Six of the eight regional football teams playing in Tuesday night's state semifinals (Clockwise from top-right): New Canaan QB Turner Baty; Staples RB/DB Matt Kelly; Bethel RB/DB Pete Gallagher; St. Joseph FB/LB Tyler Matakevich; Pomperaug RB/DB Ben Crick; Bullard-Havens' RB Justin May
He’s not the only one. Ned Griffen, from the Day of New London, has told me he’s been scratching his head trying to figure out all of our matchups. Simsbury vs. Pomperaug? Cheshire vs. Glastonbury? Xavier vs. Staples? Bloomfield vs. Hyde? …Taking a cursory glance, I’m inclined to agree with both of them.
Yeah, there’s maybe one or two slam dunks, but not the usual six, seven or eight games — which lends credence to the notion that there’s not one true No. 1 team out there.
Pomperaug? Should have its hands full with Simsbury in a crammed Class L field. Staples vs. Xavier looks like one of the best matchups, but what do the Wreckers have left after two grueling games in one week?
Cheshire-Glastonbury? Good offensive stars, short on big defensive stoppers, that’s a game that should produce plenty of fireworks and come down to the wire.
Bethel got any chance against New London? St. Paul have any chance vs. New Canaan? Vinal Tech/East Lyme? St. Joseph-Holy Cross?
Ansonia’s playing better, can they beat Northwest Catholic? Berlin-Avon? Notre Dame-West Haven at Conard?
Seeing as many of you are already casting your two cents (or, for some of you, a dollar’s worth) on the make believe playoff post, I figured we kick this week off to see what you think of our 2009 CIAC state playoffs.
Who will we be seeing Saturday in the finals?
Click here for the CIAC Football Playoff Scoreboard Page
Add: To help, we’ve linked to all the MaxPreps preview pages for each of these games. Quite a few teams haven’t updated their stats, so shame on them. But, whatever, still some information contained therein.
Class LL: Glastonbury vs. Cheshire; Xavier vs. Staples
Class L: Notre Dame vs. Conard; Simsbury vs. Pomperaug
Class MM: Vinal Tech/Coginchaug vs. East Lyme; St. Paul Co-Op vs. New Canaan
Class M: Bethel vs. New London; Berlin vs. Avon
Class SS: Holy Cross vs. St. Joseph; Bullard-Havens vs. Montville
Class S: Ansonia vs. Northwest Catholic; Bloomfield vs. Hyde
Here we go:
I have yet to see NW Catholic this season but if Ansonia can keep running the ball down NWC’s throat, they can win this game.
The Chargers have hit their stride at the perfect time (4 games ago ’til current). From what I’ve heard, NWC is very tough on defense. Ansonia lacks a secondary.
Going to be a good game.
At last some great semi-final games. most of the games will be highly competitive except the Bullard Havens game.
predictions:
LL:Staples over xavier
cheshire over gbury
L: NDWH over Conard
Pomperaug over Simsbury
MM: NC over St.Paul
East Lyme over Vinal Tech
M: Bethel over New London
Berlin over Avon
SS: St.Joes over Holy Cross
Montville over Bullard Havens
S: Ansonia over NWC
Hyde over Bloomfield
New London is real young and I think Gallagher and Co. up front can win the line of scrimmage and control the clock. New London wins this game going away next year but I think they can be picked off here.
Brian, NL is young but no one is pushing their line around, trust me! To boot their defense is very good. NL beats Bethel by at least two touchdowns.
Don’t be surprised if St. Paul puts a scare into NC. They have great size and coach Kelly won’t be outcoached by anybody in CT.
Besides that Brian, good picks.
i’ve heard good things about St Paul.
Add that to the fact that NC has not thrown deep since the greenwich game and you’ve got yourself a good looking game
Not sure if anyone has brought this up, but NC’s offense is a shell of itself. And i don’t think it has anything to do with the competition (see amt of yardage they put up against greenwich)
If they start throwing deep again, i think this games a blowout – conservative and St Paul has a great shot to win
It’s hard to believe we are starting the state championship games and many of the storied programs of the past several years are not participating.
Greenwich, New Britain, Daniel Hand, Bunnell, Shelton,Trumbull,Fairfield Prep, West Haven, Hillhouse,Darien,Southington,Cromwell,Fitch,Masuk,Newtown. These teams will be back soon.
The Class LL and the class L are loaded. The class SS has an interesting game between Holy Cross and ST. Joes. You have the best team in the NVL going up against the sixth best team in the FCIAC. I look for St. Joes to win in a close game.
We will find out that the SCC will outclass the FCIAC this week coming up. Xavier has a much tougher schedule and that will show on Tuesday night.
