And now, the final guide of the 2009 season. The Thanksgiving Day guide to all the games in the southwestern Connecticut region.
We kick off the festivities for real tonight and then go full-bore on Thanksgiving morning.
Here we go…
WEDNESDAY
| VISITOR | HOME |
TIME |
SKINNY |
| Bullard-Havens (7-2) | Bassick (2-8) |
5 |
St. Joseph fans should pack Kennedy for this |
| Woodland (6-3) | Seymour (1-8) |
6 |
Hawks have only beaten Seymour once: 2004 |
| Newtown (7-2) | Masuk (9-1) |
7 |
Newtown typically plays well at Masuk |
| Immaculate (1-8) | Notre Dame-FF (2-7) |
7 |
ND’s loss last year was first since 2000 |
| Oxford (5-4) | Pomperaug (10-0) |
7 |
Oxford upset would just make this rivalry |
THURSDAY
| VISITOR | HOME |
TIME |
SKINNY |
| Stratford (4-5) | Bunnell (3-6) |
10 |
Bunnell’s won 8 of last 9 meetings |
| Stamford (4-5) | Westhill (2-7) |
10 |
Knights should wrap up 2nd straight city title |
| Wilton (2-7) | Trinity Catholic (3-6) |
10 |
Not exactly blood rivals here |
| North Haven (6-3) | Amity (3-6) |
10 |
Amity typically own North Haven |
| Brookfield (2-7) | Bethel (7-2) |
10 |
First playoff in 21 years on Bethel’s mind |
| Barlow (4-5) | Weston (3-6) |
10 |
Weston’s won two straight over Barlow |
| New Fairfield (5-4) | New Milford (2-7) |
10 |
Wood will produce/direct an NF winning season |
| Norwalk (2-7) | McMahon (2-7) |
10:30 |
Bears have 2-year hold on Sam Testa Trophy |
| Danbury (2-7) | Ridgefield (8-1) |
10:30 |
You never know, Tigers. You never know… |
| Wilbur Cross (4-5) | Hillhouse (5-4) |
10:30 |
Elm City Bowl’s always a brawl |
| West Haven (4-5) | Fairfield Prep (0-9) |
10:30 |
Westies should wrap this up early |
| Warde (5-4) | Ludlowe (5-4) |
10:30 |
At stake: Town’s first winning season in decades |
| Trumbull (5-4) | St. Joseph (7-2) |
10:30 |
Hogs must win… but history’s not on their side |
| Foran (5-4) | Law (3-6) |
10:30 |
Battle of Milford oughta be entertaining |
| Darien (7-2) | New Canaan (8-1) |
10:30 |
Beat Darien now or you’ll meet later, Rams |
| Harding (0-9) | Central (8-2) |
10 |
Harding hasn’t won since 1998 |
| Greenwich (7-2) | Staples (10-0) |
10:30 |
Gotta win, Staples; FCIAC trophy won’t help |
| ND-WH (8-1) | Hamden (7-2) |
10:30 |
Green Bowl’s lost some luster; but not for ND |
| Shelton (6-3) | Derby/O’Brien (3-6) |
10:30 |
Derby’s last win? 2002’s upset at Shelton |
| Ansonia (7-2) | Naugatuck (4-5) |
10:30 |
Could be Naugy’s best shot in years |
Mr. Bowley-
Your assessments on the Darien-New Canaan and Greenwich-Staples games are PERFECT!! Well done!
(That’s why they pay me the big bucks.)
S.P.B.-
If Greenwich beats Staples – is their season still over?? If so, wow- talk about how 2 points ( one pt. losses ) can change history… Pretty rough.
Greenwich would need, Cheshire, Central, Hamden and Ridgefield to lose and get enough bonuses to have any chance. …so, yeah. And, yes, that’s a tough way to go. But them’s the breaks.
Staples Greenwich has all the elements to be a tremendous game – televised, redemption for the last two years for Staples, Greenwich looking for respect this year by knocking off the #1 team in the state, #1 seed in LL on the line for Staples – great stuff.
I’m thinking many were one week too early in thinking special teams would decide a close game for Staples.
