Outside of a brash pick made out of pure arrogance instead of reality, I’m (really, really, really) happy to say I did pretty darn well for picking these semifinal game.
Let’s take a look-see:
Class LL
SPB: Greenwich 35-6
Reality: Greenwich 35-13
Synopsis: It was 35-0 before Central finally scored to make it 35-6. They tacked on a cheapie late to keep me from hitting the lottery.
SPB: Shelton 34, Southington 21
Reality: Shelton 21, Southington 19
Synopsis: From what I heard, Shelton seemed like it would put up 34 by the third quarter. But then Southington showed up, Shelton’s stayed in the locker rooms until 1:53 remained and Mike Manzo preserved the win with an interception. Hey, at least I got the winner right this year.
Class L
SPB: Bunnell 26, Staples 20
Reality: Bunnell 28, Staples 14
Synopsis: OK, so Bunnell made one more 2-point conversion. Staples scored one-less touchdown. If Colin O’Shea returns a pick back at the end of the first half, I’d have been closer.
SPB: Masuk 28, Conard 12
Reality: Masuk 25, Conard 21
Synopsis:What did I say? Close early, Masuk late? Well the reality was the reverse. It was all Masuk early and close late. …Semantics at this point. I picked the winner. Thanks Masuk.
Class MM
SPB: New Canaan 27, Middletown 14
Reality: New Canaan 28, Middletown 0
Synopsis: I guess I gave Middletown’s offense too much credit. Then again, I think I threw those two TDs in as garbage TDs… Couldn’t they have given one to Staples?
Class SS
SPB: Woodland 34, Seymour 30
Reality: Seymour 46, Woodland 28
Synopsis: When informed of this pick, a fellow reporter said: “No. But way to think outside the box.” Yeah, we like to critique each other’s work. I really didn’t think Seymour would lose but, confident I’d be well ahead at this point, I took a shot. … And it was Incomplete.
SPB: Tolland 42, Bullard-Havens 6
Reality: Tolland 47, Bullard-Havens 14
Synposis: Were it not for the dreaded garbage time score, I would have been dead-on with Tech. At least Tolland added one more than I predicted, too. That score for 47 got this game within three points of my pick. Not too shabby. Not too shabby.
Class S
SPB: Ansonia 42, Northwest Catholic 13
Reality: Ansonia 25, NWC 7
Synopsis: Of all the correct picks I made (7 of 8 for those counting at home), I was the completely off on this score. Either I overestimated Ansonia’s offense, or underestimated NWC’s defense. Or both… Hmmmm.
By the way, looking at the results, I can say this. SOUTH-WESTERN CONNECTICUT FOOTBALL ROCKS!
We’re still awaiting the final results, but Connecticut Post teams have a chance to win all but one of the state championships this year. Connecticut Post teams were 4-1 in state semifinals not played against a fellow CT Post team. If it had been Stratford instead of BH, I’d venture we would have been 5-0.
Here’s the league tally from Super Tuesday:
FCIAC: 2-2 (Too bad Central had to play Greenwich… still has shot at two titles)
SWC: 2-0 (A tremendous showing for a league that, overall, had a down year. Especially knocking out both FCIAC and CCC teams. But will get at one champion, unfortunately)
NVL: 2-1 (Another knockout punch delivered by a fellow team. But most impressive for a much maligned league as well).
SCC: 2-1 (Hand-North Haven aside, Shelton’s big win gives this proud league a chance for two titles)
ECC: 2-0 (The ECC showed up… good for them).
Nutmeg: 1-2 (Berlin beating Bristol Eastern is just plain shocking. This division is horrible)
Pequot: 1-1 (Cromwell losing, not a surprise since it was against NL. Tolland … must be nice to have that draw, huh?)
CCC: 0-4 (Southington, Conard, Bristol Eastern, Weaver… bleah. This league gets overrated dud conference of the year award)
CSC: 0-1 (But we knew that already. At least they scored first.