I have been hearing good things about Conard and don’t imagine Notre Dame will waltz through Class L. The teams that have given ND a hard time this season have had big running games (like Conard, Pomperaug and Simsbury), but I think ND will take it. My reasoning: if Notre Dame finds itself in close games (and I think it will) it will not be unfamiliar territory. Since the Xavier collapse, Notre Dame has come back from defecits against Cheshire, Hand and Hamden. They will not get flustered if they find themselves in a dogfight.
Other intangibles: the QB Goldrich does not throw interceptions, which can kill you in HS (check out his QB rating on MaxPreps). Also, they have a viable field goal threat in their kicker, which can make a big difference in a close game. And the defense has been playing much better later in the season after looking a little soft early on.
Cook-
While I agree with you that the SCC is a MUCH tougher conference (top to bottom) than the FCIAC, I think the Xavier-Staples game is an absolute toss-up. I don’r expect one team to roll ove the other team. I live in FCIAC territory, but I’m a realist. Staples’ schedule stinks…while Xavier schedule was incredible. Still, Staples is a good football team….as is Xavier. But schedules don’t win games.
Toss-up.
St. Paul does not have a realistic chance to beat New Canaan. The Central game was an eye opener for sure, but NC is still a very good football team. Rams win this game handily.
Staples has got to be beat up after the last two games they’ve played and it doesn’t help that they only get a 5 day break from the Greenwich game. Its gonna be a grind winning LL.
Staples has about four starters with broken bones right now. Two from the Central game who played against Greenwich and two more in the Greenwich game who may or may not be playing from what I understand.
Class LL: Xavier over Cheshire
Class L: Notre Dame over Simsbury
Class MM: New Canaan over Vinal/Coginchaug
Class M: Berlin over New London
Class SS: Holy Cross over Montville
Class S: Bloomfield over Ansonia
Brian, it will be take a tall order for Bethel to pick off this young Whaler team. They are battle tested from big games last year to a series of big games this year. Quite honestly the best time for any team to pick off New London was early in the season when they had q.b. issues. They have since remedied that and the q.b. position has been FAR less of a liability. While nothing is impossible when young people play this game it surely is unprobable that Bethel will upset New London. By the way….. You are right, next year they will be even better with the core of the team returning. But…. Lets get past this year.
“Cards” makes a good point about Staples. They are very good but there banged up. On a side note, I can see the ECC making some noise.
FCIAC fan with my predictions for the three teams
Staples: too banged up, will lose to Xavier
New Canaan: will smash St Paul
St Joes: will beat Holy Cross by two touchdowns
Saw New Canaan play live against Trumbull and Staples. They should destroy St. Paul by 100000 pts. I can’t believe St. Paul even got 10 votes
Brian Good picks but Bethel over The Whalers? This game will be over by halftime. You must live in Bethel.
I just don’t see how people can discount Bullard Havens. They are 9-1!!!! How many teams do you think could possibly go 9-1 when they play as bruising a schedule as BH??? Do you honestly think Greenwich or Hamden could win 9 games against opponents with a combined record of 29-58??
I agree with the opinions that for the first time in many years, we have games that should not be blowouts. Look at last year’s playoffs. Most were not really contests. I have a thought as to why: I don’t think there are any GREAT teams in the state this year. There is no team that I think everyone could agree is unbeatable at this point in the season, even the undefeated teams. I could be wrong, but no team in the field puts terror into the other teams as some of the monster teams have in the past. It makes for a great playoff season.
If I had to choose one semi-final to attend it would be Staples vs. Xavier. I’m picking Xavier but it should be a solid game. After all the blogging, I’d like to go up to Conard to see them vs. ND-WH, but I think that Xavier/Staples is a better game.
Hardest game to pick? Bloomfield vs. Hyde.
dont underestimate st.pauls-they have three great receivers and a tough running back-theyll stay in the game
Bloomfield’s QB was injured in the Windsor game and did not play in the 4th quarter. I’ve heard Staples has had some injuries over the past few weeks. Ansonia seems to be hitting its stride but NWC will have the field all muddied up and the grass will be about 10 inches high. Hope the Chargers aren’t expecting to sprint past NWC. St. Paul could play well and scare New Canaan but their achilles’ is pass defense. Plus that long bus ride down there and that easy listening music during warm ups can take its toll on a team. Still they have Coach Kelly. Montville is going to kill BHTech. If Tech wants to get respect, they need to schedule some out of conference games against some tougher teams, 21-13 against Bassick is not getting it done. If Conard is only required to play defense and run the ball, they are going to be hard to beat. Good luck to everyone.
Holy Cross and Conard need to keep SJ and NDWH off the field on offense. They need long sustained drives and maybe an onside kick or so. Also, a couple three and outs would be nice. Notre Dame has too much talent to be losing to anyone. SJ stinks on defense. Staples has to be beat up. Central knocked them all over the place in the FCIAC title game.
