week 9 preview
State tournaments for soccer and volleyball mean I won't be covering any football this weekend. It's a shame too, because this may be the single most exciting weekend of the year locally with hugely important matchups for Southington, Newington and Berlin.
This is the week that could make or break any of those three teams (Mostly break, because Southington and Berlin still have tough ones after it that they'd have to win too.) We should know a lot more about who's going to make the playoffs by Monday.
The Herald will still have coverage of all three games tomorrow, so do not fear. We will also have coverage of all three local soccer teams playing today (Farmington, Wethersfield, Southington) and the volleyball and soccer teams on Saturday.
On to the picks.
Friday:
Glastonbury at Southington, 7 p.m.: This is the big one, the one everybody's been waiting for, at least everybody in Glastonbury. While the Blue Knights have been on top of the CCC North for three years, this team has been waiting its turn to take over. The Knights have a major target on their backs and for that matter these schools have been playing each other repeatedly in several sports for the past few weeks. That never breeds friendliness.
I've talked to as many people as I can find who know either one of these teams lately to see what they think. The problem seems to be that nobody is familiar with both. Glastonbury, for inexplicable reasons, doesn't get a whole lot of press coverage, not nearly in the area of what Southington gets. And ADs and school officials don't get to see teams other than their own very often. So everybody's kind of on edge to see how this turns out.
I have not seen Glastonbury play this year, but I know they have taken care of business better than Southington against the weaker opponents that they have played for the most part. Southington has played a much tougher schedule, but the narrower wins against East Hartford, Manchester and the likes make me wonder if Glastonbury is more poised to be dominant.
But all that matters is coming out with a win, and both have done that.
I have a hunch that Glastonbury is a bit better this year. The scores usually don't lie. So I'm guessing that Glastonbury will sneak out with a big win and a very good chance at the playoffs. Southington will be up against a wall after that.
And this has nothing to do with my hatred of the air raid siren.
New Britain at Simsbury, 7 p.m.: This is another danger game for the Hurricanes. Southington on the schedule next week, but the Trojans are pretty good, good enough to beat you if you don't play well.
After seeing Weaver last week, and being only minimally impressed, I'm left wondering how a deeply talented team like New Britain lost to the Beavers. The only explanation is that New Britain slipped up in a big way. Do the same tonight and it could be another loss.
But I think New Britain put that behind them. And Southington-NB has a much bigger feel if the Hurricanes win tonight.
I think they will.
Newington at Bristol Eastern, 7 p.m.: Win this, and the only remaining challenge on the schedule for the Indians is Thanksgiving against Wethersfield. Maloney is way down this year and shouldn't be a struggle for them.
Eastern is a team that's hard to get a grip on. They've solidly beaten the weaker and middling teams on their schedule, but lost pretty soundly to most of the good teams. Remember, their "win" over Conard was a forfeit in a game that they actually lost on the field.
Newington has been up to every challenge this year. I don't think that will stop against a conference rival they know well. Newington wins.
Hall at Wethersfield, 7 p.m.: It's a gutcheck game for the Eagles after a truly heartbreaking loss last week. Because of it, Wethersfield has no real playoff chances. They're playing for pride and a winning record.
The team should be pumped up about playing a night game at home, renting lights for a field that does not yet have them permanently. And Hall is not a powerhouse, but a good team.
This seems similar to Wethersfield's game against Windsor, and I always like Wethersfield on the home turf. I think the Eagles will bounce back with a win.
East Catholic at Rocky Hill, 7 p.m.: This isn't one of those exciting games this weekend. This should be a blowout as it has been for a couple of years. Rocky Hill in a landslide.
Middletown at Plainville, 7 p.m.: The Blue Devils are still struggling a lot, and Middletown will be hungry for a win in a year with few. Middletown wins.
St. Paul at Berlin, 7 p.m.: The loss to Enfield changed things dramatically for Berlin. They now need to win out to make the playoffs. This is the hardest one (with Northwest Catholic coming up).
The question is, after giving up 52 to Enfield, a mediocre offense, can Berlin stop St. Paul, an exceptionally good one? I wish I had been at the Enfield game because I've seen Berlin twice this year and can't imagine the defense getting pounded like that. I'm guessing that it was a one-game blemish, but a really big one.
Even if you play well, St. Paul could beat you. But, St. Paul has not proven able to stop a good offense all year. And that's why I'm picking Berlin. There's a better chance the Redcoats slow down the Falcons than the other way around.
Either way, expect some points in this one.
Saturday
Farmington at Conard, 1 p.m.: Conard.
STATE PICK OF THE WEEK
Ansonia at Crosby, Friday, 7 p.m.: Hear me out on this one. Ansonia is ranked number one in just about every state poll right now, with a lot of voters saying until their amazing streak of wins ends, they are the best team.
I personally don't believe they are anywhere near as good as they were lost year. They are still a very good team, but I would have two or three others ranked ahead of them if I had a vote.
The thing is, their schedule is pretty weak on the whole. Wolcott and Watertown have been the two best teams they've played so far. Crosby may be better than them, although lost to Wolcott.
I don't think Ansonia's going to lose in the regular season, and maybe not in the playoffs. If that happens they would easily be voted the top team again, which might be unfair. But that's the way it goes.
There are some other big games with playoff implications out there.
Montville at New London
Seymour at Watertown
Amity at Shelton
Bethel at Bunnell
Brookfield at Newtown
Darien at Staples
Be sure to check the standings for changes on Monday. There could be quite a shuffle in some divisions.
