The Lonesome Polecat (state variant): BRACKETLOGY~!, Fairfield Ludlowe is gonzo, records, polls, stats, and other jibber-jabber
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Howdy,
No one has qualified yet for the CIAC playoffs. Or unoffcially — nothing is official until the CIAC's football committee says it is the day after the end of the regular season.
The playoff spots should start (unofficially) filling up quickly this weekend, though.
Let's do this thing.
GROUND RULES
1. We’re going to be wrong about a bunch of these predictions and that's cool. Surprises are (usually) fun.
Honestly, we hope we're wrong more than right because we're all about the chaos.
2. Just because we didn’t pick your team to qualify doesn’t mean we hate you. Hell, WE DON’T EVEN KNOW YOU, MAN. Should you choose to believe us picking against you is the worst insult you’ve ever suffered, then, by all means, use it as motivation to win a state title. Should you win states, then you dang sure better give us an invitation and free meal at your year-end banquet for providing you with the motivation necessary to make all your dreams come true.
3. YOU should have this tattooed on the back of your hand by now — if you already have three losses, then the odds are very much against you making states.
Three-loss teams have rarely qualified since the CIAC expanded to four, eight-team divisions in 2010. Just 18 out of 192 playoff qualifiers had three losses (9.4 percent) during 10-game seasons.
Sure, there’s a chance a team could finish 7-3 this season and still make states. There’s also a chance you could tell the dealer to hit you while you're holding 17 and not go over, too.
4. TESSA THOMPSON bless the CIAC's Matt Fischer as he has summoned the ROBOABACUS up from the depths like Cthulu. It updates the playoff races in real time unlike, you know, fake time.
5. This is an exhibition, not a competition. Please, no wagering.
Remember, kids — the top eight teams in each division qualify, and bonus points are the 10 points a team receives for every win by an opponent it defeated.
CLASS LL
WIN-AND-IN
These three need one more win, and they're all playing winless teams this weekend. That couldn't have worked out better.
2. DARIEN (8-0)
GAMES REMAINING: Saturday vs. Bridgeport Central (0-8); Thanksgrabbing vs. New Canaan (6-2) at Boyle Stadium, Stamford.
3. SOUTHINGTON (8-0)
GAMES REMAINING: Friday vs. South Windsor (0-8); Thanksgrabbing vs. Cheshire (2-6).
4. NEWTOWN (8-0)
GAMES REMAINING: Friday at New Milford (0-8); Thanksgrabbing Eve vs. Masuk (4-4).
ALMOST THERE
This trio has a shot at qualifying this weekend with a win and the right number of bonuses.
1. SHELTON (7-0)
GAMES REMAINING: Friday at Notre Dame-West Haven (5-3); Friday, Nov. 15, vs. West Haven (4-3); Thanksgrabbing vs. Derby (3-5).
5. GREENWICH (7-0)
GAMES REMAINING: Friday at Danbury (4-4); Nov. 15 vs. Xavier (2-6); Thanksgrabbing vs. Staples (6-2).
7. NEW BRITAIN (7-1)
GAMES REMAINING: Friday vs. Enfield (3-5); Friday, Nov. 16 at Berlin (8-0).
SAFE BET
9. EAST HARTFORD (6-2)
GAMES REMAINING: Friday vs. Newington (3-5); Thanksgrabbing Eve vs. Manchester (3-5).
OUTLOOK: It's in if it wins out.
REPLY HAZY, TRY AGAIN
6. FAIRFIELD PREP (7-1)
GAMES REMAINING: Friday vs. North Haven (7-1); Thanksgrabbing Eve at West Haven (4-3).
OUTLOOK: Neither game is a cinch. The Jesuits will be close to qualifying with a win Friday.
8. STAPLES (6-2)
GAMES REMAINING: Friday vs. Stamford (2-6); Thanksgrabbing at Greenwich (7-0).
OUTLOOK: It plays at Greenwich. That's not good.
10. NEW CANAAN (6-2)
GAMES REMAINING: Friday at Fairfield Ludlowe (6-2); Thanksgrabbing vs. Darien (8-0) at Boyle Stadium, Stamford.
OUTLOOK: It plays Darien. That's not good.
11. FAIRFIELD LUDLOWE (6-2)
GAMES REMAINING: Friday vs. New Canaan (6-2); Thanksgrabbing at Fairfield Warde (4-4).
OUTLOOK: Trumbull (4-4) throttled the Falcons in Week 2 (47-6), so we don't like their odds against New Canaan.
12. NFA (5-3)
GAMES REMAINING: Friday at Killingly (7-1); Thanksgrabbing at New London (4-3).
OUTLOOK: A Prep win Friday night will all but ruin the Wildcats.
13. GLASTONBURY (5-3); 14. WEST HAVEN (4-3); 15. TRUMBULL (4-4); 16. RIDGEFIELD (4-4); 17. FAIRFIELD WARDE (4-4); 18. AMITY (4-4); and, 19. DANBURY (4-4).
THE EIGHT: No. 1 Shelton (10-0) vs. No. 8 East Hartford (8-2); No. 2 Darien (10-0) vs. No. 7 New Britain (9-1); No. 3 Southington (10-0) vs. No. 6 Fairfield Prep (9-1); No. 4 Newtown (10-0) vs. No. 5 Greenwich (10-0).
••••
CLASS L
WIN-AND-IN
The Hounds and Tigers should qualify this weekend.
1. NAUGATUCK (8-0)
GAMES REMAINING: Friday vs. Holy Cross (6-2); Thanksgrabbing at Ansonia (8-0).
2. HAND (8-0)
GAMES REMAINING: Friday vs. Wilbur Cross (3-5); Thanksgrabbing Eve vs. Guilford (4-3).
