We had a change in the schedule. Derby takes on Ansonia Thursday night in the 90th meeting between the two schools. Here’s our preview capsule.
Also, as requested by our faithful readers from out shoreline way, we’ve added the entire SCC slate to the Guide to the Games.
So, yes, Madison, Guilford, New Haven, North Haven, Branford, East Haven, Cheshire and Wallingford. Get your Friday snark here.
POSTPONEMENTS (because I’m not changing the guide anymore): The East Haven at North Haven game has also been pushed to tonight.
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What about the Bullards Haven game on Saturday afternoon spb ? No love for the Technical program of Bridgeport ? I like the Bullards team with their in your face pound the ball ground round attack fueled by #32 Shannon in the backfieild. So far so good going into this home game with Abbot Tech. It could be a mud bowl if the weather holds true, but either way who is gonna stop the frosted flaked Tigers , their”Great” ! A good way to start your Saturday.
I miss Bay’s weekly snark.
Since lines are advised against, I’ll categorize the games this week:
*Blowouts*
Harding @ TC -> TC keeps piling on the points
*Comfortable Wins*
McMahon @ Staples -> About time for Staples defense to click in the first half?
Wilton @ Bassick -> I sense Wilton will be allowed to throw some passes this week
NC @ Warde -> NC bounces back
*Competitive*
St. Joe @ Darien -> St. Joe could be a contender, but Darien is one and playing at home
Ludlowe @ Trumbull -> Trumbull is very weak this year, but not Ludlowe weak
*Pick ‘Em*
Danbury @ Central -> My guess is that Central wants it a bit more
Stamford @ Ridgefield -> Dare I say Stamford might consider this a coming out party?
Norwalk @ Westhill -> Would picking Westhill be considered an upset?
BH-Abbott doesn’t appear? I’m good for one miss a week.
@roto – What? I’m not good enough? :(
(I miss it, too. Edgy, man…)
SPB found Pucci’s wristband on the ground and is straight running over NH Register territory. Cheating or fair gamesmanship?
@JohnnyRibbs — Fair game. I don’t see rings on those teams’ fingers (aside from the state championship sort).
Just giving our visitors what they want. Lots past the Post borders.
@smashmouth
The bullard havens game is there….Sean put his twist to it.
@Jason – i added it just a little while ago. Breaks up the Seymour-Trinity transition, unfortunately. But I’m busy…
does anyone know if WTNH will stream the Ansonia Derby game live online tonight?
thanks,
Did the first game starting QB for Shelton leave the team? I don’t see his name on the ciac roster.
upset city saturday night!! spb better make sure someone goes to cover the new milford brookfield game gonna be a good one!!
@bigmac – still waiting for that big New Milford upset. It’s been awhile.
I’m sure someone will go. Not my call. I’m a mere peon.
what’s goin on over at Pompy!?!?!?!?!?!?!
BigMac
Last year Brookfield won by 34..so take it easy with upset talk…NM has 3 or 4 kids that could play on Brookfield. Bobcats dominating the competition so far this year.
I really can’t believe how good Brookfield is this year… I was skeptical after QB switch, not often a coach takes a D1 QB and moves him to WR, but it has worked out better than expected. We could actually have the 2 conecutive D1 QBs at signing day ’13 and ’14..
Brookfield vs Newtown will be a great game next week!
Brookfield is a paper champion as they beat Stratford and an overrated Bunnell team. Newtown will roll over them as they should. Remember, Brookfield is class M with almost 1/2 the enrollment of Newtown. With that being said, it does give both of these teams an exciting week if they go in 3-0 against each other.
paper champion? no one said they were anything so how could that be. it seems that every time brookfield wins the team they beat is overrated or had a bad day but when brookfield loses they suck. i’m not saying they are good or bad but i think they are treated very harshly and i don’t know why. i’m not even from brookfield and i have noticed that they get little credit for anything except when they aren’t good. i agree that if both them and newtown win it will be a fun and exciting week for both since they were big rivals in the 90s and early 2000s
easy with the d1 talk. if he was he should have received some offers and judging by the lack of talk he hasnt. he has been a pretty good rec so far and seems to be getting more confident so lets see how it plays out. also before we call brookfield really good lets see how they do sat night and against newtown, another tem that has shocked is barlow and how they trampled bethel
@ dave k…Yes, the Shelton starter quit after being benched in the Cheshire game and then coming to practice on Monday and finding out he was the back-up. Too bad…big kid with a HUGE arm. They make some strange coaching decisions up here in Shelton. You can’t bench a kid that carried the team for the last 4 games last year as a Sophomore because he had one bad quarter…and was still leading Cheshire at the time he was pulled. The new QB is one of the coaches sons…so do the math.
