Here is your Guide for Week 3′s regional high school football games.
FRIDAY
| VISITOR | HOME | TIME | SKINNY |
| Bassick (0-2) | Wilton (2-0) | 6 | Get excited for your Warriors, Wilton |
| O’Brien Tech (1-1) | Capital Prep (2-0) | 6:30 | Honeymoon’s over, Condors |
| Warde (1-1) | New Canaan (2-0) | 7 | TV show ‘Traditions’ wants a happy ending |
| Trumbull (1-0) | Ludlowe (0-2) | 7 | Trumbull just praying Moore can return |
| Ansonia (2-0) | Derby (1-1) | 7 | Can’t see this topping 2010’s game |
| Kennedy (0-2) | Seymour (2-0) | 7 | Can you see 3-0, Seymour? Can you feel it? |
| Wilbur Cross (1-1) | Fairfield Prep (1-1) | 7 | Feel free to join the discussion, Prep. |
| Hand (2-0) | Amity (1-1) | 7 | Amity’s Vallie can’t do it all by himself |
| Hillhouse (0-2) | Foran (0-2) | 7 | Yes. These were two of our SCC favorites |
| ND-WH (1-1) | Shelton (2-0) | 7 | Try going down 17-7 to ND, Gaels |
| West Haven (2-0) | Hamden (0-2) | 7 | Hamden usually plays WH tough. Usually |
| Masuk (2-0) | Stratford (0-2) | 7 | Not what Stratford needed right now |
| Barlow (1-1) | New Milford (0-2) | 7 | Green Wave have had a rough six quarters |
| New Fairfield (1-1) | Bethel (1-1) | 7 | Huge swing game for both clubs |
| Notre Dame-FF (0-2) | Brookfield (0-2) | 7 | Can you handle this, Brookfield? |
| Weston (2-0) | Newtown (2-0) | 7 | Trojans have the SWC’s rapt attention |
| Law (0-2) | Woodland (1-1) | 7 | This’ll say more about NVL than SCC |
| New London (1-0) | Greenwich (2-0) | 7 | Take notes. Lots to learn from this game |
♦♦♦
SATURDAY
| VISITOR | HOME | TIME | SKINNY |
| Bullard-Havens (2-0) | Wolcott Tech (1-1) | 1 | Tigers are now the favorite in CSC |
| Darien (2-0) | St. Joseph (0-2) | 2 | Darien’s grown up. How ‘bout St. Joe? |
| Abbott Tech (0-2) | Platt Tech (1-1) | 2:30 | Abbott will get their ‘W’ sooner or later |
| Trinity Cath. (1-1) | Harding (0-2) | 2:30 | What’s Trinity without Howsie? |
| Westhill (0-2) | Norwalk (2-0) | 3 | You’re entering uncharted territory, Bears. |
| Oxford (1-1) | Bunnell (2-0) | 3 | We’d like to think Oxford will show up |
| Pomperaug (2-0) | Immaculate (0-2) | 3 | Pomperaug’s been eating its Wheaties |
| Central (0-2) | Danbury (1-1) | 4 | Hilltoppers ripe for the plucking |
| Ridgefield (1-1) | Stamford (1-1) | 6 | Tigers can end Stamford talk for good |
| Staples (2-0) | McMahon (1-1) | 7 | Don’t expect a repeat of last year, MSGVarsity |
Whats your take on NF-Bethel? NF can exploit Bethel’s pass defense but Bethel is bigger in the run game.
Week 3
Northwest Catholic at Bloomfield
NWC broke the infamous 50 point threshold last week, but their coach will not be suspended for this big matchup with the Warhawks. So not only is the rule ridiculous and embarrassing, it’s meaningless as well.
Notre Dame-Fairfield at Brookfield
Can’t wait to see the “spite stats” Brown and the Bobcats put up on the Lancers. Best 0-2 team in the SWC.
Windsor at Bristol Eastern
Congratulations to Windsor for crashing the NHR Top 10 this week. CCC teams in the Top 10 have been rare the past few seasons. Hard to imagine considering the CCC has 65 teams in it.
