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Can’t believe it, but this is the last bulk guide of the year. Next week is a limited schedule and the week after, of course, is Thanksgiving. Goes by fast. Too fast.
Buckle up. The Guide to This Week’s Games, sans Greenwich-Danbury of course since the Cardinals defeated the Hatters to qualify for the FCIAC championship game, be it at Staples or elsewhere.
Primer and live updates will be out late-morning.
I think we finally have the Week 8 schedule pinned down, and…
(Email: Danbury-Ludlowe is moved to Saturday.)
D’Oh! [scribble, scribble]
OK, now I think we finally have the Week 8 schedule pinned down, with the exception of that Bunnell-Barlow time on Monday.
I’m holding my breath.
Stay safe out there, folks.
UPDATE: Friday 9:30 -- Bunnell-Barlow will be played at 5 p.m. on Monday. They just don’t know where yet. …Stratford-New Milford, Brookfield-Immaculate have both been postponed to TBA. Probably the weekend of the 19th as well.
Bunnell AD Dave Johnson said the league’s coaches will vote Wednesday on whether they’ll discount the SWC playoff tiebreaker points for the 2011 season. (My guess is that they will). Of course, Masuk beaing Pomperaug, Bunnell beating Barlow and Newtown beating Bethel tonight would solve that problem. Then Masuk would clinch and the final spot would be determined by the winner of Bunnell-Newtown next week.
We’re a little behind schedule what with the sad news of Jerry McDougall‘s death. If you haven’t seen all of the amazing words from family, friends and colleagues of the late great Coach, it’s worth checking out. Some heavy hitters have weighed in with their memories. If you have something you want to say, feel free to add your comments as well.
But the games must and will go on here in Shangri La.
Submitted for your approval, the guide to this week’s games.
Here is your Guide for Week 3′s regional high school football games.
| 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 |
♦♦♦
| 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 |
Welcome to Week 2. Could be a spot of rain on the way (there is actually a flood watch in effect until 8 p.m. Saturday) so check here for the latest radar.
We’ll try to update these if any postponements come in.
For now, game on.
UPDATES 9/23:
Cheshire at Hillhouse is now 3 p.m.
Postponements: New Fairfield at Masuk, Saturday, 7; Derby at Naugatuck, Saturday, 10 a.m. at Municipal Stadium, Waterbury; Trinity Catholic at New Canaan, Saturday, 5 p.m.; West Haven at Guilford, Saturday, 7 p.m.; Amity at East Haven, Saturday, noon; Oxford at Stratford, Saturday, 1:30; Xavier at Foran, Saturday, 5 p.m.;
| VISITOR | HOME | TIME | SKINNY |
| Cheshire (1-0) | Hillhouse (0-1) | 3 p.m. | Must-win for ‘House? Maybe |
| Fairfield Prep (0-1) | Griswold (1-0) | 6:30 | Send us a postcard, Jesuits |
| Ludlowe (0-1) | Ridgefield (0-1) | 7 | Be the ball, Tigers. Just be the ball |
| Darien (1-0) | Warde (1-0) | 7 | I’ll admit, I’m intrigued. Very intrigued |
| Trinity Cath. (1-0) | New Canaan (1-0) | Sat., 5 | We’ll learn a lot more about NC here |
| Bassick (0-1) | Greenwich (1-0) | 7 | Nice job on Bassick’s schedule, FCIAC |
| Ansonia (1-0) | Woodland (1-0) | 7 | Tackle No. 2, Woodland. Number Two |
| Derby (1-0) | Naugatuck (1-0) | Sat., 10am | This’ll be a little tougher, Derby |
| Amity (0-1) | East Haven (0-1) | Sat., noon | Amity put up a fight vs. West Haven |
| Hamden (0-1) | North Haven (1-0) | 7 | Encore, Jalon White! Encore! |
| ND-WH (0-1) | Branford (1-0) | 7 | ND needs a pick-me-up. Badly |
| Wilbur Cross (1-0) | Law (0-1) | 7 | No names, but Cross has some playmakers |
| West Haven (1-0) | Guilford (1-0) | Sat., 7 | SCC crossover week is fun! |
| Xavier (1-0) | Foran (0-1) | Sat. 5 | See above |
| Bethel (1-0) | Pomperaug (1-0) | 7 | There is some intrigue in SWC after all |
| New Milford (0-1) | Bunnell (1-0) | 7 | Bunnell could be scary good. We’ll see |
