The Lonesome Polecat: POLECAT AFTER DARK~!
[naviga:u]PARENTAL WARNING:[/naviga:u] The following was written without the supernatural editing powers of Charles X. Banning, so this MAY be infested with spelling and grammatical errors.
All jacked up by a combination of caffeine and so, so much sultry, hemi-powered running by New Britain on Friday night, so let’s make productive use of the elebenty hours it’ll take us to fall asleep and bring YOU up to speed about the #cthsfb playoffs.
WELCOME IN: Greenwich (Class LL), New Britain (DITTO), and Cheney Tech (Class M)~!
(Remember that nothing is official until the CIAC’s football committee rubber stamps the rankings the day after the regular season ends).
Greenwich (unofficially) qualified Wednesday night by scoring 28 first-quarter points and choking out Xavier, 38-7. The Cardinals so thoroughly owned the game that they gave QB Gavin Muir the rest of the night off after his 8-yard touchdown run gave them a 21-0 lead with four minutes, 30 seconds left. IN THE FIRST QUARTER.
New Britain and Cheney both (unofficially) qualified with wins Friday night.
New Britain snuffed out unbeaten Berlin in the second half of its 33-14 win. The Hurricanes outgained the latter after halftime, 192-35, all via the run (breathless sigh).
Shawn Robinson ran 30 times for 214 yards and two touchdowns and caught a go-ahead 14-yard touchdown from Tahje Yopp with second left in the first half for New Britain. Yopp ran 20 times for 102 yards and two scores. So much purdy-purdy running.
Cheney beat Thames River, 22-0. The only info that could be found at this time was via Manchester Journal-Inquirer scribe’s Adam Betz’s Twit account. Ben Gendreau threw a 46-yard touchdown pass to Alquan Brown, Isaiah Brothers tossed a 42-yard touchdown pass to Gendreau, and Gendreau returned the favor by throwing a 25-yard touchdown pass to Brothers. Dem Beavers are sure giving towards one another.
So, then, the following 17 teams have (unofficially) qualified:
CLASS LL: Shelton (8-0), Darien (9-0); Southington (9-0); Newtown (9-0); Greenwich (9-0); and New Britain (9-1).
CLASS L: Naugatuck (9-0); Hand (9-0); Middletown (9-0); and Maloney (8-1). The first three have clinched home quarterfinals.
CLASS M: St. Joseph (8-1); Berlin (9-1); Killingly (8-1); and Cheney (8-2). Berlin has clinched a home quarterfinal.
CLASS S: Bullard-Havens (9-0); Ansonia (9-0); and Stafford/East Windsor/Somers (9-0). B-H and Ansonia have clinched home quarters. Also, try and keep up, Class S, as you’re lagging behind the others when it comes to qualifiers.
That leaves 15 more berths to be claimed.
Now, onto BRACKETOLOGY~!
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 we’re right as things have been too predictable thus far.
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. Sheesh.
3. CIAC robotics savant Matt Fischer birthed the ROBOABACUS to keep YOU updated about all the playoff races. Make good use of it.
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.
We've added “high” and “low” categories when listing the teams fighting for berths. They represent a team’s maximum and minimum number of potential playoff points.
The state quarterfinals (Tuesday, Nov. 27) and semifinals (Sunday, Dec. 2) are both hosted by the higher seeds. The finals are on Saturday, Dec. 8 at sites to be determined.
We’ll effort to keep this updated after today, Thanksgrabbing Eve Eve, and Thanksgrabbing Eve.
• • • •
CLASS LL
IN: No. 1 Shelton (8-0); No. 2 Darien (9-0); No. 3 Southington (9-0); No. 4 Newtown (9-0); No. 5 Greenwich (9-0); and No. 6 New Britain (9-1).
Home quarterfinals are still up for grabs!
WIN-AND-IN
6. FAIRFIELD PREP (8-1)
NEXT: Thanksgrabbing at West Haven (5-3).
HIGH: 1,370
LOW: 1,150
BONUSES (70): NORTH HAVEN over Amity; NFA over New London; SHEEHAN over Lyman Hall; CHESHIRE over Southington; SHEEHAN over East Haven; HARDING over Bridgeport Central; WEST HAVEN over Shelton (with a win over West Haven).
The Jesuits can lose and still qualify as their minimum with no bonuses (1,150) is very close to the maximum for both New Canaan (1,180) and Staples (1,170) if both win their final game (much easier said than done) and max out on bonuses.
East Hartford and West Haven cannot catch Prep.
8. NEW CANAAN (7-2)
NEXT: Thanksgrabbing vs. Darien (9-0) at Boyle Stadium, Stamford.
