SPB's High School Football

We kick off the build up to Week 7 by surveying the carnage left behind from Week 6 — perhaps one of the wildest weeks in recent memory.

First look, of course, is the FCIAC playoff standings. There are just three weeks left to determine the two championship participants. New Canaan, fresh off an impressive 35-25 victory over St. Joseph, takes the lead with Staples following (hobbling?) right behind.

The ramifications of Central’s victory over Greenwich were the hot topic on a soaking wet Saturday at Dunning Stadium. Writers, broadcasters and coaches alike were suggesting all kinds of wild FCIAC championship possibilities — possibilities that didn’t seem so likely just days before.

Here are the playoff point standings and, below, the top remaining matchups in the season’s final three weeks.

(By the way, this is the kind of intrigue you won’t find anywhere else but southwest Connecticut. Say what you want about these oddly-placed and determined championship games, they certainly add a little extra spice to the final weeks of the regular season).

FCIAC Football Playoff Standings
As of Monday, Oct. 26, 2009

Here are the big matchups remaining for the top playoff contenders:

Week 7: None ….Unless you want to count Staples at Ludlowe, 7 p.m. — the Falcons always seem to give the Wreckers trouble, and this is the first game without Brandon Pacilio — or Stamford at Central at 6 p.m., given the way the Black Knights came out of nowhere to upset Trumbull last week.

Week 8:
Ridgefield at Trumbull, 6 p.m. — Trumbull is pretty much cooked as far as the FCIAC race goes. But they’ll certainly get to have their say. Ridgefield is going to need to win this to have any shot (and the Tigers are a long shot at best).
New Canaan at Greenwich, 7 p.m. – The big ‘un. Last time these two played was in the FCIAC final back in 2006. New Canaan can all but punch its ticket here. With all the points Greenwich will bring, its impending game against Central will be rendered almost moot if the Rams are undefeated after Week 8. Greenwich needs this to have any shot.

Week 9
New Canaan at Central, 6 p.m. — Scenarios that put the Hilltoppers into the FCIAC final include knocking off New Canaan and hoping the Rams are beat by Greenwich the week before.
St. Joseph at Greenwich, 7 p.m. — Where does St. Joseph stand? It needs to win out and hope. This is still a big one for their state hopes. The Hogs have to win here and then hope Staples loses and New Canaan wins out to get a rematch.
Staples at Trumbull, 7 — This is Staples only remaining game against a team with a winning record. If all goes according to form the Wreckers can punch their FCIAC ticket here and let the rest of the field duke it out for No. 2.