Off to the luncheon…
SPB
CCC “overrated dud conference of the year award”??? You’re basing that on a 2 point loss, a 4 point loss and a 7 point loss in the playoffs (not counting Weaver’s terrible display, which is the only game that could warrant a comment like that)? Here’s a question… have you seen any of them play during their regular seasons? I’m sure you haven’t, as your focus is only on southern CT teams. Maybe they fell in the playoffs because they don’t break the CIAC rules and practice year-round like the FCIAC, SCC, SWC and ECC teams? That might have a little something to do with it…
SPB what game are you going to on Saturday? Im hoping Ansonia. I haven’t been able to yell at you all year so can’t wait to see yea if you attend. Anyway here are my early predictions for state title games lets see how we compare.
LL
Greenwich 21
Shelton 27
Thats right bring it home for the valley. Shelton shuts down myers and gaels get the upset victory!
L
Bunnell 21
Masuk 10
Bunnell is very good and looks to be clicking on all cylinders. Tough to beat a league rival twice but i think they are good enough to do it!
MM
New Canaan 35
Hand 31
The Rams get the first upset on saturday over the tigers. I mean SPB you know as well as I that the powerhouse FCIAC can’t go without a title. The magical ride for Hand ends but they had a superb year.
M
Couldn’t even tell you who is playing i think berlin is in it so i am gonna pick them. Who knows!
SS
Seymour 49
Tolland 14
Unless Nick Susko from 99 has one game left in him for Tolland the this one is not gonna be pretty. Pop the corks for the wildcats they had a great year!
S
Ansonia 34
New London 20
In what is no doubt the game of the weekend. So much history between teams and coaches. In the late 80s early 90s Ansonia vs New London went 2-2 in State title games. In 94 Ansonia drudged Bloomfield and won a hard fought 7-0 victory in 95, which started the Cocharan vs Ansonia rivalry. He didn’t forget that 94 game in 98 or 99 lumping the chargers up. He ran a 2 point conversion up 50 in 99 and the play was an end around by the tight end. No one in Ansonia has forgotten that play. But as for this game too much AT and o line the whalers i don’t think can match up well up front. The NL passing attack will cause the chargers problems but not enough. This charger team is the best around! So saturday is going to be a great day. Hope West Haven is packed for what will be a great end to the high school football season
FBchic, you can pick up a box of tissues on your way home from school today. Wipe those tears away big fella, it’ll be okay.
Outside of Southington, the CCC has been a joke lately. Check out the history as of late, and you’ll see. Southington and Conard were DOMINATED in the first halves of their games, and even with Shelton and Masuk coming out completely flat in the second halves, fell short. Both Southington and Conard lose 10 times out of 10 in both those games.
Weaver getting shut out? Bristol Eastern, the mighty undefeated, losing to Berlin? Go home.
Hey fbchic2007 this ones for you. What do you know about the fciac, swc, scc and ecc???? I can speak about the swc and practice for them starts
August 1 just like every other team/league. The off season is spent weightlifting.We don’t break the rules. Talk about what you know..the ccc. Oh and by the way, what team from the ccc is playing for a championship…oops my fault there isn’t one.
“If it had been Stratford instead of BH, I’d venture we would have been 5-0.” — How are you then OK with BH making the playoffs over Stratford if you think they would have beaten Tolland?
“L
Bunnell 21
Masuk 10
Bunnell is very good and looks to be clicking on all cylinders. Tough to beat a league rival twice but i think they are good enough to do it!”
Bunnell already beat Masuk twice. Once in the regular season. Once in the SWC championship.
Are the #1 seeds considered Home teams?
fb chic-the ccc stinks-as for practicing all year round and breaking ciac rules (check southington s
baseball past). Centrals CADELINA must be from the coach ty school of excuses.Your team lost because theyre not ready to play in playoffs-if you play a team twice and you get blown out the second time——your not good enuff
Entertaining as always Vinny.
My predictions will come soon.
Will you have a new post for the finals up soon SPB?
I think New London might pull one out against Ansoina.
Greenwich & New Cannan will both win.