| Oxford (0-1) | Stratford (0-1) | Sat., 1:30 | Oxford’s not the team it looked like last week |
| Immaculate (0-1) | Newtown (1-0) | 7 | Hawks aren’t Bunnell, Immaculate. But close |
| New Fairfield (1-0) | Masuk (1-0) | Sat., 7 | You see what happened to Oxford last week? |
| Danbury (0-1) | Fitch (1-0) | 7 | Do the FCIAC proud, Hatters |
| Shelton (1-0) | Sheehan (1-0) | 7:30 | Green Knights are next week, Shelton |
| VISITOR | HOME | TIME | SKINNY |
| Wilcox Tech (0-1) | Bullard-Havens (1-0) | Noon | Tigers should own this league until Cheney |
| Barlow (0-1) | Notre Dame-FF (0-1) | 1 | Back to work, boys. Back to work |
| Brookfield (0-1) | Weston (1-0) | 1 | Will the real SWC contender please stand up? |
| McMahon (0-1) | Harding (1-0) | 1:30 | Mud should slow McMahon down at Hedges |
| Staples (1-0) | Central (0-1) | 1:30 | Haven’t met since 2009’s classic FCIAC title |
| Trumbull (0-0) | Westhill (0-1) | 1:30 | Never fear, Trumbull. No lights needed |
| Wolcott Tech (1-0) | Platt Tech (0-1) | 2:30 | WT earned program’s 1st win last week. |
| St. Joseph (0-1) | Wilton (1-0) | 3:30 | Keep an eye on the Warriors |
| Stamford (1-0) | Norwalk (1-0) | 5 | Preseason predictions are counting on Knights |
| Abbott Tech (0-1) | O’Brien Tech (0-1) | 6 | Condors will find this more to their liking |
| VISITOR | HOME | TIME | SKINNY |
|
New Canaan (0-0) |
Bassick (0-0) | 6 | Feels like NC always opens with Bassick |
| Torrington (0-0) | Ansonia (0-0) | 6 | OK, Torrington. Go ahead. Dazzle us. |
| Sheehan (0-0) | Law (0-0) | 7:30 | Wear track shoes, not cleats, Law. |
|
Sacred Heart (0-0) |
Woodland (0-0) |
6 |
Without Coggins, Hearts broken. |
| VISITOR | HOME | TIME | SKINNY |
| Bullard Havens (0-0) | Platt Tech (0-0) | 7 | Nuthin like a good ol’ fashioned CSC rivalry |
| Harding (0-0) | Stamford (0-0) | 6 | Presidents would rather play this at Hedges |
| McMahon (0-0) | Fairfield Warde (0-0) | 7 | Drop the ‘Dark Horse’ label from the loser |
| Norwalk (0-0) | Danbury (0-0) | 7 | Lots of Danbury believers out there |
| Ridgefield (0-0) | Greenwich (0-0) | 7 | Anybody out there crying for Greenwich? |
| St. Paul (0-0) | Derby (0-0) | 7 | Over/under on total passes: 100 |
| North Haven (0-0) | Hillhouse (0-0) | 3:30 | Title game’s supposed to be after season, SCC |
| Shelton (0-0) | Wilbur Cross (0-0) | 4 | Get your act together, Shelton. |
| Amity (0-0) | West Haven (0-0) | 7 | Amity only lost by 2 last year. This time… |
| Fairfield Prep (0-0) | Hand (0-0) | 7 | Prep’s been kind of quiet this preseason. |
| Foran (0-0) | Branford (0-0) | 7 | Don’t see a third-straight OT game happening |
| Hamden (0-0) | Cheshire (0-0) | 7 | This was huge game once. Trust us. |
|
ND-WH (0-0) |
Xavier (0-0) |
7 |
Any chance ND repays Xavier for ’10? |
| Bethel (0-0) | New Milford (0-0) | 7 | Welcome to the Brandon Schmidt show |
| Pomperaug (0-0) | Brookfield (0-0) | 7 | Baptism by fire for new-look Pomperaug |
| Notre Dame-FF (0-0) | New Fairfield (0-0) | 7 | Now batting for ND: Rico Brogna. …Brogna. |
| Weston (0-0) | Stratford (0-0) | 7 | Haven’t heard any chirping from Weston |
| Newtown (0-0) | Barlow (0-0) | 7 | Could be a dangerous spot for the Hawks. |
|
Trumbull (0-0) |
Cath. Memorial (Mass.) |
7 |
Bring us back some chowdah? |
| VISITOR | HOME | TIME | SKINNY |
| Prince Tech (0-0) | Abbott Tech (0-0) | 1 | It’s anybody’s ballgame in the CSC (seriously) |
| Ludlowe (0-0) | Darien (0-0) | 1:30 | This game won’t prove anything. |
| Staples (0-0) | St. Joseph (0-0) | 1:30 | Don’t be shocked at this game’s result |
| Trinity Cath.(0-0) | Westhill (0-0) | 1:30 | Let the race for the Stamford city title begin! |
| Masuk (0-0) | Oxford (0-0) | Noon | Rumors are Oxford has a secret weapon |
|
Bunnell (0-0) |
Immaculate (0-0) |
1 |
Welcome to “Brunoball,” Coach Pinabell |
| VISITOR | HOME | TIME | SKINNY |
| Central (0-0) | Wilton (0-0) | 5 | Singing: “Are you ready for some footbaaalll?” |
♦♦♦
Welcome to the first day of the rest of your season.
