Danbury — Abbott Tech/Immaculate clinched a berth in the CIAC Class M football playoffs with a 52-16 victory over Three Rivers in a Connecticut Technical Conference football showdown on Saturday at Immaculate High School.

The loss was costly for the Crusaders (7-2, 7-2), a cooperative program of Norwich Tech, Grasso Tech and St. Bernard. Thames River dropped to 10th place in the Class M rankings (the top eight teams qualify) and must beat the Quinebaug Valley Pride on Wednesday at home and get some help to earn its first postseason bid.

ATI is 8-1, 8-1, and finishes its season on Thanksgiving Day against MCW United.

"It was tough day for us (Saturday)," Thames River coach Darin Jones said. "We faced a very good football team. Mistakes and penalties killed us. Pile on top of those a couple of fumbles and it does not go well.

"Now we can't dwell on this game. It is in the past. I am proud of my guys for staying in the fight, but now we have a few days to prepare for QVP."

Freshman Seth Cunningham had another solid game for the Crusaders, rushing for 83 yards and a touchdown. Dante Brown scored the other TD for Thames River by returning an interception for a score.