A little something special for Turkey Day…… The top 20 games of the week, ranked in order of their relevance to this season. Good luck to the teams with their playoff lives on the line and may all the seniors play the best game of their careers!
#20) Crosby-Kennedy – The winner of this game is awarded a year’s supply of 1,000 Flushes, as is custom in the NVL Toilet Bowl. Last year Kennedy played Ansonia in the NVL championship game, or as it is known in NVL title game mythology, “The Game That Nobody Will Ever Remember”. Stakes: Loser will be known as the worst team in the NVL. Following the practice of the English Premier League, they are relegated to the next lowest division (the CSC), where they go undefeated next year and make the state playoffs.
#19) Woodland-Seymour- This game usually has playoff implications, but this year both teams are shells of their former selves. It would not have even made the top 20 without Connor Shugrue, whose return makes this a marquee game on Wednesday night. Stakes: If Woodland wins, they can claim that all the Seymour championships over the years were due to players from Beacon Falls.
#18) Rocky Hill-St. Paul- As bad as the NVL is this year, they have a chance to get 4 teams into the state playoffs, Ansonia, Wolcott, Holy Cross and, yes, St. Paul. Jude Kelly is already a legend, but he could cement his status as one of the great coaches of all time in CT if he gets into the playoffs and makes some noise. Surprisingly, St. Paul may have the best chance in MM to give New Canaan a fight. They have impressive size and speed and just need to put it together for 48 minutes. Stakes: A playoff berth for the Falcons.
#17) Foran-Law- This is another game that usually has some bearing on the postseason. Not so this year, but The Battle of Milford should be competitive regardless. Stakes: The MilfTrophy.
#16) Brookfield-Bethel-What a difference a year makes. Last year, it was Brookfield needing this win to make the playoffs, this year it’s Bethel. I’m anxious to see what Bethel can do on a state level, after establishing themselves as an upper level SWC team. The Bobcats need a win for some sort of redemption. (Where are those crazy twins from Brookfield when you need them?) Stakes: A spot in the M playoffs for Bethel. Free root beer floats at the Sycamore Drive-In.
#15) Warde-Ludlowe- The Battle of the Bluebloods. As I understand it, the winner of this game gets a trophy made of solid gold and filled with caviar and the loser has to do their own laundry for a whole week!! I have only heard this through the grapevine, though, as they check everyone’s liquid assets before they walk through the gate. Only $700,000?!? Back to the Valley peasant! Stakes: Death!
#14) Harding-Central- Could it be? The darlings of CT high school football could go 9-1 in the regular season, beat the snot out of then #1 New Canaan and still not make the playoffs?!?! As it stands, the Hilltoppers are on the outside looking in right now, with the top 4 teams in LL controlling their own futures. The CIAC may have revamped their system a year too late for Central. Stakes: Possible spot in LL for Central. Loser has to clean the bathroom at Scruples.
#13) Pomperaug-Oxford- Shockingly enough, Pomperaug can actually miss the playoffs with a loss here. Don’t completely dismiss the Wolverines. They have already turned more than a few heads this year and an upset here would really put this second year program on the map. Of course the Panthers should win, but what if…….? Stakes: Spot in L for Pompy.
#12) Bunnell-Stratford- It seems like every game on this list has playoff implications year after year and this one is usually one of the most important. Both teams are down this year, but that should make this game even better. The only thing on the line is pride. Stakes: Free chicken cutlet grinders for a week at Gaetano’s.
#11) Shelton-Derby- This game looked a lot more interesting earlier in the year when Derby was 3-1 and Shelton 1-3. Now it’s pretty clear who the favorite is. Never count Derby out, though. This year’s Raiders are better than those of years past and Shelton is good, but not exactly a juggernaut. Paul Picirrillo is the early favorite to take home the Silver Turkey for game MVP. This kid does it all for the Gaels. Stakes: If Shelton wins, Derby buys the wings at Porky’s. If Derby wins, Shelton buys the pizza at Roseland.
