YOUR quarterfinal preview MAGNUM OPUS

November 29, 2015 11:00 pm • Last Updated: December 01, 2015 5:01 am

By NED X. GRIFFEN

Weather forecasters claim it’s going to rain today. Perhaps it will, although what their doing is akin to a game of chance.

(Go to a casino, head to the roulette wheel, start randomly barking out numbers and colors, and compare your accuracy to a weather forecaster with storms).

Folks will inevitably start yammering about how the rain will affect tonight’s CIAC quarterfinals should it rain, and in particular especially the (few) games on grass.

Mud is considered the great equalizer in football with rain being a detriment to the forward pass.

Nope.

It was Thanksgrabbing Day 1998 when Cheshire rolled into Southington. It was pouring. Like the great flood in Genesis pouring. Southington had a grass field back in those days, and it devolved into a giant dish of pudding under the rainy onslaught.

Cheshire was THE program back then. It had won a state-record six straight state titles and ran a ridiculously efficient triple option.

Southington, one of the Rams’ many yearly victims, was an anomaly because it threw and threw often.

See, kids, back then, teams didn’t pass much. The Blue Knights dared to be different and operated a no-huddle, run-and-shoot system out of the shotgun.

The thought before the kickoff was that the elements would favor Cheshire and its running game while dragging down Southington.

Didn’t happen. The Blue Knights’ large linemen sunk into the mud, making it unpossible for the Rams to move them. It gave quarterback Scott Bard a clean pocket (no pun intended) as he threw for nearly 300 yards.

The mud was a ball-and-chain to Cheshire’s running game because it couldn’t get any footing to make its cuts.

Southington won, 27-17, in a game that wasn’t even that close. It went on to beat NFA in the state final (54-26) as it became the state force we know today.

Just something to think about.

There are many ways to follow tonight's quarterfinals.

YOU are highly encouraged to follow all the action on The Twit at #cthsfb.

Mike DiMauro (@BCgenius) and some dude (@MetalNED) will twit LIVE from Bacon-Ledyard.

The Day will also stream audio from said Bacon-Ledyard game. DIG IT.

Below are previews on all 16 quarterfinals. ALL games are 6:30 except where noted.

Lastly, you should make it a point to get to a game tonight as time is running out. All the semifinals will be played next Monday night, and there will be championship doubleheaders at New Britain and West Haven on Dec. 12 at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. That means you have, at best, the opportunity to watch a maximum of four games live.

You love football. You'll miss it when it's gone this winter.

• • • •

CLASS LL-LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

No. 1 SHELTON VS. No. 8 WEST HAVEN

Where/when: Shelton, 7 p.m.

Records: West Haven 7-3; Shelton 10-0.

THE REMATCHENING: Shelton, 48-27.

West Haven: Two things one can always count on in West Haven — great Italian food and a commitment to the MANLY DISCIPLINE OF THE RUNNING ARTS. The Blue Devils have averaged 235 yards a game (6.2 per carry) and 42 touchdowns. Anthony Godfrey (117 carries, 923 yards, 16 TDs) and Kyle Godfrey (123 carries, 853 yards, 17 TDs) have been the top threats. Second-year QB Tim McCarthy has thrown for 993 yards with 7 TDs to 6 INTs. MLB Adrian Jaynes gets around as he leads the Westies in tackles (92) and picks (four).

Shelton: The Westies were helpless against the Gaels' passing game on Nov. 12. To be fair, almost everyone has struggled to stop Shelton's Zach Tuskowski. He had one of his best games against the Blue Devils (27-of-38, season-high 362 yards, four TDs) and finished the regular season with a 67.8-completion percentage, 1,760 yards, 24 TD and ONE INT. Kevin Robinson has team-high 32 catches, 720 yards and 10 TDs. The Gaels' have actually run it more than they've chucked it (328 runs, 191 pass attempts) with Peter Hoff pacing the ground game (1,000 yards, 6.3 average, 11 TDs). LB Ron Hubbard has 108 tackles, three sacks, two forced fumbles, and is probably sick of the Scientology jokes.

Winner: Shelton.

No. 2 DARIEN vs. No. 7 STAPLES

Where: McMahon High.

Records: Staples 7-2; Darien 9-0.

THE REMATCHENING: Darien, 27-0.

Staples: It seems like every season Staples loses its quarterback or lead back to injury. This year has been as ludicrous as it gets for the Wreckers as they’ll be without QB Andrew Speed (broken wrist), top RB Ethan Burger (torn ACL) and fellow back Connor Adrian (shoulder). WHAT THE HELL. Soph Danny Thompson gets his third start for Staples. He’s fortunate that top receiver Evan Gilland is back.

Darien: The Blue Wave can defend. That is an indisputable fact. EXAMPLE — it beat New Canaan, 28-21, holding its rival to 28 points under its average. Oh, there’s more. The Rams' offense managed 271 yards (168 yards under their average). DE Mark Evanchick (64 tackles, 20.5 sacks) requires double teams if not triple teams. OLB Finlay (great name) Collins has 45 tackles and DE James Fox has 41 tackles and four sacks. Staples knows not to throw Bobby Trifone’s way (three INTs). QB Tim Graham has been silly efficient (72.6-percent, 2,531 yards, 30 TDs) with Colin Minicus getting the most work (48 catches, 787 yards, 11 TDs). Shelby Grant has averaged 6.4 yards per carry with 11 touchdowns when Darien opts not to chuck it.

