Ledyard — It is not customary for a high school football coach to spend an entire offseason scheming a certain offense … and then send it to the ash can a few games into the season for something else.

Not only is that what Mike Serricchio did at Ledyard, but the dividends have shown through the work of junior A.J. Adamick.

Serricchio went from the option to the single wing, spending some time on the phone in early October with North Haven coach Anthony Sagnella, who ran the offense to a 2022 state title. In that time, Adamick has 27 carries for 235 yards vs. Waterford; 15 for 140 vs. Griswold; 35 for 293 vs. Bacon Academy; 34 for 287 vs. Killingly (and had a long, game-winning touchdown run called back by penalty) and 42 for 284 vs. Stonington.

“Since we changed our offense,” Serricchio said, “he has been as productive as any back in the state.”

The Colonels (4-5), who made the playoffs a season ago, still have a chance at a return trip in 2024, despite the losing record. They’re 3-2 since the switch and have made their Thanksgiving Day game with Fitch significantly more interesting.

Fitch, which did not make the postseason in 2022, nonetheless defeated Ledyard 46-36. The Falcons have made the 2024 postseason this year in Class MM.

Playoff chase

Six playoff divisions have allowed for some wild, weekly swings of playoff fortunes. Example: Killingly, left for dead a few weeks ago after losing its third game of the season at home to Fitch, is not only back in the Class L playoff chase, but likely to make it.

Killingly joins several other ECC schools with a chance.

The breakdown:

Killingly, No. 8 in Class L, has Woodstock Academy (3-6) remaining. There is great likelihood this is a win-and-in game because Killingly is flanked in the division by No. 7 South Windsor and No. 9 Enfield. Given that one of those teams will lose that game, Killingly’s chances appear to be very good at holding on to the No. 8 seed.

Fitch, No. 6 in Class MM, has clinched a playoff berth. Now the Falcons must defeat Ledyard on Thanksgiving for any hope to play a quarterfinal game at home.

The Falcons have an opportunity. Most of the teams around them in the standings have difficult games remaining. No. 1 Windsor plays Bloomfield (8-0); No. 2 Maloney plays Platt (8-1); No. 3 Wilton plays Shelton (7-2); No. 4 Masuk plays Newtown (8-1).

Thames River (6-3) also has a chance, but would need positive outcomes of several games across the state in the next two weeks.

Windham, No. 2 in Class SS, would qualify and get a home game with wins over New Fairfield (3-5) and Montville (2-7). Also in Class SS, Ledyard is No. 10, but has a possible 190 playoff points available with a win over Fitch on Thanksgiving. There are other variables here as well, but if the Colonels win, they’ll have a much better opportunity than they ever thought possible a few weeks ago.

Griswold/Wheeler, No. 6 in Class S, has clinched a playoff berth. The Wolverines have a chance at a quarterfinal home game, but must defeat Plainfield on Thanksgiving and hope for some help throughout the state.

Stonington, No. 9 in Class S, would likely vault into a playoff spot with a win over Westerly on Thanksgiving. Westerly is 8-2 and would provide the Bears valuable playoff points.

The playoffs begin Nov. 28.

m.dimauro@theday.com