Staples coach Marce Petroccio (left) visits with his players during a time out. The Wreckers (8-0) take on Trumbull (7-1) Saturday at 1:30 in Westport.
It’s the end of the idyllic Friday night football portion of our schedule. It’s the last regular season game without fanfare attached to it.
Aside from a few stragglers, next week is for conference championships. The week after that is Thanksgiving, the greatest day on the Connecticut sports calendar, the day where most teams play the biggest game of their season. The weeks after that are the state playoffs, and only 32 lucky teams get to participate.
This week, we set the stage for the final act of the 2010 season.
Years from now, when we look back at the records and results, when the players have moved on and the memories have faded, all we’ll have are the records.
What will the numbers next to your team tell us? How many games did you win? Were you a playoff team? Did you have a winning record? A .500 record? A losing record? Did you win any games at all?
You have two weeks left to improve your story — two weeks to turn 1-7 into a 3-7, or turn a 4-4 into a 6-4. Two weeks to turn a 7-1 into a 9-1, and get a chance to add a title next to it.
And it starts tonight.
The Week 9 primer.
If the playoffs began today (and, once again, thank God they don’t), here’s what we’d have:
CLASS LL – No. 8 West Haven (7-1) at No. 1 NFA (8-0); No. 5 Trumbull (7-1) at No. 4 Staples (8-0) // No. 6 Glastonbury (7-1) at No. 3 Hall (8-0); No. 7 Newtown (7-1) at No. 2 Xavier (8-0). Out — Southington 7-1, Conard 6-2, Pomperaug 6-2, Stamford 5-3, Greenwich 5-3, Ridgefield 5-3, Shelton 5-3…
CLASS L – No. 8 Bristol Eastern (7-1) at No. 1 Masuk (8-0); No. 5 Naugatuck (7-1) at No. 4 Wethersfield (7-1) // No. 6 Maloney (7-1) at No. 3 Hand (7-1); No. 7 Avon (7-1) at No. 2 Darien (8-0). Out — New Canaan 7-1, Windsor 6-2, Fitch 5-2, Middletown 6-2…
CLASS M – No. 8 Enfield (5-2) at No. 1 Berlin (8-0); No. 5 Coventry/Windham Tech (6-1) at No. 4 Lyman Hall (7-1) // No. 6 Brookfield (6-2) at No. 3 No. 7 Cheney Tech (5-2) at No. 2 New London (7-1). Out: Platt 6-2, Bullard-Havens 6-2, Hillhouse 5-3, Gilbert/Northwestern 5-2, Putnam/Tourtellotte/Ellis Tech 5-2, Waterford 5-3, Bethel 5-3 …
CLASS S — No. 8 Sacred Heart (6-3) at No. 1 Ansonia (9-0); No. 5 St. Joseph (6-2) at No. 4 Montville (7-1) // No. 6 Coginchaug (6-1) at No. 3 Hyde (7-0); No. 7 Woodland (6-3) at No. 2 Valley Regional/Old Lyme (8-0). Out — Cromwell 5-2, Holy Cross 5-3, Capital Prep/Classical 4-3, Oxford 5-3, North Branford 4-4…
Still plenty of football left to change these pairing dramatically. The Mad Playoff Scientist — His Madness — has been itching to get out of his cage. We’ll unleash the beast on Sunday.