@WhopperSR…are you kidding me…that kid has ZERO chance of being a D1 QB…or even player…I have seen him play…he has the body and a big arm…just like a million other kids…but not the ability. Mark my words…small D2 at best…maybe not even that. I have seen MUCH better players never get a shot. Kids like him are a dime a dozen. There are 6 better QB’s than him in just the SWC alone.
NC will bounce back even if game is played at 6am
No one from Brookfield is going D1.
@Ax-Was that the same soph Q.B that was just named Post and Register player of the week?Strange coaching decision.Your son must be one of the many underchievers there that forgot about the summer programs?Just a thought???
this is that game that will show people new milfords no joke! expect a big game from that defense, they held newtown to 21 pts expect them to shut down brookfield
No ax
That is too bad that the kid quit. Life has a lot of adversity and giving up is usually not the right choice. I don’t question the coaching decision since Pic is mobile and might be a better choice considering Sheltons O line. I didn’t realize that the new QB’s dad was a coach. I thought there was a Porkys connection.
@Paul-
Anyone that has been here for more than 5 minutes will tell you that I have been on this board forever. My kids attended school in Texas and my youngest graduated College in May. So you sound ignorant spouting off about summer programs and calling kids underachievers. I don’t know either kid, but I do go to all of the games, including scrimmages. And yes, I find the coaching decision strange. Like the name says, I have no ax to grind…I didn’t go to school there, I have no loyalty to the program. I just happened to move to Shelton 10 years ago and I like High School Football, and Shelton is the closest game in town. Given the time and choice I prefer to watch Masuk. That is a program and coaching. I just call it like I see it. So Don’t get your panties in a bundle friend…I hope your boy is doing well…they are going to need a LOT of help this season.
Just a thought…
@ dave k-
The O Line is VERY weak…and the kid maybe a better choice. He is as cool as the other side of the pillow in the pocket…but one bad quarter doesn’t make for a change…but that is just my VERY humble opinion. And you know there is ALWAYS a Porky’s connection…lol…that IS Shelton Football…
The way Wilton looked at St. Joes last week, this could be Bassick’s year…and I’m a Wilton fan.
As a parent of a former SHS player, I know exactly what’s going on at SHS! The coaching staff has to go! The decision making is horrible and they are simply getting out coached. High School football is evolving and this staff can’t keep up with it! They definitely play favorites and yes if you are good enough, you don’t have to go to summer lifting and conditioning. I feel bad for the kids that don’t miss anything and then because your parent isn’t invloved with the Quarter Back club or kissing somebody’s as_ that is connected to the coaching staff gets screwed! Much missed talent is lost with kids either quiting or not bothering to play at all. SHS Football has lost its integrity and this coaching staff has to go!! And yes my kid did play!
SWC worse league on the east coast?
Not worse than nvl
dont know 29—past nvl-swc matchups have been one sided.
Looking forward to seeing Hand @ Xavier week 5, probably two best overall programs in the state. Relax Ansonia, your good too, just don’t play a competitive schedule. They should consider a neutral site for this game, they don’t have parking to accomodate at Palmer field. X will never go for it, they have 30 towns to choose from, just looking at how their roster is represented.
ray im curious to know what were the recent match ups?
,,,,All right St.Joe’s…Way to go taking care of Darien.
@Bubba – so where exactly do you get the “representation” of X’s roster? Because they don’t publish hometowns / addresses. Same type of anti Catholic school bias / ignorance that shows up all over these boards – esp during basketball season.
If they “recruit” so much, then why isn’t St. Joe’s up there every year? Or Prep? Or HC?
