Howdy,

Dear, sweet Buddha — Xmas is just two weeks away, and our precious and luscious football season is almost over.

DARKNESS.

We're excited and all to finally see matchups such as Ledyard-St. Joseph and Ansonia-Valley Regional/Old Lyme, but the state finals are sorta' like the last night of college's spring semester — we're glad it's over, but we're going to miss all of our friends.

Thankfully we have THIRTY NINE college bowl games (there's no such thing as too many) and the rest of the NFL regular season and postseason to help with the withdrawal. And then the Super Bowl ends, and we feel empty for the next seven months.

We'll temporarily shelve our melancholy and gift YOU with EIGHT championship previews. Stats from MaxPreps.com were included for any team that posts them.

(We like the concept of being able to watch so many football games live and via the NFHS Network, but we'll be glad to return to four divisions next year as it's half the work).

A few things — our southeastern Connecticut readers who refuse to leave the house may keep track of all today’s fun at THE DAY. There will be updates, tweets, and other fun.

Those of you who cannot attend the games but wish to watch or follow the games have a treasure trove of options. You can watch on CPTVSports or the NFHS Network. You may listen to the melodious tones of WELI institution George DeMaio. The CIAC will also be unleashing CBSSports.com's GameTracker.

You're also wildly encouraged to follow all the activity on the Twitter at #cthsfb. Reckon they'll be about 99 media goons updating the games in addition to fan posts.

TEAM DAY~! staffers will be at Willow Brook on Saturday and flooding the Twitter with knowledge.

Remember — all finals are Saturday except for the Class M-Large, B-on-B action.

And it goes a little something like this:

• • • •

CLASS LL-GRANDE

No. 1 SOUTHINGTON vs. No. 2 NORWICH FREE ACADEMY

RECORDS: Southington 11-0; NFA 8-2.

WHERE/WHEN: Willow Brook Park, New Britain, 6 p.m.

SEE/HEAR: CPTVSports; nfhsnetwork.com; WJJF (94.9-FM).

GAMETRACKER: HERE.

PLAYERMAKERS: Southington — Sr. WR-DB Alex Jamele (69 catches, 1,042 all purpose yards, 17 TDs); Sr. LB Matt Thomson (94 tackles); Sr. DE Matt Koczera (90 tackles, 7 sacks); Jr. QB Jasen Rose (2,842 yards, 42 TDs); NFA — Sr. RB-DB Khaleed Exum-Strong; Jr. OL-DL J'Von Brown; Jr. OL-DL Noah Brown; So. QB Jawaun Johnson.

WORDS: NFA will get its points, but the Blue Knights' offense presents a unique set of issues for any defense. They'll snap the ball as quickly as three seconds after being spotted when they're in a groove. They have four quality receivers, led by Jamele, who has 48 career TDs and needs just two more TDs to pass Newtown's Julian Dunn for the state record. Note that Rose completed five passes to four different receivers in a 44-7 beat down of Cheshire. Sell out for the pass and either Alessio Diana (1,037 yards, 11 TDs), Vance Upham (846 yards, 10 TDs) or Rose, a converted tight end, will run through empty spaces. It may benefit the Wildcats to hold onto the ball, but that's easier said then done given that Exum-Strong and Johnson can score in one play. And should you believe in the power of comparing scores, Southington beat Glastonbury twice (41-38 in Week 1, and 42-14 in last week's semis). Glastonbury won at NFA in Week 4 (24-0).

POLECAT PICK: Southington.

CALPREPS.COM PICK: Southington 48-21.

• • • •

CLASS LL-SMALL

No. 2 SHELTON vs. No. 4 XAVIER

RECORDS: Shelton 12-0; Xavier 8-3.

WHERE/WHEN: West Haven High, 2:30 p.m.

SEE/HEAR: nfhsnetwork.com; WELI (960-AM); LaxWorm Radio.

GAMETRACKER: HERE.

PLAYERMAKERS: Shelton — Sr. QB Mark Piccirillo (3,747 total yards, 50 TDs); Jr. WR-DB Kevin Robinson (35 catches, 1,041 all purpose yards, 11 TDs); Jr. WR-DB Chris Kanios (26 catches, 907 all purpose yards, 9 TDs); Sr. FB-MLB Troy Vasilescu (68 tackles, 6 sacks); Xavier — Sr. Mike Scherer (2,252 total yards, 18 TDs); Sr. OL Tanner Kern; Sr. DL Paul Marinan (65 tackles, 3.5 sacks); WR-DB John Sullivan (73 tackles).