HAHA, I went out on a limb with the bethel pick. I realize NL should win this game but I just think someone who is “supposed win” won’t so I needed to pick an upset special somewhere so that game fit the bill as a true upset. I don’t live in Bethel and I’m totally in agreement that NL should win this game.
Why are people making excuses for Staples even before the game is played. They are banged up therefore they won’t win. C’mon folks get serious. Staples can beat anybody in that class and anybody can beat them.
THSSKID New Canaan did not play Staples or Trumbull this year. They did play them last year.
Can St. Paul beat NC? Yes but I don’t think they will.
Can you imagine the ST. Josephs team waiting around for the Norwalk-McMahon final and needing a Norwalk win for 10 bonus points then to hear how Norwalk blew the game . Glad that Joes made it though-hope they can upset Holy Cross.
thskid-
Trust me…I’m a New Canaan fan…and they did not play Trumbull or Staples this year. I wish that we could have!
Believe me….NCHS will not have a cakewalk throuh the Class MM state tournament. No kicking game, no running game, shaky defense. Next year is going to be even worse….as everybody graduates!
No running game? NC has two very good backs and solid o line with connor hanratty. Theyre just a spread offense
Although I have not seen Bethel play , I agree with Brian.New London should win the game but I honestly believe New London is still young and in my opinion is not the most talented team in the ECC(Montville).New London would struggle more in winning the LL ,L,SS.I would think this division will come down to either New London or Berlin(who I have not seen live this year either).
Three of the four Staples captains suffered broken bones this season. One is out for the season, one recovering, the other newly playing through it. Another two key guys also have newly broken bones, one playing the other not. But as the Staples system is more geared toward team execution rather than the exploits of any one “star”, and everyone firmly believes in everyone else regardless of who they are, you may be able to dent the machine but it’s very hard to stop it. From what I read, Xavier appears to be more like Central with a great running game and a talented defense. Yes, if should be one heck of a game for Staples… again.
You guys are slow….. he means the other trumbull school St Joe’s! I can understand though we never consider them in Trumbull either!!
montville is going to crush bh wow bh u got ur hands full and rb may will have only 55yards rushing cause lb rick is going to bust them running backs up go montville by 30
Since Brian is bailing on Bethel, I’ll jump on the Bethel Band Wagon. I predict that Bethel jumps out early and holds on to a 21-20 victory.
All we read all year on this blog was that if St Joes made the playoffs, they were going to win Class SS.
So how would St Joes beating Holy Cross be an upset? St Joes is the favorite in this game, make no mistake.
FunandGun –
If you’re a New Canaan fan, you’re not a particularly attentive one. Marinelli’s Rams are a program, and programs reload – if graduation losses mattered, NC would be in the midst of a profound title drought. Instead, they’re going for four straight. Each of the past three years, there has been significant turnover – anywhere from 14 to 20 new starters – and the on-field product has remained strong.
Truth is, NC actually has a fair number of regulars back in ’10. A wide receiver, a running back, a kicker and more than a few linemen (on both sides of the ball). Throw in the school’s most talented crop of rising juniors in years, and there should be wins galore per usual in Ramland next year. I would imagine that Staples and Greenwich will be equally strong. That’s the thing about the FCIAC – the more things change, the more they stay the same.
You want to talk about going out on a limb? Wait until tomorrow’s paper.
Oh Boy SPB, Remember everyone Bethel was my pick before SPB’s and TJ’s !! LOL. I said NL should win the game but I still picked Bethel and I’m sticking with it. 27-26 Cats !
Doesn’t surprise me that there is no love for the NVL here.
I pray for Holy Cross to lose every regular season game, but am pulling for them in the playoffs – for the sake of our league.
Never said I was picking Bethel… just said I was going out on a limb.
Remdog get the boss man to turn the comments back on. What am i supposed to do all day?
How strong is the ECC? who did New London play this year that has a proven record. Bethel is BIG up front a QB that runs the triple opt like no one else. I think it’s going to be a very good game lets see. I’ll say Bethel over New London as this years upset by 1-TD.
Ribbs, I am no longer a part of that blog. Neither is anyone else.
http://nvlfootballct.blogspot.com is the new home of NVL Football.
No more shadiness or babbling.
This question isn’t exactly on topic for this blog entry, but I was wondering what the true rivalries are these days in CT. By rivalry I’m talking about two teams that circle the date on the calendar and want to beat each other even if they are both winless that year. Yale-Harvard, USC-UCLA, etc.
I’m an Amity grad and no way North Haven was a rival (If I had to choose a town, I’d say Cheshire, but even that’s a stretch simply because they always had a good program and it was always a challenge to beat them.) Staples doesn’t play Greenwich in PAL, so I’d say NC, though for sure Darien would be more-so for NC, meaning Staples doesn’t really have a true rival. I guess intra-town schools might qualify (Stamford-Westhill, Warde-Ludlowe, McMahon-Norwalk) but not being from those towns I’m not sure.