HIGH: 1,180
LOW: 930
BONUSES (60): NORWALK over McMahon; TRUMBULL over St. Joseph; FAIRFIELD LUDLOWE over Fairfield Warde; DANBURY over Ridgefield; WESTHILL over Stamford; TRINITY CATHOLIC over Wilton.
The Rams have only beaten two winning teams this season — Ludlowe (6-3) and Trumbull (5-4). Neither are close to Darien’s level (few are).
9. STAPLES (7-2)
NEXT: Thanksgrabbing at Greenwich (9-0).
HIGH: 1,170
LOW: 930
BONUSES (50): BRIDGEPORT CENTRAL over Harding; FAIRFIELD WARDE over Fairfield Ludlowe; WILTON over Trinity Catholic; RIDGEFIELD over Danbury; STAMFORD over Westhill.
The Wreckers trailed Darien by three at halftime of their 24-0 loss to the latter (Oct. 6). They’ll need that execution and more against Greenwich.
BEAT THE ODDS
10. EAST HARTFORD (7-2)
NEXT: Thanksgrabbing Eve vs. Manchester (4-5).
HIGH: 1,090
LOW: 920
BONUSES (30): GLASTONBURY over Bloomfield; SIMSBURY over Avon; NEWINGTON over Wethersfield
The Hornets, if they beat Manchester, are in pretty good shape given what New Canaan and Staples are up against on Thanksgrabbing.
12. WEST HAVEN (5-3)
The Westies cannot catch the top seven teams in the rankings. It plays at Shelton this afternoon, and hosts Prep on Thanksgrabbing.
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 Newtown (10-0) vs. No. 6 Fairfield Prep (9-1); No. 4 Greenwich (10-0) vs. No. 5 Southington (10-0).
Projecting Greenwich to edge Southington for the four seed, 1,450 to 1,440 points. That would require Greenwich to get bonuses from Ludlowe (vs. Fairfield Warde), Westhill (vs. Stamford), and Norwalk (vs. McMahon), though.
• • • •
CLASS L
IN: 1. Naugatuck (9-0); 2. Hand (9-0); 3. Middletown (8-0); 4. Maloney (8-1).
WIN-AND-IN
5. BUNNELL (8-1)
NEXT: Thanksgrabbing Eve vs. Stratford (1-8).
HIGH: 1,180
LOW: 1,030
BONUSES (40): LEDYARD over Fitch; BETHEL over Brookfield; FORAN over Law; MASUK over Newtown.
The Bulldogs could lose and still qualify because RHAM is the only team outside of the top eight that can catch them. One problem — their bonuses are AWFUL.
6. WINDSOR (7-2)
NEXT: Thanksgrabbing Eve at Middletown (8-0).
HIGH: 1,250
LOW: 980
BONUSES (80): HARTFORD PUBLIC over Bulkeley/HMTCA/Weaver; FARMINGTON over Plainville; NFA over New London; PLATT over Maloney; FARMINGTON over CREC; E.O. SMITH over Tolland; BRISTOL CENTRAL over Bristol Eastern; HALL over Conard.
The Warriors could lose to Middletown and still back their way into states if North Haven, Platt or RHAM lost.
Wethersfield and Fitch cannot catch Windsor.
7. NORTH HAVEN (7-2)
NEXT: Thanksgrabbing vs. Amity (5-4).
HIGH: 1,210
LOW: 980
BONUSES (80): WEST HAVEN over Fairfield Prep; WEST HAVEN over Shelton; CHESHIRE over Southington; BROOKFIELD over Bethel; FORAN over Law; MASUK over Newtown; HILLHOUSE over Wilbur Cross
North Haven could also lose and back its way into states if Windsor, Platt or RHAM lost.
Wethersfield and Fitch cannot catch North Haven.
8. PLATT (7-2)
NEXT: Thanksgrabbing at Maloney (8-1).
HIGH: 1,160
LOW: 940
BONUSES (40): FARMINGTON over Plainville; E.O. SMITH over Tolland; BRIDGEPORT CENTRAL over Harding; FARMINGTON over CREC
The Panthers must beat Maloney. They cannot catch Windsor because their maximum with a loss and all four bonuses (980) matches the latter’s minimum with a loss (980), and the team’s share bonuses (E.O. Smith over Tolland and Farmington over CREC). A win or loss, then, by either E.O. or Farmington gives the Warriors the edge over Platt.
REPLY HAZY, TRY AGAIN
9. RHAM (7-2)
NEXT: Thanksgrabbing Eve vs. Bacon Academy (3-6).
HIGH: 1,080
LOW: 910
BONUSES (50): BULKELEY/HMTCA/WEAVER over Hartford Public; PLAINVILLE over Farmington; AVON over Simsbury; TOLLAND over E.O. Smith; ROCKY HILL over Cromwell/Portland
Odds are that the Sachems beat Bacon, but it needs a loss by Bunnell, Windsor, North Haven or Platt and bonuses, too.