WITHOUT A DOUBT
3. MIDDLETOWN (7-0)
GAMES REMAINING: Friday at Platt (6-2); Thursday, Nov. 15 vs. New London (4-3); Thanksgrabbing Eve vs. Windsor (6-2).
OUTLOOK: Will qualify this weekend with a win over Platt and a Notre Dame of West Haven loss to Shelton.
4. NORTH HAVEN (7-1)
GAMES REMAINING: Friday at Fairfield Prep (7-1); Thanksgrabbing vs. Amity (4-4).
OUTLOOK: Will clinch this weekend with a win over Prep and losses by ND and Platt. It can outpoint ND with bonuses if the latter wins, too. If it loses to Prep, well, then, beat Amity and everything else should fall into place.
5. MALONEY (7-1)
GAMES REMAINING: Friday at Conard (3-5); Thanksgrabbing vs. Platt (6-2).
OUTLOOK: Clinches with a win over Conard and losses by ND and Platt.
6. RHAM (7-1)
GAMES REMAINING: Saturday vs. Bloomfield (7-1); Thanksgrabbing Eve vs. Bacon Academy (2-6).
OUTLOOK: A win over Bloomfield and, yes, losses by ND and Platt will do it. Not so sure it can beat Bloomfield, but a win over Bacon will probably be enough given the obstacles all the teams below it face.
8. BUNNELL (7-1)
GAMES REMAINING: Friday at Pomperaug (5-3); Thanksgrabbing Eve vs. Stratford (1-7).
OUTLOOK: The Bulldogs are dealing with injuries at quarterback. They might be able to get by on speed alone.
DEFINITELY MAYBE
7. WINDSOR (6-2)
GAMES REMAINING: Friday vs. Hall (2-6); Thanksgrabbing Eve at Middletown (7-0).
OUTLOOK: The Warriors might be able to withstand a third loss as they've accumulated a lot of points beating good teams. It has 10 more points than Bunnell despite having one more loss, and it has 80 more than Platt despite having the same record.
9. PLATT (6-2)
GAMES REMAINING: Friday vs. Middletown (7-0); Thanksgrabbing at Maloney (7-1).
OUTLOOK: The Panthers' 21-20 loss to Bristol Central last Friday is a killer given who they still have left.
11. BRISTOL CENTRAL (5-3)
GAMES REMAINING: Saturday at East Catholic (3-5); Thankgrabbing vs. Bristol Eastern (0-8).
OUTLOOK: It has too much ground to make up.
12. WETHERSFIELD (5-3)
GAMES REMAINING: Friday vs. Northwest Catholic (3-5); Nov. 21 at Newington (3-5).
OUTLOOK: Same.
15. FITCH (5-3)
GAMES REMAINING: Friday vs. East Lyme (3-4); Thanksgrabbing vs. Ledyard (2-6).
OUTLOOK: Ditto.
10. NOTRE DAME-WEST HAVEN (5-3); 13. POMPERAUG (5-3); 14. NEW LONDON (4-3); 16. GUILFORD (4-3); 19. MASUK (4-4); and, 21. EAST LYME (3-4).
ND plays Shelton this week, while Pomperaug must deal with Bunnell. New London's last two games are at Middletown and at home against NFA. Guilford plays at Hand on Thanksgrabbing Eve. And if you've lost four games already, forget it.
THE EIGHT: No. 1 Middletown (10-0) vs. No. 8 Windsor (7-3); No. 2 Hand (10-0) vs. No. 7 RHAM (8-2); No. 3 Naugatuck (9-1) vs. No. 6 North Haven (8-2); No. 4 Bunnell (9-1) vs. No. 5 Maloney (9-1).
• • • •
CLASS M ("M" as in "murky)
WIN-AND-IN
Make room for these two after this weekend.
1. BERLIN (8-0)
GAMES REMAINING: Friday vs. Rocky Hill (2-6); Friday, Nov. 16 vs. New Britain (7-1).
2. ST. JOSEPH (7-1)
GAMES REMAINING: Saturday vs. McMahon (2-6); Thanksgrabbing at Trumbull (4-4).
SIGNS TO POINT TO ‘YES’
3. SHEEHAN (6-1)
GAMES REMAINING: Friday vs. Branford (5-2); Friday, Nov. 16 vs. East Haven (7-1); Thanksgrabbing at Lyman Hall (5-2).
OUTLOOK: Branford and Lyman haven't beaten anyone of Sheehan's caliber, and East Haven will be missing a key starter (more on that later).
REPLY HAZY, TRY AGAIN
4. KILLINGLY (7-1)
GAMES REMAINING: Friday vs. Norwich Free Academy (5-3); Friday, Nov. 16 at Capital/Achievement (1-6).
OUTLOOK: The defending champs will probably be safe if they lose to NFA and beat Cap/Ac because there are so many teams behind them with two-or-more losses (and fixing to lose more). Better to win both, though. A win over NFA will almost get the Redmen through the metaphorical playoff door, of course.
5. EAST HAVEN (7-1)
GAMES REMAINING: Friday at Sheehan (6-1); Thanksgrabbing vs. Branford (5-2).
OUTLOOK: Similar to Killingly's. Just swap “NFA” with “Sheehan” and “Cap/Ac” with “Branford.”
8. CHENEY TECH (6-2)
GAMES REMAINING: Friday vs. Vinal Tech/Goodwin Tech/Whitney Tech (2-5); Friday, Nov. 16 vs. Thames River (4-3).
OUTLOOK: The Beavers are in decent shape even after last Friday's face-grinding loss (more on that later) to Bullard-Havens because they have two winnable games, and the rest of the field has so many issues.