Ansonia should win Remmy but rest of NVL team drew tough assignments.They could use your prayers.Just think that NVL champ is playing 5th best team in fciac and HC is underdog.Go figure
Jeff, that Seymour-Amity game (inexplicably played the weekend before Thanksgiving) was a real nice rivalry. They ended it my senior year and I remember being upset about it. The 1990 game which Amity knocked Seymour out of the playoffs remains a personal favorite of mine. That was as close as Amity ever came to a true rival. They have a few others, Cheshire was always a big one (but most of the time we got smoked; I remember a captain showing me a footprint from future Syracuse star Kyle McIntosh on his chest one day). Shelton’s always been big, but they have Derby (as lopsided as that rivalry has become, it’s still Valley); North Haven is no rival, for sure. I don’t think we have a true rival anymore — until the day Orange maybe creates its own school. Not sure if that’ll ever happen.
No respect for the ECC, picking the 4th best team in the SWC over the best team in the ECC ,and defending state champ! It’s pretty laughable but that’s why they play the games! Brian no dis on you, I know you were just going out on a limb, and hey it’s boring if you just pick the same teams everybody else is picking, I can appreciate the chaputsa! Can’t wait for SPBs picks!?!
Can anyone here tell me anything about Northwest Catholic? I haven’t seen this squad in action. Just trying to find out what kind of team this really is.
trey86, Holy Cross looked impressive earlier in the year. Not so much from mid-season on. I haven’t seen St. Joe’s in action this season, but it seems like everyone is picking them to blow-out HC.
Big Dad: NL ended up with the most points in the final CIAC standings, indicating they beat more teams with winning records. They beat Montville, East Lyme, Ledyard, & Fitch. These are quality wins. They are vulnerable, like all teams in the semi’s. But underating their schedule wrong. If you Look at some of the schedules of teams making the states, they got beat by teams with winning records and only beat teams with losing records. I think NL’s schedule is going to help them in the states. Montville has to prove they can win the big one when it counts. This might be the year. Less talk & more walk. East Lyme loaded with veterans and having a good QB & two good running backs can win the “MM”. ECC Football is tough, maybe not the print that the SW end of the state gets but with 3 teams in the states they can get some respect.
“but I was wondering what the true rivalries are these days in CT. By rivalry I’m talking about two teams that circle the date on the calendar”…comment by Jeff #44 a couple posts ago…
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Jeff, you may be right, and I can only speak for my own old high school (GHS)…Back in my day (the late’60′s-beginning of the 70′s), the big rivalries for the Cards were the 3 Stamford teams, Stamford Catholic, Stamford High, and Rippowam…But somewhere along the way since then, the games circled for Greenwich are definatly New Canaan, Staples, and Darien…Those 3 teams are always good, and the ones the Cards want to beat the most…I guess rivalries change over the years, probably based on competiveness of the games, year in and year out…
Getting any information on the North-Central football teams is like trying to crack the secret formula for Coke; or the ingredients for McDonald’s Special Sauce. Does anybody up there cover high school football? (The exception is the Collinsville Press, which takes care of Avon and Simsbury, among a few others). Even the teams don’t cover themselves. No statistics anywhere. Getting info on Conard and NWC has been next to impossible. You have to really dig.
On rivalries: One of the biggest rivalries in Ct. is NL/NFA having played 148 times and the longest continuing rivalry in the nation. Been some great games between them. others are Waterford/East Lyme, Ledyard/Montville & Stonington/Westerly RI which averages over 3000 every Thanksgiving.
The Masuk / Newtown rivalry is pretty good. They also get up to beat each other in youth football.
Remmy…The St Joe’s-Greenwich game was one of the few I got too…It was played at GHS, with the Cards coming off a tough loss to New Canaan…As a class SS team (St.Joe’s), Greenwich had all it could handle, and held on for a close 34-27 win, that they could of lost…I was very impressed with them…The key to St.Joe’s is trying to stop #44 Tyler Matakevich on both sides of the ball…He’s a real force, big, tough, strong…Of the players I saw in the FCIAC, and I admit I didn’t make many games…The 2 who stould out the most were Matkevich, and Christon Gill of the Hilltoppers…2 totally different players…Matakevich is all about power, and strength, and Gill is about speed, finesse, and heads up play (he caused a lot of fumbles on defense)…
Anyway, St Joe’s is real good…Stop Matakevich, though, and you pretty much stop the team…
Would those who follow New London consider them to be better than last year’s team which beat Seymour?
ansonia-derby was the biggest rivalry in state till derby couldnt get a first down anymore
will directions to games be available?