Bunnell/Mausk game, even though Bunnell beat Mausk twice this season, still to close to call.
God how I would love to see Alex Thomas try to run against Greenwich’s or Bunnell’s Defense.
After watching Bunnell’s Defense pretty much shut down Staples, I am a firm believer they are for real.
Staple got a HUGE break on that fourth & goal.Staples was stopped cold if it wasn’t quick thinking on the RB’s part for Staples to stay up & bounce off the end.
Bottom line hope all games are good ones.Blow outs stink.
PBL, you REALLY need to understand Ansonia’s OLine – their size, their weightlifting results in the offseason, and their technique (if you know anything about how important that is) before you make obviously biased statements.
AT has run all over the NVL, yes, but he’s also run all over the Sheltons, West Havens, and Bridgeport Centrals for the last three years. (And I don’t want to get into a debate about those just being scrimmages – not sure about the fciac but these scrimmages are played balls to the wall – they’re as intense as any regular season game and if you don’t believe it, come see for yourself. Although since you seem like one of the many people who “see only what they believe” that may not help either.
Listen, Sure Thomas would get yards against Greenwich or Bunnell.
However, there would be no way Thomas would get 100 plus against either Defense.
I saw Ansonia’s game against Seymour.Lucky for Ansoina they were able to get a interception & run back for a TD.Seymour’s D is good , but not as good as Greenwich’s or Bunnell’s.
All I saw was a ton of pitch plays around the corner to Thomas, which for a good part Seymour stuffed Thomas.He had a couple beak away runs, which should be expected if 90 percent of the time he gets the call.
I was sitting (actually standing) right in the thick of the Ansoina fans.I heard a lot of frustration when Seymour was stopping AT.Also heard a lot of “Thats why you need to have a passing game”
No doubt, the kid has speed & talent.But still put him against a smothering run defense he will struggle.
LL:
The Shelton I saw in 1st half beats Greenwich…the 2nf half Shelton loses to any team left in the field (with the exception of Tolland).
L:
Bunnell has the mojo and is the better team.
MM:
Very surprised Hand is undefeated – saw them early in year twice anf felt they were a year away. They were also the benefactors of playing the 2nd half Shelton :) Hand by 2 TDs.
M:
Ledyard beats Berlin in a close one.
SS:
Seymour as an offensive team is underrated (due to the incredible development of QB Moir) but their defense is overrated (due to Ansonia playing them without their center and fullback but the AHS coaches not adjusting their playcalling). Seymour 53-20.
S:
It’s a good thing Ansonia is so loaded with size and talent his year because they’re not doing the little things that win games (limit penalties, convert extra points, etc.). I also believe their defense has regressed since the beginning of year (negative of playing so many weak sisters?). Then again, AT and that OLine can mask a lot of mistakes. New London has vastly improved on both sides of the ball since the beginning of year – but I feel their run starts next year. (Really hoping the Hand-NL series comes to fruition as that will be the game of the year for the next two seasons). Ansonia 34-22.
Everyone’s entitled to their opinion but if you actually believe Thomas doesn’t get over a 100 vs. Bunnell or Greenwich, just wow.
I’m starting to see how your stance was formed, though. Take that Seymour game in a vacuum and you MAY be able to make the arguement AT doesn’t go for 200. Dubious play calling by AHS staff as they didn’t adjust to not having their center and fullback – but that’s almost understandable since they’ve seen AT turn so many basic plays into huge gains (especially against Seymour).
Seymour gave up a lot of points the next two games to Woodland – an underrated offense but not at Ansonia’s level so I believe that helps to prove my point.
One sidenote: Rob Moir of Seymour is one of the best athletes I’ve seen in a long, long time.
Altough it seems like CT football has got deeper over the years FBCHIC the CCC is lightyears behind the scc,fciac and swc..well i think southern CT football is lightyears away from the rest of the state.
I moved from the valley all the way out east to the norwich area..after watching football out here..teams east of hartford dont even compare to the tradition and talent level to the west of hartford.