9. BROOKFIELD (6-2)
GAMES REMAINING: Friday vs. Weston (6-2); Thanksgrabbing vs. Bethel (1-7).
OUTLOOK: All but home free with a win this Friday.
RUH-ROH
6. WOLCOTT (6-2)
GAMES REMAINING: Friday vs. Sacred Heart/Kaynor Tech (1-7); Thanksgrabbing at Holy Cross (6-2).
OUTLOOK: The Eagles have put themselves in a bad spot after trashing the St. Paul locker room following their Oct. 26 win. Anthony Glasper, Wolcott's Superintendent of Schools, is upset about it and has given the players who caused the damage a 2 p.m. deadline Wednesday to either fess up or forfeit Friday's game. Any player who admits to doing damage will have to sit out Friday's game. This sure muddies up the Class M waters.
OUR SOURCES SAY ‘NO’
7. BRANFORD (5-2)
GAMES REMAINING: Friday at Sheehan (6-1); Nov. 15, vs. East Lyme (3-4); Thanksgrabbing, at East Haven (7-1).
OUTLOOK: That's not a fun closing stretch there.
10. ABBOTT TECH/IMMACULATE (5-2)
GAMES REMAINING: Saturday at Thames River (4-3); Nov. 17 vs. O’Brien Tech (6-1); Thanksgrabbing vs. MCW United (0-7).
OUTLOOK: The Condors come to town next weekend.
11. WESTON (5-2)
GAMES REMAINING: Friday at Brookfield (6-2); Thanksgrabbing at Barlow (4-3).
OUTLOOK: New Fairfield squished Weston on Nov. 26 (31-0). Brookfield struggled with those same Rebels, but still got by with a 10-7 win (Oct. 19).
13. LYMAN HALL (5-2)
GAMES REMAINING: Friday vs. Law (5-3); Thursday, Nov. 15, at Guilford (4-3); Thanksgrabbing, Sheehan (6-1).
OUTLOOK: The Trojans' closing schedule is slightly friendlier than Branford's, but not by much.
VERY DOUBTFUL
12. ROCKVILLE (5-3); 14. LAW (5-3); 15. THAMES RIVER (4-3); 16. BARLOW (4-3).
17. GILBERT/NORTHWESTERN REGIONAL (4-4); 18. NEW FAIRFIELD (4-4); 19 SMSA/UNIVERSITY/CLASSICAL (4-4); and, 20. WINDSOR LOCKS/SUFFIELD/EAST GRANBY (3-4).
THE EIGHT: No. 1 St. Joseph (9-1) vs. No. 8 Killingly (8-2); No. 2 Sheehan (9-1) vs. No. 7 Wolcott (7-3); No. 3. Berlin (9-1) vs. No. 6 East Haven (8-2); No. 4 Cheney Tech (8-2) vs. No. 5 Brookfield (8-2).
• • • •
CLASS S
WIN-AND-IN
And that win should come Thursday for the Chargers.
2. ANSONIA (8-0)
GAMES REMAINING: Thursday vs. Seymour (6-2); Thanksgrabbing vs. Naugatuck (8-0).
WITHOUT A DOUBT
1. BULLARD-HAVENS (8-0)
GAMES REMAINING: Saturday vs. O'Brien Tech (6-1); Nov. 17 at Prince Tech (3-5).
OUTLOOK: One more win will do it, whether that happens this week or next.
3. STAFFORD/EAST WINDSOR/SOMERS (8-0)
GAMES REMAINING: Friday at North Branford (2-6); Thanksgrabbing Eve vs. Windsor Locks/Suffield/East Granby (3-4).
OUTLOOK: That's a kind schedule.
4. CROMWELL/PORTLAND (7-1)
GAMES REMAINING: Saturday at Woodstock Academy (1-7); Thanksgrabbing Eve vs. Rocky Hill (2-6).
OUTLOOK: That's an even kinder schedule.
5. WOODLAND (7-1)
GAMES REMAINING: Friday at Oxford (4-4); Thanksgrabbing Eve vs. Seymour (6-2).
OUTLOOK: Not the kindest schedule, but we trust the Hawks, especially after they took an early 14-point lead over Ansonia in last Friday's 36-20 loss.
8. BLOOMFIELD (7-1)
GAMES REMAINING: Saturday at RHAM (7-1); Friday, Nov. 20 at Glastonbury (5-3).
OUTLOOK: The Warhawks should be screaming for vengeance this weekend after being embarassed at home by Berlin last Friday (37-0). They should win their final two games, and they have the best talent in this division.
REPLY HAZY, TRY AGAIN
6. O'BRIEN TECH (6-1)
GAMES REMAINING: Saturday at Bullard-Havens (8-0); Saturday, Nov. 17 at Abbott Tech/Immaculate (5-2); Thanksgrabbing at Platt Tech (1-6).
OUTLOOK: The Condors' game Saturday has obvious repercussions on this division.
7. VALLEY REGIONAL/OLD LYME (6-1)
GAMES REMAINING: Friday vs. Lewis Mills (0-8); Tuesday, Nov. 20 vs. Haddam-Killingworth (7-1).
OUTLOOK: That H-K game should be fun.
9. HADDAM-KILLINGWORTH (7-1)
GAMES REMAINING: Saturday at Old Saybrook/Westbrook (4-3); Tuesday, Nov. 20 at Valley Regional/Old Lyme (6-1).
OUTLOOK: Win out, Cougars. You need to win out.
10. PLAINFIELD (7-1)
GAMES REMAINING: Nov. 9 at Windham (5-2); Thanksgrabbing vs. Griswold (5-3).
OUTLOOK: Same.