Let the excuses start for the Staples’ fans….we are hurt! LOL
Win the damn STATES…THAT i what you play all season for…the STATES!..not the fciac’s.
by the way….during the trunbull-staples game, when the announced the nc-central score, the staples’ players andfans went nuts! they wanted no part of nc! they knew that nc culd pass on them all day on a dry field with no wind…just like greenwich did. A passing team (like NC) could beat Staples. Greenwich should have beaten them..if not for Albonizio passing up a FG in the first half, having a fg blocked, and the unsportsmanlike penalty.
See you guys back here on Saturday night!
Not that I am a New London guy but I would consider this years squad as that of the 2007 team,a team is that is relatively young and should be stronger in 2010.The main difference is that a powerhouse such as the 2007 Ansonia team is not in their way to capture the class championship .
YEA SPB AGREE WITH U ABOUT THE CCC teams, I chalk it up to apathy – since cochran left NB the area has had no juice
Moreover, the area seems to have less interest in football specifically, much less of the teams up there have lights or intense offseason strength and conditioning programs etc. to the best of my knowledge- also southington is more infatuated with throwing 70 times a game than having teams with balance- they use all their atheletes on offense and make their two-platoon system ineffective
ghsgrandpa… first of all, the only way to shut down matakevich is to put 8 guys in the box, and if you do that, like warde did against sj, theyll throw the ball for 250 plus yards.
Maybe this is not the best venue to ask, but i can’t find out anywhere else so what the heck: When do they announce all-league players? They did not do so in the SWC game, and when do they announce All-State players? Also, how does this process work?
Remember….on any given day, anything can happen. Everybody is
talking about Bethel getting beaten bad. There just may be an upset.
Coach Gill, Martin and Minor have the kids ready…Watch out!!!
SPB….who would have thought Bethel would have been in the states, at the beginning of the season. Even channel 3 news guy, did not even say Bethel’s name on Friday night. I love a good old upset……….
Bill…You’re preaching to the choir…He’s an awesome player, and I really don’t see anyone beating St.Joe’s unless they can stop him, and you’re right that leaves them vulnerable to the pass, so they’ll be hard to beat…
i just can not believe that Masuk is not in the playoffs. fist time in how many years? kind of depressing.
“Pete” it’s tough to say, NL was a much better team early in 2008, when they had Jordan Reed, he was ubelivable, and was picked up by University of Florida. He got hurt midseason, Jack’s son did a nice job, but he was no Reed. Most people saw the Reedles team, the one that beat Seymour, but trust me they were much better with Reed! Without Reed the 2008 and 09 teams are both pretty similiar, big up front and loaded with speed, real speed! The QB, Clemens can run and throw well enough, Can they loose this year? yes, but they are very talented. Ledyard played them tough, EL was beating them for 46 min, and Montville gave them a good run. It will be interesting to see how the ECC matches up this year.
@hihoesilver: I agree about Masuk. One loss kicked them out.. pretty heartbreaking for their seniors, especially having many of the starting seniors bail on the team. Puts into perspective how hard these kids work, to have their dreams crushed.. and the things they go through.. like the kid Trump ctpost highlighted from Masuk. I think the new system for next year should be a little more fair for all.
ohhh high school football. Nothing like it.
Pete, NL is a different team then last year. New QB, Casey Cochran is at Masuk. Better defense then last year. Big up front and fast off the ball. Receivers are very good, QB is quick and can throw and run. Different running backs, better then last years. Hard to compare, but think defense being stronger, makes up for loss of Casey. Great attitude of team and coaches,despite losing 16 seniors & QB Cochran team has come together under Coach Larson. Casey would be playing in the states at NL if he stayed, too bad, he is a great kid besides being an excellent QB. He was instrumental in NL winning the states last year. NL is playing for a new coach, new system & loss of their starting QB and have gone undefeated. Again different team then last years. New coach has done great considering! Next year they should be even better, but ECC will have Montville, Ledyard & Fitch along with NL in the states. But let’s get through this year!
It is a shame for Masuk that one loss killed them — especially the first-year starting seniors. Could have been anybody in that Class. …I’m sure it steams them more to know Bethel’s playing and they’re not. You can’t feel too, too bad. They won a title last year and it’s still a very young team. They’ll be back.
Can you guys say “Shoe string tackle”?? Hopefully HC knows what they are doing!!
GHS grandpa matakevich is going to meet his match in Montville, they have a Jr. who has thirty pounds on him and runs just as well, His name, Tyler Girard-Floyd. He’s been hampered by an ankle injury after week one but wait till you guys get a look at him, he is very impressive! He ran for 2000 plus yards last year as a sophomore, and just when you think all you have to do is stop him they roll out another Jr. who can run with some serious speed, offensively they are very impressive.
ECC fan don’t sleep on EL next year.
