Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls… Your Elite 8 for Week 2-3.
TRENDING UP
NORWALK - With a nice 25-12 victory over Stamford, the Bears have supplanted the Black Knights as the FCIAC flavor-of-the-week. The defense was strong, the offense opportunistic, the Bears’ determination to put 12 years of slow starts behind them unwavering.
Now the big question: Do Delshawn Wilson, Gil Arujo and the Bears have what it takes to stay here? They’re 2-0 now, with Westhill and Trinity Catholic up next before New Canaan.
WESTON — The Trojans have a sophomore at quarterback and no-names across the roster. But that was Brookfield committing seven turnovers. And Weston, not a couple years removed from an 0-10 season, showed the steely resolve of a veteran team in winning 21-20.
The Trojans responded to every Leaon Gordon strike with one of their own. Late in the game Zach Cannon, with his father visiting from Dallas, struck not once, but twice, he pounced on Brookfield’s final fumble of the day and then kicked 23-yard field goal as time expired.
“Oh, I was nervous,” Cannon said told Kevin Duffy of the News Times. “But I had my guys around me just telling me to do what I’ve been doing in practice. I had my family around me, so I tried to just let the muscle memory take over.”
Weston climbs into our radar. They were 2-0 last year before a 34-13 loss to Brookfield. With the Bobcats out of the way, this time the Trojans head to Newtown, looking to go 3-0 for the first time since Tom Bennewicz was at QB and Bob Zito stood on the sidelines.
TRENDING DOWN
FAIRFIELD WARDE — The Mustangs had it all Friday night: A 16-point lead, the defending FCIAC champions on the ropes. They trotted off Tetreau-Davis Field and into their locker room triumphantly at halftime. The squabbling Blue Wave players, meanwhile, sulked to their corner of the field, heads hanging.
Ah, but there was another 24 minutes to play. The Blue Wave returned emboldened and Fairfield Warde — down a receiver and a tailback to injuries — melted away as the rains came. Twenty-six unanswered Darien points later and Warde walked off crushed. The Mustangs’ chance at making a major statement in the FCIAC gone.
And now they get to face New Canaan.
STAYING PUT
EVERYBODY ELSE
Masuk had no trouble with New Fairfield, which, we’re told was playing without back Robbie Fiamengo (not that it would have mattered too much, honestly) … New Canaan was briefly in a dog fight with Trinity Catholic before pulling away 41-14. Tough loss for Trinity in that one with RB Shaquan Howsie going down with an injury. …Ansonia was in an even tougher fight with Woodland before finally finding its footing in a 36-6 victory. …West Haven handled Guilford. ….Jawad Chisholm and Bunnell torched New Milford. …James Frusciante and Staples took out Central. …Pomperaug‘s Eric Beatty had a big throwing night in a surprising 45-7 rout of Bethel. …And Darien, of course, rallied from 16-points down to stun Fairfield Warde. (Look for our game highlights from that one Tuesday.)
From the MISSED: Greenwich defeated Bassick 49-8. …Wilton jumped out to an early lead and moved to 2-0 with a 41-14 win over St. Joseph. …Newtown rolled past Immaculate 41-0. …Trumbull finally got a game under its belt and thrashed Westhill 47-13.
Of all these teams Darien (as mentioned) and Shelton had the most trouble. We’ve talked about Darien. As for Shelton, the Gaels were down 17-7 before realizing they could run, and run well, with Connor O’Brien and its huge offensive line. O’Brien went buck wild and Shelton survived a huge scare going into this week’s game vs. Notre Dame-WH.
WEEK 3 GAMES TO WATCH
- Ansonia (2-0) at Derby (1-1), Friday, 7 – Is it too much to hope this game is anything like last year’s barnburner?
- Cheshire (2-0) at Xavier (2-0), Friday, 7 – The SCC really should put these championship games at the end of the season. Bad enough Hillhouse-North Haven was played in Week 1.
- New London (1-0) at Greenwich (2-0), Friday, 7 — We finally have a venue. New London agrees to drive all the way across the state to play at Cardinal Stadium. You wouldn’t have believed it four years ago, but only the Whalers are ranked.