To be fair I have’nt seen half of these teams play but here are my picks:
LL:
Shelton 28
Greenwich 21
Shelton is 3-0 vs the FCIAC in state championship games. Trumbull 95′ Greenwich 00′ Staples 03′
SCC is 6-3 vs FCIAC since 2000,this game should produce another classic,as a Shelton follower i had to choice them :) i hope they come ready to play.Of all the six SC games this will be the best one to attend
L:
Bunnell 30
Masuk 21
Bunnell has been playing better then anyone in the state..they have won big games all year and seem battle tested,Masuk hangs around but Bunnell scores late to put them away.
MM:
Hand 28
New Caneen 13
Know i kno what your thinking,im picking all the SCC teams:)well in no way am i a FCIAC basher,it’s just that the NC lost to St. Joseph still has me scratching my head,and i just think Hand is better and will be more prepared.
M:
Ledyard 21
Berlin 38
Ok i kno nothing! about these teams im picking Berlin for two reasons: 1) I played them in the Southern CT passing leagues some years ago and i thought they wore impressive,and i saw some Ledyard kids in the mall tuesday afternoon and their blue uniforms wore old and very ugly,not to mention your about to play in a playoff game,aren’t u suppose to be locked in your room/weightroom eating a powerbar and listening to Matallica? i dont think any of these teams could even come close to winning any other class but i could be wrong.
SS:
Seymour 56
Tolland 13
Well this one is easy Seymour is good and Tolland isn’t well atleast not up to par with Seymour. Maybe i gave Seymour too many points but they win easy and wish they wore getting a second shot at the Chargers.
S:
Ansonia: 47
New London: 20
I hope New London makes a game of it, i just dont think they really will,we all kno Ansonia’s schedule is bad and that might hurt them Saturday,but i just think Ansonia is great,u wish they would play the heart of the SCC and FCIAC,but it is what it is..also they did beat Woodland and Seymour(preety good teams) New London is good,but even though Ansonia is number 1 in the state they still feel they have something to prove..beating the number 4 team in the state might not convince everyone that there the best team in the state but it says something.
hs football fan,
Glad to see your Harvard background is starting to pay dividends to your writing thoughts.Your right Ansonia’s defense has taking a hit because they finally played someone that can control the clock and keep Ansonia’s offense off the field.I was at the Shelton/Ansonia scrimmage and take away A.T’s long run with 1:30 left in the half and you were looking at a 7-0 game as Shelton controlled the clock for the most part.Take the fact that Benedito and Henderson did not even play and you get my point.You are certainly a knowledgable guy but please keep in mind that if Ryan,Schultz,Meyers were running behind that huge Ansonia “O” line they would put up monster numbers as well.Ansonia is a wonderful program with a storied past but if they got “hit” every week it would no doubt wear them down.Put AT on both sides of the ball every week in playoff game atmosphere and he would obviously wear down and his numbers would decline.Please continue to be open minded in your opinions and look forward to reading your future posts.
John – As far as the SWC starting practice on August 1st… against the CIAC rules. First 2007 Practice Date: Aug. 25 (conditioning Aug. 20). The CIAC website states it, but all coaches should already know it. The CCC teams actually follow this rule. Anyway, I know that certain teams in the state practice year-round, not just in early August. I’m not talking about lifting weights, as all teams should be doing that. I’m talking about working with your QBs throwing the ball in the off-season, drills, etc…
Bill – How can you know that these teams would get blown out the second time? Conard has never played Masuk before, BE has never played Berlin and Southington hasn’t played Shelton (at least not recently). As I said, the scores were very close and every team can have a bad game…
Predictions:
LL
Greenwich 39 – Shelton 14
Come on, Shelton doesn’t stand a chance
L
Masuk 21 – Bunnell 20
Best game of the playoffs here, Masuk will have something up their sleeve and wont let the dawgs beat them 3 times this year.
MM
Hand 21 – New Canaan 14
Don’t underestimate NC, you never know
M
Ledyard 7 – Berlin 6
Defenses rule here and Ledyard scores in the 4th quarter to win it
SS
Seymour 53 – Tolland 27
Fun, but predictable
S
New London 14 – Ansonia 13
The Whalers dominate play, but Ansonia makes it close with a late TD, but its still not enough.