Can’t find out much about Bethel. Has anyone seen them and I see predictions on this site above. How was their schedule and strengths? Looks like a good game with New London, appears to be lots of talk about the game.
Can’t find out much on Bethel? They’re on maxpreps. Our papers have covered them extensively. Do a search at NewsTimes.com
SPB…….You have to feel really good for Bethel. They have not been in the States in 21 years. Coach Gill should get coach of the year….
Outstanding job!!!!!!
Masuk was just too young this year. All the seniors from the 2008 team graduated, especially on defense. The offensive line was all first-year starters, and the defense featured at least 4 sophomores starting. Murph runs an unbelievable off-season program (believe me I endured it three times) and many of the starters from this year will be returning for 2010. Cochran will only be a junior next year as well. Experience just killed Masuk this year, however. This year is the first time Masuk has missed the playoffs since 2004, what a shame.
John D…Come on, this is grandpa talking to ya, now…Stop acting so crazy…LOL…I don’t care if he has 75 lbs. on him, he (Matakevich) is one hard kid to stop…Now, I’ll admit I’ve never seen Montville…I don’t get up to that part of the state much (unless for an important Native American ceremony…lol), and you may be absolutely right…I only know what I’ve seen from down here, and you’re gonna need to gang tackle Matakevich…Like Bill said, that means 8 in the box, and then they’ll pass over you…But, I always end with the standard “I could be wrong”…LOL…That’s why you won’t catch me up that way gambling…laugh out loud!!!
i feel like an idiot asking but is there 6 state champions? because theres one team that comes out of each class from now on, but how does it play out after that…?
It doesn’t. We have six state champs.
THS fan…R u realy trying to talk smack about St. Joes!!!!WOW!!!!After the drubbing ur boys took on thursday i wouldnt even admitt Im a THS fan
To make the States was the icing on the cake for a Bethel Team which saw a Head Coaching change in August, right before camp started. The new staff did a great job winning 8 games, including victories over New Fairfield and Oxford, both of which are playing very good football. The 2 losses came against Pomperaug and Masuk. The Pomperaug game in week 3 was lopsided, with the Panthers dominating Bethel, like they did the rest of the SWC. The loss to Masuk in week 8 was close, a 1 TD the difference in a high scoring game.
New London is powerful, but, this is why you play the game.
Thanks SPB for your coverage of the season, it makes it that much more special for all of us!
Talk to me when you catch up……to the likes of THS! Do I have to remind you of the series stats 20-5. In the future try to act like you have been there!!
Oh I forgot you haven’t – my bad!
Sean, you mentioned earlier that it is difficult getting much information from the north central teams. Unless you are covered by a local paper (the Hartford Courant is NOT A LOCAL PAPER) you may get little or no press. Just look at Conard, undefeated and they are barely a footnote in the paper. The Herald (NB)and the Bristol and Middletown press do an acceptable job with their towns but their is a huge void in North Central Connecticut. Teams in your papers coverage agea should be very happy with their coverage(you guys, the Day (NL) & the Republican/American do a very good job). This is coverage that only local papers seem to do well, Hats off to you guys. By the way Conards Tailback(Esposito)is said to have over 1700 yards and he is only a junior.
My predictions are:
Class LL: Cheshire over Glastonbury / Xavier over Staples
Class L: Notre Dame West-Haven over Conard / Pomperaug over Simsbury
Class MM: East Lyme over Vinal Tech/Coginchaug / New Canaan over St. Paul
Class M: New London over Bethel / Berlin over Avon
Class SS: St. Joseph over Holy Cross / Montville big over Bullard-Havens
Class S: Ansonia over Northwest Catholic / Hyde over Bloomfield
Friday Night Football on the WFSB Channel 3 website does a good job in the Hartford area. You can watch clips of Ned Griffin giving previews of the playoffs in each class on there.
Does anyone know why Steve Fainers NVL Blog is not updated?I am trying to get info on HC.Please advise……
The WFSB guys do a great job. Best local HS coverage on TV (that I can get – I can’t get MSG Varsity). …Of course, we had all the endings to the big games they covered in our region: NC-Greenwich; Staples-Central (Sorry, couldn’t resist)
THS fan- A LL school vs a SS school? I can see THS having an advantage over SJ in the rivalry..But if we r gonna live in the past why dont u look up who has more state titles in there history slick…Ill give ya clue, Its not THS..
What is everyone’s prediction in the class L’s? This is arguably the most competitive division. All four teams are in the top 10, with Pomperaug at 2, NDWH at 5, Conard 8 and Simsbury 9.
Don’t make me laugh – is that the catholic school league you guys played in? I know all about it – it was the laughing joke of the blog about a month ago!! You must have missed it – Ray Brown can fill you in if you like! Not a well-respected league from what I understand! But I can understand your frustration – you guys are going to states and you did not even make it in the top ten poll. I suppose you are going to blame us for that too!