#10) Cross-Hillhouse- The rollercoaster season for both teams comes to its final loop. Cross started out its season by handing Xavier its only loss, pretty convincingly at that, but went on to lose 5 games.(P.S. If not for that game, Xavier is #1 in the state right now.) Hillhouse lost its first 3, but came back to get to 5-4. Expect a bloodbath, as these teams also have nothing to play for but pride. Stakes: The Elm City trophy (Hyde can not be included in this discussion.) Since we’re on the topic of rivalries in New Haven, I’d just like to take the time to point out that Sally’s, Pepe’s and Modern get the hype, but the best pizza is at BAR. I’ll argue this one to the death! Their bacon and mashed potato pie is unbelievable.
Bonus Game!! Stamford at Westhill- Stamford stakes its claim as the city’s best. (Speaking of football in the city of Stamford, why is it so weak??) After the game, a misty-eyed Dave Ruden presents Khairi Fortt with a bouquet of roses and a handmade card for his final game in CT. (Sorry, I was dying to get one last shot in before the year ended. Remember, that was 17 articles about an injured player on a winless team through Week 5). Stakes: Stamford city crown. MVP of the game wins a scholarship to Penn State (provided it’s Fortt).
#9) Southington-Cheshire- This game is a contrast of styles. Southington usually throws more passes in a quarter than Cheshire does all season. The Rams control their own destiny, but Southington certainly remembers that they were knocked out of the playoffs by a mediocre Cheshire team in the Apple Valley Cup a couple years ago and wants revenge. Stakes: LL playoff berth for Cheshire
#8) Ansonia-Naugy- Ansonia is a mortal lock to make Class S with a win here. After being discounted following its loss to Watertown, the Chargers are now a legit threat to Bloomfield. They just have to focus on the Greyhounds, who knocked Holy Cross from the ranks of the undefeated. Highlight of the game: At halftime, Tom Brockett and Rob Plasky wrestle at mid-field to see who has the greater Napoleon complex. Stakes: S playoff berth for Ansonia.
#7) Trumbull-St. Joes- Which Trumbull team will show up? The one that beat Central or the one that lost to Stamford? If the former shows up, St. Joes is in for a dogfight to keep its season going. Otherwise, if they can get a few breaks and bonus points, pencil them in for a Class SS title. Stakes: SS playoff berth for St. Joes. Free penne ala vodka from Marisa’s.
#6) Newtown-Masuk- A few weeks ago, it seemed like Masuk had already claimed its place in the L field. Now they may need a win to get in. Newtown is definitely not a pushover, but it is TOUGH to prepare for a team that threw the ball 68 times last game. Stakes: L playoff berth for Masuk. A loss and Jack Cochran puts his Monroe house on the market and looks for real estate in Ansonia. (The world is supposed to end in 2012 anyways, might as well expedite the process!)
#5) Greenwich-Staples- Greenwich would love nothing more than to ruin the Wreckers’ season. You can NEVER count Greenwich out. I don’t care who lines up on the field. The name on the jersey still strikes fear in their opponents. If Central beats Harding (long shot there, I know) and Greenwich beats Staples, Central is in and Staples may have to cling to that FCIAC trophy with all its might. Stakes: LL playoff berth for Staples. Losing team’s fans get to whine about officiating on the blog until next season. (Unless Greenwich wins, then both teams get to share this honor)
#4) Darien-New Canaan- Huge game for the MM field. If Darien hadn’t lost to Warde (remember when Warde was a factor?), they would control their own destiny. As it stands, they need to beat New Canaan and have a couple of breaks go their way to get in. If the Blue Wave manages to do it, SPB and Brian will need to take a vacation after trying to figure out the points for the MM field. Stakes: MM playoff berth, possibly for both teams. For New Canaan, a chance to prove that the Central game was a fluke.
#3) NDWH-Hamden- The Green Bowl (for you novices out there, it pits the GREEN Dragons against the GREEN Knights) would have been #1 if not for Hamden’s slip up against Cross. This is still a big one, though. If Notre Dame wins, they should be in the playoffs. If they win big and go on to win Class L, they can make a case for being the #1 team in the state, but it will be tough. I hate the fact that an undefeated team would almost certainly be voted #1 over a very good 1 loss team. My Christmas wish is for all the voters in the state to ask themselves one question and one question only when filling out their polls: If CT had to send a team to Florida or Texas to represent us, who would you send??? Stakes: L playoff berth for ND. Looooooongshot berth in LL for Hamden.
