Week 5 preview/picks
Back to the gridiron for another exciting weekend of games. Things should shake up a little bit with some key matchups in a few divisions. Locally it's not a bad slate of games either. There are some that you should definitely get out to.
I will not be covering anything this weekend. I'll be in the office on Friday night taking phone calls, and at a wedding on Saturday afternoon. So, it's open for me to make picks on all of these games.
Friday:
Bloomfield at Newington, 7 p.m.: This could be a trap game for Newington after a big win over Conard last week, but the thing about the Indians is they don't seem to take anything for granted. They haven't really played poorly in a game yet this year, and I don't really expect them to.
The key will be whether they can get healthy with both fullbacks (Harrison Scully and Fred Ortiz) nursing injuries. Those two are key to what the offense can do because they fight for small chunks on first down, and keep defenses honest, allowing the passing game and Spencer Parker's legs to make big plays.
I don't know much about Bloomfield, but their games tend to be shootouts. There should be a decent amount of scoring in this one, although the Newington defense has been good. I expect the Indians to get a win here and keep on rolling.
Conard at Southington, 7 p.m.: I saw Conard last week, and they are very dangerous. Southington is the epitome of consistency and good coaching, never ceasing to impress onlookers with how prepared the Knights are for each and every game.
I'm not quite sure why the Knights' game against Bristol Eastern was so close last week. Eastern's good, but I didn't think they were in Southington's strata this year. Either way, it should end up being a wakeup call for the Knights.
I think Southington will pull away late, with the defense proving too much for Conard to get much going.
Farmington at East Hartford, 7 p.m.: I don't have many words for the Indians. They just aren't playing well. East Hartford's not great, but they're probably too good for Farmington to hang with.
East Hartford wins going away.
Rocky Hill at Plainville, 7 p.m.: Same goes for Plainville as for Farmington. And the bigger problem is that Rocky Hill is very good. Now, the Terriers weapons don't translate as well on grass as on their own artificial turf. But they should be able to dominate this matchup up front and score a bunch.
Rocky Hill will win easily.
St. Paul/Goodwin/Mills at Enfield, 7 p.m.: Enfield didn't put up much of a fight against Rocky Hill, but I still say they are dangerous if a team isn't ready for them. So far everything's been going St. Paul's way, but I think they could find themselves in a fight here.
I still think the Falcons will win though. They look to be legit.
Saturday:
Glastonbury at Wethersfield, 12 p.m.: The Eagles first test, against Manchester, wasn't exactly a success. Turnovers were costly and the team let one slip away that they definitely should have won.
Make no mistake about it. Glastonbury is better than Manchester. Now, last year the Eagles' defense kept Glastonbury in check and gave the offense chances to win. It's still possible this year, but I don't think things look good.
Maybe home field will prove fruitful for Wethersfield, but I expect Glastonbury to win.
New Britain at Hall, 1:30 p.m.: The Hurricanes better bounce back quickly, cause Hall's a team that can beat you, like Weaver, if you aren't prepared. New Britain has always bounced back well in recent years after surprising losses. That's a positive thing to say about the team.
And I don't think Hall has quite the firepower to handle New Britain either. But I don't think this will be a blowout by any chance.
New Britain should win by less than two touchdowns.
State pick of the week:
Cromwell at Tolland, Friday, 6:30 p.m.: Out of a bunch of games with big playoff implications, this one interests me most. Cromwell's been showing up in some state polls lately, and I, for one, think they deserve it. The Panthers' program has been very impressive in recent years. Just ask Plainville coach Rocky Gagliardi, who was an assistant there at one time.
Meanwhile, Tolland made the playoffs last year, and is right in the hunt again this year. Both teams are unbeaten so far.
While the trip is a long one for Cromwell, I think the Panthers are among the elite in the small classes, and I expect them to get a big win in this one. Ironically, one team that will be rooting for that is Rocky Hill. The Terriers are chasing several teams in Class SS, Tolland among them.
Some other big matchups for the week (which won't necessarily make for competitive games):
New London at St. Bernard/Norwich Tech
Windham at Stonington
Greenwich at Ridgefield
Seymour at Crosby
Brookfield at Masuk
Danbury at Staples
Avon at Hyde Leadership
North Branford at Ellington/Somers
Those all pit teams with playoff aspirations, or the talent to pull off an upset. Now personally I don't think some of these matchups will be close. But the team that loses will still take a big hit in the points standings. This should be an exciting weekend.