Winner: Darien.

READ EVEN MORE: Pete Paguaga, Norwalk Hour — Short-handed Staples ready for rematch with Darien.

No. 3 SOUTHINGTON vs. No. 6 CONARD

Records: Conard 8-2; Southington 10-0.

Previously: Southington, 53-25.

Conard: It likes to run and they like to run fast out of its spread. Nate Richam ran for FIVE HUNDRED AND TWO YARDS with five touchdowns in the Chieftains’ 66-47 win over Hall (Nov. 21). They have no problems scoring (44.6 ppg) but have given up 305 points. Conard’s losses were to Southington and fellow LL quarterfinalist Glastonbury on an untimed down to end the game (50-49).

Southington: Conard likes to play fast. The Blue Knights like to play at LUDICROUS SPEED and wear down opposing defenses (they ran 79 plays for 31 first downs in 23 minutes, 9 seconds in a 61-41 win over Glastonbury on Oct. 2). UConn-bound Jasen Rose has completed 61.7 percent of his passes for 2,362 yards and 38 yards and run for nine more. Southington is fortunate to have two quality running backs it can swap out — Alessio Diana (1,020 yards, 10 TDs) and Vance Upham (881 yards, 7 TDs). Austin Morin (54 catches, 1,188 yards, 21 TDs) has been very busy. LBs Logan LaRosa and Ryan Montalvo both have 97 tackles and fellow backer Upham 7.5 sacks.

Winner: Southington.

READ EVEN MORE HERE: Bryant Carpenter, Meriden Record-Journal — Southington launches its quest for a third straight state title.

No. 4 NEWTOWN vs. No. 5 GLASTONBURY

Records: Glastonbury 8-1; Newtown 9-1.

Glastonbury: UConn-bound Keyion Dixon and Jake Madnick may be listed at quarterback and receiver, respectively, but there’s few teams with as lethal a running duo than those two cats. The Tomahawks can pass, but running is their thing. There are some bouncer-sized dudes on the defensive line, but Glastonbury gave up A LOT of points to Conard and Southington. It also gave up 28 straight points with the team leading 34-0 in the third quarter of a Nov. 6 game at New Britain. Defensive lineman Sam Pirsig forced a late fumble and returned it for a 20-yard touchdown as Glastonbury won, 41-28.

Newtown: Praise Thorpe for Glastonbury vs. Newtown for two reasons — 1. it’s not a rerun, and, 2. the Nighthawks’ D vs. Glastonbury’s O is the division’s most fascinating matchup. Newtown’s defense is tight as its allowed just 8.2 ppg It allowed a combined 11 ppg against the South-West Conference’s three other playoff teams (Brookfield, New Fairfield and Stratford). Linebacker Ben Mason is terrifying (90 tackles, four sacks, four INTs) and tackle Christian Morlock had 42 tackles and four sacks. Newtown running back Hunter Cobb has been banged up, so Mason was tasked to help out last Wedneday against Masuk. GOOD IDEAR. Mason (6-foot-3, 240 pounds) ran 14 times for 123 yards and four tackles in a 40-8 beating. Justin Dunn has thrown for 1,473 yards and 17 TDs.

Winner: Glastonbury.

CALPREPS SAYETH: Shelton (28-24), Newtown (35-21), Southington (44-28), and Darien (35-14).

SEMIFINALS: Darien over Southington; Shelton over Glastonbury.

FINAL: Darien over Shelton.

• • • •

CLASS L

No. 1 NORTH HAVEN vs. No. 8 MIDDLETOWN

Records: Middletown 8-2; North Haven 10-0.

Middletown: Man, no playoff team has had a worse week than the Blue Dragons. They would've qualified for states with a win over Windsor last Wednesday. The Warriors destroyed them, 48-7. Middletown still qualified on bonus points, but has to face North Haven and deal with its bruising ways. YE-EEEESH. Credit the Blue Dragons for reloading instead of rebuilding after losing a talented senior class. First-year QB Tyshaun James is the latest in the program’s line of dual-threat QBs. He’s thrown for 1,595 and 12 touchdowns and run for team-best 914 yards and 10 scores. Hunter Belzo and Laurenzo Thompkins have both run for 7 TDs. Belzo (61) and Thompkins (60) are the top tacklers and cornerback Jordan Baker has 35 tackles, three sacks and three picks.

North Haven: The state’s top scoring team (50.8 ppg) is best known for their single wing, shovel head kill machine rushing attack (i.e. GOD’S FATHER’S OFFENSE). Quarterback Mike Montano leads the team in carries (96), yards (1,406 — yes, 14.6 yards a carry), and touchdowns (22). Connoer Suraci had averaged 9.5 yards per carry and 10 scores. North Haven felt it had to be more diverse this season and throw it more (gag). When it has been overcome by those vulgar urges, Jack Steinman has thrown for 507 yards and 10 TDs. Linebacker David Mikos (129) will introduce himself to many Middletown rushers. Suraci has 57 tackles and three sacks.

Winner: North Haven.