#2) Holy Cross-Wolcott- The NVL title this year goes through Wolcott! Sure it’s a down year in the NVL, but trophies always look nice in your school’s lobby. Holy Cross looked like the team to beat before it beat Kennedy and Sacred Heart by 1 and was shut out by Naugatuck. This will be Wolcott’s first NVL title in history. Stakes: NVL title, SS playoff berths. Winner gets to ride the mechanical bull at Illusions Dance Club for free until 2010.
#1) Bullard Havens- Bassick- Yes, this is #1! And no it is not done tongue-in-cheek. This game will go a long way in determining the legitimacy of the CSC. If a 1 loss CSC team gets beaten by a 2 win FCIAC team, you can make a strong case for CSC teams not being eligible for the state playoffs. We are VERY interested in seeing how this one plays out. Bullard needs to win and have a break or two go their way to get into the SS field. Justin May from Tech is a hell of a player. His performance against Platt Tech was very impressive. (Yes, a member of CTFootballLive was in attendance.) Stakes: For Bassick, Da Port’z Finest runner-up trophy. For Bullard, a potential berth in SS and CSC legitimacy.
Enjoy the games, enjoy the turkey, and give thanks that we can spend our time talking about high school football. Not everyone is so lucky and I hope that I, for one, never take that for granted. Happy Thanksgiving!
What is going on at Brien McMahon? They used to have a proud football program. Now they are one of the worst teams in the state. Does anyone still care over there?
What about the Cheshire – Southington game. Big playoff implications in that one.
Even Coach Albonizio said it in the newspaper today…”Staples-Greenwich is not a real rivalry.” He thinks Staples sees it the same way.
Staples is not even the #1 team in the AREA…according to SPB. And he knows more about football than anyone around…trust me.
Oh, great. Yeah, just send ‘em my way.
Hey Bay,
That was really good…Thanks for putting so much work into it…I learned a lot, since I know very little about teams beyond the FCIAC…
FunAndGun,
Maybe you should go with SPB to the Marce and Jack dinner and pick up the tab for him…
Misery loves company.
Bay you outdid yourself again.
spb, you going to masuk tonight?
Marce and Jack will deserve a dinner from this fan if they win the Class LL STATE title…not a watered down LEAGUE trophy, where they played a cream-puff schedule and were lucky to beat Central.
See you back here on Saturday night..December 5th…please don’t be late!
Staples will win the FCIAC again next year, as they play the same schedule and never have to play Greenwich until after the FCIAC final. You see, it’s all set up for Staples, every year. FCIAC= easy for Staples. States= impressive.
I’ll be at Bullard-Havens-Bassick and then Newtown-Masuk.
Baty should get his own blog…
Also, for Mike: We don’t cover Cheshire or Southington; so that’s why they’re not listed.
NCHSPride- Why didn’t NC win the watered down league trophy?
NCHS Pride, keep stamping your feet and making excuses! You weren’t good enough to make it to the FCIAC party. Your comments show a lack of class and a stain on your program. SPB should screen this blog from lack of intelligence by you!
Will Brien McMahon ever win another game? Tech schools from all over the state are trying to get on the 2010 schedule. Most are offering to pay for The Senators travel, food and hotel costs in order to get a date with them next year. Capital Prep boosters want the BMHS-CP game to be an annual event. It may be time to get a new staff and rebuild this once proud program if it isn’t already too late.
Before the National Anthem finished playing at the New Milford – New Fairfield game this Thanksgiving morning, one of the New Fairfield players put on his helmet and walked several steps out onto the field. He then stretched his arms out and yelled to the opposite stands and opposing players and coaches, “F*** you, New Milford”. Everybody heard it; it was clear as a bell from the New Milford stands. I expected every official’s yellow flag to go flying but apparently, there’s no rule against this. The New Milford coach rushed onto the field and had a short, animated discussion with all the refs, who simply shrugged their shoulders and prepared for the kick off. I was personally amazed that a New Fairfield coach (or maybe even the player’s parents) didn’t rush out and drag the player from the field, but the coaches just clapped their hands and looked away. I played high school and Division III college football in the late 70′s and that behavior would not have been tolerated in my time (have times changed that much?!). I’m wondering if this will be reported in any of the papers? I’m certainly going to write a letter to the editors of all the local (and not so local) papers. I think the mayor, superintendant, principal, coaches, parents and player owe a formal apology at the very least. What do you think?