Looks like most of the predictions have Berlin over Avon tomorrow night. Had a chance to see both play this year and wouldn’t be surprised to see Avon beat Berlin and rather handily too. Hate to say it but I think this is the year Cheshire finally beats G-bury. Don’t know much about Cheshire aside from their record, but G-bury can’t seem to stop anybody.
I live in Simsbury and know they play Pomperaug tomorrow night. Is Pomperaug for real and where are they anyways?
Not to pick on you but the facilities need improving as well! Where’s all the tuition money going to?
Yup!!! The Catholic School League! The TCSL! LOL! Trust me those SJ teams would have played with anybody. Thats probobly why THS took so long to renew the rivalry. Besides u act like THS is this storied program. Any chance they have had in recent history they choked.
Hey Ole65…That’s my point, although on another blog, i guess…A really good SS school Champ can beat an LL school Champ in any given year, but they never have had a chance to prove it in the end…I hope that changes in time……to answer your wuestion about state titles (and appearances) by far is Ansonia Chargers…And that’s what I’m saying, you can never count them out, and I’ll bet they could hold their own versus an LL champ in a final 4 team playoff…At any rate 50-50…It would be real interesting to find out for sure rather than guessing, and arguing at the end of the year when it’s all over, and letting the Ct sports writers (for the most part) throw darts, or use rooting interest to determine the best team without ever seeing anyone play…
Why would SJ blame u for anything? My man u take this stuff way to seriously…And who the hell is Ray Brown?
Who’s Ray Brown? You must be new here.
ghsgrandpa- I know Ansonia has the record…I was talking about who has more titles between St. Joes and Trumbull. This THS guy wants to argue because hes upset his eagles got hammerd by little old St. Joes…But i do agree with u grandpa.
Ya Im new…So whos Ray Brown?
Pomperaug is from Southbury. They are a solid team which can score alot of points quickly and make big defense plays.
g-bury fan, Pomp is in Southbury, exit 16 off of I-84, and Sims has no idea what they are in for.
ghsgrandpa-
never going to happen. No state , i believe does it. You have seperate champs for sperate classes. You annot then play the winners. Too many games.
Indiana high school basketball, for years, had ONE true state championship, like the movie Hoosiers, and now even that has changed in the last decade.
For instnce, under our new format next year, if yoy take the four division winners and say, have Class LL play Class S in one semifinal and have Class L play Class M in another semifinal..that is another week. The finals would be another week. That’s TWO extra weeks. Also, what are you going to tell those THREE teams that lost their last game? That they are “sort-of” state champions?
It will never happen…and shouldn’t.
I’m with Ron on this one.
I dont understand the polls they rank b. central 3 spots below n. cannaan b. central crushed them.
The simsbury – Pomperaug game will be a slugfest both teams are solid and really get after it. I also think the Staples – xavier game will be very competitive. Cheshire – glast also will be a good game to watch, all the other ones i have my doubts……
Did somebody jusr ask where Pomperaug is from, as in what town?
wow
just….wow
Dude – 1990 that was in a different century!!
Ron & Sean…
You’re right it’ll never happen…I guess I just wish it could…I always like an underdog story, where the little guys have a chance to upset the big guys for all the marbles…lol
THS_Fan aka little Bobby Maff…Trumbull is good once every 10 years…With that enrollment and talent Trumbull should be competing for more championships on a year to year basis…btw..aren’t you the same person who a few months back said that Trumbull had one of the best defenses in the state and that Bob Maffei was the best defensive coach in the state? If I were Ole#65 I wouldn’t play up the past as Trumbull has dominated the series with St. Joe’s…I would play up the present…St. Joe’s won 2 out of last 3…The wind is changing in Trumbull…Also Trumbull plays up the rivalry a lot mor than SJ…I have seen Trumbull kids in Stamford for a SJ-Trinity game yelling at parents in the stands…don’t THS kids have anything better to worry about than SJ vs. Trinity…Last thing…The fact that you brought up Ray Brown as a way to defend your point is hilarious…
GHS Grandpa,
I’m not a Montville guy, but I think they are very good. I hope we get a ST. Joe’s v. Montville Championship, you guys will get a good look at Tyler Girard-Floyd. I’ve seen a lot of High school Football in CT since 1995(I’m pretty young) and the only players that compares to this kid are Pinoch from Bloomfied, Asapp Schwapp from Weaver, and to a lesser degree, Lou Allen from EL. All were legitimate D-1 guys and two of them went on to the NFL, I’m pretty sure Asapp is still on the Dallas roster. Now I’m not saying Floyd will make the NFL, but he reminds me a lot of those guys! I hear all the big D-1 Schools are contacting him, including USC.