But, what the heck? Let’s play along:
- Boyle, Middletown
- Berry, Wallingford
- Tylki, Wethersfield
- Creeron, Middletown
See the theme? Surrounding – emphasis on SURROUNDING – as in Middletown and those towns bordering Middletown – with not so great schools. Other kids have come from Durham, North Branford.
Notice that towns like Madison, Cheshire still have perenially good teams. Good schools, good teams.
Parents want to send their kids to good schools. They either move there, or they send them there. Look at top 10 poll and you’ll see a theme. X doesn’t recruit – parents send their kids to the best school they can. It’s that simple.
Just wondering where you see the roster, you know, “represented”?
Probably in the garbage can because that’s exactly what this is.
Darien played weak competition up until SJ and quite frankly, some of us were very skeptical they could reload on the defense front … and one guy getting cramps means they lose the game? Sorry, but that team is not top tier. Great win for SJ, but Darien will struggle this year to beat even Wilton because of the defense.
@C_HS_S – bingo … without Berry and Tylki (and there are more) then Xavier would be an average HS team from Middletown at best? Point, set, match, … thanks for making our case.
Another thing … Prep showed Xavier is beatable this year. Play shutdown defense and watch them fold. Hand might destroy them this year. Calling this one early … Hand 35 and Xavier 14
@JB – make the case for what? That you haven’t seen Xavier play? That you are anti-Catholic school? Or just not very bright?
Xavier has the best coach in the state. Mr. Marinan is former captain at Princeton, inspires the players to succeed and runs a disciplined program.
Tim Boyle and DeAngelo Berry are two of the best players in the state, both of whom waited their turn even if they might have been better players than those in front of them.
What makes you all believe that Xavier is beatable? The Prep QB going 6-26? The fact that they never got within 3 TD’s? Or the chippy play, multiple personal fouls or the 2 roughing the passer penalties in the 4th quarter?
Xavier only gained 400 yards and scored 5 TD’s. Yeah, they’re beatable. Heard the same thing from Westies and NDWH. How’d they do?
Hand is not very big and not very fast. Xavier’s QB is going to BC. HHand’s QB is going to where exactly? Their best player is going to Yale, which last I checked isn’t quite in the same league, is it?
Shutdown defense and watch them fold? DeAngelo had 100 yards in the 2nd half. And Tim threw 2 TD’s. Xavier’s lost 1 game in almost 4 years. On the road, in the playoffs, by 3.
Masuk’s best player was RECRUITED. Xavier’s best players aren’t. We are smart. I’m off to Cornell or MIT next year.
Calling this one early. Bet you didn’t.
Game. Set. Match.
@JB Xavier doesnt recruit, theyre reputation makes kids want to go there…and Xavier has two spectacular players, several (as in 9) more r very good players , theyre are much more than two players. Fairfield prep is probably a playoff team this year and frankly I think they are better than staples and many other teams in the state.
Catholic HS Student, 3 plays put X on top and remove those and you have a tie game. Kick off reutrn for TD, 1st running play and 4th and 13 td pass for 50 yards. Yes, X executed and made the plays but if Prep does a better job in those situations, it is a tough battle. Prep cannot throw the ball with their QB who was missing left and right all night, but their running game is not bad. Boyle made some great throws and Berry is quick as can be. They are ranked #1 for a reason and will beat Hand. Prep is just a very good team that needs to cut down on mistakes. They may run the table the rest of the way.
BTW – let ME break things down for you in terms you understand (aka the SIMPLEST terms).
Xavier is a fantastic high school, where students come MOSTLY from Middletown and a handful of surrounding towns (NOT the 30 that @JB says).
Like most towns in CT, PARENTS decide to send their kids there for the top notch education. In this case, if Xavier was only open to students in Middletown, parents would, most likely, MOVE to Middletown to send their sons to such a place, which also HAPPENS to have the BEST teachers, administrators and football coach.
The school does not RECRUIT – unlike local towns like Monroe and Naugatuck (which you can read about right here). The folks are Xavier are the most highly ethical I know.
We aren’t “the best” at every sport, no Catholic school is – which exactly DISPROVES your anti-intellectual bigoted point.