OUR SOURCES SAY ‘NO’
8. SEYMOUR (6-2)
GAMES REMAINING: Thursday at Ansonia (8-0); Thanksgrabbing Eve at Woodland (7-1).
OUTLOOK: QB Ian Sadick was knocked out late in last Thursday's 28-26 loss to Naugatuck and was wearning a sling afterwards. That's not good, and even if he's fine, no one in the division has a tougher finish.
12. HOLY CROSS (6-2)
GAMES REMAINING: Friday at Naugatuck (8-0); Thanksgrabbing vs. Wolcott (6-2).
OUTLOOK: The Crusaders' finish is close to being as bad as Seymour's.
14. WINDHAM (5-2)
GAMES REMAINING: Friday vs. Plainfield (7-1); Friday, Nov. 6 vs. Amistad (0-7); Thanksgrabbing Eve at Montville (3-5).
OUTLOOK: The Whippets can win out and still miss out because playing so many losing teams has given them so few points and put them so far behind the rest of the field.
13. GRANBY (5-3); 15. PLAINVILLE (5-3); 16. GRISWOLD (5-3); and, 17. OLD SAYBROOK/WESTBROOK (4-3).
THE EIGHT: No. 1. Ansonia (10-0) vs. No. 8 O'Brien Tech (8-2); No. 2. Bullard-Havens (10-0) vs. No. 7 Valley Regional/Old Lyme (8-1); No. 3. Stafford/East Windsor/Somers (10-0) vs. No. 6 Cromwell/Portland (9-1); No. 4 Bloomfield (9-1) vs. No. 5 Woodland (9-1).
• • • •
Fairfield Ludlowe has enjoyed one of the state's best turnarounds this year.
The Falcons have been arguably the state's most gonzo team, too.
Ludlowe had nearly 600 yards offense last Thursday and still needed a game-ending interception in its end zone to edge Danbury, 44-39.
Colin Wilson completed 28 of 44 passes for FIVE HUNDRED AND THIRTY NINE YARDS with five touchdowns for the Falcons (6-2). That would be the fifth-most passing yards in a game according to the Connecticut High School Football Record Book.
Ludlowe had two 200-yard receivers. Brian Howell had 10 catches for 211 yards and three touchdowns, eight tackles, and threw an 18-yard pass to Wilson. Aiden Wykoff had 10 cathces for 221 yards and two scores.
James Bourque had 15 tackles for the Falcons.
Jack Pompea ran 26 times for 243 yards and two touchdowns for the Hatters, who ran 45 times for 371 yards and four touchdowns.
Danbury had a chance to win when it forced a turnover on downs with 1 minute, 2 seconds left. It got the ball to the Ludlowe 47, and Malachi Hopkins let a Hail Mary fly with 12 seconds left.
Howell intercepted the pass in the Falcons' end zone and ran it out as time expired.
Such wackiness has been the norm for Ludlowe this season. For starters, its has won twice the number of games it won the previous three years (3-26).
The Falcons have won thrillers over Westhill (29-21, Sept. 7), Norwalk (43-42, Sept. 22), and McMahon (28-27 OT, Sept. 28).
Warde, despite its record, has still allowed more points than they've scored (272 to 266). It's been routed by Trumbull (47-6, Sept. 14), and Greenwich (56-7, Oct. 25).
• • • •
Many, many notable results and other mirth and glee from this past weekend:
No. 4 St. Joseph 17, Staples 14
Jaden Shirden ran 27 times for 172 yards and a touchdown as the Cadets outlasted the WRECKERS last Friday.
Cole DaSilva had 12 tackles and two sacks and Jesse Lawson had 13 tackles for St. Joseph.
Jack Thaw ran 20 times for 103 yards and completed 7 of 20 passes for 89 yards with a touchdown and interception for Staples.
No. 6 Newtown 21, Brookfield 0
The Nighthawks’ offense took a while to put up points as they had just seven points through three quarters. The defense took matters into its hands as it forced three turnovers and allowed 58 yards and two first downs. Dan Mason ran 29 times for 141 yards and two touchdowns for the Nighthawks and Easton Ricks had six tackles and a sack.
Ansonia quickly fell behind Woodland by 14 points last Friday before firing back with five successive touchdowns in a matchup between unbeaten NVL teams. Shykeem Harmon ran for 181 yards and two touchdowns for Ansonia and Sheldon Schuler threw touchdown passes to Garrett Cafaro (11 yards) and Jaylen Johnson (23 yards) and scored on a 1-yard run. Tyler Bulinski completed 12-of-20 passes for 215 yards with two touchdowns and an interception for the Hawks.
Bloomfield had scored the sixth-most points in the state (316), allowed just 19 points, and was ranked ninth headed into last week’s home game.
The Redcoats trashed all of that as it scored 28 first-half points en route to a rout.
Berlin ran 33 times for 307 yards and three touchdowns.
Alex Halkias ran 14 times for 150 yards and two touchdowns, Kevin Dunn completed 7 of 17 passes for 128 yards and a score and ran three times for 41 yards, and Larry St. Pierre ran eight times for 47 yards, had two catches for 50 yards, scored on a 13-yard interception return, and had a sack.
Zach Hrubiec had nine tackles, a sack, and caught a 22-yard touchdown pass.
Tony Undercuffer had two of Berlin's four interceptions. His first was in his team's end zone, and, three players later, Marco Scarano ran for a 46-yard touchdown.
Ky'juon Butler ran 17 times for 110 yards for Bloomfield and Kyle Barrow had 14 tackles (eight solo).
We'll be talking about this game on the Lonesome Podcat, whenever we get a moment to tape the dang thing.