No. 2 HARDING vs. No. 7 NOTRE DAME-WEST HAVEN VARIENT

Where: Kennedy Stadium, Bridgeport.

Records: Notre Dame 8-2; Harding 10-0.

Watch: NFHSNetwork.com.

Notre Dame: The Green Knights were expected to provide an offensive bonanza this season due to all their returning starters, but their defense has been the real story. North Haven was the only team that razed them (42-21). ND’s D even stayed afloat in a 17-7 loss to Shelton with its offense shackled by QB’s Christian Lupoli being out injured (only 10 were scored vs. the defense). Outside linebacker Matt Jambor has 92 tackles and four sacks and middle linebacker Tristan Andrzejewski has 88 tackles. The defense also has 18 interceptions. Lupoli has thrown for 1,418 yards and 13 TDs and rushed for a team-high 537 yards and 7 TDs. Nico Ragaini does it all (51 catches, 693 yards, 4 TDs, four rushing TDs, 40 tackles, and three INTs).

Harding: Welcome to your first dance, Presidents. Soph Taisun Phommachanh (2,277 yards, 30 TDs) has deservedly received a lot of attention. Xavier Bass has been Harding’s Swiss Army knife (team-high 42 carries, 408 yards, 10 TDs; team-high 44 catches, 707 yards, 7 TDs). He also has 68 tackles and nine sacks at outside linebacker. Inside backer Jeff Rogers had 79 tackles and three sacks. The biggest question about the Presidents is their competition. The entire athletic department jumped from the FCIAC to the CSC because they were struggling to compete in the former. Harding showed promise by finishing 5-6 in its last year in the FCIAC. It was expected to dominate the CSC and it did by beating everyone but Class M quarterfinalist Abbott Tech/Immaculate by an average of 36 points. ND has slugged it out against one of the state’s toughest schedules as it played North Haven, Shelton, West Haven, Hand (7-3) and Xavier (6-4).

Winner: ND.

THE MAIN BLOODY EVENT: No. 3 WINDSOR vs. No. 6 NEW CANAAN

Records: New Canaan 8-1; Windsor 10-0.

TV: CPTVSports and NHFSNetwork.

New Canaan: Name another team that's run a better passing attack as consistently and as long as the Rams have. WRONG — NOBODY has. QB Michael Collins might be the best New Canaan has had during its recent run as he’s completed 59.6-percent of his passes for 2,600 yards with 47 TDs (to just 5 INTs). The one of the primo individual match-ups will be Rams receiver Kyle Smith (32 catches, 647 yards, 11 TDs) vs. the Warriors’ Tyler Coyle. Peter Swindell is second on the team in catches (26), yards (542) and TDs (10). FCS prospect Lucas Niang (6-7, 298) anchors a HUGE offensive line. Windsor’s offense is going to be a big test for SS Michael Cognetta (53 tackles, 4 INTs) and MLB Thomas Williams (50 tackles).

Windsor: No one heads to states hotter than Windsor after they ripped the wings off of the Blue Dragons last Friday (even Warriors’ coach Rob Fleeting was shocked). TRUISMS — Bennie Fulse III and Coyle are the state’s best RB-WR combo. Fulse (1,102 yards, 18 TDs) is an alien blend of speed and power. Coyle (29 catches, 741 yards, 8 TDs) will sky and catch any pass at any height. First-year quarterback Jakhari Grant sure loves his new teammates (1,868 yards, 21 TDs). LBs Malik Ellis (53 tackles) and Timothy Gardner (53 tackles, six sacks) and Coyle (5 INTs) are among the many leaders on the state’s stingiest defense (5.7 ppg). New Canaan will be the best offensive team they’ve seen this season.

Winner: New Canaan (our least confident pick BY FAR).

READ EVEN MORE: Anthony E. Parelli, Hearst Inc. — Rams focus on Windsor following stinging loss.

No. 4 TORRINGTON vs. No. 5 WETHERSFIELD

Records: Wethersfield 9-1; Torrington 9-1.

Watch: NFHSNetwork.com.

Wethersfield: Should you be a high school football fan and never heard of Richard Williams, well, then, you’re both ill-informed AND have never been flattened by him. Williams stat line: 151 tackles (at MLB), 11 sacks, 3 INTs, 859 yards rushing (on 89 carries), 8 rushing TDs, 35 catches, 492 yards, 5 TDs. The dude is a beast. Devon Smith throws (1,911 yards, 24 TDs). Devon Smith runs (648 yards, 6 TDs). Outside linebacker Jamel Bagley (84 tackles, 10 sacks) and Smith (57 tackles, 6 INTs) are among the other standouts on a defensive with a vicious streak. Wethersfield's only loss was a heavyweight fight with Windsor (21-14) in which the latter stuffed the Eagles at the goal line four straight times in the final two minutes.

Torrington: The Red Raiders have had a prolific offense and averaged 47.4 points against every opponent not from Ansonia. They’re can throw it thanks to to be able to run and throw thanks to QB Connor Finn, TE Nathaniel Bresson (6-1, 220) and WR Zak Mancini. Newton Frias ran 12 times for 189 yards and three scores in Torrington’s 52-21 Thanksgrabbing Day rout of Watertown.

Winner: Wethersfield.

READ EVEN MORE : Kyle Brennan, Waterbury Anarchist-American — Preview.