10. WETHERSFIELD (6-3)
NEXT: Nov. 21 at Newington (3-6).
HIGH: 970
LOW: 790
BONUSES (40): HARTFORD PUBLIC over Bulkeley/HMTCA/Weaver; NW CATHOLIC over East Catholic; E.O. SMITH over Tolland; WINDSOR over Middletown
The Eagles cannot catch the top seven ranked teams. RHAM would beat them out if it won, too.
11. GUILFORD (6-3); and 12. FITCH (6-3).
Platt is the only team in the top eight that Fitch could catch, but Platt would need just one bonus to tie Fitch’s maximum and will be in on tiebreaker points.
Guilford plays at Hand on Thanksgrabbing Eve.
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 Maloney (9-1) vs. No. 6 Bunnell (9-1); No. 4 Naugatuck (9-1) vs. No. 5 North Haven (8-2).
• • • •
CLASS M
IN: 1. St. Joseph (8-1); 2. Berlin (9-1); 4. Killingly (8-1); and, 6. Cheney Tech (8-2).
WIN-AND-IN
3. SHEEHAN (7-1)
NEXT: Today vs. East Haven (7-1); Thanksgrabbing at Lyman Hall (5-3).
HIGH: 1,390
LOW: 1,000
BONUSES (70): GUILFORD over Hand; STRATFORD over Bunnell; BRANFORD over East Lyme; BARLOW over Weston; LAW over Foran; GRISWOLD over Plainfield; BRANFORD over East Haven.
Note: East Haven vs. Branford is guaranteed with a win vs. East Haven.
Win one game, Titans. Your choice.
5. EAST HAVEN (7-1)
NEXT: Today at Sheehan (7-1); Thanksgrabbing over Branford (5-3).
HIGH: 1,280
LOW: 900
BONUSES (60): BETHEL over Brookfield; LYMAN HALL over Sheehan; COGINCHAUG/HALE-RAY/EAST HAMPTON over North Branford; NOTRE DAME-FFLD over Pomperaug; WILBUR CROSS over Hillhouse; BRANFORD over East Lyme (with a win over Branford).
Note: Lyman Hall vs. Sheehan is guaranteed with a win vs. Sheehan.
Win one game, Yellowjackets. You’re choice.
6. BROOKFIELD (7-2)
NEXT: Thanksgrabbing vs. Bethel (1-8).
HIGH: 1,140
LOW: 980
BONUSES (50): NOTRE DAME-FFLD over Pomperaug; NEW FAIRFIELD over New Milford; STRATFORD over Bunnell; MASUK over Newtown; HILLHOUSE over Wilbur Cross
The Bobcats are in great shape.
8. WOLCOTT (6-3)
NEXT: Thanksgrabbing at Holy Cross (6-3).
HIGH: 1,040
LOW: 860
BONUSES (20): SEYMOUR over Woodland; WATERBURY CAREER over Gilbert/Northwestern.
Some weird things have happened over the years when the Eagles and Crusaders meet up.
REPLY HAZY, TRY AGAIN
9. LAW (6-3)
NEXT: Thanksgrabbing at Foran (1-8).
HIGH: 1,010
LOW: 840
BONUSES (60): LYMAN HALL over Sheehan; STRATFORD over Bunnell; CHESHIRE over Southington; BRANFORD over East Lyme; BRANFORD over East Haven; GUILFORD over Hand.
The LAWMEN cannot catch Sheehan as they share a few bonuses. They couldn’t catch Branford if the Hornets won out for that same reason. Their best hope is a Wolcott loss and to get enough bonuses to beat out other hopefuls (they have some pretty improbable bonuses, though). They’d also be in bidness if both Branford and East Haven lost today, and then Branford beat East Haven.
9. ROCKVILLE (6-3)
NEXT: Thanksgrabbing Eve vs. Ellington (1-8).
HIGH: 990
LOW: 850
BONUSES (30): WINDSOR LOCKS/SUFFIELD/EAST GRANBY over Stafford/East Windsor/Somers; WINDSOR LOCKS/SUFFIELD/EAST GRANBY over Lewis Mills; GILBERT/NORTHWESTERN over Waterbury Career.
What was written about Law applies to the Rams, and they might be able to beat it on bonuses.
11. BRANFORD (5-3)
NEXT: Today vs. East Lyme (3-5); Thanksgrabbing at East Haven (7-1).