Zack Koslosky kicked four extra points, forced a late fumble to set up the go-ahead touchdown, and batted down two passes in the end zone in the final minute as the Greyhounds survived a rare challenge.
Naugy had won its previous six games by a combined score of 316-19.
The Wildcats led, 26-21, and forced a turnover to get the ball back at their own 29 with over eight minutes left in the game.
Two plays later, Koslosky stripped the ball from Seymour's Ian Sadick after he had run 12 yards for a first down. The Greyhounds' Mike Amankwah recovered the ball at the Wildcats' 42 with 8:02 remaining.
Jay Mezzo threw a 26-yard pass to Elijah Robinson on first down.
Naugy faced a third-and-18 from the Seymour 24 when Mezzo hooked up with Robinson again for a go-ahead 24-yard touchdown with 6:16 left.
Robinson also scored on a 75-yard kickoff return in the second quarter.
Sadick was knocked out of the game on Seymour's final drive. Tyler Ganim kept it alive by making a leaping 29-yard catch from sophomore Kevin Harmeling on fourth-and-17 down to the Naugy 27. Tom Hardiman followed by taking a short pass from Harmeling 15 yards to the Greyhounds' 12.
Harmeling spiked the ball on first down as Seymour was out of timeouts, but Naugy held on.
Ganim and Sadick both ran for two touchdowns for Seymour. The Wildcats had considerably more yardage than Naugy (they ran 57 times for 224 yards), but made one too many mistakes.
New Britain 63, East Hartford 26
All of us at Polecat Worldwide thought that voters in both The Day coaches’ and GameTimeCT/New Haven Register media polls were underrating the Hurricanes. Yeah, they’d lost a game. To Southington. And led with 36 seconds left when the Blue Knights scored the go-ahead touchdown to win 27-24. There’s no such thing as a good loss, but New Britain still hung with a Top 10 team. Not saying that we’re right, but we’ll have more faith in a team that’s lost one-or-two close games to top competition (especially larger schools and St. Joseph) than, say, unbeaten teams that are feasting on cupcakes.
Anyhoo, New Britain trucked East Hartford by running for 450 yards and eight touchdowns (swoon). Angry-running Shawn Robinson rushed for 265 yards and three touchdowns, while QB Tahje Yopp ran for 177 yards and four scores and threw a 57-yard touchdown pass to Tarik Hetmyer.
(Note that Southington beat East Hartford the previous week, 42-27, when the latter was ranked seventh in the coaches’ poll).
Raquan Thompkins ran for 171 yards and three touchdowns and threw for 105 yards for the Hornets.
Valley Regional/Old Lyme 33, Rockville 28
Valley/Old Lyme trailed by a point, there were 59.4 seconds left, it was facing a fourth-and-22, starting quarterback Ryan Santos had been knocked out of the game in the first quarter after reinjuring his ankle, and sophomore quarterback Jack Cox was scrambling and about to be hit by behind.
Cox just got off the pass, and Jae'len Arnum made a leaping catch at the Rockville 1-yard line for a 25-yard gain. Arnum followed by taking the direct snap and running for the go-ahead score with 30 seconds left.
The Rams had gone ahead when Monty Thomas ran for a 3-yard touchdown and Jake Poutre made the extra point with 2:24 remaining.
Jason O'Brien had nine catches for 123 yards and three touchdowns for the WARRIORCATS and Arnum had five catches for 115 yards. Cox also completed 12 of 21 passes for 208 yards with two touchdowns and an interception.
Kejuan Greene ran five times for 50 yards and a touchdown and had two catches for 68 yards and a score for Rockville.
Mike Plaskon ran 21 times for 263 yards and four touchdowns and had two catches for 68 yards and a score as the Lawmen and Guilford showed their disdain for one another's defense.
Zach Smith completd 9 of 17 passes for 224 yards and two touchdowns for Law (5-3), while Ethan Saley had eight catches for 166 yards and a score.
Charles Wolcott had 23 carries for 155 yards and a touchdown for the Indians (4-3) and Charles Schioppo ran 12 times for 53 yards and two scores.
Bullard-Havens 32, Cheney Tech 26
You may have heard about this one already, but B-H won a thriller last Friday on the final play — Isaiah York’s 55-yard interception return for a touchdown.
Ouch.
York’s interception happened just after the Beavers’ Macken Laroche intercepted a pass at the Cheney 37-yard line with 8.5 seconds remaining.
Marcus Jones scored on runs of 12 and 29 yards for B-H. Jaedon Jones ran 26 times for 190 yards and three touchdowns for Cheney.
The Bulldogs went into last Saturday's game without their first and second string quarterbacks (Brian Carrafiello and Jovan Eggleston), who were both injured during a 48-6 mauling by Newtown on Oct. 26.
Bunnell was penalized an unconscionable 20 times for 184 yards against Bethel.
The Bulldogs still won because LUDICROUS SPEED.
Bunnell ran 26 times for 304 yards and four touchdowns.
Christ N'Dabian ran 18 times for 167 yards and two touchdowns for the Bulldogs and Josh Lisi scored on a 37-yard run and 70-yard interception return.
James Savko scored on a 61-yard interception return, Tyreek Smith ran for a 60-yard touchdown, and Dylan Vancho, who was called up from JV, threw a 60-yard touchdown to Eli Alexandre for Bunnell.
East Haven 11, Coginchaug/East Hampton/Hale-Ray 8
Ain't no way anyone had 11 and 8 for their squares on this game.
The Yellowjackets won on a blustry day despite their offense having under 100 yards and no touchdowns.
East Haven's Evan Damian's banged a 72-yard punt to the Blue Devils in the first quarter. Moments later, Ryan Cordova tackled Justin Czermicha in the end zone for a safety and a 2-0 lead.
