FRIDAY’s GAMES

Bacon Academy at Montville, 6 p.m.

Last week: Bacon lost to East Catholic 23-0; Montville lost to Killingly 48-0

Records: Bacon (0-1); Montville (0-1)

Outlook: Despite the struggles of both programs, this figures to me among the most competitive games of the weekend. Bacon moved the ball better last week against East Catholic than it did most of last season, ultimately doomed by turnovers. Montville ran into the league’s top program, but emerged optimistically about the rest of the season.

Killingly at NFA, 6:30 p.m.

Last week: Killingly defeated Montville 48-0; NFA lost to Wilton 31-14

Records: Killingly (1-0); NFA (0-1)

Outlook: Another coach from the region has already called Killingly “the best team in the ECC I’ve seen in 20 years.” High praise. Killingly has perhaps the best size in the league as well as a returning quarterback (Thomas Dreibholz), top receiver (Ben Jax) and Player of the Year candidate (Soren Rief). NFA was competitive with Wilton last week well into the second half (the Wildcats only trailed 17-14 after three quarters), despite playing without injured starting quarterback Colby Ayuyu.

Ledyard at Griswold/Wheeler, 6:30 p.m.

Last week: Ledyard defeated East Haven 59-22; Griswold/Wheeler defeated Northwest Catholic 40-0

Records: Ledyard (1-0); Griswold/Wheeler (1-0)

Outlook: The ECC struggled in its state scheduling alliance games last week – with the notable exceptions of these two teams. James Green ran for 263 yards and four touchdowns and Jaxon Barboza caught 111 yards worth of passes from Jackson Poulton and caught two touchdown passes for the Colonels. KinKade Rubino rushed for a 165 yards and two touchdowns for Griswold/Wheeler.

Waterford at Stonington, 6:30 p.m.

Last week: Waterford lost to Branford 42-20; Stonington lost to ND-Fairfield 40-14;

Records: Waterford (0-1); Stonington (0-1)

Outlook: Both teams had their moments last week in spite of the disappointing outcomes. Waterford had to overcome injuries and cramps, but kept the game competitive well into the second half. The Bears led at halftime of their game. Waterford won this game a year ago, perhaps the most entertaining game of the year in the ECC, 55-54 in overtime.

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

Last week: Windham defeated E.O. Smith 56-14; East Lyme lost to Hand 45-0

Records: Windham (1-0); Hand (0-1)

Outlook: The team nobody’s talking about in the ECC – Windham – opened the season impressively last week, routing a school with significantly more enrollment. Victor Mejia scored four times for the Whips, who return much of their roster from last season. East Lyme will have its hands full here.

Coginchaug/Hale-Ray/East Hampton at Valley/Old Lyme, 6:30 p.m.

Last week: Coginchaug lost to Capital Prep/Achievement First 43-19; Valley defeated North Branford 13-7

Records: Coginchaug (0-1, 0-0 Pequot Sassacus); Valley (1-0, 1-0)

Outlook: The Warriors can go to 2-0 in the Pequot Sassacus with a win here. They began the season with a victory last week, blanking North Branford in the second half.

SATURDAY’S GAME

Thames River at Bullard/Kolbe, noon

Last week: Thames River was idle; Bullard/Kolbe defeated Bridgeport Central 32-12

Outlook: The Crusaders begin their season this week, following their 8-2 year in 2021, narrowly missing the playoffs. Thames River welcomes back reigning Day Player of the Year Seth Cunningham and will have some notable transfers joining them later this season.