Thanksgiving week preview
This is a big week, and there are a ton of big games around the state, so I'm going to do this a little differently.
It's a pick bonanza, as I will be making quick picks (no explanation) on many games around the state with playoff implications or which otherwise strike me as interesting.
I'll also be doing local picks as usual, with a couple of exceptions. I am a couple hours away from going to see Rocky Hill host Nonnewaug, and it's fair to say the Terriers should clinch a playoff berth. I'll also be at Wethersfield-Newington tomorrow, and that ones up in the air. I'm going to enjoy that.
As for Rocky Hill, the Terriers hopes at a home game were likely dashed last week by losses for Berlin, RHAM and Plainville, all games that might have gone the other way to help Rocky Hill. It looks like Dave Coyne's bunch will have to face either Seymour or New London on the road next week.
As for Newington-Wethersfield, just get out to this one if you live in one of those towns. This could be a classic, and the team's are about as evenly matched as they have been in a long time. Newington's better, and with reason has a chance at a playoff berth.
OK, on with the picks.
Wednesday:
Cheshire at Southington, 6 p.m.: If the Knights win they will have a very good shot at the playoffs. Lose and it's all over. Southington needs to root against New Britain, which shouldn't be hard for them to wrap their heads and hearts around.
Then they need to go out and beat a very good Cheshire team, which coincidentally is also playing for the playoffs.
I have no doubt that Southington remembers last year, but this is a little bit different team. I'm not sure the Knights have the firepower to stay with the top teams this year, and I'm thinking Cheshire will be celebrating a win, but not necessarily a playoff spot...
BECAUSE
Glastonbury at New Britain, 7 p.m.: If the Hurricanes win they will have the advantage of Cheshire, assuming that two teams among Hillhouse, Hamden, Lyman Hall, Guilford, Newington, Bloomfield, and Rockville win.
First things first, the 'Canes have to do what nobody else has and knock off the Tomahawks. Glastonbury has played the best of any team in the CCC this season, but I still say New Britain has more in the way of pure talent. If New Britain comes out and plays its best, it can definitely win this game. But that hasn't happened consistently for several years.
Meanwhile, Glastonbury is in either way, and could either A) take the game lightly, or B) feel the pressure to go undefeated and beat a team they haven't come close to in recent years.
I've got a hunch that New Britain will be celebrating a playoff spot by night's end, or watching scores tomorrow to find out for sure.
Thursday:
Plainville at NW Catholic, 10:30 a.m.: Sadly, this one won't be close, although a miracle upset could greatly help Rocky Hill's slim chances at a home game. Don't count on that happening. The Blue Devils are down to just over one full string of players and Northwest can make the playoffs with a win and a Hyde loss to North Branford.
And that brings me to the rest of the state. I wish I could see some of these games. This should be an exciting couple of days. Here's the quick rundown of my picks.
South Windsor at Rockville: South Windsor
Manchester at East Hartford: Manchester
Windsor at Bloomfield: Windsor
Montville at St. Bernard: Montville
Seymour at Woodland: Seymour
Hyde Leadership at North Branford: North Branford
Masuk at Newtown: Newtown
Stratford at Bunnell: Bunnell
SMSA at Bulkeley (matters only to Newington's playoff chances ironically): Bulkeley
Bristol Eastern at Bristol Central: Eastern
Platt at Maloney: Platt
Weaver at Hartford Public: Weaver
Ledyard at Fitch: Ledyard
NFA at New London: New London
Darien at New Canaan: New Canaan
Staples at Greenwich: Staples
Wolcott at Holy Cross: Wolcott
Kennedy at Crosby: Crosby
Naugatuck at Ansonia: Ansonia
Hillhouse at Wilbur Cross: Hillhouse
ND-West Haven at Hamden: Hamden
Bethel at Brookfield: Brookfield
Bacon Academy at RHAM: RHAM
Fermi at Enfield: Enfield
Middletown at Xavier: Xavier
Stonington at Westerly (RI): Stonington
It's a pick bonanza, as I will be making quick picks (no explanation) on many games around the state with playoff implications or which otherwise strike me as interesting.