Michael Manning Jr. scored on a 56-yard punt return to push East Haven's lead to 9-0 in the second quarter.
The Yellowjackets added another safety in the fourth quarter.
East Haven did suffer a blow late in the game when Cardova was ejected. He'll be suspended from the Yellowjackets' next game, which just happens to be against fellow Class M hopeful Sheehan on Nov. 16.
Notre Dame-West Haven 39, Wilbur Cross 20
We've saved the best for last.
Forget that the Green Knights won by 19 — this was a game straight from our happiest dreams.
ND ran SIXTY TIMES for 466 yards and six touchdowns.
The Governors ran FIFTY TWO TIMES for 340 yards and three touchdowns.
Mm-mmmm — 112 runs for EIGHT HUNDRED AND SIX YARDS and nine touchdowns (drools all over self).
Bailey Murphy ran 33 times for 236 yards and a touchdown for the Green Knights. Zack Hochman added 15 carries for 166 yards and three scores.
Jasiah Barnes had 30 carries for 267 yards and two touchdowns for Wilbur Cross.
• • • •
BEHOLD, The Day of New London Top 10 state coaches' poll: 1. Darien (eight first-place votes); 2. Greenwich (four first-place votes); 3. Hand; 4. St. Joseph; 5. Shelton; 6. Newtown; 7. Southington; 8. Ansonia; 9. Berlin; and, 10. New Britain.
• • • •
The GameTimeCT.com/New Haven Register/Hearst Inc. Monolith Top 10 media poll: 1. Darien (13 first-place votes, 828 points); 2. Greenwich (12 first-place votes, 826 points — it’s getting clo-ooooser); 3. Hand (four first-place votes); 4. Shelton; 5. St. Joseph; 6. Southington; 7. Newtown; 8. Berlin; 9. Naugatuck; and, 10. Ansonia.
Naugatuck was 14th in the coaches’ poll. New Britain was 11th in the media poll.
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Ned Freeman’s cold, calculating computer rankings for CalPreps: 1. Greenwich; 2. Darien; 3. St. Joseph; 4. Newtown; 5. Hand; 6. Shelton; 7. Fairfield Prep; 8. Southington; 9. North Haven; and, 10. Staples.
New Britain was 12th, Berlin 15th, Ansonia 20th and Naugatuck 26th.
Should you care, the computer would seed the playoffs as follows:
CLASS LL
No. 1 Greenwich vs. No. 8 New Canaan
No. 2 Darien vs. No. 7 Staples
No. 3 Newtown vs. No. 6 Southington
No. 4 Shelton vs. No. 5 Fairfield Prep
CLASS L
No. 1 Hand vs. No. 8 Naugatuck
No. 2 North Haven vs. No. 7 Wilton
No. 3 Middletown vs. No. 6 Windsor
No. 4 Maloney vs. No. 5 Bunnell
CLASS M
No. 1 St. Joseph vs. No. 8 Weston
No. 2 Sheehan vs. No. 7 Killingly
No. 3 Berlin vs. No. 6 Law
No. 4 Brookfield vs. No. 5 New Fairfield (4-4 — the Rebels have played a tough sked)
CLASS S
No. 1 Ansonia vs. No. 8 Haddam-Killingworth
No. 2 Cromwell/Portland vs. No. 7 Valley Regional/Old Lyme
No. 3 Stafford/Somers/East Windsor vs. No. 6 Seymour
No. 4 Bloomfield vs. No. 5 Woodland
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Dig the ballot Polecat HQ filed for the GameTimeCT.com/New Haven Register/Hearst Inc. Monolith media poll:
1. Greenwich
2. Darien
3. Hand
4. St. Joseph
5. Shelton
6. Southington
7. Newtown
8. New Britain
9. New Canaan
10. Staples: There might be one team in the state that wouldn’t lose to both Darien and St. Joseph this season. Wreckers held Darien to three first-half points in their 24-0 loss (Oct. 6), in addition to losing by three to this season’s M favorite (the Cadets were moved up this season after winning Class S last season). Having seen St. Joes live twice, if you can hang with it, then you're pretty frakking good.
11. Fairfield Prep: Another team we opine deserves a better ranking in both polls. Held Shelton’s prolific offense scoreless on Sept. 21 and lost on a punt return, 10-7. That impresses us more than unbeaten teams pasting overmatched teams.
12. Berlin: Knew the Redcoats were pretty good having returned arguably the second-best team in Class M last season (they had the misfortune or running into Killingly in the semis instead of the finals). Also believed they’d beat Bloomfield because almost the same team beat the latter by nine last season. Yet we still managed to underrate Berlin. It’s time to correct that error.
13. North Haven
14. Middletown
15. Sheehan
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NOTABLES~!
The most notable stat from Darien's 34-13 win over Wilton last Friday — that Wilton became the first team to score twice against the Blue Wave. Will Kirby ran 19 times for 87 yards and two touchdowns and kicked four extra points, Andrew Lucas had 16 carries for 105 yards and two scores, and Connor Fay had 10 tackles.
Mozi Bici had a state-record EIGHT of his team's THIRTEEN sacks and returned a blocked punt for a 10-yard touchdown as Greenwich smothered Ridgefield last Friday, 33-3. Bici topped the record shared by Zaire Ragin of Westhill and Hillhouse’s Prince Boyd. Jr., who both had 6.5 last season, according to the Connecticut High School Football Record Book. Spencer Hartley, filling in for an injured Tysen Comizio (broken hand), had 27 carries for 128 yards and a touchdown. The Cardinals ran 49 times overall for 255 yards and three touchdowns. We approve of this run-heavy incarnation of Greenwich.