- Fairfield Warde (1-1) at New Canaan (2-0), Friday, 7 – Lost some luster when Warde blew a 16-point lead and the game to Darien. Here’s hoping the Mustangs put it behind them and put up a fight.
- Notre Dame-WH (1-1) at Shelton (2-0), Friday, 7 – It’s not Xavier-Cheshire, but an intriguing option for those unable to make the trip to Middletown.
- Weston (2-0) at Newtown (2-0), Friday, 7 – Game of the Week in the SWC. Weston proved it’s for real last week. Now, it has to prove it again.
- New Fairfield (1-1) at Bethel (1-1), Friday, 7 — Both teams followed up big wins with blowout losses. Now’s not the time to take another step back.
- Oxford (1-1) at Bunnell (2-0), Saturday, 3 — Not a make-or-break game for Oxford by any stretch. Still, we’re interested in how the Wolverines do.
- Staples (2-0) at McMahon (2-0), Saturday, 7 — Intriguing in the preseason, especially since McMahon played Staples tough a year ago. Then we watched the Wreckers overwhelm Central last week. Now we wonder if the Senators will even survive.
Newtown will beat Weston.
Props to both New London and Greenwich for getting this game especially since the nuetral site didn’t happen. New London called Greenwich when they saw the same bye week but Greenwich had a game booked already in Mass. That team backed out so GHS called NL back. NL offered to travel so greenwich of course said ok. Greenwich has offered to travel in 2012 so I assume they must have byes in the schedule next as well? SPB I thought FCIAC and SCC were doing something next year? Was I dreaming that? LOL
Is the SCC deciding it’s playoff spots already?
This week may be full of upsets…..
Sean,
I was reading your comments in the past month about the Greenwich vs. New London and I found them interesting. On September 2nd you wrote:
“great job by the two schools, especially New London for actually agreeing to play one of the biggest, most storied schools in state history. Not that New London, with all its tradition, is some kind of slouch. Should be a great game.”
Greenwich is big and has a excellent track record of winning over the past 35+. However, I dont understand why you would think New London would be hesitant in the least to play Greenwich and in your words “actually agree” to do so. When you talk about storied schools in state history The New London High School Whalers are featured in the football Hall of Fame in Canton. New London HS and Norwich Free Academy have the longest running football rivalry in the history of the game dating back to 1875.
Most recently, the Whalers lost in the Class M State Championship last year 7 – 0. The won the Class M state championship in 2008. The won their league in 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009.
Its definitely going to be a good game. I think the winner will reveal themselves as a true contender for the state title.
@Shawn Foster – I know I’m in trouble when somebody uses my name.
I know all about New London and it’s history. I’ve seen the Whalers win state titles. It’s one of the proud football schools of Connecticut. In the greater context, it is no surprise that they agreed to play Greenwich.
The point is that a school New London’s size typically never wants anything to do with Greenwich — or any state school for that matter. The Cardinals (like Staples) are constantly rebuffed by state schools when they have a bye to fill, which is why you see them schedule exotic games like St. Joseph-Montvale of New Jersey, or Naples, Florida. Nobody wants to play Greenwich. Ever. New London has trouble, but not nearly as much trouble as Greenwich filling bye dates. I was giving New London credit for stepping into the batter’s box.
Aside: Anyone know the last time Greenwich played an in-state, non-conference regular season game? I feel like it’s been awhile. Brian?
McMahon could give Staples a game this week if the senators keep their heads in the game. The senators will have to do better defensively against the pass. Vega will also need his receivers to make some catches and not drop too many passes like they did facing Warde. Staples will bring their well coached team in with good momentum and try to get off to a early lead. They will try and get into the senator’s head with some smashmouth talk on the front lines. McMahon must play it cool and focus on ball control and time of possession. Let’s go senator’s the fciac is up for grabs this year.
There is no way McMahon will even be able to stay in the game with Staples. Staples is a young talented team that can take it to anyone in the state. Mcmahon is horrible, cake walk for the wreckers. Coach P will take the wreckers back to the locker-room with an easy 3-0 record.
from,
old school wrecker #75