I am just happy Ansonia gets the chance to prove itself against the 4th ranked team in the state, New London.
The experts on this blog chose to dismiss the win over Seymour, also ranked in the top ten and soon to be SS champ. Bowley himself even dropped Ansonia from his top spot in the poll after Ansonia won and Greenwich lost. The more I think about it, the less and less logical sense this makes.
But it cannot be ignored this time. All year the cry has been that Ansonia doesn’t play anybody. Well this is it. This is the game Jack Cochran has been preparing for since he took the job at NL. Anybody who really follows CT hs football knows this is true. New London is a good team who is more than capable of winning this game.
If Ansonia wins, they are number 1. And it won’t be because they play in the NVL and some of those teams are pathetic. But because they will have earned it by beating an elite team with an excellent coach.
If Ansonia loses, then obviously, they are not number 1.
I’m glad you proved your point.Seymour is the best team Ansoina played all year.By your standards Seymour’s D is just as bad as the other teams in the NVL.
“Seymour gave up a lot of points the next two games to Woodland – an underrated offense but not at Ansonia’s level so I believe that helps to prove my point.” Qouted from you.
Besides Seymour there is no one even close to being good in the NVL league.
So you proved the point on what everyone has been saying about Ansoina.The teams Ansoina plays are not that tough.
Hey Ray im anti-Cadelina….my argument is Bridgeport together has more talented players than any valley team F.Y.I…
If all the kids in the same town went to the same high school in that town, the best teams would be:
1. Hartford
2. Bridgeport
3. Stamford
4. Waterbury
5. Middletown
Just an FYI for all u valley guys. Don’t include Shelton as a valley team. They might be very offended. I know that I would be !!
Hey u cant 4get New haven
1. Bridgeport
2.newhaven
3. Hartford
4. waterbury
5. Norwalk
hey for all the ansonia supporters….
heres 1
Alex thomas v.s Kenny Tinney
Actually that is probably the only thing Shelton takes pride in for being from the valley…That gets me to my point. People want to bash Ansonia for their schedule. A few simple facts for you….Go back in time, early Nineties, 80′s, 70′s and so on….Guess what the Nvl schedule as we see it today did not excist. What did Ansonia do, just about every year, beat Shelton, Beat Derby,(this is when Derby was a top program, not like today) They would beat Shelton. Oh and they would win state titles and have an incredible amount of all state players. Please I just hate the people that want to pose about their football knowledge….Ansonia has been doing this for a long, long time…..Their record verse Shelton….Ansonia was 53-10-4 all-time against Shelton…Ansonia beat us 4 times while I was there….So I am not an Ansonia guy…Give respect where it is deserved….Greenwhich, Ansonia, Staples, Hand, Great teams every year it seems….Cheshire of the early 90′s 6 straight championships, St joes early to mid 80′s…..Great teams, it is not about the schedule, its about the players and the staffs of these teams….Its how hard they worked…We have to live with the ciac and the way they do things…I would love to see an Ansonia vs Greenwhich game…..It would be one hell of a game
fb, Those cities you stated would have good teams I’m sure. What makes you think that just sticking inner city schools together would produce teams that challenge Greenwich, Ansonia and Stratford? I went to the Stratford-Bunnell game and doubt that your top 5 could stay close to a team that included Easley, Sloat, Harrison, Farrell, Quarrie, Guerrero, Mack, Mckoy and Vasquez.
Shelton is proud to be from the Valley,but dont confuse us with the NVL,(non-violent-league),we might trash talk between towns all the time but in the end we root for eachother,valley could bring home 3 rings sat!
and FB how can u forget New Haven if they had one school w/good coaching they would be amazing!
Brian is correct.
Please stop referring to Shelton as a true Valley team.