WORDS: So how do these two attack one another differently than they did in Week 9 (a 28-20 Shelton win)? The Gaels went ahead 21-0 in the first half after Xavier turned it over three times. Shelton was without Vasilescu (concussion) and Kanios (collarbone). It will be without running back Peter Hoff (collarbone), which may mean more work for Piccirillo (he ran 44 times for 235 yards and a score in Round 1). The Falcons' coaches can scheme with the best of them and their defense has been a strength. Their offense has been inconsistent most of the year. They can't afford to be wiggy his week.

POLECAT PICK: Shelton.

CALPREPS.COM PICK: Shelton 27-19.

• • • •

CLASS L-LARGE

No. 1 DARIEN vs. No. 2 NEW CANAAN

RECORDS: Darien 12-0; New Canaan 10-1.

WHERE/WHEN: West Haven High, 10:30 a.m.

SEE/HEAR: nfhsnetwork.com; WELI (960-AM); HanRadio.com.

GAMETRACKER: HERE.

PLAYERMAKERS: Darien — Jr. QB Tim Graham (2,365 yards, 22 TDs); Sr. RB-MLB Peter Archey (666 yards, 13 TDs); Sr. DE Mark Evanchick (72 tackles, 22 sacks); Sr. OT-DT Jack Tyrrell (69 tackles, 7 sacks); New Canaan — Jr. QB Mike Collins (2,365 yards, 29 TDs); Sr. WR-DB Alex LaPolice (32 catches, 1,290 all purpose yards, 18 TDs); Sr. TE-DL Zach Allen (93 tackles, 13.5 sacks); Sr. LB Teddy Dumbauld (91 tackles).

WORDS: New Canaan had its collective hands around the Blue Wave's throat as it led by 21 points early in the second quarter of their Thanksgrabbing Day game. Darien had already lost star defensive end George Reed to a knee injury, and Evanchick was forced out twice with an ankle injury. Somehow, some way, the Blue Wave rallied for a 28-21 overtime win with Hudson Hamill throwing the game-winner after Graham was forced out with a stinger. The Rams were kicking themselves for failing to score on drives to the Darien 9 (missed field goal), 3 (fumble), and 18 (an interception thrown by LaPolice when lined up to take the direct snap). Don't expect New Canaan to make those gaffes in the rematchening. The Voices tell us that the Rams win by double digits. Of course The Voices have told us a lot of things that were wrong. Really, really wrong.

POLECAT PICK: New Canaan.

CALPREPS.COM PICK: New Canaan 27-26.

• • • •

CLASS L-SMALL

No. 1 WINDSOR vs. No. 3 NOTRE DAME-WEST HAVEN

RECORDS: Windsor 11-0; ND-W.H. 9-3.

WHERE/WHEN: Central Connecticut State, 2:30 p.m.

SEE/HEAR: gogreenknights.com; nhfsnetwork.com.

GAMETRACKER: HERE.

PLAYERMAKERS: Windsor — Sr. QB John Nolan (1,832 yards, 25 TDs); Jr. CB Bennie Fulse III (1,397 all purpose yards, 15 TDs); Sr. Germain Everett-Welcome (89 tackles, 5 INTs); Jr. OLB Malik Ellis (103 tackles); Notre Dame — Jr. Christian Lupoli (1,809 all purpose yards, 18 TDs); So. WR-FS Nico Ragaini (64 catches, 952 all purpose yards, 13 TDs; 56 tackles, 5 INTs); Sr. OT-DE Kyle Cullen (41 tackles); Sr. LB Tim Jambor (110 tackles).

WORDS: Fans and wags expected Windsor to have one of the state's most dynamic offenses this season. Whelp, its offense has been good, but its D has been its calling card. That group has allowed a state-best 64 points (a meager 5.8 average). It’s a rough matchup for the young Green Knights. They had their struggles scoring against good teams such as St. Joseph (a 17-6 loss), Fairfield Prep (35-18 loss), Xavier (27-24 - ND scored on back-to-back interception returns), and Middletown (13-10). And there was a 14-13 overtime loss to Hand (5-6) on Nov. 14. The SCC D-I team is the wise pick in the majority of playoff games and most especially in state finals. This is an exception. It's tough to envision ND scoring enough points to win against the Warriors.

POLECAT PICK: Windsor.

CALPREPS.COM PICK: Windsor 24-19.

• • • •

CLASS M-LARGE

No. 1 BERLIN vs. No. 2 BROOKFIELD

RECORDS: Berlin 11-1; Brookfield 11-2.