READ MORE MORE MORE: Mark Jaffee, Waterbury Anarchist-American — Torrington senior wants to end on high note. Said senior would be Nathaniel Bresson.

CALPREPS SAYETH: North Haven (46-17), Wethersfield (35-26), New Canaan (38-22 — UH-UH, it’s going to be close, silly compudor), and ND (31-14).

SEMIFINALS: North Haven over Wethersfield; New Canaan over Notre Dame.

FINAL: New Canaan over North Haven (it pains us more than you know to pick against GOD’S FATHER’S OFFENSE).

• • • •

CLASS M

No. 1 KILLINGLY vs. No. 8 STRATFORD

Records: Stratford 7-3; Killingly 9-1.

Stratford: The Red Devils are a statistical anomaly as they’re 7-3 despite only score 10 more points than they allowed (187-177). They also lost to four-win Barlow on Nov. 6 (37-8). Yet HERE THEY ARE. Connor Anstis has thrown for 1,343 yards with 12 TDs to 12 INTs. David Davidson is the leader rusher (536 yards, 6 TDs) and Jack Duffy the top receiver (35 catches, 601 yards, 5 TDs). Defense has been Stratford’s lifeblood and paced by LBs Vinny Laconte IV (61 tackles) and Pat St. Vil (57 tacckles) and DE John Cox (51 tackles, 3 sacks).

Killingly: The entire Polecat Worldwide staff adores Killingly because it plays the style of football we hold so dear — run it until it hurts. It’s run 433 times. It’s thrown it just 88 times. YES. It gets bonus points for using a real live FULLBACK in the form of Austin Caffrey (213 carries, 1,641 yards, 21 TDs). Spencer Lockwood makes sure that Caffrey doesn’t get to have all the fun (993 yards, 9 TDs). Kyle Derosier has thrown for 709 yards and 12 TDs and rushed for three more. Offensive Josh Angel (6-1, 295) helps pave the way for all the glorious rushing yardage. Caffrey leads the defense at linebacker with 82 tackles and three sacks and Angel has 52 tackles and 8.5 sacks at DE. CB Vasil Politis has five INTs.

Winner: Have the least amount of clarity here. Let's say Killingly as it runs more.

READ MORE HERE: Marc Allard, Norwich Bulletin —Killingly, Stratford make rare playoff appearances. Man, that didn’t use to be the case.

No. 2 NEW FAIRFIELD vs. No. 7 ST. JOSEPH

Records: St. Joseph 7-2; New Fairfield 9-1.

St. Joseph: Was pillaged by graduation to the point that head coach Joe Della Vecchia told Sean Patrick Starfish of the GameTimeCT.com/New Haven Register/21st Century Monolith Top 10 media poll that he expected they’d win “three or four” games. SURPRISE. The Cadets are back in the playoffs and perhaps the most capable of winning the division. They don’t have the behemoths opponents are used to, nor the crazy athletes, but they get everything they have out of themselves. St. Joseph passing game is still a weapon thanks to Cory Babineau (1,441 yards, 13 TDs to 2 INTs). He also runs the draw like a champ with Christian Trefz being the biggest beneficiary (1,136 yards, 15 TDs). He’s also the leading receiver (43 catches, 452 yards, 3 TDs). Cam Ryan (88 tackles) is the Hogs best linebacker since that Tyler Matakevich chap. Fellow LB Brian Harner has 45 tackles and 7.5 sacks. No one in this class has faced a tougher schedule with games against Darien (a 49-7 loss), Staples (a 28-20 loss in which they wasted SO MANY CHANCES), and Trumbull (17-10 win).

New Fairfield: The REBELS are another team that’s won our hearts from afar based on their approach. Big offensive line + Zach Tripodi = SMASH PUNY DEFENSES. Tripodi has run 253 times for 1,763 yards and 24 TDs. Mike Zanca has thrown for 1,000 yards and 10 TDs when New Fairfield gets bored hammering away with Tripodi. LB Brian McGonnigle (81 tackles) and DE Russell Howard (45 tackles, 6 sacks) are among a group that held Newtown to a touchdown in a 13-7 win (Nov. 13), snapping the latter’s 40-game South-West Conference winning streak. Note that this is a veteran (and talented) team built to win this season. And this quarterfinal is the equivalent of a state final as these teams are two of the biggest division favorites.

Winner: St. Joseph.

No. 3 LEDYARD vs. No. 6 BACON ACADEMY

Records: Bacon 8-2; Ledyard 9-1.

Listen: THEDAY.COM (for FREE).

Bacon: Here’s the only team that’s been able to knock off Ledyard (25-22 on Sept. 26, its first win EVAH against the Colonels). Bacon has been known as a pass-first team (a rarity among these here parts). The Bobcats sure likes to have Sean Kelly chuck it, but they’ve actually leaned on the run more this season as Peter Kazibwe can scoot. Opponents get to pick which receiver will slowly bleed them dry, such as Paul Chasse, Dan Narlock or Kazibwe. There’s good size on both sides of the line. Bacon head coach Erik Larka has been extremely proud of DE Julian Lindo, a junior who didn’t start last season nor was projected to start this fall. Larka believes he’s developed into one of the ECC’s best ends.