They haven’t won enough titles.
why do they have to play the final games…? you guys allready hve your champs! I think greenwich is a very good team , but they are highschool kids just like all the others… and yes shelton will have a chance ,I know these kids are going to give it all they got and they do have the talent… simpson and golliath remember that!
First, Brian, Shelton IS a valley team – and your offhand comment says a lot about you.
PBL – I’m about to give up on even talking a portion of sense into you. But how did you read that into what I posted? My point was that Ansonia puts up a lot more points on Seymour if their center and fullback play and if the play calling had been adjusted for this. Btw, I actually understand your point about how weak the NVL is but do you honestly believe that makes it impossible to have an elite team come out of the NVL? How is it the kids’ fault that the league they happen to play in has so many weak sisters? I think it actually hurts them more than it helps them. This senior class at AHS is one of the best teams I’ve seen in CT and I’ve been to more high school games in the last 25 years than possibly anyone else in the state. I also have to laugh at some of the posters and Coach Cadelina who publicly stated the BC-Greenwich game was for the title. Shelton is loaded with size, experience, and talent and has AT MINIMUM an even chance of coming out on top on Saturday.
Tom CAT – I know you were being sarcastic but just for the record, I graduated from SCSU, not Harvard :) I agree with some of what you wrote (for example, missing Henderson and Benedito makes a significant difference) but I don’t understand the rationale of saying it was a 7-0 half if not for Thomas breaking that long one with 1:35 left. Thomas breaking a long one is Ansonia’s bread and butter so how is that to be discounted? Did you see his very next run from the 9-yard line – that was just as impressive imo as he was not going to be denied. I also don’t agree that Shelton controlled the clock for the half. They did have a long, methodical drive in the 2nd quarter but the first quarter flew by because Ansonia was controlling the ground game. All this is moot, though, because I also think Shelton is among the elite CT teams this year and I root for them most every week.
Good for you Mr. SCC.
I respect your comment on Valley solidarity.
I am now sorry that I made my sarcastic response about Shelton. I lose my mind when I post on here.
If the Valley went 3-0, I would be happy.
Great f*^#g post, Pat.
Hey Rob not a true valley team? are you nuts we won THREE LL championships since 95, yea the LL’s! if Shelton played in Ansonia’s,Derby’s,or Seymour’s class we would’ve had atleast double that since 95′,and in 01′(9-1) if we made playoffs we wud’ve won two LLs in a row if we didnt lose to a very good WH team in the final minutes of the game..Shelton has been the best team in the valley over the years Seymour added us on their schedule for two years and we handled them easy, then asked to take Shelton of their schedule,we crush Derby every year,Ansonia scrimages are usually very competative but over the years those games have been even..maybe even an edge to shelton,i beat them three years in a row,then who else naugy they obviously stink.
pat i agree with your post ansonia and seymour had their years,but lets talk about know,shelton has a great program and has been the best team in the valley over the years.
also we won SIX SCC championships since 2000: 00′ 01′ 02′ 03′ 06′ 07′ ( the best confernce in the state) i think we deserve some respect
Mr. Rob unfortuneatly no hard feelings but i posted something then saw your post,so i dont kno what order this post will end up at..but i also sometimes get a little crazy posting on here,and usually about the same stuff..the valley should be proud of its football from the past and present,and i think for the most part fans/alumni should be proud and support eachother in the valley.
I’m sorry I’m even wasting my breath on you old guys. I’m an actual player from Bridgeport Central. We were ready and prepared for Greenwich. But lets see if any of these “top” teams can pull out a playoff game when their starting QB goes down on the opening drive. Then still outrush Greenwich. Then, every turnover but one comes from the inept backup quarterback. Let’s see Ansonia, Shelton, Bunnell, Stratford do it then.
Class LL
Greenwich 21
Shelton 7
Shelton is a good team, but they are no Naples. Greenwich has too much on offense and is too solid on defense for the Gaels to win this one. The Cardinals take home the title, and prove they are the best team in Fairfield County.
Bonus prediction:
The game is tied 7-7 at the half when an unruly Greenwich fan yells across the field to the Shelton side, “You are nothing but Valley trash.” Deeply shamed that their two decade quest to distance themselves from all things Valley has failed, Shelton folds in the second half.