Here’s what to look for …
THE BIG GAMES
West Haven at Xavier, tonight, 7 — The Westies, fighting for their playoff lives at 7-1, head right into a hornets nest at Middletown’s Palmer Field. Xavier 8-0 is pretty much a lock for the Class LL, even with one loss at this point. While critical for West Haven, the state’s eyes are on this game to see just how Xavier, the state’s No. 1-ranked team does against another first-class foe on its way to the playoffs.
Central at New Canaan, tonight, 7 — Amazing that one 2-point conversion try has put highly ranked and regarded New Canaan’s Class L hopes in jeopardy. The real culprit is NC’s schedule. Six of its seven victories have come against teams with a combined 8-40 record. The other is Greenwich (5-3) which makes New Canaan’s opponents 13-43. Three of NC’s opponents are still winless (Bassick, Seymour, Ludlowe). So NC is put in the unenviable position of needing to win out and hope it’s enough. Luckily, Central and Darien will be worth a potential 350 points. Central, meanwhile, is in a tailspin. Do the Hilltoppers have anything left to knock NC out of the race for good?
Bunnell at Brookfield, tonight, 7 — Brookfield is in decent shape in a pretty weak Class M field. Beating Bunnell and collecting its 170 points will pretty much put this group into the playoffs. Bunnell, at 6-2 is in rough shape in Class L but that’s out of their hands. This game has some SWC title game implications for Brookfield if Stratford somehow rises from the dead to beat Newtown.
Darien at Norwalk, tonight, 7 — Darien is 8-0 and one victory away from its second FCIAC championship game appearance in two years under Rob Trifone. The Blue Wave take on Norwalk, which was noisy early but quickly faded out of the limelight. Do the Bears have another upset in them? Darien has one of the region’s top defenses and a no-frills offense that just gets the job done in crunch time. FCIACs aside, the Wave must also win this game to clinch a Class L playoff berth.
Lyman Hall at North Haven, tonight, 7 – Not a game in our area, but a huge one that affects area teams. North Haven is fighting for a spot in the crowded Class L field and a victory over the 7-1 Trojans just might do the trick of putting Joe Schwab and the Indians into position for Thanksgiving. Joe and John DeSandre and Lyman Hall could use one more victory to solidify their spot in Class M. A game worth keeping an eye on.
ADD: As is this one … Holy Cross at Naugatuck, tonight 7 — The Greyhounds are 7-1 and trying to stay in the thick of said Class L race (who isn’t?). A victory also makes the NVL title game a Thanksgiving affair at Jarvis Stadium. NVL fans will be out in force for this one.
Newtown at Stratford, tonight, 7 – The 7-1 Nighthawks have gamely been hanging onto playoff hopes with a patchwork squad. Beat Stratford, and they’ll host a winner-take-all SWC title game vs. Masuk at newly renovated Blue and Gold Stadium on Thanksgiving.
Greenwich at St. Joseph, Saturday, 1:30 — A year ago, St. Joseph 
needed to sweat through its entire Thanksgiving week to see if enough broke its way to qualify for the state playoffs. This year, it’s almost no sweat at all. The Hogs, even at 6-2, are in great shape in an unsteady Class S field. They’ll improve their chances considerably by beating Greenwich for the first time in school history.
Trumbull at Staples, Saturday, 1:30 – This is the biggest FCIAC game since… um… Trumbull-Central in Week 4. It’s actually the biggest FCIAC game of the season. Until next week.
In the northeast corner, wearing the black and metallic gold pants, featuring playmaker Phil Terio, dual quarterbacks Ian Milne and Brian Gallo and a physical offensive line, are the 7-1 Trumbull Eagles. A heavyweight contender for its first FCIAC title since 2005, Trumbull looks healthy and ready for the stretch run. Trumbull has to win to get in the FCIAC game. It’s Class LL playoff hopes also depend mightily on a victory here.
In the southwest corner, wearing the blue and silver pants, featuring a physical defensive front seven of Rob Gau, Greg Lewis, Pat Murray and Chris Coyne and playmaker Tyler Jacobs, are the defending league champion, 8-0 Staples Wreckers. They’ve suffered more than their share of debilitating injuries — running back Ryan Burke in the spring, back Nick Kelly a few weeks ago, and then QB Chet Pajolek right after. A year ago, Staples slotted in a senior and reached the state title game. This year, they’re counting on a freshman, Jack Massie, Jacobs … and even Kelly — who may return from a dislocated kneecap to play this game. Staples must win to defend its FCIAC title. It can afford maybe one loss in Class LL.
Apollo, you wanna ring the bell?