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I’m with Ron on this one.
Comment by Sean Patrick Bowley — December 1st, 2009 @ 12:31 am
Shocked at your answer
your not new ole65-you predicted a 7 win derby season in the nvl—–and if you dont know me heres my intro——st.joes has sucked for the last 15 years–they finally win a few games and they have people like you come out of the woodwork
Why are you shocked, Cuoz? You know I don’t believe in a true state champion. Ron’s right. There’s no time, nor good reason to play for a true No. 1 except to satiate people like us. But there’s no educational purpose in it. If we wanted to play for a true state champ, we’d be here until January. I don’t know one other state that has what you’re looking for.
c’mon RAYRAY lighen up! We all love you on this post. Ansonia is back-they are just not Ansonia back.
Let the people from ST. Joes enjoy themselves. They have earned it with an exciting team. They could have beaten both Greenwich and New Canaan but came up a little short. They will be loaded next year.
Many of these semi-final games should be the Championship games. Xavier-Staples, Notre Dame-Conard etc should be classics.
Where is the “Bay” Blog, I am waiting for the whimsical musings of my favorite blogger. Haven’t heard from Faux, Dr. Nordstrom, or JJS much. I figured you guys would be all over this article!. I would love to hear all your picks, Ray you too!
SPB, are you going to Media day Tomorrow?
Got to love Ray Brown……that made my day!
As far as this being Bobby Maff Jr. definately is not so don’t go there! As for our coaches – they are class acts and they represent our program and school with honor and integrity not like some of the fatheads I have seen out there. All is good at THS!
Easy, Ray. Easy.
And yes, I’ll be at the luncheon.
John D,
I guess I’m a little older than you…but the last time Montville met SJ in the states they featured Doug DuBose, who went on the play for the Universtiy of Nebraska and spent a few seasons with the SF 49ers.
Right on Doc, he’s a legend up here at this end of the state, along with Jamal Johnson and Ambrose Fletcher. Dubose was, is prob the best back to come out of CT. A lot of people forget that Coach Emery (Fitch) was the coach for those Montville teams! I only got to see Fletcher play a little bit, but the other guys were before my time. I just missed Jamal Johnson, although I see him around once in a while. Did you get see that 81′ St. Joe’s v. Montville game?
Ray, Ray why so violent. It’s got to be that Ansonia toughness, that’s why you guys win so much! You guys are like Sparta over there, gotta love it!
I saw the 81′ SJ\Montville game. One of Ed McCarthy’s best coaching jobs ever. He had a team with no stars, a scrappy little QB, a running back that played center in college but he had high quality players at each defensive position. Doug Dubose was amazing in the first half of that game but if I remember correctly, he was virtually shut down in the second half due to the defense and McCarthy’s grind it out, ball control offense.
John-
Believe me, nobody wants New Canaan to win more than me!
However, with that schedule next years, it’s going to be very difficult to win more than 7 games…trust me. I hope I’m wrong!
There’s no doubt that Lou is the master of reloading and inserting running backs in to his system….and that with the spread, running backs aren’t quite as important to him as they used to be.
However, St, Joe’s is going to be AWESOME. Greenwich is going to be AWESOME. I think that’s two losses right there. Again, I hope I’m wrong. Central is still gonna be tough. Darien is going to be VERY GOOD. Who knows how much Seymour will improve?
If New Canaan was playing Staples’ schedule, I would have HIGH HOPES…but they are not.
Just because the kicker is coming back doesn’t mean he is going to get much better. I DO like that qb Milano who saw time this year…he should be a two-year starter. Yes, their junior class does seem good…but I wouldn’r expect another trip to the states in Class L in 2010. Just my opinion. Again, I hope I’m wrong.
SPB ,I do believe in a true state champion,my Little League backround showing through.If you believe there is no reason to play for a true #1 then you should also not believe in selecting a #1 team for poll purposes.Is there an educational purpose to having 6 champions or 4 champions ?
There is no need to play more rounds to determine a true State Champion.The major change is not to base your playoffs strictly on enrollment classes,especially for your top division.Lets leave it at we will never agree on this subject but do agree that Next years playoff system is better than the one we currently use.
Cuoz… name me one state that plays for one state champion
FunandGun…It’s real hard to predict who’s going to be awesome year to year with everyone losing so many seniors…I suppose it may be easier for bigger schools, or even smaller powerhouse programs with a great tradition (Ansonia, New Canaan, etc.) to reload every year, but even they don’t always have as many bullets when next fall comes around…Kids graduate & move on, that’s it…And some shoes can be hard to fill in the following year…That’s what I think is great, love, about high school football…There may be a little more “recruiting” done now at this level these days, but it’s still pretty much a new crop of home grown starters every year, and you never really know which school’s turn it will be to have the most talented group of kids in a particular season…