HIGH: 1,080
LOW: 700
BONUSES (70): AMITY over North Haven; LYMAN HALL over Sheehan; NORTH BRANFORD over Coginchaug/Hale-Ray/East Hampton; STONINGTON over Westerly (R.I.); POMPERAUG over Notre Dame-Ffld; EAST LYME over Waterford (with a win over East Lyme); EAST HAVEN over Sheehan (with a win vs. East Haven).
The Hornets need to win out and hope Wolcott loses.
12. ABBOTT TECH/IMMACULATE (5-3); and 13. WESTON (6-3)
AT/I hosts O’Brien today. O’Brien gave unbeaten Bullard-Havens, this year’s King of the CTC, its toughest game last Saturday (B-H won, 28-26).
Weston could certainly win at Barlow (5-4) on Thanksgrabbing, but it cannot catch the top seven ranked teams and needs a bunch of teams ahead of it to fail.
THE EIGHT: No. 1 St. Joseph (9-1) vs. No. 8 Wolcott (7-3); No. 2 Sheehan (9-1) vs. No. 7 East Haven (8-2); No. 3 Berlin (9-1) vs. No. 6 Brookfield (8-2); No. 4 Cheney Tech (8-2) vs. No. 5 Killingly (9-1).
• • • •
CLASS S
IN: No. 1 Ansonia (9-0); No. 2 Bullard-Havens (9-0); 3. Stafford/East Windsor/Somers (9-0).
WIN-AND-IN
4. CROMWELL/PORTLAND (8-1)
NEXT: Thanksgrabbing Eve over Rocky Hill (2-7).
HIGH: 1,320
LOW: 1,170
BONUSES (30): ROCKVILLE over Ellington; MORGAN over Old Saybrook/Westbrook; LEWIS MILLS over Windsor Locks/Suffield/East Granby.
Rocky Hill is not what it once was.
5. BLOOMFIELD (8-1)
NEXT: Tuesday, Nov. 20 at Glastonbury (5-4).
HIGH: 1,380
LOW: 1,140
BONUSES (60): AVON over Simsbury; ROCKY HILL over Cromwell/Portland; BULKELEY/HMTCA/WEAVER over Hartford Public; TOLLAND over E.O. Smith; PLAINVILLE over Farmington; RHAM over Bacon Academy
CalPreps’ PROJECT A MATCHUP feature favors Bloomfield by 7 on a neutral field.
6. WOODLAND (8-1)
NEXT: Thanksgrabbing Eve vs. Seymour (6-3).
HIGH: 1,340
LOW: 1,140
BONUSES (40): CROSBY over Kennedy; DERBY over Shelton; TORRINGTON over Watertown; WOLCOTT over Holy Cross.
Tough to pick Seymour to win after QB Ian Sadick suffered a season-ending injury.
7. HADDAM-KILLINGWORTH (8-1)
NEXT: Tuesday, Nov. 20 at Valley Regional/Old Lyme (7-1).
HIGH: 1,310
LOW: 1,100
BONUSES (10): LEWIS MILLS over Windsor Locks/Suffield/East Granby.
The Cougars’ rivalry game against the WARRIORCATS is a Class S play-in.
8. PLAINFIELD (8-1)
NEXT: Thanksgrabbing vs. Griswold (5-4).
HIGH: 1,260
LOW: 1,080
BONUSES (30): STONINGTON vs. Westerly (R.I.); CREC over Farmington; BACON ACADEMY over RHAM
Past results can be wildly overused (and abused) in sports, BUT, when one team has beaten another 14 of the past 15 years, as Griswold has against Plainfield. .... yeah.
9. VALLEY REGIONAL/OLD LYME (7-1)
NEXT: Tuesday, Nov. 20 over Haddam-Killingworth (8-1).
HIGH: 128.89 average (it plays a nine-game schedule).
LOW: 107.78.
BONUSES (10): LEWIS MILLS over Windsor Locks/Suffield/East Granby
The WARRIORCATS’ rivalry game against the Cougars is a Class S play-in.
REPLAY HAZY, TRY AGAIN
10. O'BRIEN TECH (6-2)
NEXT: Today at Abbott Tech/Immaculate (5-3); Thanksgrabbing at Platt Tech (1-7).
HIGH: 1,200
LOW: 890
BONUSES (20): MCW UNITED over Abbott Tech/Immaculate; PRINCE TECH over Bullard-Havens.
Note: AT/I over MCW guaranteed with a win over AT/I.
The Condors would outpoint the H-K v. VR/OL loser if they won out and would need a loss by either C/P, Bloomfield, Woodland or Plainfield.
11. SEYMOUR (6-3)
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 Woodland (9-1); No. 4. Bloomfield (9-1) vs. No. 5 Cromwell/Portland (9-1).
• • • •
Thanks for reading. More soon.
Adios....
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