Oxford at Bunnell
Saw the Bulldog helmets on the Saturday night broadcast of their New Milford game. Are those new this year? Those are atrocious.
New Britain at East Hartford
New Britain has not scored so far this season. Ok, maybe Captain Jack used to punch people at weight lifting competitions, but at least he won games when he coached the Hurricanes.
O’Brien Tech at Capital Prep/Classical Magnet
O’Brien’s coach injured his knee while jumping around on the sidelines during the program’s first ever victory. No punchline needed. Let’s go Condors!
Bassick at Wilton
Now that a couple of FCIAC “dark horses” have been taken to the glue factory, is it Wilton’s turn?
Fairfield Warde at New Canaan
DellaVolpe looking to take down his former mentor. Hopefully someone will alert the Mustangs when the 2nd half starts this week.
Trumbull at Fairfield Ludlowe
Unlike their crosstown rivals, Ludlowe will not tease their fans by taking a sizable halftime lead over an established league power.
Ansonia at Derby
With Mr. Dobbs gone and the Red Raiders on the rise, this was supposed to be the year Derby wins the border war. Derby always comes to play in this game, but do they have enough to win this likely shootout?
Torrington at Holy Cross
Two NVL teams with playoff aspirations battle it out at Municipal Stadium. Could also go a long way in determining who Ansonia beats in the NVL title game.
Kennedy at Seymour
The early slate has been kind to Seymour. Swapping New Canaan for O’Brien Tech on your schedule will usually help. But after the last two years, the Wildcats will take 3-0 no matter how they get it.
Branford at North Haven
North Haven has won two games by a combined four points. That’s a sign of a good team. It’s also a sign that you played two teams with no kicking game.
Cheshire at Xavier
If Xavier wins by 20, are they #1 again?
Darien at St. Joseph
According to their coach, Darien is no longer a young team after last week’s comeback against Warde. The baby Hogs may be forced to respect their elders in this one.
Hillhouse at Foran
How much hype did you hear about Foran in the pre-season? I didn’t hear any. But apparently there was some. Anywho, one of these teams gets their first win. #aintnoway
Notre Dame-WH at Shelton
If the Galloping Gaels can win this one, then the playoffs are in sight.
Masuk at Stratford
Devils need to focus on stopping the dangerous Casey Cochran to Jason Piontkowski connection.
New London at Greenwich
Cardinals need to focus on stopping the dangerous Casey Cochran to Jason Piontkowski connection. Wait, what?
Westhill at Norwalk
With their defeat of Stamford last week, Norwalk took over the role of “Urban Darkhorse in the FCIAC who we collectively pretend is an actual threat.” They should stay undefeated after this one at least.
Naugatuck at St. Paul
The Greyhounds beat Derby last week, so they should not have any trouble with St Paul, who is a much worse version of Derby.
enjoy the games!
the dangerous casey cochran to jason piontkowski is a threat that needs to be taken seriously..
Call me crazy,but i give mcmahon a shot here-they are well coached and have some athletes.if not an upset,maybe a 1 td difference.
McMahon does have a shot in winning this game. They played staples well last year, the game is at the senator’s home turf, McMahon is ready to step it up after the close contest with warde. Staples is well coached and ripe with returning talent and they don’t make many mistakes. McMahon will need to bring their best game and be able to cover the long ball and key the QB and contain the many options that staples has in its playbook. This should be a very.entertaining football game. It will only be a blowout if the senator’s let it get away in the 2nd half. Go Senator’s !
@3 Moses- do those kids play for New London?