But, we ARE a top-flight school, which is what’s it’s all about in the first place.
Too bad you are just a hater.
Read Coach Marinin’s comments sometime. He’s a man with intelligence, class and grace.
The kind of person everyone should aspire to be.
And his teams, teams where kids who have no previous athletic or football experience become starters (like my best friend), or gifted players practice hard, become better, and wait their turn, are something to be celebrated. And emulated.
I had never done a sport in my life and at Xavier I letter in two.
And I am a top student.
That’s what we do here.
What do you do?
Other than look somewhat small minded.
Go X!
Lt’s save all the talk and end it right now..I already have the state championships completed in three of the four classes.
Class S Ansonia
Class M St. Josephs this year.. next year.. and the year after.
Class L Hand
Class LL Xavier vs. Staples
I’d be shocked if it doesn’t turn out this way
@C_HS_S … Sorry to hit a raw nerve. I don’t hate your school or any person in it, and I am Catholic so unless I want to end up in a bad place I certainly don’t hate the church. And I think your coach and its players produce a top program which no one is debating, however, the X fan base just needs to gain a bit more perspective. Families don’t just sell their homes and move for a better football program and if Xavier was a publicly funded high school, not many families could afford the taxes and home prices in Middletown … heck, it would be a lot like New Canaan or Madison. So let’s keep it simple and use a couple of basic reasoning concepts.
If Xavier’s football team this year was restricted to the town of Middletown, the legal public school boarder that the rest of CT public school teams are confined to, your team would not be as good as it is – just go through your roster and eliminate every player whose family doesn’t reside in Middletown. If you do that simple bit of research, you will then see what you have left on the team and then imagine the game against Hand with only those players … not so confident, right? They will teach you this concept at MIT, it is called deductive reasoning.
And then let’s use a simple hypothetical analogy to further illustrate the point to help you grasp Xavier’s advantage. What if, say New Canaan (a great academic institution, like Xavier) was allowed to admit students from its “surrounding” communities … yes, that would be Stamford, Norwalk, Pond Ridge, Bedford and Wilton. Wow, some fabulous athletes over the years many of whom were D1 (some even in the NFL) who would have loved to play for Lou while receiving a great education. Yeah, I know many of the families in those surrounding towns can’t afford the taxes and home prices in NC, so let’s say NC is allowed to give financial aid to assist those who couldn’t otherwise afford the costs of paying its “tuition”. NC has prominent alumni, just like Xavier, who could easily afford to endow the need. And yes, just like Xavier, that aid would be available to every applicant that is admitted based solely upon financial need … hey, but the school is only so big and all student qualities (academic, athletic, leadership, etc) will be considered when deciding who gets in – right? So now add about 20 of the best potential football players from those surrounding communities to NC’s already deep talent pool and great coaching, then develop them into a unified team over a couple of seasons … it would be killer. NC would be ranked #1 every year, never lose a game and win LL states going away. Even the mighty Xavier wouldn’t have a chance. I know hypothetical analogies are a somewhat higher form of reasoning, so if you need to finish MIT first before responding I will certainly understand.
BTW, the Hand players and fans will be looking forward to show you how slow and weak they really are … good luck with that one, you will need it.
catholic student actual hands best kid is going to UCONN
@ JB
If Hand can beat Xavier (your prediction in post #37), doesn’t that refute your point that the recruiting advantage of private schools is insurmountable?
Hmm… for you to even contemplate that outcome, Hand/Madison must have advantages, too. How about
- Hand summer camp for 7-8 graders established 40 years ago (true)
- Hand football players visit middle schools every gameday wearing their jerseys to read to the kids (true)
- more money (tax funding >>> private tuition and fundraising)
- better facilities and equipment (again, funding)
- kids who’ve played together since 5th grade
- all in same town, no distances involved, allows them to lift together and play 7 on 7 year round
- entire town dedicates time & energy to football program, Booster Club, etc.
There, 1 advantage of private schools vs. 7 (off the top of my head) advantages of public schools.
If recruiting were 1% as important as you suggest, private schools would win every championship. News flash: they don’t. In fact, it is quite the opposite.
