week 9 in review, week 10 preview
It's been a stressful week for me. I've been in the process of moving as well as dealing with some other issues. So I'm going to kill two birds with one stone here, and combine these posts for the week.
A few comments about last week. Very tough losses for Southington, New Britain and Newington. The Indians are still in control of their own fate most likely, as is Southington most likely (due to its remaining scheduled games). But New Britain needs some help again. Tonight's game in East Hartford should be huge.
Big, big, big, big win for Berlin. I can't emphasize this enough. Yes, the defense clearly didn't perform terribly well, but a win is a win at this point. And St. Paul was a dangerous team. One more big test with Northwest Catholic. Then Windham could be tough.
My record for the year, after a 5-4 week, is 53-14, and 6-3 in non-local games. Things are getting a little crazy here late in the season, just as they should.
On to this week's picks. I may be covering the Rocky Hill-Middletown game on Saturday, so nothing on that. But a word saying that if Rocky Hill wins that, the game against Nonnewaug on Thanksgiving should be pretty easy to clinch a playoff spot. And Ansonia beat Seymour tonight, meaning a home game is possible for Rocky Hill.
Friday:
Southington at New Britain (sort of), 7 p.m.: This one is at Rentschler Field but the Hurricanes will be listed as the home team. Not that it matters at all in football, so that means there will be no advantage in this one.
A loss here ends either teams playoff chances, while a win doesn't guarantee anything. This could end up being more about the rivalry than anything else.
On paper, New Britain has the most talent and has all season. But Southington plays very well defensively and always seems prepared for game time. The same cannot always be said for the Hurricanes.
This is going to come down to whichever team can make some big plays though, and I think the Hurricanes have the playmakers. I won't be surprised by any result in this, close or blowout win by either team.
But if I force myself to make a pick, I think New Britain will get the win.
Newington at Bulkeley, 7 p.m.: The Indians shouldn't have much worry about a second consecutive loss. The Bulldogs aren't good enough. The question for Newington will be all about points. It's going to come down to a few points either way as to whether or not they make the playoffs, and a game like this might be bad in the long run due to Bulkeley's few wins.
But Newington will get the win.
Wethersfield at Farmington, 7 p.m.: Again, Farmington is really struggling this season. It's too bad, cause this has been a good rivalry in other sports so far. But Wethersfield should win pretty easily.
Saturday:
Berlin at Northwest Catholic, 10:30 a.m.: Early morning start in the much at NWC. But, you know what. That field condition could ultimately help Berlin, which is probably much stronger in the running game, and not terribly good on defense lately. This should be low scoring due to the muck.
I think Berlin may have righted the ship a little bit, but the Redcoats, as I said before, are not out of the water yet. The playoffs are still in their control though most likely.
I like Berlin to get the narrow win here in a low-scoring game.
RHAM at St. Paul, 1:30 p.m.: St. Paul may score 100 points... well, if not for the rule that would suspend coach Jude Kelly for the next game if that were to happen.
Falcons win big.
STATE PICK OF THE WEEK
Simsbury at Manchester, Friday, 7 p.m.: After Manchester started 5-0 you might have thought it would be them for which this game would be significant. But look. There's Simsbury hanging tough at 7-2 in a conference with New Britain, Glastonbury, Southington and Manchester.
And the Trojans can pretty much wrap up a playoff spot with a win here, with Farmington the only other remaining game. Unbelievable really. The CCC North may be top to bottom the best conference in the state this year, even if none of the big three win LL.
I am really impressed with the way Simsbury is playing lately. And I think they will get the win in this one.
Stay warm everybody.
A few comments about last week. Very tough losses for Southington, New Britain and Newington. The Indians are still in control of their own fate most likely, as is Southington most likely (due to its remaining scheduled games). But New Britain needs some help again. Tonight's game in East Hartford should be huge.
Big, big, big, big win for Berlin. I can't emphasize this enough. Yes, the defense clearly didn't perform terribly well, but a win is a win at this point. And St. Paul was a dangerous team. One more big test with Northwest Catholic. Then Windham could be tough.
My record for the year, after a 5-4 week, is 53-14, and 6-3 in non-local games. Things are getting a little crazy here late in the season, just as they should.
On to this week's picks. I may be covering the Rocky Hill-Middletown game on Saturday, so nothing on that. But a word saying that if Rocky Hill wins that, the game against Nonnewaug on Thanksgiving should be pretty easy to clinch a playoff spot. And Ansonia beat Seymour tonight, meaning a home game is possible for Rocky Hill.
Friday:
Southington at New Britain (sort of), 7 p.m.: This one is at Rentschler Field but the Hurricanes will be listed as the home team. Not that it matters at all in football, so that means there will be no advantage in this one.
A loss here ends either teams playoff chances, while a win doesn't guarantee anything. This could end up being more about the rivalry than anything else.
On paper, New Britain has the most talent and has all season. But Southington plays very well defensively and always seems prepared for game time. The same cannot always be said for the Hurricanes.
This is going to come down to whichever team can make some big plays though, and I think the Hurricanes have the playmakers. I won't be surprised by any result in this, close or blowout win by either team.
But if I force myself to make a pick, I think New Britain will get the win.
Newington at Bulkeley, 7 p.m.: The Indians shouldn't have much worry about a second consecutive loss. The Bulldogs aren't good enough. The question for Newington will be all about points. It's going to come down to a few points either way as to whether or not they make the playoffs, and a game like this might be bad in the long run due to Bulkeley's few wins.
But Newington will get the win.
Wethersfield at Farmington, 7 p.m.: Again, Farmington is really struggling this season. It's too bad, cause this has been a good rivalry in other sports so far. But Wethersfield should win pretty easily.
Saturday:
Berlin at Northwest Catholic, 10:30 a.m.: Early morning start in the much at NWC. But, you know what. That field condition could ultimately help Berlin, which is probably much stronger in the running game, and not terribly good on defense lately. This should be low scoring due to the muck.
I think Berlin may have righted the ship a little bit, but the Redcoats, as I said before, are not out of the water yet. The playoffs are still in their control though most likely.
I like Berlin to get the narrow win here in a low-scoring game.
RHAM at St. Paul, 1:30 p.m.: St. Paul may score 100 points... well, if not for the rule that would suspend coach Jude Kelly for the next game if that were to happen.
Falcons win big.
STATE PICK OF THE WEEK
Simsbury at Manchester, Friday, 7 p.m.: After Manchester started 5-0 you might have thought it would be them for which this game would be significant. But look. There's Simsbury hanging tough at 7-2 in a conference with New Britain, Glastonbury, Southington and Manchester.
And the Trojans can pretty much wrap up a playoff spot with a win here, with Farmington the only other remaining game. Unbelievable really. The CCC North may be top to bottom the best conference in the state this year, even if none of the big three win LL.
I am really impressed with the way Simsbury is playing lately. And I think they will get the win in this one.
Stay warm everybody.
Labels: football
posted by Ryan Pipke at
2:13 AM
2 Comments:
Nothing on Bristol Eastern at Platt??? This game has division championship AND playoff implications for Eastern. Both teams are in the CCC South and they are both 6-3 going into the game. The Courant and WFSB FNF are both on top of how big this game is, how did you miss it?
The main reason is that neither of those teams are in The Herald's coverage area. So I can't speak much about either team, although I saw Platt in a loss to Newington a few weeks ago and was impressed. I was just more intrigued by the Simsbury-Manchester game, one with equal playoff implications.
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