Week 1 of high school football is in the books.
If you follow my football picks, you know I was 3-1. I had the general tone of all three correct games right. I can’t figure out Warde at all.
Let’s break down some games, and start with the most impressive one, that I happened to be at.
The Good: Prep talked about this being its best season to date, and a 47-0 win over a young team is just what the doctor ordered. The Jesuits ran well, were opportunistic and even got contributions from sophomores. All in all, like Tom Shea said, it’s just what Prep was looking for.
The Bad: Strecker Backe threw a pick, and Prep fumbled. The Jesuits kept the Governors in the game for about 20 minutes.
But, honestly, I wouldn’t worry about that. I’m sure nerves came to play and as Prep acclimates to varsity play, it’ll get even stronger.
Let’s be fair here, too though, Prep beat up and overmatched opponent. Cross’ coach John Acquavita even called his team “a glorified JV team.”
Twitter Opinion (140 characters or less): Prep dominated on opening day against an overmatched opponent. A win’s a win, and the season outlook is bright.
Up Next: Prep’s home-opener, Friday against East Haven at 6 p.m.
The Good: The Mustangs battled back from a 27-14 deficit on Friday, taking a one-point lead with 1:17 left.
The Bad: Warde managed to give up the lead in just 31 seconds. At some point the Mustangs are going to have to win a close, high-pressure game here. This is starting to get ridiculous.
If the Mustangs had won Friday, they’d be 1-0 and sky-high off of a stolen victory. Instead, they’re 0-1 and walking into the lion’s den Saturday at Darien. Don’t downplay or forget how big this game was.
Twitter Opinion: Mustangs cough up another game late. Warde’s 0-1 for the second time in three seasons.
Up Next: Warde treks to Darien Saturday at 1:30 p.m.
The Good: One game does not a season make. Ludlowe was pummeled on
Peter Cross and the Ludlowe football team looked good in their uniforms on Friday night.
opening night for the fourth year in a row. In 2009, the Falcons were blasted at Central in their opener and went on to win six games.
Plus I must say, from the pictures I’ve seen, Ludlowe’s uniforms are the nicest I’ve seen.
The Bad: For starters, Ludlowe lost Dylan Claiborne and Stephen Scholz to injuries. Those are two of Ludlowe’s best players and leaders.
Darien and Ludlowe are obviously not on the same level at all. The Blue Wave are a program, rich with experience and athletes. The Falcons, frankly, are not. I’d really like to see Ludlowe not trail by three or four touchdowns after one quarter and perhaps offer opponents some competition.
I’m not saying Ludlowe doesn’t try, I’d just like to see them surprise someone. Perhaps they could score first in a game? Ludlowe has not jumped out to a lead since Thanksgiving of 2010– a span of 11 games now.
I doubt that’s coming this week. A hungry, angry, Ridgefield team’s coming to town Friday night.
Twitter Opinion: Ludlowe routed in season opener by bigger, faster, stronger Darien.
Up Next: Ludlowe hosts Ridgefield, Friday at 7 p.m.
The Good: According to my colleague, Doug Bonjour, ND is headed in the right direction. He told me ND had more kids on its sidelines this year. The Lancers moved the ball in the first quarter too.
Dicks’ first win is also a possibility Friday when the Lancers go to Stratford.
The Bad: ND still doesn’t have a kicking game. The Lancers were blasted by a middle-of-the-road SWC squad and are likely in for a long year. Dawon Dicks realizes there will be growing pains, and it still isn’t close to pretty.
Twitter Opinion: Lancers are improving, & could get first win Fri. But ND is still nowhere close to competing in SWC.
Up Next: ND will trek to Stratford Friday to play the Red Devils. Game is at Bunnell at 7 p.m.
Where I’ll be this week
Wednesday: Warde at New Canaan, girls soccer, 7
Friday: East Haven at Prep, football, 6
Pat Pickens is the sports editor of the Fairfield Citizen, a Hearst Connecticut Newspaper organization. Follow him on Twitter here.