WHERE/WHEN: Willow Brook Park, New Britain, 6:30 p.m.

SEE/HEAR: CPTVSports; nfhsnetwork.com.

GAMETRACKER: HERE.

PLAYERMAKERS: Berlin — Sr. QB Alec Norton (1,306 yards, 12 TDs); Sr. RB-S Anthony Sisti (1,209 all purpose yards, 14 TDs); Sr. OLB Jeremy Eliades (71 tackles, 9 sacks); Jr. RB-ILB Owen Taylor (839 all purpose yards, 6 TDs; 87 tackles); Brookfield — Jr. Bobby Drysdale (1,371 all purpose yards, 24 TDs; 63 tackles, 4 sacks); Jr. FB-MLB Austin Reich (651 all purpose yards, 8 TDs; 77 tackles); Jr. RB-LB Matt Melby (78 tackles, 4 sacks); Jr. TE-DE Nick Seis (68 tackles, 9 sacks).

WORDS: 

Ah, the final that's endorsed by the Polecat. It's what Kurmudgeonly Kountry Kyle Brennan of the Waterbury Anarchist-American/NVL Blog dubbed, "Archie Moore's Wing-T Game Over In 90 Minutes Bowl". Both teams are dedicated to the Manly Discipline of the Running Arts (they average 10.6 passing attempts a game — SWOON). Brookfield is playing in its second straight final and is finally getting as healthy as a team can be in December. The Bobcats' three-headed beast is whole again as Danny Jackson has returned to team with Drysdale and Reich. The Redcoats have the state's stingiest defense. Linebackers Jack Stafstrom, Eliades, Sisti and Taylor have paced a group that's allowed a state-best 5.25 points a game. Berlin has struggled to score at times, though. Brookfield managed to average 5.4 yards a carry against one of the state's fiercest defenses Newtown (a 21-14 loss on Oct. 24) when it wasn't at its healthiest. That bodes well against even a defense as rough as the Redcoats'.

POLECAT PICK: Brookfield.

CALPREPS.COM PICK: Brookfield 26-12.

• • • •

CLASS M-SMALL

No. 1 LEDYARD vs. No. 2 ST. JOSEPH

RECORDS: Ledyard 12-0; St. Joseph 10-2.

WHERE/WHEN: Willow Brook Park, New Britain, 2 p.m.

SEE/HEAR: CPTVSports; nhfsnetwork.com; WJJF (94.9-FM).

GAMETRACKER: HERE.

PLAYERMAKERS: Ledyard — Jr. QB Ty Ebdon (2,130 yards 30 TDs); Sr. RB-DB JoJo Shumaker (2,355 all purpose yards, 44 TDs); Sr. WR-DB River Thomas (30 catches, 1,015 all purpose yards, 14 TDs; 31 tackles, 4 INTs); Sr. WR-OLB Leo Clinton Jr. (4 TDs, 91 tackles); St. Joseph — Sr. RB-DB Mufasha Abdul-Basir (2,263 all purpose yards, 20 TDs); Sr. WR-DB Lars Pedersen (43 catches, 1,952 all purpose yards, 20 TDs; 38 tackles, 5 INTs); Jr. LB Cameron Ryan (111 tackles); Jr. DL Mike Jones (51 tackles, 6.5 sacks).

WORDS: One of the weekend's main events with folks expecting this to be a shootout. St. Joseph beat the Colonels when they last met, 84-49, in last year's Class M quarterfinals and the highest scoring game in state history. The two have changed a lot since then. The Cadets' passing game has struggled the majority of the season due to inconsistency at QB (sophomore Cory Babineau eventually won the gig). St. Joseph has relied heavily on Abdul-Basir's running with a lot of Pedersen thrown in. Ledyard has the advantage when it comes to a more diverse offense. It may run through Shumaker, but Ebdon throws well and has so many options to choose from. The game might come down to defense, but can either team stop the other? Wavered a bit with this pick after the Colonels stomped high-scoring Wolcott in last weekend's semis (54-7), but we must stick with our original pick. The Cadets' have a brawnier offensive line and can use that to control the clock and wear down Ledyard just enough for the win. 

POLECAT PICK: St. Joseph.

CALPREPS.COM PICK: Ledyard 35-34 (that few points, computer?)

• • • •

CLASS S-LARGE

No. 1 VALLEY REGIONAL/OLD LYME vs. No. 2 ANSONIA

RECORDS: VR/OL 12-0; Ansonia 11-1.

WHERE/WHEN: Willow Brook Park, New Britain, 10 a.m.