Ledyard: The Colonels’ loss to Bacon forced them to do some introspection and made them better for it. Ledyard ditched its shotgun spread for GOD’S OFFENSE and has used it and a stout defense to win seven in a row. Manny Desheilds-Sanabria has been the lead wingback (1,378 yards rushing, 14 TDs). Luke Saccone had literally been the counter, running counter and jet sweeps for 452 yards and 7 TDs. Fullback Justin Carter has run for 8 TDs, and 285-pound Tannor Daggett (3 TDs) takes his place when Ledyard wants to throw more mass at defenses. Third-year starter Ty Ebdon can still sling it (472 yards, 7 TDs). The biggest concern here is how the Colonels’ pass defense holds up as Kelly dropped 349 yards and three TDs on them back in September. That was then, this is now, we’ve got that. Regardless, DBs Max Ebdon, James Smith, Carter and Saccone must do a better job.

Winner: Ledyard (honestly, there’s not a result that would surprise us).

READ EVEN MORE: Some dude, TEAM DAY~! — Old friends Ledyard, Bacon play for spot in Class M semis.

No. 4 ABBOTT TECH/IMMACULATE UNITED vs. NO. 5 BROOKFIELD

Where: Western Connecticut State, Danbury.

Records: Brookfield 8-2; ATI 8-1.

Brookfield: Here’s the most baffling playoff team. The Bobcats returned almost their entire Class M-Large championship team and have still been erratic. The 42-14 beating they took from Newtown (Sept. 25) was understandable given they were missing All-State RB-LB Bobby Drysdale, FB-LB Austin Reich and RB-FS Andrew Collins. An Oct. 23 overtime loss to four-win Bunnell (28-21) was the state’s most confusing result of the year. There’s still a lot to love here, namely their experience and GOD’S OFFENSE. Drysdale (1,092 yards, 11 TDs) and Reich (470 yards, 9 TDs) have done most of the running. John Roscigno throws when needed (712 yards, 8 TDs). DE Nick Seis (79) is so quick around the edge and has 11 sacks.

ATI: The UNITED were the only team that punched Harding back this season. They’ve also based their offense around, Nagurski love them, the run. They’ve run 349 times to 63 pass attempts, or run on 85 percent of offensive snaps. SO SEXY. Darius Smith (789 yards, 11 TDs), Dominique Rogers (588 yards, 10 TDs), and Steve Bohling (571 yards, 9 TDs) lead a very democratic rushing attack. Smith has also thrown for 433 yards and 8 TDs. LBs Bohling (75) and Rogers (67) are the top tacklers, and fellow LB Lee Plourde has five sacks.

Winner: Brookfield.

CALPREPS SEZ: Killingly (26-13), Brookfield (35-27), Ledyard (35-21), and New Fairfield (27-17).

SEMIFINALS: Brookfield over Killingly; St. Joseph over Ledyard.

FINAL: St. Joseph over Brookfield.

• • • •

CLASS S

No. 1 ANSONIA vs. No. 8 CAPITAL PREP/ACHIEVEMENT FIRST

Records: Cap/First 7-2; Ansonia 10-0.

Cap/First: Soph Kyle Zajack threw for 1,985 yards and a school-record 31 TDs in his first year as a starter. Jakai Gill gets the bulk of the catches (41, 934 yards, 14 TDs) for an absurd 22.8 yards per catch. Khyon Gillespie has run 62 times for 580 yards and 6 TDs while Jourdayne Ross has a team-high 81 carries for 542 yards and 4 TDs. MLB Michon Hunt (104) is your leading Trailblazers' tackler. DE Dillian Murray has chipped in 4.5 sacks and 3 fumble recoveries.

Ansonia: RB Tajik Bagley and WR Tyler Bailey are the state’s best running-receiving duo outside of Windsor, and feel free to argue they’re the best. They’re also quite good at DB, too. The Chargers are masters of the MANLY DISCIPLILNE OF THE RUNNING ARTS, but sometimes they feel the need to throw it. Bryson Cafaro is responsible for doing so with Angel Falero and Bailey being inviting targets. Ansonia has one of the state’s gnarly defenses (7.4 ppg) and allowed no more than 14 points a game in wins over Seymour (35-14) and Torrington (54-14). Have fun with this, Trailblazers!

Winner: Ansonia.

READ EVEN MORE: Mark Jaffee, Waterbury Anarchist-American — Ansonia’s Cafaro takes new lead role in series.

No. 2 BLOOMFIELD vs. No. 7 EAST CATHOLIC

Records: East Catholic 8-2; Bloomfield 10-0.

Previously: Bloomfield, 38-33.

East Catholic: Yet another devoted follower of GOD’S OFFENSE. FOOTBALL IS THE GREATEST. Wingback Andre Brackett Jr. gets the most totes (149 yards, 1,157 yards, 19 TDs). Wingback Mike Zazzaro (92 carries, 446 yards, 5 TDs) and FB Conor Hills 94 carries, 434 yards, 6 TDs) are often busy. Should you be wondering, East Catholic ran it FOUR HUNDRED AND SIXTY NINE TIMES to 45 pass attempts. We suck at math, but whatever the run-pass ratio, it’s perfect. Brackett has a team-high 93 tackles and 5 INTs from his free safety position, and LB Jack Droney has 84 tackles and 3 sacks. He’s also the quarterback. That’s OUR KIND of quarterback (if we’re forced to have one). Can’t forget DE Connor Heslin (8 sacks).

