4), Hand (6-3) and Fairfield Prep (5-4). It lost to North Haven (42-21) and Shelton (17-7).

• • • •

Thanks for reading. More soon.

Vaya con dios....

THE DAY OF NEW LONDON TOP 10 STATE COACHES' POLL

First-place votes in parentheses, record through Saturday, points tabulated on a 30-28-26-24-22-20-18-16-14-12-11-10-9-8-7 basis and last week’s ranking

1. Southington (11) 9-0 382 1

KNOW THIS: Vance Upham haunted the Bulkeley/Hartford Magnet/Weaver co-op nearly every way possible during Saturday’s 48-0 win. He ran nine times for 55 yards, had a 20-yard catch, 10 tackles, two sacks and scored on a 22-yard fumble return.

NEXT: at Cheshire, Nov. 26, 10 a.m.

2. Darien (2) 8-0 354 2

KNOW THIS: Mark Evanchick set the state career sack record in Saturday’s 27-0 win over Staples. He had three to give him 62.5 and passing former leader Dwight Freeney. The senior will play at Penn next year. Lacrosse, not football.

NEXT: FCIAC Championship vs. New Canaan at Boyle Stadium, Stamford, Nov. 26, 10:30 a.m.

3. New Canaan 8-0 346 3

KNOW THIS: Mark Collins threw five first-quarter touchdowns and was given the rest of Friday’s 42-7 rout of Fairfield Ludlowe. The Rams scored all their points that period.

NEXT: FCIAC Championship vs. Darien at Boyle Stadium, Stamford, Nov. 26, 10:30 a.m.

4. Shelton 9-0 288 T4

KNOW THIS: Two constants for the Gaels this fall — winning and injuries. They lost receiver Sam Kirk to a broken leg. Receiver Chris Kanios broke his leg on Oct. 23. Quarterback Zach Tuskowski injured his foot in the first quarter of a Nov. 6 game against Hand and missed Friday’s game against Hamden. Shelton won in a 48-0 rout.

NEXT: at Derby, Nov. 26, 10:30 a.m.

5. Windsor 9-0 286 T4

KNOW THIS: The Warriors rested somes starters on Saturday and still whacked Northwest Catholic, 33-0.

NEXT: vs. Middletown, Nov. 25, 6:30 p.m.

6. North Haven 9-0 270 6

KNOW THIS: Mike Montano’s stat line from Friday’s 62-29 trampling of Foran — nine carries for 332 yards (yes) and five touchdowns (yes), a 20-yard touchdown pass, and a season-high nine tackles.

NEXT: at Amity, Nov. 26, 10 a.m.

7. Ansonia 9-0 226 8

KNOW THIS: Tyler Bailey ran for 151 yards and three touchdowns as the Chargers rolled Wolcott on Friday, 49-7, to win their fifth straight NVL title. Yet another reason why it was wise for the league to discontinue its title game.

NEXT: at Naugatuck, Nov. 26, 10 a.m.

8. Glastonbury 8-1 210 9

KNOW THIS: The Tomahawks ended their regular season Friday with a 48-7 smashing of Simsbury and qualified for states. Good luck to them maintaining their edge and focus with 18 days off before their next game. Ugh.

NEXT: CIAC Class LL quarterfinals vs. TBA, Dec. 1, 6:30 p.m.

9. Wethersfield 8-1 145 10

KNOW THIS: Eagles catalyst Richard Williams ran nine times for 101 yards and two touchdowns, had three catches for 86 yards, and scored on a 42-yard fumble return in their 42-7 mauling of Manchester.

NEXT: vs. Newington, Nov. 25, 6 p.m.

10. Notre Dame-W.H. 7-2 143 NR

KNOW THIS: Nico Ragaini scored on a 16-yard catch, a 60-yard punt return, and an 8-yard run in Friday’s 56-14 rout of Wilbur Cross.

NEXT: at Hamden, Nov. 26, 10:30 a.m.

Dropped out: Newtown (7).

Also receiving votes: New Fairfield (8-1), 112 points; Middletown (8-1), 92; Newtown (8-1), 91; Granby (9-0), 45; Ledyard (8-1), 39; Tie, Staples (6-2) and Trinity Catholic (7-1), 30; St. Joseph (6-2), 28; Conard (7-2), 27; Bacon Academy (7-1), 26; Torrington (8-1), 23; Tie, Bloomfield (8-1) and West Haven (6-3), 20; Killingly (8-1), 18; Tie, Harding (9-0) and Ridgefield (6-2), 14; Brookfield (7-2), 10; Morgan (8-1), 7.

The following coaches voted: Rich Anganaro, Brookfield; Tom Brockett, Ansonia, Jim Buonocore, Ledyard; Craig Bruno, Naugatuck; Scott Daniels, Glastonbury; Joe DellaVecchia, St. Joseph; Steve Filippone, Hand; Rob Fleeting, Windsor; Steve George, Newtown; Tanner Grove, Montville; Tim King, Valley Regional/Old Lyme; Sean Marinan, Xavier; Marce Petroccio, Staples.