Staples got lucky again today. On December 5th we will see if the Wreckers win the state title or if the Rams do.
My last post of the year – breath a sigh of relief SPB – random thoughts:
NC has become irrelevant in all these blogs. They can win another state title and I will be happy for them and the FCIAC (alright maybe just for the FCIAC). The fact is they were an average, over-hyped team this year who happened to have a “Div I” quarterback end up on their door step 2 weeks before the year started. If not for that, they wouldn’t have even made the playoffs this year.
Thank goodness for the playoff format change. A team like Central not making states is a crime. Beating Greenwich and dismantling soon to be “state champ” NC by 5 TD’s and not playing in the post season is a shame.
Finally, thank you to both the Greenwich and Staples players for giving me the best game I’ve watched in person at any level (pro’s, college or high school) – Happy Thanksgiving. Oh, and I’ve watched Greenwich play twice this year – NC and Staples – and Lefflebine is the best QB in the FCIAC, end of story.
I attended the New Canaan-Darien game today and the game could have gone either way. Darien dominated the clock in the first half and some costly penalties by New Canaan helped give Darien the lead at the half. New Canaans passing game opened things up in the second and the game ended with NC holding on with a 14-7 victory. New Canaan was avery fortunate to win-they kept shooting themselves in the foot.
I doubt if there was another game in the state that was more attended. All the Darien fans were wearing blue and the whole NC side had red. This is the best rivalry in the state. It doesn’t always have the best teams but the crowd was electric.
In the scheme of things these are not vintage New Canaan or Darien teams. They are not as talented as they were in previous years but the coaching on both sides is excellent and the players performances always exceed expectations.
New Canaan will now go on to the states. They will have to bring their A GAME if they are to repeat as state champs. They are hiding many people on both sides of the ball. They lack a kicking game, very poor special teams, and a pourous defense. Yet they continue to win. They have an excellent passing team and mix in the run to keep teams off balance.
Darien as usual always comes to play. They just missed out on the state playoffs but the future looks bright for the Blue Wave. Next year if you are a football fan try to see a Darien-New Canaan game. You won’t be disappointed.
Mr. D- Thanks for the inevitable “Staples got lucky”.
Mr. D,
Don’t be ridiculous. There was nothing lucky about the Wreckers’ victory over the Greenwich. They came up big when they needed to, though the fact that they needed to come up big in the first place is a little disappointing considering they led 21-7 at half. They stopped the Cardinals’ second two-point conversion attempt (the MSG replay shows that Leffilbine was clearly stopped just short of the goaline), Cuartas made the big FG to put Staples up 30-28, and then they blocked the FG to win the game.
Tell me, did the Rams “get lucky” when they overcame a two touchdown defecit to beat Greenwich 35-34. Or again, today, when they started on Darien’s 22 and subsequently scored to take the lead all because of a bad snap? I’ll answer that for you. No: the Rams stepped it up when they needed to, capitalized on the opportunities they were given, and got the W’s they sought. Staples did the same things against Central last week and Greenwich yesterday.
I don’t see why bitter NC fans continually feel the need to attack Staples’ accomplishments just because there’s a chance Staples might actually have a more successful season than NC . Though I certainly don’t like the Rams, I respect them and know they are an excellent football program with a winning tradition. If they win states again this year, it would be another exceptional season for them (the one blemish being its crushing loss to Central). And why does it have to be either Staples “or” NC that wins states? Why not both, and St. Joes as well, to give the FCIAC a triftecta? Or would that be too much of a hit to your pride?
congradulations to staples on a great game played. i am sad to say that My Rams looked less impressive then i would have hoped yesterday but the NC Invitational starts tuesday so that will be fun. And to respond to PatPatriot’s post: i do not believe that NC was an average overhyped team….ok maybe overhyped…but definatly not average. NC got the crap kicked out of them against Central no doubt, but i think it would have been closer if it wasnt so windy, but thats football right. Secondly I truly believe that the reason NC did not beat central was because BATY was playing QB. the other kid runs the offense better, not the better armed player, but the better QB. In my eyes I think NC can beat any team in the State, they just had 1 bad game…Last i Checked they beat Greenwich and St. Joes, too very good teams. I bet Staples was alot happier to be playing Central then NC.