Bloomfield: QB Rayshawn Phillips II is used to this postseason thing. He previously plied his trade at Cap/First the past few seasons and helped it win a state title. He’s thrown for 2,329 yards and 27 TDs while running for 424 yards and 7 TDs. Russell Thompson-Bishop (35 catches, 606 yards, 9 TDs) and Jose Crespo (22 catches, 44 yards, 7 TDs) are targeted the most by Phillips. Andrell Pinnock (1,058 yards, 12 TDs) is the latest great Warhawks’ RB named “Pinnock” (dear, sweet Marion Motley, Andrell’s old man was the nastiest RB anyone at Polecat Worldwide has ever seen). CEASE REMINISCING. DE Kahari Scarlett has 97 tackles and 15.5 sacks (EGAD) and LB Dillon Harris has 117 tackles and 6.3 sacks (6.3? YES, 6.3, according to the stats Bloomfield inputted into MaxPreps.com data base).

Winner: Bloomfield.

No. 3 GRANBY vs. No. 6 SEYMOUR

Records: Seymour 9-1; Granby 10-0.

Seymour: The Polecat Worldwide staff expects three of the four S quarterfinals to be bowsers. Seymour-Granby is the exciting exception. Speaking of exciting — Jaylen Kelley! The Wildcats’ QB has thrown for 1,849 yards and 21 TDs and run for a team-high 1,088 yards and 18 TDs. He also has a 38.6-yard punting average. SO VERSATILE. Bobby Melms has gotten 89 carries for 565 yards and 11 TDs. Mike Burns loves Kelley (30 catches, 715 yards, 9 TDs). DL C.J. Falcioni (66 tackles, 9 sacks) is such a pain and loves to deal it out. Fellow lineman Charlie Ritchel (89 tackles, 3 sacks) and Tyler Sirowich (75 tackles, 3 sacks) don’t like to let Falcioni have all the fun. One last thing about Seymour — it has greatly improved since the Ansonia loss after self-destructing in the second half (the game was 14-all at halftime).

Granby: The Granbanarians are so precocious. They’ve been around for just six seasons (the team, not the town) and already have their first unbeaten season and playoff berth. They grow up so fast. Unlimited love to the Bears for being a good-to-honest triple option team (no shotgun read option here). Connor Field is the leading rusher (1,372 yards) with 19 TDs. QB Dom Pagano has only attempted 10 passes (breathless sigh) and rushed a team-high 127 times for 1,213 yards and 19 TDs. He runs the option like a champ. Granby has better size up front than you’d expect from a peaceful, scenic hamlet. FB-LB Logan Strain has 67 tackles and DE Andrew Migliaccio loves to smash him some quarterbacks (46 tackles, 10.5 sacks).

Winner: Seymour, much as it wounds us to pick against the option team. Expect lots of points.

READ MORE KURMUDGEON HERE: Preview.

No. 4 TRINITY CATHOLIC vs. No. 5 MORGAN

Where/when: Boyle Stadium, Stamford, 6 p.m.

Records: Morgan 9-1; Trinity 8-1.

Morgan: Morgan has based its offense around a simple and effective formula — Chucky Kostek throw, Gabe Eriksen run, Mateo Zumpano catch. What else do you need? Kostek has thrown for 2,178 yards and 26 TDs with Zumpano catching 53 passes for 1,008 yards and 11 TDs. Eriksen has run for 1,608 yards and 18 TDs and caught 35 passes for 500 yards and 8 TDs. MLB John Lee has 149 tackles (WHAT) and Eriksen has 120 at FS. DE Matt Herrington may “only” be 195 pounds, but he’s sacked the QBs nine times (and has 64 tackles).

Trinity: The Crusaders were 0-11 two seasons ago. WELL LOOK AT THEM NOW. They have a balanced offense thanks to Anthony Lombardi (1,547 yards, 19 TDs) and Jonmichael Bivona has run for 1,122 yards and 13 TDs. Izaiah Sanders (29 catches, 669 yards, 9 TDs) and Johnny Somers (23 catches, 496 yards, 6 TDs) get most of the catches. They’re tall, too (Sanders is 6-2, Somers 6-3). OLB Nick Melia is just a soph, but he’s got the most tackles for Trinity (58) and sacks (3). Nick Granata, his fellow LB, has 53 tackles.

Winner: Trinity.

READ EVEN MORE: Joe Ryan, Norwalk Hour — Trinity Catholic changes goal from making playoffs to moving on.

CALPREPS SAYETH: Ansonia (35-14), Trinity (41-21), Granby (31-30), and Bloomfield (31-22).

SEMIFINALS: Ansonia over Trinity; Bloomfield over Seymour.

FINAL: Ansonia over Bloomfield.

• • • •

Jemal Davis and his NFA assistants spent a lot of time Thursday, and really throughout the season, on in-game, pre-snap coaching. Players needed to be told where to line up in the formation, what route they might be running, who they needed to block on seemingly a majority of the plays. That’s the by-product of having so many injuries and so many inexperienced players being forced into action.