“Ding. Ding.”
ON THE AIR
FRIDAY
Lyman Hall at North Haven, 7 – WELI 960-AM
Notre Dame-WH at Fairfield Prep, 6 – Sportingnewsct.com or Gogreenknights.com
Holy Cross at Naugatuck, 7 – WATR 1320-AM
Central at New Canaan, 7 — WSTC 1400-AM/WNLK 1350-AM
SATURDAY
Trumbull at Staples, — WWPT 90.3-FM
Greenwich at St. Joseph – WGCH 1490-AM
LIVE SCORING BLOG
As always, there’s no magic to this, the updates you see come from people using Twitter on their mobile phones. If you want to know how that’s done, check here (we can always use more citizen journalists, especially from people in the SWC).
Ladies and gentlemen … your Guide To This Week’s high school football games for Week 9.
We’re almost home.
THURSDAY
|
VISITOR |
HOME |
TIME | SKINNY |
| Woodland (6-2) | Sacred Heart (5-3) | 6 | OK, THIS is for the NVL Copper title. Right? |
♦♦♦♦
FRIDAY
| VISITOR | HOME |
TIME |
SKINNY |
| Wilton (3-5) | Ridgefield (5-3) |
6 |
OK. Who’s got more pride? |
| Central (5-3) | New Canaan (7-1) |
7 |
Rams have everything to lose. Central nothing |
| Westhill (1-7) | Ludlowe (0-8) |
7 |
Ludlowe’s scored more, allowed less than Westhill |
| Crosby (2-6) | Derby/O’Brien (4-4) |
7 |
Derby is 2 wins from 1st winning season in 14 years |
| Notre Dame-WH (5-3) | Fairfield Prep (3-5) |
7 |
ND still has one of state’s best offenses |
| Hand (7-1) | Hamden (0-8) |
7 |
Not much else to say about Hamden |
| East Haven (2-6) | Law (1-6) |
7 |
How’s EH have more wins than Law? |
| Foran (3-4) | Guilford (3-4) |
7 |
Got a winning season in you, Foran? |
| Hillhouse (5-3) | Sheehan (1-7) |
7 |
Hillhouse has a shot at Class M. Really. |
| Shelton (5-3) | Cheshire (3-5) |
7 |
Wanna pick up your season Shelton? Start here |
| West Haven (7-1) | Xavier (8-0) |
7 |
Who isn’t heading to Palmer Field for this? |
| Bunnell (6-2) | Brookfield (6-2) |
7 |
Postseason still a possibility for Brookfield. |
| Barlow (2-6) | Bethel (5-3) |
7 |
And for Bethel, too. |
| Immaculate (0-8) | Masuk (8-0) |
7 |
Teams don’t get further apart |
| Newtown (7-1) | Stratford (3-5) |
7 |
Win ‘Hawks, or Thanksgiving means zero. |
| Notre Dame-Ffld (0-8) | New Milford (1-7) |
7 |
Lancers just hoping to survive the season. |
| Pomperaug (6-2) | New Fairfield (3-5) |
7 |
Season’s not over yet, Pomperaug. |
| Wilbur Cross (4-4) | Amity (3-5) |
7:30 |
Govs outscored 112-86 in last two weeks. |
♦♦♦♦
SATURDAY
| VISITOR | HOME |
TIME |
SKINNY |
| Danbury (3-5) | Warde (3-5) |
10 a.m. |
There’ll be heavy hearts on the Hatter sideline |
| Weston (4-4) | Oxford (5-3) |
1 |
Getting Miller back on D helps Oxford |
| Capital Prep (4-3) | Abbott Tech (0-7) |
1:30 |
Capital Prep has won three straight. |
| Putnam/Tourt. (5-2) | Bullard-Havens |
1:30 |
Tigers get share of CSC crown with victory |
| Stamford (4-4) | Trinity Catholic (1-7) |
1:30 |
Stamford’s the favorite to win City Title |
| Bassick (0-8) | Harding (1-7) |
1:30 |
Remember 2009, Presidents. I’m sure you do. |
| Greenwich (5-3) | St. Joseph (6-2) |
1:30 |
St. Joseph has never beaten Greenwich… |
| Norwalk (3-5) | Darien (8-0) |
1:30 |
Lots of Norwalk fans out there. Trust me. |
| Trumbull (7-1) | Staples (8-0) |
1:30 |
Here’s where we separate men from boys. |
Copyright © 2013 Hearst Communications Inc.