This is the week that could make or break any of those three teams (Mostly break, because Southington and Berlin still have tough ones after it that they'd have to win too.) We should know a lot more about who's going to make the playoffs by Monday.
The Herald will still have coverage of all three games tomorrow, so do not fear. We will also have coverage of all three local soccer teams playing today (Farmington, Wethersfield, Southington) and the volleyball and soccer teams on Saturday.
On to the picks.
Friday:
Glastonbury at Southington, 7 p.m.: This is the big one, the one everybody's been waiting for, at least everybody in Glastonbury. While the Blue Knights have been on top of the CCC North for three years, this team has been waiting its turn to take over. The Knights have a major target on their backs and for that matter these schools have been playing each other repeatedly in several sports for the past few weeks. That never breeds friendliness.
I've talked to as many people as I can find who know either one of these teams lately to see what they think. The problem seems to be that nobody is familiar with both. Glastonbury, for inexplicable reasons, doesn't get a whole lot of press coverage, not nearly in the area of what Southington gets. And ADs and school officials don't get to see teams other than their own very often. So everybody's kind of on edge to see how this turns out.
I have not seen Glastonbury play this year, but I know they have taken care of business better than Southington against the weaker opponents that they have played for the most part. Southington has played a much tougher schedule, but the narrower wins against East Hartford, Manchester and the likes make me wonder if Glastonbury is more poised to be dominant.
But all that matters is coming out with a win, and both have done that.
I have a hunch that Glastonbury is a bit better this year. The scores usually don't lie. So I'm guessing that Glastonbury will sneak out with a big win and a very good chance at the playoffs. Southington will be up against a wall after that.
And this has nothing to do with my hatred of the air raid siren.
New Britain at Simsbury, 7 p.m.: This is another danger game for the Hurricanes. Southington on the schedule next week, but the Trojans are pretty good, good enough to beat you if you don't play well.
After seeing Weaver last week, and being only minimally impressed, I'm left wondering how a deeply talented team like New Britain lost to the Beavers. The only explanation is that New Britain slipped up in a big way. Do the same tonight and it could be another loss.
But I think New Britain put that behind them. And Southington-NB has a much bigger feel if the Hurricanes win tonight.
I think they will.
Newington at Bristol Eastern, 7 p.m.: Win this, and the only remaining challenge on the schedule for the Indians is Thanksgiving against Wethersfield. Maloney is way down this year and shouldn't be a struggle for them.
Eastern is a team that's hard to get a grip on. They've solidly beaten the weaker and middling teams on their schedule, but lost pretty soundly to most of the good teams. Remember, their "win" over Conard was a forfeit in a game that they actually lost on the field.
Newington has been up to every challenge this year. I don't think that will stop against a conference rival they know well. Newington wins.
Hall at Wethersfield, 7 p.m.: It's a gutcheck game for the Eagles after a truly heartbreaking loss last week. Because of it, Wethersfield has no real playoff chances. They're playing for pride and a winning record.
The team should be pumped up about playing a night game at home, renting lights for a field that does not yet have them permanently. And Hall is not a powerhouse, but a good team.
This seems similar to Wethersfield's game against Windsor, and I always like Wethersfield on the home turf. I think the Eagles will bounce back with a win.
East Catholic at Rocky Hill, 7 p.m.: This isn't one of those exciting games this weekend. This should be a blowout as it has been for a couple of years. Rocky Hill in a landslide.
Middletown at Plainville, 7 p.m.: The Blue Devils are still struggling a lot, and Middletown will be hungry for a win in a year with few. Middletown wins.
St. Paul at Berlin, 7 p.m.: The loss to Enfield changed things dramatically for Berlin. They now need to win out to make the playoffs. This is the hardest one (with Northwest Catholic coming up).
The question is, after giving up 52 to Enfield, a mediocre offense, can Berlin stop St. Paul, an exceptionally good one? I wish I had been at the Enfield game because I've seen Berlin twice this year and can't imagine the defense getting pounded like that. I'm guessing that it was a one-game blemish, but a really big one.
Even if you play well, St. Paul could beat you. But, St. Paul has not proven able to stop a good offense all year. And that's why I'm picking Berlin. There's a better chance the Redcoats slow down the Falcons than the other way around.
Either way, expect some points in this one.
Saturday
Farmington at Conard, 1 p.m.: Conard.
STATE PICK OF THE WEEK
Ansonia at Crosby, Friday, 7 p.m.: Hear me out on this one. Ansonia is ranked number one in just about every state poll right now, with a lot of voters saying until their amazing streak of wins ends, they are the best team.
I personally don't believe they are anywhere near as good as they were lost year. They are still a very good team, but I would have two or three others ranked ahead of them if I had a vote.
The thing is, their schedule is pretty weak on the whole. Wolcott and Watertown have been the two best teams they've played so far. Crosby may be better than them, although lost to Wolcott.
I don't think Ansonia's going to lose in the regular season, and maybe not in the playoffs. If that happens they would easily be voted the top team again, which might be unfair. But that's the way it goes.
There are some other big games with playoff implications out there.
Montville at New London
Seymour at Watertown
Amity at Shelton
Bethel at Bunnell
Brookfield at Newtown
Darien at Staples
Be sure to check the standings for changes on Monday. There could be quite a shuffle in some divisions.
Labels: football
posted by Ryan Pipke at
12:30 PM
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