“When you have 15 injuries, you’ve got guys who’ve got to step up who probably did not believe at the start of the season that they were going to get quality, varsity reps,” Davis said. “There are a number of players who were not starters at the beginning of the season, or played a different position at the beginning of the season, and then had to come in and play at a position they hadn’t prepared for.

“I think that’s the difference in terms of winning 10 games versus winning six games. You do have the inexperience. You’re forced (to) coach these guys up, really be their conscience in a way, in a very strenuous environment.”

• • • •

New London coach Duane Maranda is excited that he’s going to have a lot of players back next year. The one he should be most excited about is Jacob Commander. The freshman running back, who carried 15 times for 84 yards against NFA, was emotional after Thursday’s 14-6 loss and is clearly someone who puts everything he has into each game.

“He’s just, all-around, a tremendous football player,” Maranda said. “He can do every aspect of the game. He’s a physical kid and he’s an extremely football-savvy kid. Freshman year this year, we had a line that got pretty banged up, by the end of the game missing the whole right side of line and he’s doing what he’s doing with some (second-and third-stringers) out there in front of him. He’s going to be a great football player. He already is a great football player. I’m just really excited to see what he does in the next three years.”

• • • •

Gaze lovingly upon The Day of New London Top 10 state coaches’ poll: 1. Darien (five first-place votes); 2. Southington (eight first-place votes); 3. Shelton; 4. New Canana; 5. Windsor; 6. North Haven; 7. Ansonia; 8. Glastonbury; 9. Wethersfield; and, 10. Notre Dame-West Haven.

Yes, in case you didn't read THIS first, Darien wrested control of No. 1 from Southington despite three fewer first-place votes.

A more detailed version of the Top 10 is attached at the end of this here blog.

• • • •

The GameTimeCT.com/New Haven Register/21st Century Monolith Top 10 media poll: 1. Southington (15 first-place votes); 2. Darien (11 first place-votes); 3. Windsor (two first-place votes); 4. Shelton; 5. New Canaan; 6. North Haven; 7. Glastonbury; 8. Ansonia; 9. Wethersfield; and, 10. Notre Dame-West Haven.

• • • •

Ned Freeman’s cold, calculating computer rankings for CalPreps and MaxPreps: 1. Darien; 2. Shelton; 3. North Haven; 4. New Canaan; 5. Notre Dame-West Haven; 6. Newtown (9-1); 7. Southington; 8. New Fairfield (9-1); 9. West Haven (7-3); and, 10. Windsor. Ansonia was 13th, Glastonbury 21st, and Wethersfield 22nd.

The computer model likes West Haven based on its schedule and wins. Its opponents are a combined 58-42. The Westies beat Xavier (35-27), Fairfield Prep (21-14), Hillhouse (55-22), Foran (39-19) and Cheshire (46-14), the latter which lost late to Southington on Thanksgrabbing (36-28). The Blue Devils lost to Shelton (48-27), ND (40-18), and Hand (35-21).

Greenwich (4-5) finished the regular season with the top strength of schedule. It beat Trinity Catholic (42-38), the fourth seed in Class S. It lost to three playoff teams — Darien (51-28), New Canaan (21-14), and Staples (28-26) — as well as Ridgefield (37-7), which just missed states. The Cardinals opponents were a combined 52-30.

• • • •

Dig the ballot Polecat HQ filed for the media poll:

1. Darien: We had been close to switching from Southington to Darien and opted to wait to see how the latter did against Staples (a 27-0 win) and New Canaan. Felt less guilty about making the switch after the Blue Knights struggled to put away four-win Cheshire.

2. Southington: Prove us wrong, Blue Knights. Prove us wrong.

3. New Canaan: There's no place we'd rather be Tuesday night than at New Canaan-Windsor. Well, we'd rather be hanging out with the delightful Janet Varney than at the game, but that's another story.

4. North Haven: The state's finest purveyors of GOD'S FATHER'S OFFENSE have averaged a state-best 50.8 points.

5. Windsor: Expected it to beat Middletown, but not butcher it (48-7).

6. Glastonbury.

7. Shelton.

8. Notre Dame-W.H.

9. Ansonia: Ansonia-Trinity must happen in the semis.

10. Wethersfield.

11. St. Joseph: Here's tonight's undercard....

12. New Fairfield: ....to New Canaan-Windsor.

13. Newtown.

14. Conard.

15. Trinity Catholic.

• • • •

No notables this week save for two items:

As previously noted, Conard's Nate Richam ran 28 times for 502 yards and five touchdowns in its 66-47 win over Hall. It had been reported that Richam ran for 468. Ed Litos, Conard's upstanding and amiable scorekeeper, reviewed the tape and reported 502 yards to Bob Barton and Gerry deSimas, caretakers of the Connecticut High School Football Record Book.

NOT TO BE OUTDONE, Sheehan's Zach Davis ran for FIVE HUNDRED AND SEVEN YARDS with eight touchdowns, according to wise sage/math whiz Jim Bransfield. Oh, that ain't even the best part. Davis carried FIFTY ONE TIMES. We hope Zach doesn't play winter sports as that cat needs a four-month nap.

• • • •

Thanks for reading. More later.