I’m not as witty or good looking as Bay, so I’ll just leave my picks with no commentary. Actually, these aren’t even my picks. They are the Massey Rankings computer-generated predictions:
Brookfield 42, ND-FF 7
Bunnell 35, Oxford 28 (note to Massey: Oxford is not in Westbrook)
Capital Prep/Classical Magnet 49, O’Brien Tech 19
Wilton 42, Bassick 7
New Canaan 37, Warde 13
Trumbull 41, Ludlowe 7
Ansonia 39, Derby 20
Holy Cross 38, Torrington 34
Seymour 20, Kennedy 6
North Haven 35, Branford 14
Xavier 28, Cheshire 14
Darien 28, St. Joes 21
Hillhouse 28, Foran 13
Notre Dame-WH 28, Shelton 20
Masuk 42, Stratford 0
New London v. Greenwich N/A (not loaded into computer. Hypothetical matchup option not working for me)
Norwalk 34, Westhill 8
Naugatuck 42, St. Paul 14
@moses Bay is referring to the fact that 3 years ago, Cochran and Piontkowski were both playing for New London and now both are playing for Masuk. Isn’t it ironic? Don’t ya think?
Can we please refer to Masuk as the Masuk/New London Co-op team for the rest of the year? I get confused when I read about these New London players and Coaches. It’s too bad that Masuk has to play this horrible schedule this year. What a joke. They are the best team in the League but they won’t even break a sweat until they play Pomperaug. The SWC has to stop with the rotating schedule and have all of the larger schools play each other every year and the smaller schools do the same. They have two divisions that are setup that way but it means nothing. The SWC needs to wake up.
@OriginalpompFan
Thats right start making excuses for the impending spanking. Its funny nobody said a word when your linebacker Elser transferred from BARLOW. Wake up! (this also applies to Ansonia but the list of transfers from Derby is way too long to put on here)
Yes, big test for Staples. Third road game in a row, under the lights, last game of the weekend, with lots of media and coaching staffs likely to be watching. Most folks rooting for an upset. These trap games can make or break your season. Big pressure on the young guys. The seniors will need to step up big time here.
@I Wonder – It looks like a pretty good game, New Fairfield-Bethel. We know Bethel can be dangerous with Schmidt. New Fairfield looks like it’s good. Haven’t really got a good handle on either of them yet. I can say I think these two teams are right below the second-tier of SWC teams, Pomperaug and Bunnell and Newtown. If Fiamengo is back for New Fairfield, it should be a war.
@originalPompFan – The SWC will never do that. They like the idea of everybody playing everybody over a 4-year span. That’s fine. I get that, even though many years you see the league’s best teams skip each other, while others get a loaded schedule.
Also: I can’t stand that “division” set up because it doesn’t exist, except it exists. They just give a trophy to the team with the best record in each “division” which is only determined by the size of school, not who you play. You could win the Patriot Division, but have a worse record against other Patriot teams. It’s just that the other schools in your division might have played more teams from the larger Colonial.
A few years ago, I had the CIAC show one division for the SWC on its standings page, which is what it really is … until the SWC demanded they split it on the league standings page. Now we’ve got coaches talking about winning non-existent divisions and nobody can tell who’s really leading the league.
It’s stupid. It’s irrelevant. Lets not speak of it again.
@Glass House – Nobody is making excuses. We all know how good the Masuk/New London Co-op machine is. By the way, to compare Elser’s impact on Pomperaug to the Cochran’s (Father/Son/Guardian Angel) impact on Masuk is mind boggling. Elser was a very good player for us. I doubt he moved here just to play football. The Elser family lives and pays taxes in Southbury. They still live here. It’s not a rental situation.
@10 Glass House- the only difference is that The Elser’s bought a house in Southbury and didn’t move for football. They actually pay property taxes!
And to note, Ansonia doesn’t recruit, if kids come there from out of town it’s because they and their parents want to play for Ansonia. There’s a difference between recruiting and people moving in, even if they are for the same reasons. [message truncated]
@master legend-i understood what they were referring to.i thought it was funny but true….deadly combo
if derby wins,it will be monumental upset.like to see wilton continue to win.new london has atheletes,even if some are in monroe.shelton—ndwh,not impressed with either team.cheshire-xavier should be nice.look for holy cross upset.i wonder who the biggest team physically in the state is?kinda miss my st.joes blogger buddies.hope theyre not red sox fans too.