Class L
Bunnel 20
Masuk 14
You are going to a street fight. One kid is from Stratford, the other is from Monroe. Who you taking? Bunnel will win the battle of the SWC. The worst part of the game – Stratford High players forced to watch Bunnel celebrate after they win. I can see them now, just staring out onto the field blankly, muttering “Bullard Havens, Bullard Havens, Bullard Havens” over and over.
Class MM
New Canaan 28
Hand 21
While Greenwich, Staples, and Bassick hog all the headlines, New Canaan has quietly become a very good program over the last decade. Yes, they lost to St. Josephs because they thought it was 1984. And yes they lost to Staples right before the Wreckers quit for the year. But besides that, New Canaan has looked solid once again. On the other Hand, the Tigers are undefeated. And being undefeated in the SCC, as many on this blog like to tell you, is no small accomplishment. Sure, they beat West Haven, Wilbur Cross, and Notre Dame all by one score or less. And sure none of those teams has a winning record. But cmon, let’s be realistic here. West Haven is not your average 3-7 team. And Wilbur Cross is not your average 3-6-1 team. In fact, I will go on record as saying those are two of the best 3 win teams ever to play. And did I mention Hand plays in the SCC. The SCC! I may have to change my pick.
Class M
Ledyard 35
Berlin 31
Here is the actual transcript from the CIAC playoff committee meeting:
- So I guess we will put the worst game on the board at Central again this year right? I mean, who wants to go there.
- Yea, that seems like the best thing to do, but which is the worst game?
- Well, who is playing in Class M this year? They usually have some doozies.
- Uh….it’s Ledyard against Berlin.
- No really, who is in the finals?
- It’s Ledyard against Berlin.
- Wow, ok, whatever. Central it is then.
Class M and MM: Crowning Obscure Champions Since 1976
Class SS
Seymour 35
Tolland 14
Is it true that Seymour already has the jackets and t-shirts printed? I would not be surprised. After all is said and done, they could end up the only Valley team of the three to win a title this year. And the soft opponent could not come at a better time for the Wildcats. They may need the rings to convince the townspeople to replace their decrepit home field.
Class S
Ansonia 27
New London 14
This is a truly historic game, and not just because it pits the number 1 ranked team in the state against number 4. Ansonia is 2-2 all time against New London in the playoffs. Ansonia is also 2-2 against Jack Cochran in the playoffs. It will be settled, for now. Speaking of Bill Belichick’s evil twin, is there a luckier coach in the world than Jack Cochran? I mean he goes to Bloomfield, and all of a sudden, great athletes from all over the greater Hartford area start transferring there. And now, a few years later, after getting dismissed from New Britain, punching other coaches, and being suspended from his current school New London, good athletes from all over southeastern CT are transferring to New London. Luck, it’s a funny thing. Despite his checkered past, Cochran is an excellent coach. If anybody can figure out how to stop Ansonia, it would be him. Hint: I hear Alex Thomas is a decent player. If the Whalers can slow him down, Ansonia will be in for a fight. This one could be a classic.
Just for the record- in the Central-Greenwich game, Central’s starting quarterback was back in the game scrambling his tail off (and throwing a pick)before halftime. Don’t blame the back-up. Second, as far as outrushing Greenwich, I would say close to 50% of your yardage came on the scrambling right before half and the last 7 minutes of the game when the score was 35-0 and Greenwich’s 2nds 3rds and 4ths were in the game. So I wouldn’t put too much weight on the final rushing stats. Also, Greenwich’s last 7 points came from the 2nd team offense.
To fbchic…just wanted to correct my message.
August 1 is the start date for pop warner. Official practice for high school is the week before school starts. Don’t want the swc or others to be thought of as “cheaters”.