I'll also be doing local picks as usual, with a couple of exceptions. I am a couple hours away from going to see Rocky Hill host Nonnewaug, and it's fair to say the Terriers should clinch a playoff berth. I'll also be at Wethersfield-Newington tomorrow, and that ones up in the air. I'm going to enjoy that.
As for Rocky Hill, the Terriers hopes at a home game were likely dashed last week by losses for Berlin, RHAM and Plainville, all games that might have gone the other way to help Rocky Hill. It looks like Dave Coyne's bunch will have to face either Seymour or New London on the road next week.
As for Newington-Wethersfield, just get out to this one if you live in one of those towns. This could be a classic, and the team's are about as evenly matched as they have been in a long time. Newington's better, and with reason has a chance at a playoff berth.
OK, on with the picks.
Wednesday:
Cheshire at Southington, 6 p.m.: If the Knights win they will have a very good shot at the playoffs. Lose and it's all over. Southington needs to root against New Britain, which shouldn't be hard for them to wrap their heads and hearts around.
Then they need to go out and beat a very good Cheshire team, which coincidentally is also playing for the playoffs.
I have no doubt that Southington remembers last year, but this is a little bit different team. I'm not sure the Knights have the firepower to stay with the top teams this year, and I'm thinking Cheshire will be celebrating a win, but not necessarily a playoff spot...
BECAUSE
Glastonbury at New Britain, 7 p.m.: If the Hurricanes win they will have the advantage of Cheshire, assuming that two teams among Hillhouse, Hamden, Lyman Hall, Guilford, Newington, Bloomfield, and Rockville win.
First things first, the 'Canes have to do what nobody else has and knock off the Tomahawks. Glastonbury has played the best of any team in the CCC this season, but I still say New Britain has more in the way of pure talent. If New Britain comes out and plays its best, it can definitely win this game. But that hasn't happened consistently for several years.
Meanwhile, Glastonbury is in either way, and could either A) take the game lightly, or B) feel the pressure to go undefeated and beat a team they haven't come close to in recent years.
I've got a hunch that New Britain will be celebrating a playoff spot by night's end, or watching scores tomorrow to find out for sure.
Thursday:
Plainville at NW Catholic, 10:30 a.m.: Sadly, this one won't be close, although a miracle upset could greatly help Rocky Hill's slim chances at a home game. Don't count on that happening. The Blue Devils are down to just over one full string of players and Northwest can make the playoffs with a win and a Hyde loss to North Branford.
And that brings me to the rest of the state. I wish I could see some of these games. This should be an exciting couple of days. Here's the quick rundown of my picks.
South Windsor at Rockville: South Windsor
Manchester at East Hartford: Manchester
Windsor at Bloomfield: Windsor
Montville at St. Bernard: Montville
Seymour at Woodland: Seymour
Hyde Leadership at North Branford: North Branford
Masuk at Newtown: Newtown
Stratford at Bunnell: Bunnell
SMSA at Bulkeley (matters only to Newington's playoff chances ironically): Bulkeley
Bristol Eastern at Bristol Central: Eastern
Platt at Maloney: Platt
Weaver at Hartford Public: Weaver
Ledyard at Fitch: Ledyard
NFA at New London: New London
Darien at New Canaan: New Canaan
Staples at Greenwich: Staples
Wolcott at Holy Cross: Wolcott
Kennedy at Crosby: Crosby
Naugatuck at Ansonia: Ansonia
Hillhouse at Wilbur Cross: Hillhouse
ND-West Haven at Hamden: Hamden
Bethel at Brookfield: Brookfield
Bacon Academy at RHAM: RHAM
Fermi at Enfield: Enfield
Middletown at Xavier: Xavier
Stonington at Westerly (RI): Stonington
Labels: football
posted by Ryan Pipke at
4:19 PM
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