Week 2 football

Back to work for local teams. One week is gone, and there was a lot to feel good about, but it was only one game with nine or ten more to go. So that momentum will only last as long as this weekend's results allow it to.
I have a better impression of some teams, but it is still hard to say exactly how good, or bad, everybody might be based on one game against one opponent. There's not a lot of info to compare.
There are some big matchups this week with New Britain taking on Newington in my personal favorite. Plainville and Berlin match up, a good rivalry. And there are some good CCC matchups.
Only one game for me this weekend, Wethersfield hosting E.O. Smith on Saturday (no prediction for that as usual). Look for Ken Lipshez at both the Newington-New Britain game and Southington-Weaver and newest staffer Andrew Lovell at the Berlin-Plainville game. I am not sure about the others, but I believe former sports editor Brian Straight will be covering Rocky Hill-RHAM. Say hi to them all.
On to the picks.

Friday:
New Britain at Newington, 7 p.m.: New Britain didn't exactly overpower Conard last week, and Newington played far better than most expected against the Chieftains' crosstown rival Hall. So suddenly this jumped on the radar as a potentially big matchup.
New Britain has all the talent in the world, as written about in Ken's blog this week (lipservice2007.blogspot.com) and is the favorite I would say. But the Hurricanes still don't know how to dominate like their great teams used to. Maybe tonight will be when they start.
Newington knows how much one loss can hurt, going 9-1 last year and missing the playoffs. So they can't look for a moral victory. And the Indians have some serious weapons on offense too.
Still, I like New Britain in a game that should come down to the fourth quarter.
Farmington at Fermi, 7 p.m.: Farmington had a nice win against E.O. Smith last week, but it was said by several people to be pretty sloppy. Fermi lost 18-8 to Bulkeley, a team that is usually decent but not spectacular. So you have to say this is one the Indians could win.
I don't know. For some reason I'm not convinced yet that Farmington is ready to compete this year. I have to take Fermi at home to win.
Berlin at Plainville, 7 p.m.: I got a comment from somebody who said they thought this would be a good matchup, citing the fact that Plainville coach Rocky Gagliardi seems to have the team playing tough and fundamentally sound, both probably true although I haven't seen them play in person yet.
But Berlin has traditionally been bigger, stronger, and more talented at the skill positions, and that was when Plainville had many upperclassmen. I don't know if the young Plainville players can handle a good team like this so early in the season. It will be a good experience for them either way, to see what they have to work on. But I don't think Berlin will have trouble scoring, and should win easily.
RHAM at Rocky Hill, 7 p.m.: If you're looking for a bad omen to start the season for any team, RHAM lost to Cheney Tech last week. Not that Bill Baccaro's squad isn't well coached, but traditionally the tech schools don't hang with the others.
Rocky Hill, on the other hand, shut out what was supposed to be a good Stonington team in an expectedly low-scoring game. Suffice it to say, I don't think RHAM will find the endzone much, if at all, in this one, and the Terriers have pushed the Sachems around in recent years. I don't expect a close one.
Saturday:
Southington at Weaver, 12 p.m.: The schedule is not kind to the Knights early on, following up a trip to New Jersey with a game against a team that is always very tough.
I was impressed enough with Southington in that loss to Bergen Catholic that I think they should be able to come back with a win here. Last year, Southington won matchups like this with its defense, not typical for the school. The defense should be solid again this year, but if the offense can help out more consistently than last year it will help.
I don't quite know the identity of Southington yet, and this should be a telling game. I'm picking Southington to pull away late.
Northwest Catholic at St. Paul/GT/LM, 1:30 p.m.: Don't be fooled by NWC's loss to Xavier last week. That was an uphill battle all along. Now against a much smaller school it should be smoother sailing for the Nutmeg power.
Another reader pointed out that he thinks time has already run out for Jude Kelly to prove himself at St. Paul. That may be. I don't see them getting a win in this one. This isn't Oxford. NWC by a bundle.
STATE GAME OF THE WEEK
Hartford Public at Conard, Sunday, 1 p.m.: Here's two teams, usually pretty good, that both are hoping not to go 0-2. But one will, barring a tie, when they meet.
Public lost to Windsor last week, and Conard lost the close one to New Britain. Neither of those losses is inexcusable. But both need to get a win here.
I'm going to give the edge to Conard at home. I've heard from several people that they looked pretty good in the loss, and could have actually won against New Britain.

I'll be back later in the weekend to recap what happens. But go out to the games before the weather starts getting really cold. The 40 degree temps being predicted for this weekend may look like a pleasure cruise before too long.