SEE/HEAR: CPTVSports; nfhsnetwork.com; WJJF (94.9-FM).

GAMETRACKER: HERE.

PLAYERMAKERS: Valley Regional/Old Lyme — Sr. QB-DB-P Chris Jean-Pierre (2,221 total yards 36 TDs; 75 tackles); Sr. RB-LB Justin Cheverier (1,256 all purpose yards, 11 TDs; 183 tackles, 6.5 sacks); Sr. OL-DL Tyler Cheverier (102 tackles, 12 sacks); Sr. OL-LB Tajhay Marshall (97 tackles); Ansonia — Sr. QB-DB Jai’Quan McKnight (1,597 total yards, 17 TDs); Jr. WR-LB Tyler Bailey (1,469 all purpose yards, 23 TDs); Jr. RB-DB Tajik Bagley (1,404 all purpose yards, 23 TDs); Sr. OL-LB Paul Makinano.

WORDS: There’s a few areas where Ansonia has an advantage. One is the trio of Bagley, Bailey and McKnight (Bailey, in particular, is sensational). That's a challenge for even as good a defense as the Warriors. A second is the running game. VR/OL as statistically run better than the Chargers (a 7.6 to 7.2 yards per carry edge). Its issue has been the offensive line struggling at times to get Cheverier running lanes (a season-ending leg injury to Jack Giaconia, a 6-foot-5, 314 pound All-Pequot mauler has hurt). It’s had to rely on the legs of Jean-Pierre, or run jet sweeps with Evan Smith and Andrew Tuscano. Lastly, the Chargers are used to the big games. Their coaching staff has been as good as anyone getting their team to play up to the moment over the last eight seasons.

CALPREPS.COM PICK: Ansonia 26-19.

POLECAT PICK: Ansonia.

• • • •

CLASS S-SMALL

No. 2 CAPITAL PREP/ACHIEVEMENT FIRST vs. No. 4 NORTH BRANFORD

RECORDS: CP/AF 11-1; North Branford 11-1.

WHERE/WHEN: Central Connecticut State, 10:30 a.m.

SEE/HEAR: nfhsnetwork.com.

GAMETRACKER: HERE.

PLAYERMAKERS: Capital Prep/Achievement First — Sr. MLB James Arcata (119 tackles); Sr. OT-DT Sidney Jones (77 tackles, 7 sacks); Jr. QB Rayshawn Phillips (3,121 total yards, 37 TDs); Jr. WR-DB Jakai Gill (47 catches, 1,267 all purpose yards, 15 TDs); North Branford — Sr. SE-S Austin Calamita (2,175 all purpose yards, 31 TDs; 62 tackles, 5 INTs); Sr. OL-DL Mike Kaiser (145 tackles, 7.5 sacks); Sr. LB Nick Sagnella (135 tackles, 8 sacks); Jr. QB-DB Paul Pastet (977 total yards, 15 TDs).

WORDS: All the credit in the world to the Thunderbirds after starting QB went down midway in the season. Pastet has done admirably taking over the job as he and the Purple and Black keep finding ways to win. The Trailblazers showed their mettle last week when they rallied from a 13-point second half deficit to beat Canton (28-21). Phillips has been very accurate (65.1 percent completion rate) and has a target in Gill who's had a ridiculous 22.6 yards per catch. North Branford has been tested more against good teams this season. Kaiser is terrific and leads a tough defensive front four that's given Sagnella room to terrorize opponents. 

CALPREPS.COM PICK: North Branford 35-17.

POLECAT PICK: North Branford.

• • • •

STORYTIME~!

POTPOURRI

Doug Bonjour, Hearst Inc.: Notebook; regional capsules; and, Guide to the games.

Bodacious Bryant Carpenter, Meriden Record-Journal: Championship capsules.

Kurmudgeonly Kountry Kyle Brennan, Waterbury Anarchist-American: CIAC happy with eight state champs — ‘this year’; Scheduling games not as easy as it appears; and, The beard has it covered.

Kurmudgeonly Kountry Kyle Brennan and Remmington, NVL Blog: Championship picks.

Tom Yantz, Hartford Courant: Notebook.

Some cat, TEAM DAY~!: Twins are peaking.

CLASS LL-GRANDE

Marc Allard, Norwich Bulletin: Southington will provide challenge for NFA.

Gentleman Jim Bransfield, Middletown Press: Xavier eyes fifth crown; Defense has been key to Xavier’s success; and, Class LL-Grande preview.

Pooch Diggity Dogg, GameTimeCT.com Monolith: Notebook.