What a crowd at the New Canaan-Darien game. It took me 45 minutes to get out of the parking lot!!
Lefflebine is very good, but I’ll tell you, DellaVecchia from St. Joe’s is no slouch, either.
WOW! What a game between Staples and Greenwich. I just saw the game tape delayed over MSG. One of the most exciting high school games I have ever seen. If Staples goes on and beats Xavier and then the winner of Glastonbury vs. Cheshire then they have indeed earned the right to be called state champs and the #1 overall team in the state of CONN. First the comeback against Central and then against Greenwich. It doesn’t get any better than this. Greenwich with any luck could be undefeated but costly unsportsmanlike penalties throughout the season in big games killed their chances. No excuses Big Red.
The Fciac is sending three powerful teams to the states ( Staples, New Canaan and St.Joes) and the SWC will be well represented with Pomperaug. Good luck to all four teams from our area.
Two of the teams will be playing NVL opponents ( New Canaan vs St.Pauls/Goodwin tech and Holy Cross will be playing St.Joes) Both games will be very competitive.
Tuesday you will have five very compelling games in which us football junkies can choose from. The best game being Xavier vs Staples. The four other top games are NDWH vs Conard, Cheshire vs Glastonbury, Holy Cross vs St. Joes and Ansonia vs Northwest Catholic.
Six Catholic schools have qualified for the states. A possible record for private schools.
The most outstanding football player I have seen this year is the Qb from Glastonbury. He never comes off the field. He punts, kicks off, place kicks, outstanding defensive player and a hard running QB who also can pass. Without him Glastonbury is an above average team.
SPB–Thank you for giving us fans a chance to speak our minds and to all the bloggers for keeping us informed about High School football throughout the state.
TPL, Someone else on this blog is using my name. Their is only one MR. D and that’s me!!
Staples is one tough team. They come after you on defense and their offense is very deceiving, they have the speed to can score at any time. They also have a GREAT kicking game.
A well coached team all around in all aspects of the game. Next year as a fan I would love to see Staples, Greenwich, New Canaan, Darien. St.Joes, Central, ridgefield and Trumblull play against each other every week. That would be High School football at its best.
David Eherts: that sounded gross and the kid should have been removed from the game. I personally believe his coach should have taken it upon himself to do it. Its disrespectful of the teams, the occasion, the National Anthem and all that it stands for.
The Staples/Greenwich game was incredible. Both teams played their hearts out and should walk away very proud of themselves. I think Greenwich’s record belies just how good of team they are – or maybe just how strong the bracket it. GO WRECKERS!
PatPatriot-
Why your bitterness for New Canaan? You sound like a Staples fan?!
tpl…
Staples was very fortunate…having said that, the Wreckers are still an excellent team! I HOPE they win the states…it’s gonna be tought for them, but I will be rooting for them.
PatPatriot…Leffelbine is better than Gelman??! No way.
Prophet—I AGREE with you….Baty is not all that at QB…definitely not Division I….as Pat Patriot thinks….NC has OVERachieved this season, in my opinion, graduating almost everybody from last season’s 13-0 team. How about that crowd yesterday? That had to be the biggest crowd in the state by far. What a rivalry!
NC very fortunate to win.
what did you expect from new fairfield—-new milford dave? im surprised he didnt start singing the theme song from green acres
Just out of curiosity, what was the crowd at Darien-New Canaan (in absolute terms)? SPB in his article said there were 4,500 at Hamden for the Green Bowl, the New Haven Register reported 5,500. Were there far more than that at New Canaan?
The Register is out of its mind. The stands hold 4,800 and it wasn’t utterly full. The crowd surrounding the field probably could have adequately filled the gaps.
Lots of dumb comments being tossed around this blog.
Any personal attacks are being deleted.
Hard to tell how many people were at the NC-Darien Game. Both stands were packed and people were standing five deep around the whole facility.. Lasr years crowd had a 9,000 advance ticket sale and had approx.
10,000.
This year they had about half of that–maybe.