Does anyone know how, exactly, Piontkowski is eligible for Masuk? Is Cochran now his legal guardian?
Presumably, the fact that he lives in New London on weekends (like the Tennessee kids in the article SPB tweeted) doesn’t affect his eligibility. Any experts out there who are “in the know” – SPB? This is about as clear-cut a case of flouting the rules (or, at least, the spirit of them) as I’ve seen…but I guess we shouldn’t expect anything less of JC.
@James, everybody
Jack Cochran told me it was a personal matter and he wouldn’t comment. My sources have told me he became the boy’s legal guardian. That’s really all there is to report on this.
I’d like everybody to refrain from throwing rumors and innuendo around on topics like these.
SPB – I respect that, and I’m certainly not interested in rumor/innuendo (I don’t think anyone has thrown either around, besides the specious Elser allegations). Nor do I think a kid’s background/life story has a place on this blog.
That being said, I’m not sure “it’s a personal matter” is a satisfactory answer to a question concerning eligibility. Especially from someone with Cochran’s track record.
Some intriguing subplots in the Warde / NC matchup tonight. DellaVolpe asks his mentor to delay the game until Saturday night given lack of prep time (Warde was closed Wed and Thurs) … but is snubbed. Warde is coming off last week’s ugly, embarassing 2nd half meltdown that should have them really pissed-off. And then this feel-good “Traditions” spotlight on NC … will it soon become the high school equivalent of the SI Cover jinx? The Mustangs need to keep it on the ground and the score in the low-20s to take in that sweet smell of upset.
@James – Hence why I conferred with sources.
@JB – I’ve seen actually discussed that matter with Lou Marinelli on the record, so — as far as I know — we don’t know what New Canaan’s reason may be for not being able to comply with Warde.
Warde has no shot at NC and then u listen to their coach whine about the jewish holiday and he wishes he had another practice. Then he says the main goal is just come out of it healthly and injury free?? He should talk to herman Edwards…U play to win the game. All he has is excuses and obviously thinking they will lose. His coaching decisions lost the game vs Darien in the 2nd half and his conservative nature will get him blown out tonight. 41-13 rams
Piontkowski went to Masuk to play football and get noticed for college. There is no disputing this. Those who look at the glass half full see Cochran giving a kid a better forum to show off his talents. Those who look at the glass half empty see an opportunistic guy doing what he can to surround his son with the best talent possible. Even if we can prove one or the other, does it really matter? I ask this sincerely because I truly do not know.
The Warde game and their season will be over early second quarter. Sorry, but that’s how I see it.
All of the FCIAC teams (GHS and NC included) are following Yom Kippur tradition next week that starts at sundown Friday. Some teams are playing Friday afternoon and others are playing Thursday night. Greenwich and NC wanted to play tonight not Saturday to give their kids an extra day off before a short week. It seems the rest of the state is still playing Friday night/Sat. Not a lot of Jews upstate I guess !!
why would nc change the date of the game? both teams missed one day of practice. isnt that fair and equal? warde practiced wednesday morning and nc practiced wednesday night. plus the following week doesnt new canaan have a thursday game? why would they move the date to give themselves a short week going forward? i dont think that is snubbing someone, i rather think that is prudent planning by coach marinelli. i doubt marnielli has any ill-will for anyone he worked with for 11 years or so.
warde can keep it close if they chew enough clock. there is always a chance for them to pull it off
This is the last from me about the Masuk/New London Co-op thing.
If Cochran is the legal guardian for the right reasons then good for him.
But…..
Piontkowski did have 33 catches and 8 TD’s for New London last year.
The New London QB from last year did graduate.
The new QB is not considered a top thrower.
3 of Masuk’s top 5 receivers did graduate from last year.
Masuk does have the best QB in the State.
So…..
If the kid was a backup Safety, would he be at Masuk today?
Are all of the New London participants going to be living in Monroe after football is over?
I’m done with this.