Mike DiMauro, TEAM DAY~!: Having Johnson at QB has given NFA a rush.

Mark Jaffee, Waterbury Anarchist-American: Southington defense will have its hands full; and, Sky is the limit for Drury, Blue Knights.

Ken Lipshez, Meriden Record-Journal: Knights hope to darken NFA’s day again.

Cameron McDonough, CentralCommunications.com: Southington has come long way since Drury’s first season; and, Southington has tough task in stopping run against NFA.

Some cat, TEAM DAY~!: J’Von, Noah Brown help make NFA a dominant force up front.

CLASS LL-PEQUEÑO

Doug Bonjour, Hearst Inc: Fairfield Prep coach Tom Shea offers his thoughts on Shelton-Xavier title game.

Pooch Diggity Dogg, GameTimeCT.com Monolith: Class LL-Pequeño preview.

Sean Patrick Starfish, GameTimeCT.com Monolith: ‘Dynamic’ Shelton QB Piccirillo has Gaels a whisker away from state championship.

Tom Yantz, Hartford Courant: With Scherer Leading Way, Xavier Gets Second Crack At Shelton.

CLASS L-GRANDE

Bob Birge, Norwalk Hour: Rivals go at it one more time.

Pooch Diggity Dogg, GameTimeCT.com Monolith: Lupoli-to-Ragaini could lead Notre Dame to a title.

Scott Ericson, Hearst Inc.: Darien chasing New Canaan's excellence.

Anthony E. Parelli, Hearst Inc.: Consistency key for Darien and Graham.

CLASS L-PEQUEÑO

Derek Turner, GameTimeCT.com Monolith: Nolan solidified QB role for Windsor, leads it into title game.

CLASS M-GRANDE

Matthew Conyers, Hartford Courant: Tearing down the Berlin Wall — Redcoats in final.

Rich Gregory, Hearst Inc.: Bobcats have wealth of big-game experience heading into state championship game; and, Brookfield, Berlin mirror images.

Chris McLaughilin, CentralCommunications.com: Berlin looking for redemption, state title against Brookfield; Berlin, Brookfield similar programs on field; and, four keys for victory for Berlin.

Pooch Diggity Dogg, GameTimeCT.com Monolith: Class M-Grande preview.

CLASS M-PEQUEÑO

Marc Allard, Norwich Bulletin: Ledyard, St. Joseph get ready for Round 2; and, Ledyard coaching staff guide Colonels to state title game.

Some cat, TEAM DAY~!: Clinton is leader of Ledyard's hit parade.

CLASS S-GRANDE

Kurmudgeonly Kountry Kyle Brennan, Waterbury Anarchist-American: Polish import helps to make Chargers go.

Pooch Diggity Dogg, GameTimeCT.com Monolith: Tyler Bailey taking charge in Ansonia.

Mark Jaffee, Waterbury Anarchist-American: Valley poses real threat to Ansonia; and, Cafaro looking to match dad in titles.

Top Jimmy Zanor, GameTimeCT.com Monolith: Valley Regional/Old Lyme ready to make own history; and, It’s been ‘full circle’ for Valley Regional/Old Lyme coaches.

Some cat, TEAM DAY~!: Valley Regional/Old Lyme's Marshall will reach for the stars, for real.

CLASS S-PEQUEÑO

Jeff Jacobs, Hartford Courant: It’s different at Capital Prep — and that’s a good thing.

• • • •

Public service announcement — attention Ct Blue Devil, postseason stats DO count in high school football (as they do in college), thus Exum-Strong has rushed for over 2,000 yards.

The statistical guidelines for high school sports were derived from those used by the NCAA. To quote page 18 of its "Statistics Policies and Guidelines" manual:

"Postseason contests including conference and/or NCAA tournaments, or bowl games in football, shall be included in the official records and statistics for all sports."

This is high school sports, not the NFL or the NBA. It's why Ansonia's Arkeel Newsome broke the state single-season rushing record during the Chargers' 38-0 win over Ledyard in the 2011 CIAC Class M final. Or why NFA’s record is currently listed as 8-2, not 1-0. Or why Mike Emery has 195 career wins and not 189 — because his six playoff wins with Fitch count.

You’re also encouraged to use your real name instead of an anonymous handle. We’re all friends here. That and it’s pretty weak to take shots at others when you don't have the nerve to identify yourself.

• • • •

Thanks for reading. More soon.

Until then, enjoy the video below that will open WFSB-3's astounding Friday Night Football tonight and Saturday night at 11:15 p.m.

Vaya con dios.