I will not be covering anything this weekend. I'll be in the office on Friday night taking phone calls, and at a wedding on Saturday afternoon. So, it's open for me to make picks on all of these games.
Friday:
Bloomfield at Newington, 7 p.m.: This could be a trap game for Newington after a big win over Conard last week, but the thing about the Indians is they don't seem to take anything for granted. They haven't really played poorly in a game yet this year, and I don't really expect them to.
The key will be whether they can get healthy with both fullbacks (Harrison Scully and Fred Ortiz) nursing injuries. Those two are key to what the offense can do because they fight for small chunks on first down, and keep defenses honest, allowing the passing game and Spencer Parker's legs to make big plays.
I don't know much about Bloomfield, but their games tend to be shootouts. There should be a decent amount of scoring in this one, although the Newington defense has been good. I expect the Indians to get a win here and keep on rolling.
Conard at Southington, 7 p.m.: I saw Conard last week, and they are very dangerous. Southington is the epitome of consistency and good coaching, never ceasing to impress onlookers with how prepared the Knights are for each and every game.
I'm not quite sure why the Knights' game against Bristol Eastern was so close last week. Eastern's good, but I didn't think they were in Southington's strata this year. Either way, it should end up being a wakeup call for the Knights.
I think Southington will pull away late, with the defense proving too much for Conard to get much going.
Farmington at East Hartford, 7 p.m.: I don't have many words for the Indians. They just aren't playing well. East Hartford's not great, but they're probably too good for Farmington to hang with.
East Hartford wins going away.
Rocky Hill at Plainville, 7 p.m.: Same goes for Plainville as for Farmington. And the bigger problem is that Rocky Hill is very good. Now, the Terriers weapons don't translate as well on grass as on their own artificial turf. But they should be able to dominate this matchup up front and score a bunch.
Rocky Hill will win easily.
St. Paul/Goodwin/Mills at Enfield, 7 p.m.: Enfield didn't put up much of a fight against Rocky Hill, but I still say they are dangerous if a team isn't ready for them. So far everything's been going St. Paul's way, but I think they could find themselves in a fight here.
I still think the Falcons will win though. They look to be legit.
Saturday:
Glastonbury at Wethersfield, 12 p.m.: The Eagles first test, against Manchester, wasn't exactly a success. Turnovers were costly and the team let one slip away that they definitely should have won.
Make no mistake about it. Glastonbury is better than Manchester. Now, last year the Eagles' defense kept Glastonbury in check and gave the offense chances to win. It's still possible this year, but I don't think things look good.
Maybe home field will prove fruitful for Wethersfield, but I expect Glastonbury to win.
New Britain at Hall, 1:30 p.m.: The Hurricanes better bounce back quickly, cause Hall's a team that can beat you, like Weaver, if you aren't prepared. New Britain has always bounced back well in recent years after surprising losses. That's a positive thing to say about the team.
And I don't think Hall has quite the firepower to handle New Britain either. But I don't think this will be a blowout by any chance.
New Britain should win by less than two touchdowns.
State pick of the week:
Cromwell at Tolland, Friday, 6:30 p.m.: Out of a bunch of games with big playoff implications, this one interests me most. Cromwell's been showing up in some state polls lately, and I, for one, think they deserve it. The Panthers' program has been very impressive in recent years. Just ask Plainville coach Rocky Gagliardi, who was an assistant there at one time.
Meanwhile, Tolland made the playoffs last year, and is right in the hunt again this year. Both teams are unbeaten so far.
While the trip is a long one for Cromwell, I think the Panthers are among the elite in the small classes, and I expect them to get a big win in this one. Ironically, one team that will be rooting for that is Rocky Hill. The Terriers are chasing several teams in Class SS, Tolland among them.
Some other big matchups for the week (which won't necessarily make for competitive games):
New London at St. Bernard/Norwich Tech
Windham at Stonington
Greenwich at Ridgefield
Seymour at Crosby
Brookfield at Masuk
Danbury at Staples
Avon at Hyde Leadership
North Branford at Ellington/Somers
Those all pit teams with playoff aspirations, or the talent to pull off an upset. Now personally I don't think some of these matchups will be close. But the team that loses will still take a big hit in the points standings. This should be an exciting weekend.
Labels: football
posted by Ryan Pipke at
2:55 AM
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