Check the record book available from the CT Sportwriters Alliance website: PUBLIC schools dominate every category (most titles won, most title games played, active coach winning %, longest win streaks, etc.).
Dear @JB,
Xavier is a wonderful team AND they have figured out what every private school in the Midwest (where I am from) has understood for a long time. It is an advantage to pull from surrounding communities. It took longer in CT, but the result will be and is the same: recruit, give aid and win.
The Prep vs West Haven game on tday morning could have signicant impact. They each could have 2 losses and but the winner of this game could go to LL playoffs. Both will have work to do to only have 2 losses though going in.
Hey Mooncake…Are you bragging or complaining?
JB wait a second. If Xavier was only limited to Middletown? Well then you would have to take the Middletown Xavier players and add them to the Middletown High players (who last I looked were 3-0 in class L and haven’t given up a point yet and you know what do that and you might have a better team then Xavier has right now so I think your point is meaningless. Middletown has its state championships also. A very good program who plays Xavier on turkey day hurting its chance to make the playoffs just for all the fans. I can see Middletown being 8-1 going into that game with its only loss to Windsor. Maybe 9-0.
Kudos to Prep for a great effort, particularly after getting down early. The program indicated #66 is a sophomore — if that is right, he is going to be a beast for the next two years.
X fans (I am one) need to be honest. There is a lot of talent in this group, but it has not accomplished very much yet. There is an awful lot of work to be done, particularly on the the O line and defense, before this team can be discussed with the last two editions. And the roughest part of the schedule is yet to come. Potential guaranties nothing.
@xhs – fair enough. That would be the right other analogy. Then aid and recruiting wouldn’t matter. The combined team would be very strong but have its natural ups and downs, like the rest of the state.
Xavier over the years has had a great football program. No doubt about that. It’s roster is from many towns. Its the parent’s choice. This is America. Land of opportunity. Kids go to Xavier for a great education and to play for a great football program. True. Xavier doesn’t recruit? Hmmmmm. My own son was “introduced” by a Xavier contact to the coaching staff as a prospective student-athlete. He could have gone and played at Xavier but chose otherwise. It weasn’t for him. Know many current students/players at Xavier. It is well known that the word is put out that if you come to Xavier that they will give you a so called “scholarship” or substantial break in tuition. Especially, if you are big, fast and strong! Year after year big lineman just don’t show up on the Xavier’s door step. Xavier is a subsidized school that is a part of the Hartford Diocese that gives substantial discounts for certain athletes, and students with need. Other parochial schools are private and cannot afford to give as many athletic scholarships or breaks in tuition as Xavier due to being part of the diocese. Big difference in tuition cost between Xavier and other private parochial schools. My son, also, checked out Fairfield Prep who offers some scholarships based only on need. They are a private parochial school and cannot subsidize as many scholarships as Xavier. Notre Dame is in a similar boat as Xavier. That makes a big difference who goes where. Xavier will never come out and say who is here under scholarship since they do not have to open its “books” to show who gets what. Xavier kids know who is there for football or basketball or etc. Like many schools Xavier makes their students go to classes. Thats in important. However, that doesn’t mean that grades aren’t curved for certain athletes to keep them eligible. Like a good catholic institution they believe in second chances. Ask the student athletes if rules are broken at times. I am not saying this is right or wrong but just putting the facts out there for discussion. If any Xavier supporter writes otherwise, the confessional box is an alternative. Oops. I forgot. They got rid of the confessional box. Finally, Berlin, New Canaan, Masuk and Hand have small populations of about 15-17,000. However, they produce a good football product based on great feeder programs at the youth level and tradition. Teach your children young and they will grow into good football players. Simple as that. You will find very few students who will want to leave either Berlin or Madison to play Xavier footballl even though they live in the surrounding towns from which Xavier draws it talent from.
My nephew was a tremendous 8th grade football player, and he was never offered any sort of financial aid by Xavier, and hes now one of the best players in the state. He has had to wake up everyday and make a long trip to xavier and stay after school for hours until hes picked up. You have no idea what these kids have had to do and for you to insinuate that Xavier does recruit is an insult to the KIDS hard work and drive to succeed.