Rob…..OMG absolute classic post…The comment about Shelton folding in the second half…Priceless and I’m an Alum….Got to give you credit, hysterical
you think ansonia is big? yea they are but they are big, fat and slow. New london is BIGGER, FASTER, and better athletes. you think ansonia works hard? try working out for cochran. this game goes to new london, not 19 year old coach tom brockett
A-rod go ahead and grab 22 kids ages 12-13 from where ever you from and match them up with my 22 ages 12-13 from bpt and watch ur kids get smacked
FB – Obviously from New London, you can say what you want. If the game is close at half, I’ll guarantee that by the first possession (for Ansonia) of the 3rd quarter, the Ansonia linemen are driveblocking New London – 5-7 yards down field on every play. They will (and I mean will) wear down the New London line. If it remains close, it will be because New London’s linebackers are very, very good and are keeping New London in the game OR Alex Thomas gets injured. Ansonia’s line is BIG, very well conditioned and I can personally attest to – extremely strong.
Tomorrow, we’ll know who is right.
west haven and wilbur cross were the best 3 win teams ever to play…
Coach ty, You’re probably right, but missing the point. This blog, like high school football, has very little or nothing to do with Pop Warner. There is a huge difference between 12 and 13 year olds and 15-18 year olds. Always has, always will. Again, weight room, grades, etc. The bigger cities have the most kids, so all of the high schools should be competitive since all of the pop warner teams are awesome.
Before the starter went down, we were driving well into Greenwich territory. When the backup came in it took him two plays to fumble the snap and give Greenwich the ball and momentum. They scored on that drive. Then when Greenwich gave us a blessing deep in their territory coach checked to a different play and he ran the old one pitching the ball into open space. You’re telling me he didn’t cause the loss?
it absolutely disgusts me that this player from bridgeport central is blaming his teammate for the loss. what is this? it is obvious that you must not have that sense of pride and brotherhood down there. oh and by the way, greenwich WILL lose on saturday. the SCC is a much better league than the FCIAC. give me a break, Wilton? Darien? McMahon? Westhill? Stamford? Greenwich played all of these weak schools.
Just for the record, I’m not from new london, or anywhere close to New london. Ansonia might get bailed out cuz of the cold/windy weather today
arod…yeah i just made 1 comment and every1 wants to chew my head off…all i stated is that “if all of the talent from Bpt Pop Warner stayed together and went to 1 highschool like ansonia pop warner kids…then a bpt highschool would be very good (sorry if i said Unstoppable nothing is unstoppable then bpt will win a national title every december) and yes there is a big diff but when kids grow 2gether then there’s chemistry and they tend to play better with each other
FB,
Way to backtrack at the last minute and soften your prediction of the New London upset.
The game was played on the shore at West Haven in December.
Obviously it would be cold and windy, its part of the game.
LOL
yeah, fb, Ansonia got bailed out by the weather- what a dope.
Great great quote by Coach Brockett (the 19 year old coach you dissed ;)
“This is the first team we played that’s bigger and faster than us,” said Ansonia coach Tom Brockett. “They had two of the three, but we were tougher. And I mean that. Our kids were tougher. That’s football. Toughness won today.”
Work on believing what you see, fb, rather than continue to see only what you believe.
Props, Rob, on your predictions. You were the only one on the board to go 6-0.
P.S. I’m sore as hell from last night’s celebrating. Who knew that pounding the top of a bar while chanting Cochran takes up the a**, doo-dah, doo-dah:) could hurt your hands so much, lol.
Yep New london came out and looked awful right from the opening kickoff. Of course any decent team would take advantage of it. Ansonia looked very lukewarm and average as a team. NL looked pitiful and the score shows. Of course ansonia is good, but I think they are better than how they played saturday, and NL is way better than what they showed. Ansonia was definitely tougher, but not bigger or faster. I wasted my time going there when I could have seen a 4th Q comeback or a game that went down to the final play from the 1 yard line!
Coach Ty, I think we’ve come to an agreement, like gentlemen should. I totally agree that Bpt. would compete with anyone state-wide on a consistent basis if the kids stayed together. It was hard for me to see them dominate every one like I thought you stated because other towns like Stratford and Norwalk would stay together as well.