We’re all sitting around the office on Saturday trying to figure out when the last time Bullard-Havens, not only won a big game, but had a winning record.
They’ve clinched one with their fifth victory in a nine-game season and, with this win over what was clearly considered one of the best in the Constitution State Conference, staked their claim as the league’s best.
Life as a football program has been incredible for Bullard-Havens and coach Pat Cicarella the last few seasons since leaving the SWC, where they were 1-89 in nine seasons.
They’re not the only ones: The new Constitution State Conference has been great for all the tech schools that otherwise wouldn’t be playing football. Now schools like Platt Tech, Cheney Tech (which broke away from East Catholic to join), Wright Tech/Stamford Academy, Sports Sciences, et. al, can enjoy the experience of playing football.
And this quick video is proof (yeah, this was the best I could do while holding an umbrella during this rainy and dreary afternoon):
Now, this puts Bullard-Havens into the running for a Class SS playoff berth which, honestly, has ruffled more than a few feathers across the football world.
Should they have an equal shot to get into the playoffs over someone like, say, Stratford, which lost in triple overtime to Pomperaug and–as it stands now–will likely need to beat Bunnell on Thanksgiving to get into the same playoffs?
More–much more–on this from me later. For now, we open the floor to y’all.
SPB
SPB, that’s a great question. And I guess my answer is: Yes. If you beat the teams on your schedule, and you pick up the bonus points you need to make it to the states, then you deserve to be in it.
Yes, true, Bullard-Havens plays in a league of teams that (ahem) could go winless for seasons on end in the SWC. And Bullard-Havens would without a doubt get crushed in the Class SS tournament. But that’s the way the system works. And I don’t think the CIAC will start giving bonus points based on strength of conference, so we have to live with it.
i remember about 20 yrs. ago griswold qualified
and then dropped out of s playoff when it drew ansonia .its great theres a league for tech schools and im sure bullard havens worked hard-they should be given the option to play or not.im sure the coach knows his teams competitive ability
i don’t think there is another way….you group your teams by the number of boys enrolled. just waiting for someone to bring up Ansonia/Greenwich…..wait for it……
I like the idea of giving a team the “option” of playing or not playing, but I don’t think many coaches would opt not to play. What message would that send to his players, especially his seniors who I’m sure would do anything to have the opportunity to play in the “states” With that said i also think it would be a shame if a team as talented as Stratford, with their schedule would lose a spot to Bullard havens. No knock on Bullard Havens, it just seems unfair.
SOME OF BULLAD HAVENS KIDS SAY THE HB WLLIAMS AND QB WALKER CAN PLAY WITH ANYONE GIVE THEM THERE DUE WHATS UP CORD