Colin McCabe ran 13 times for 162 yards and three touchdowns as Hand masticated Cheshire last Friday, 49-14. Phoenix Billings completed 7 of 12 passes for 101 yards and a touchdown and scored on a 17 yard run for the Tigers, whose varsity defense has allowed just one touchdowns this season. ... Jake Roberts (not that Jake Roberts) completed 15-of-21 passes for 217 yards and two touchdowns and ran 12 times for 68 yards and a score as Shelton rolled Amity last Thursday, 46-7. Jack Carr had 10 carries for 76 yards and two touchdowns for the Gaels. ... Southington thumped Enfield last Thursday, 54-19, as Jacob Drena completed 17 of 22 passes for 290 yards and four touchdowns. Will Downes had four catches for 137 yards and a touchdown, Tanner LaRosa ran 14 times for 120 yards, and Billy Carr, Kyle Messenger and Angelo Plantamuro all had eight tackles.
TWELVE North Havenians combined on 31 carries for 363 yards and six touchdowns as they trampled Foran last Friday, 50-15. GOD’S FATHER’S OFFENSE. Devan Brockamer ran three times for 133 yards and two touchdowns (WHAT), Albert Hooks had four carries for 60 yards and a score, and Nick Dodge ran four times for 25 yards and a score for the Indians. They also attempted only two passes. APPROVED. ... J.P. Iaropoli completed 6 of 11 passes for 149 yards with three touchdowns as Fairfield Prep beat Harding last Friday, 49-6. Finn Duran caught two passes for 52 yards and two touchdowns for the Jesuits and T.J. Walton ran eight times for 118 yards and a score.
Drew Pyne became New Canaan's all-time passing leader in the team's 34-0 shutout of Norwalk last Friday. Pyne completed 17 of 26 passes for 205 yards and two touchdowns. The three-year starter and Notre Dame commit has thrown for 6,444 yards. Quintin O'Connell caught five passes for 48 yards and a touchdown and scored on a 44-yard punt return and Nicholas Radman kicked field goals of 34 and 33 yards. Rad, man.
Elliott Good completed 17 of 26 passes for 215 yards and two touchdowns as Maloney mulched Newington last Thursday, 42-20. Victor Marquez had nine catches for 106 yards, kicked two extra points and threw for a conversion for the Spartans and James Tarver needed just four carries to run for 87 yards and two scores and ran for a conversion. ... Sheehan's Weston Terzi needed to complete just 5 of 11 passes to accumulate 130 yards and four touchdowns in last Saturday's 47-12 rout of Bassick. Aaron Simmons had three catches for 77 yards and three touchdowns for the Titans and Terrence Bogan ran six times for 138 yards and two scores.
Jacob Commander is a dude. The New London senior ran for 231 yards and two touchdowns and threw a 62-yard touchdown pass to Zehki Burgis in last Thursday’s 25-10 win over Ledyard. Commander has been a running back, but has been forced to play quarterback after Owen George was injured in an Oct. 12 home loss to Hillhouse (26-7). Commander is also YOUR defending Class M 195-pound rasslin’ champion and, as such, can beat you with the figure four.
Marcus Velez scored on a 10-yard touchdown catch, an 81-yard kickoff return, and a 64-yard punt return to pace Montville past CREC last Friday, 53-22. Ryan Douchette also threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Emmanual Mayfield and a 5-yard pass to Nehemiah Owens, and scored on an 18-yard run. Mayfield added a 5-yard touchdown run and made 5 of 8 extra points.
Killingly revved up its running game last Friday against Trinity Catholic with its big home game this Friday against Norwich Free Academy. Killingly ran SIXTY TWO TIMES for 362 yards and four touchdowns to power past the Crusaders, 34-14. Jackson Lopes ran 26 times for 143 yards and a touchdown, Derek Turner had 18 carries for 145 yards and a score, Luke Desaulnier ran 11 times for 48 yards and two touchdowns for Killingly. Matt Phelan added 15 tackles (nine solo) and Turner had 12 tackles.
Elijah Parker threw for three touchdowns and threw for two more as Norwich Free Academy blitzed Waterford last Friday, 55-21. Jahiem Spruill (69 yards), Damien Bleau (22 yards) and Kevin Pomroy (47 yards) caught the touchdown passes. ... Jake Cavallo ran 12 times through a deep, glorious mud for 131 yards and two touchdowns as Bacon Academy edged Stonington last Saturday, 13-6. Nick Miller ran 26 times for 170 yards and a touchdown for Stonington.
Anthony Lisi ran for 188 yards and three touchdowns as Wolcott whacked Waterbury Career last Thursday, 42-20. Jake Sforza ran for 98 yards and two touchdowns for Wolcott and Matt Olmstead scored on an 80-yard kickoff return. Savion Ettson ran for a 12-yard touchdown for the Spartans and threw touchdowns passes to Langstun Racine (55 yards) and Jacob Torres (22 yards). ... Holy Cross employed an effective strategy to beat Torrington last Thursday — feed bruiser Alessandro Ward. The 6 foot, 230 pound senior ran 17 times for 159 yards and two touchdowns as the Crusaders overran Torrington, 42-7. Corey Fappiano threw two touchdowns to Qaron Brown (25, 30 yards) and scored on a 4-yard run.
All hail the Bristol Central Rams, the kings of Meriden. Ryan Rodriguez intercepted a pass with 53 seconds remaining to ice their 21-20 comeback win over Platt last Friday, their fourth-straight win. They began their turnaround with a 29-22 win over Maloney on Oct. 12. Justus Fitzpatrick ran 18 times for 95 yards, including a game-tying 1-yard touchdown with 7:09 remaining, and threw a 47-yard touchdown pass to Nate Rosa. Darrell Payton added 16 carries for 99 yards and a score. Lorenzo Sanson completed 11 of 16 passes for 132 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions for the Panthers.
