FRIDAY'S GAMES

Plainfield at Montville, 6 p.m.

Records: Plainfield (7-1, 2-0 ECC Div. III); Montville (2-6, 0-2)

Outlook: It hasn't been the season coach Tanner Grove and the Indians envisioned. But there's this: They could help derail Plainfield's playoff aspirations with a win here. The Panthers are No. 5 in the Class S rankings (the top eight teams qualify). If they win their remaining games, they'd win ECC Div. III and likely play a quarterfinal playoff game at home.

East Lyme at Killingly, 6:30 p.m.

Records: East Lyme (5-3, 1-2 ECC Div. I); Killingly (7-1, 1-1)

Outlook: It's probably been a long week for the Red Hawks, who squandered an eight-point lead in the final 2:48 last week and lost on the last play of the game to NFA. The loss likely cost Killingly a division title. But the Red Hawks sit No. 4 in the Class M rankings and will qualify (and likely play host) to a playoff game with wins to close out the season. East Lyme's chances in Class L grew slimmer after last week's loss to Fitch.

New London at Fitch, 6:30 p.m.

Records: New London (4-3, 0-1 ECC Div. I); Fitch (4-4, 1-2)

Outlook: The former Thanksgiving Day game doesn't have playoff implications this season. But it does have two teams looking to finish strong. The Whalers are 4-1 since their 0-2 start. Fitch, meanwhile, rebounded from a last-second loss to NFA with an impressive win at East Lyme last week.

Ledyard at Stonington, 6:30 p.m.

Records: Ledyard (1-7, 0-3 ECC Div. II); Stonington (0-8, 0-3)

Outlook: Not the most appetizing game on the menu this week. But noteworthy nonetheless for this reason: Someone's going to win. And the implications of that could linger into the offseason, providing two programs in need of a jolt some encouragement.

Old Saybrook/Westbrook at Valley Regional/Old Lyme, 6:30 p.m.

Records: OSW (2-5, 2-2 Pequot Sassacus); Valley (2-5, 2-2)

Outlook: It's been a long time since Valley/Old Lyme played a mid-November game without playoff implications, let alone a 2-5 record. The Warriors have competed for division titles and playoff berths almost habitually. But two of their final three games are rivalry games (OSW and Haddam-Killingworth) and could certainly end the season happily, not to mention a .500 season.

SATURDAY'S GAMES

NFA at Bacon Academy, noon

Records: NFA (5-3); Bacon (6-2)

Outlook: Can the Wildcats put last week behind them quickly enough to focus on vastly improved Bacon Academy? We'll see. NFA won a wild one last week, rallying from eight points down in the last 2:48 to not only beat previously unbeaten Killingly, but move atop ECC Div. I by itself. NFA can win the division outright on Thanksgiving Eve against New London. The Wildcats still harbor slim Class LL playoff hopes as well.

Wilcox Tech at Thames River, 1 p.m.

Records: Wilcox Tech (1-6, 1-6 Conn. Tech. Conference); Thames River (6-1, 6-1)

Outlook: Exciting times at Thames River. The Crusaders occupy one of the eight Class M playoff spots in Class M — and would qualify with wins over Wilcox, Abbott Tech/Immaculate and Quinebaug Valley. They'd likely get to play a playoff game at home as well. It begins here by defeating a struggling program. The game will be streamed live on www.theday.com

Waterford at Woodstock, 1:30 p.m.

Records: Waterford (7-1, 3-0 ECC Div. II); Woodstock (6-2, 2-1)

Outlook: A win here for the Lancers and athletic director Chris Landry might have to petition the town to build another wall at the Francis X. Sweeney Fieldhouse. That's because the Lancers would hang another banner, this time the Div. II football title. Not bad for a program with three combined wins in the previous two seasons. Not only would Waterford win the division but stay in the middle of the Class M playoff race as well. The Lancers are currently second.