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. Darien (5) 9-0 372 2

KNOW THIS: Three impressive stats from the Blue Wave’s 28-21, FCIAC Championship win over New Canaan on Thanksgiving: 1. New Canaan was held 28 points under its average; 2. The Rams had 271 yards offense, 168 yards under their average, and, 3. New Canaan’s Michael Collins, one of the state’s top two quarterbacks, completed 47.5-percent of his passes. He averaged 62-percent through eight games. The state’s newly ordained No. 1 team plays Staples for the second time in three weeks in the first of three Class LL rematchenings (Darien beat the Wreckers on Nov. 14, 27-0).

NEXT: CIAC Class LL quarterfinals vs. Staples at McMahon, today, 6:30 p.m.

2. Southington (8) 10-0 368 1

KNOW THIS: A Southington-Darien semifinal on Monday, Dec. 7 will settle all questions about who is No. 1. The Blue Knights must beat Conard again, though, in another LL rematchening (the Blue Knights won at Conard, 53-25, on Oct. 23).

NEXT: CIAC Class LL quarterfinals vs. Conard, today, 6:30 p.m.

3. Shelton 10-0 308 4

KNOW THIS: The Gaels played Derby on Thanksgiving, thus they won. Alex Kirk had three catches for 77 yards and two touchdowns, eight tackles and three sacks as Shelton blasted its neighbors, 49-0, its 13th straight win against them. And now we get YET ANOTHER rematchening featuring the Gaels and West Haven (Shelton won at West Haven, 48-27, on Oct. 12).

NEXT: CIAC Class LL quarterfinals vs. West Haven, today, 7 p.m.

4. New Canaan 8-1 298 3

KNOW THIS: Should you be a diehard football fan without a dog in these playoffs, then GO TO WINDSOR for the most-enticing quarterfinal since the CIAC instituted that round in 2010. New Canaan has won two straight Class L titles, including the Class L-Large crown in last season’s annoying eight division playoffs. The Warriors tore their way through Class L-Small last year to win that division.

NEXT: CIAC Class L quarterfinals at Windsor, today, 6:30 p.m.

5. Windsor 10-0 296 5

KNOW THIS: The Warriors had the most impressive win of Thanksgiving week, and “impressive” isn’t a strong enough word. Jakhari Grant completed 7 of his 8 paases for 146 yards and four touchdowns in a 48-7 mauling of Middletown last Wednesday. Windsor also held the Blue Dragons to 178 yards. Moreover Middletown (8-2) was playing for a Class L playoff berth (the Blue Dragons qualified as the eighth seed thanks to bonus points on Thanksgiving Day).

NEXT: CIAC Class L quarterfinals vs. New Canaan, today, 6:30 p.m.

6. North Haven 10-0 272 6

KNOW THIS: The Indians average a state-high 50.8 points. Here’s an example why — they scored touchdowns on their first seven possessions on TWENTY FOUR PLAYS.

NEXT: CIAC Class L quarterfinals vs. Middletown, today, 6:30 p.m.

7. Ansonia 10-0 231 7

KNOW THIS: The Chargers continued its Thanksgiving Day tradition of beating Naugatuck last Thursday, 41-8, their fifth straight win over their Valley pals and 13th in 14 years. They’re also the top seed in Class S. Again.

NEXT: CIAC Class S quarterfinals vs. Capital Prep/Achievement First, today, 6:30 p.m.

8. Glastonbury 8-1 210 8

KNOW THIS: The Tomahawks an involved in the only new LL quartefinal match-up, which also features the division’s most intruiging plotline of the night — Glastonbury’s dynamic rushing duo of UConn-bound Keyion Dixon and Jake Madnick vs. linebacker Ben Mason and a Nighthawks’ defense that’s averaged 8.2 points against.

NEXT: CIAC Class LL quarterfinals at Newtown, today, 6:30 p.m.

9. Wethersfield 9-1 163 9

KNOW THIS: The Eagles’ Richard Williams ran 13 times for 162 yards and a touchdown and had 15 tackles and a sack in last Wednesday’s 44-12 clubbing of Newington. Torrington will be seeing a lot of him tonight.

NEXT: CIAC Class L quarterfnials at Torrington, today, 6:30 p.m.

10. Notre Dame-W.H. 8-2 146 10

KNOW THIS: Harding’s Taisun Phommachanh has completed 61.2-percent of his passes for 2,277 yards and 30 touchdowns. The Green Knights’ defense has averaged 11.8 points against playing the likes of Shelton, North Haven, West Haven (7-3), Hand (7-3) and Xavier (6-4).

NEXT: ClAC Class L quarterfinals at Harding, today, 6:30 p.m.

Also receiving votes: New Fairfield (9-1), 114 points; Newtown (9-1), 103; Ledyard (9-1), 57; St. Joseph (7-2), 53; Conard (8-2), 42; Staples (7-2), 35; Trinity Catholic (8-1), 34; Ridgefield (7-2), 32; Tie, Bloomfield (10-0) and Granby (10-0), 27; Torrington (9-1), 23; Tie, Killingly (9-1) and West Haven (7-3), 20; Brookfield (8-2), 19; Seymour (9-1), 15; Harding (10-0), 12; Middletown (8-2), 11; Morgan (9-1), 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.

Comment threads are monitored for 48 hours after publication and then closed.

STORIES THAT MAY INTEREST YOU