Sean- you seem very protective of the whole Masuk situation but to me it stinks. Your job as a reporter is to report facts-not hearsay!
I know it’s early but I want to make this call….I think Brookfield is playing down right now but they are a good team and will rebound…look for them to do the same thing SJ’s did last year in the finals…OK I said it …
@SWC11 – it’s not hearsay. That’s what happened. School officials are not going to disclose students’ personal files. You need to find information elsewhere. That’s what I was told by sources in a position to know. Besides, as much as you may not like it, there’s nothing illegal about it.
@Honus – early 2nd Q and what is the score?
Just to clear the whole Elser thing up. The Elser’s lived in Southbury and moved to Redding when CJ was either in 8th grade or going into his Freshman year (Can’t remember exactly). They then moved back to Southbury when he was a soph…
Brutal, brutal start to the season for Warde. Had two of the FCIAC’s best teams on the ropes (with second half leads!) and couldn’t close them out…losing by a combined 24 points.
Talk about snake-bitten. They have some very winnable games coming up – and if anyone deserves a winning season, it’s these kids. Will be interesting to see if they can pick themselves up from this. Best 1-2 team in the state?
james—–winners know how to win.
Why pick on high school kids? really get in their shoes. They played their asses off. Bloggers think about what you are saying. Why do the Fairfield Warde kids have to put up with this. Who played them this well. In time they will have their day. New Canaan has all the benefits in the world. Year roun d football. Give credit where credit is due. 3 years ago their were no games now people prepare for Warde. Let them have a fair shot. Points taken off the board???? Away??? Give them a chance.
@JB – Nc probably has 500 yards in holding penalties the last two weeks. No running game to turn to when the passing went south except maybe Milano at the end. Not like it was supposed to be. NC could take a hit in the polls but who cares at least they won.
Nice 30 yard penalty on Warde. Real classy. With 6 minutes left and down one score, Warde abandons their running game that has worked all night and goes to the pass. INT. (Yes, Warde had scored on a pass but the kid jumped the short out route, dove and missed the ball) Then down two scores, they go back to the run and waste clock. If that was supposed to be the element of surprise, congratulations I’m surprised.
@Honus – yes, good win for NC. Coaches came up with the right adjustments to pull this one out. Warde is a tough opponent and is probably the Ram’s most difficult match-up. NC will need to work on their line play. Those holding penalties and lack of a run game indicates they are getting beat at the line of scrimmage. I think Ansonia and maybe New London jump them in the polls, but that is it because Warde is legitimate.
im not sure if nc played that poor or if warde played that well.
Warde is one tough football team. They beat a very underated McMahon team and had Darien and New Canaan on the ropes.
New Canaan is going to have plenty of trouble down the road. No run defense and no run offense. They strill have an outside chance of qualifying for the Class L but unless they draw Coventy?windham they have zero chance of advancing. I hope I’m wrong though-I love the RAMS
NC has another test next week. McMahon is as good as Warde, if not better when at home. McMahon needs to stay disciplined for 48 minutes and it could be a close game. Definitely worth coming home early from work to take in this Thursday night battle.
Whomever is the FCIAC champ this year will be one battle-tested team and likely a state contender in the playoffs.
new canaan will be fine, if anything wins like this last one will make them stronger. its good to be in a game and have to come from behind every now and then. it makes the kids grow up faster and learn how to stay composed under pressure. everyone thought that the fciacs was down this year, but i rather disagree, i actually believe that there are a lot of strong teams all battling it out. NC will find a way to win just like they always do. they just need to get it going faster. i also disagree that they have zero run offense. they just rarley run the ball. when they do run the ball they are always succesful. new canaan is just alot more like the patriots in the sense that they use the short pass game like a run game. lou marinelli will figure out how to win out. thats what the man does. who hear us going to bet against him? i dont think that you can. Warde is a great team and will not lose to many if any more games this year. give that team a lot of credit.
prophet, I’ll take that bet. Can’t wait for the “L” play-offs.