Granby tied a state record last Friday by returning three of its four interceptions for touchdowns in its 39-0 shutdown of Gilbert/Northwestern. Andel Smith (school-record 90-yard return), Jackson Rome (35 yards) and Conor Hogan (55 yards) all scored on their interceptions for the Bears (5-3), which tied Foran (2010) and Morgan (2013) for the state record, according to the Record Book. Rome also ran 10 times for 83 yards and threw an 11-yard touchdown.
Mark Boyer threw three touchdowns as SMSA/University/Classical chomped Canton last Friday, 47-0. Jorden Rivera ran for two touchdowns and Griffin Wood scored on a 56-yard interception return for the TIGERHAWKS (4-4). Joey Fitzgerald had 3 ½ sacks and has 18 on the season for the Warriors (1-7). New London’s Tony Basilica had a state-record 28 sacks in 10 games in 1973, according to the Record Book.
Adam Tolk scored on a 3-yard run, a 2-yard catch, had three sacks and blocked a punt as Trumbull topped Westhill last Friday, 35-15. Colton Nicholas threw for 264 yards and two touchdowns for Trumbull. Ja'Kai Young scored on a 99-yard fumble return (whoa). ... Matt Silver ran for 88 yards and two touchdowns and completed 14 of 23 passes for 230 yards and a score as Wethersfield thumped Bristol Eastern last Friday, 34-14. Mark Generis also scored on a 45-yard fumble recovery for the Eagles.
ZERION Montgomery ran for 105 yards and two touchdowns and scored on a 55-yard punt return as Derby demolished Crosby last Friday, 66-20. Yes, we’re not proud enough to avoid using alliteration and other wacky descriptions. ... Oxford’s Cayden Mitchell was 10 of 13 for 190 yards and four touchdowns to help the Wolverines chomp Sacred Heart/Kaynor Tech last Friday, 49-28.
HATS OFF to Stafford/East Windsor/Somers/Longmeadow/Agawam/Chicopee/Nova Scotia for winning its first Pequot Conference Uncas Division title via its 21-0 win over Ellington last Saturday. Julien Rivas picked up the slack when quarterback Colton Engel left the game on the first series with what Carl Adamec of the Journal Inquirer said looked like a hip pointer. Rivas ran 38 times and 188 yards and three touchdowns for the Bulldogs, while Jonathon Kopek had 10 tackles, including four of his team’s nine sacks.
Cal Redman completed 6 of 17 passes for 113 yards and four touchdowns and ran 10 times for 112 yards as RHAM triumphed over East Catholic last Saturday, 38-0. Dylan Depersia caught two passes for 39 yards and two scores and ran for 51 yards for the Sachems. ... Simsbury’s Mark Bedson ran wild over Manchester in last Saturday’s 34-19 win. Bedson ran a mas macho 32 times for 252 yards and three touchdowns for the Trojans (3-5) and Jackson Butler had 15 carries for 69 yards and two scores and completed 7 of 11 passes for 89 yards. ... Jadon Folkwein ran 21 times for 203 yards and three touchdowns to carry Avon past Rocky Hill last Saturday, 35-8. The Falcons (2-6) threw just four times. Kudos.
Landis Twomey had 20 carries for 133 yards and three touchdowns as Old Saybrook/Westbrook rumbled past North Branford last Saturday, 34-8. Jack McDowell added 18 carries for 82 yards and two touchdowns for the Rams. OS/W ran 53 times for 350 yards and attempted just four passes. Very nice.
Miguel Gonzalez ran for four touchdowns and Windsor Locks/Suffield/East Granby ran past Coventry/Windham Tech/Bolton/Lyman Memorial last Saturday, 41-20. (Gasps). We need to work on our cardio as that is a lot of schools and backslashes. Gonzalez scored on runs of 27, 18, 22 and 27 yards for WL/S/EG. Eric Pino also returned the opening kickoff for an 85-yard touchdown and scored on a 1-yard run. Kaleb Carlson had 29 carries for 142 yards and three touchdowns for the Patriots and Sid Green had 13 tackles and a sack. ... Joshua Dodd completed 12 of 30 passes for 236 yards and four touchdowns to pace Quinebaug Valley past Wilcox Tech last Saturday, 43-32. Jamie Talbot had four catches for 166 yards and two touchdowns and added three interceptions for the PRIDE. Devario Reid ran 28 times for 145 yards and three touchdowns for the Indians and Derek Gendreau
St. Paul had to play its Senior Day game on the road at Waterbury’s Municipal Stadium on Sunday because its field was flooded. The Falcons made themselves at home as Kevin Ashworth ran 11 times for 106 yards and two touchdowns, threw a 27-yard touchdown, and had an interception at his team’s 2-yard line with 1:21 left in the game for a 32-26 win. Connor Bogdanski ran 16 times for 110 yards and a score for St. Paul (3-5), which ran for 304 yards and averaged 7.4 yards per carry. APPROVED. Matt Torres had 20 carries for 107 yards and a touchdown for the Eagles and Rhakeem Henry ran 17 times for 106 yards and a score.
Tobey Callender ran 15 times for 132 yards and four touchdowns, five tackles and a sack as Haddam-Killingworth crushed Lewis Mills on Sunday, 42-0. Dalton Modehn added 12 carries for 138 yards and two touchdowns and had seven tackles for the Cougars, who attempted just three passes. Perfect.
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Thanks for reading. More soon.
Adios....
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