Howdy,

It's Week 4, which means that we're almost at the halfway point of the season (NO-OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO).

This shall the best weekend thus far as there are key games that will really shape both conference and state playoff races. We here at Polecat HQ will, however, refrain from giving said weekend silly labels like, "Judgement Weekend", "The Wars To Settle the Scores", or "UBER-WEEKEND 2012 — THE BRAIN MELTER".

Football don't need no stinkin' labels. Every game is a judgment unto itself. .... or something. Pretty sure Odin presides over them, too.

Here, then, is YOUR weekend itinerary while we here at Polecat HQ try to find a way to slow down time.

(Someone get us a Spanish scientist. STAT)

No. 9 Glastonbury (3-0, 1-0 CCC D-I East) at Manchester (3-0, 1-0), Friday, 6 p.m.

Manchester has been one of the state's best surprises, highlighted by a season-opening win over Hall of West Hartford. Still, we're not ready to buy into the Indians. Yet. Now if they knock off the Tomahawks, then we'll go all Jim Cramer and scream, "BUY! BUY!" Oh, yeah — the Indians are rated second in Class LL, Glastonbury seventh.

Norwich Free Academy (3-0) at Ledyard (2-1), Friday, 6:30 p.m.

One circled this game prior to the start of the season. Both teams figured to be among the Eastern Connecticut Conference's elite as well as unbeaten headed into Week 4. ASSUME NOTHING. NFA passed its first big test last Saturday, a 34-27 win over then-unbeaten Fitch. The Colonels, on the other hand, got a reality check that same day. They've didn't play to their potential, and they lost 21-14 to Windham. We're barely into October, and already their Class M playoff hopes are on the edge.

North Haven (2-1) at New London (3-0), Friday, 6:30 p.m.

Man, this game is awesome for so many reasons. It's an interconference match-up (the Southern Connecticut Conference's Division II vs. the ECC Large). The teams are polar opposites, too. North Haven wants to slowly bleed the clock with their run-heavy offense. The Whalers want to run-and-gun at LUDICROUS SPEED. Finally, if you've haven't seen the Indians, come check out their single wing offense. Try to guess which back has the ball on each play. Betcha' can't.

Shelton (2-1, 1-0 SCC D-I West) at Fairfield Prep (2-1, 0-1), Friday, 6 p.m.

The SCC is no place for two-loss teams. Neither is the Class LL tourney.

No. 2 Ansonia (3-0) at Holy Cross (2-1), Friday, 7 p.m.

Holy Cross' loss to struggling and undermanned Torrington last Saturday still has everyone at Polecat HQ saying, "WHAT?" And now it's playing the Chargers. Uh-oh.

Brookfield (3-0) at Newtown (3-0), Friday, 7 p.m.

The battle for South-West Conference supremacy begins.

Cromwell (3-0, 3-0 Pequot Sassacus) at Hyde-New Haven (3-0, 3-0), Saturday, 2 p.m.

Smart folk tabbed Cromwell and North Branford as the Sassacus Division's preseason favorites. Hyde is used to being one of those favorites. Cromwell is eighth in the Class S rankings, the Howling Wolves are ninth.

Torrington (1-2, 0-1 NVL Copper) at St. Paul-Bristol (0-3, 0-1), Saturday, 3:30 p.m.

This game has been included if you both detest defense and like your football played Holgorsen-style. Torrington ran wild on the Falcons last season, 80-39. St. Paul has given up an average of 60 points this season. If you plan to attend this one, then don't make any dinner reservations before 8 p.m.

Vaya con dios….