Wednesday's Games

Thames River at Quinebaug, 5 p.m.

Records: Thames River (5-4); Quinebaug Valley (5-4)

Last week: Thames River lost to Cheney Tech 22-0; Quinebaug was idle.

Outlook: Neither team is head to the playoffs, but aside from the traditional Thanksgiving fanfare, there's something else to play for: a winning season. The winner of this game will finish 6-4 and earn a winning season and the loser falls to .500. Moreover, the winner can finish as high as tied for third in the Connecticut Technical Conference.

NFA at New London, 6 p.m.

Records: NFA (5-4, 2-0 ECC Div. I); New London (5-4, 1-1)

Last week: NFA was idle; New London lost to Middletown 37-12

Outlook: True enough: both programs normally harbor state playoff hopes. But there's something on the line here: an Eastern Connecticut Conference Division I crown. The Wildcats can win it outright with a win, while the Whalers would share the title with NFA if they win. The Whalers rallied late to win a thriller last year. This is the 157th renewal of the nation's oldest high school football rivalry (dating back to 1875). NFA leads the series 77-68-11.

Ledyard at Fitch, 6 p.m.

Records: Ledyard (2-7); Fitch (6-3)

Last week: Both were idle

Outlook: This hasn't been the year that perhaps Fitch supporters envisioned, as a second straight trip to the playoffs won't happen. But there's this: A victory in this game completes a 7-win season and enables the Falcon to keep the Colonel Ledyard Sword for another year.

East Lyme at Waterford, 6 p.m.

Records: East Lyme (4-5); Waterford (3-6)

Last week: East Lyme defeated Branford 34-13; Waterford was idle

Outlook: Both teams are coming into this game with good vibes. The Vikings have won three of their last four, led by quarterback Chris Salemme, who can eclipse 1,500 passing yards in this game. Waterford thrashed Montville two weeks ago and may have the offense to match the Vikings score for score. Quarterback Ryan Bakken has 1,778 yards passing for the Lancers.

Windham at Montville, 6:30 p.m.

Records: Windham (6-3, 0-2 ECC Div. III); Montville (3-6, 0-2)

Last week: Both teams were idle

Outlook: The winner of this game can at least say it didn't go winless in the division. It's been a long road for the Indians, who started the season with a victory over Stonington. Their mission here is to stop Windham fullback Nate Barbosa-Torres, who became the school's all-time rushing leader earlier this fall and has rushed for more than 5,000 yards in his career.

Thursday's Game

Stonington at Westerly, 10 a.m.

Records: Stonington (1-8); Westerly (8-2)

Last week: Both were idle

Outlook: These are the last two teams standing on Thanksgiving Day after officials opted to move three Turkey Day rival games back to Wednesday. It's been a very successful season for the Bulldogs, who made the Rhode Island Div. II semifinals before losing earlier this month to Woonsocket. Will Westerly have anything left in the tank for this game – the oldest continual Thanksgiving Day game in the country? Can the Bears sneak up on them? Westerly is coached by Duane Maranda, who previously coached at New London, Bacon Academy and St. Bernard. This is the 159th meeting between the cross-state rivals and 107th consecutive meeting on Thanksgiving. Stonington leads the series 74-67-17.