Week 6 preview
We are at the midpoint of the season, and after this week will be on the back end. Perhaps it's fitting in a way that I will get to see what should be one of the most pivotal local games of the year on Friday night when I watch Rocky Hill try to upset Berlin. There is nobody who questions that Berlin is the best team in the Nutmeg League. The team's results have shown nothing to believe otherwise. On the other hand, you will find a debate as to who is after that. St. Paul is unbeaten. Northwest Catholic has lost (in conference) only to the Falcons.
But, to be honest, I suspect that Rocky Hill is actually the next best team after Berlin. True, the Terriers lost to Northwest on a muddy day. I'm convinced on solid ground they would have won going away. St. Paul only beat the Indians by a point in what was, I'm told, a very well-balanced matchup. These are all good teams, but Rocky Hill seems to be a little more explosive at its best than the others.
And make no mistake about it, the Terriers are at their best on artificial turf. So while they play a road game at Sage Park, the surface will make them feel right at home. I have a feeling this could be a very good game, or it could be another Berlin blowout in what is setting up to be a remarkable season. If Rocky Hill is to win, its defense will have to make the difference. That seems pretty clear to me.
I'm glad I don't have to make an official prediction on this one. See you at the game.
As for the rest of my picks...
Friday:
New Britain at East Hartford, 7 p.m.: The Hurricanes showed, hopefully, that their loss to Weaver was simply a slipup and not a trend. In either case, I don't think East Hartford can stand up to them much. This won't be one of the epic CCC North clashes that could define the next seven weeks.
I like New Britain by a healthy margin.
Simsbury at Southington, 7 p.m.: On the other hand, Simsbury appears to be stronger than East Hartford. Of course, Southington seems to be among the state's elite once again, and after talking to some people in the know, the Knights close call against Bristol Eastern seems more an aberration than anything else. The Knights showed how good they can be against Conard last week.
I like Southington, by an equally healthy margin.
Newington at Bristol Central, 7 p.m.: Unless the lights of Muzzy Field are too bright, I just can't see the Rams slowing down the powerful Indians offensive attack. And likewise I don't think the Rams offense will have enough to consistently score against Newington's defense.
Newington has been the most pleasant surprise this season among local teams. Even had I expected good things from them, which I really didn't, I wouldn't have expected them to be this good.
Look for Newington to roll this week in an offensive show.
Saturday:
Farmington at Hall, 1:30 p.m.: Sorry, Farmington. This won't be the week for a win. Hall is way too good.
Windsor at Wethersfield, 2 p.m.: How expectations have changed quickly for the Eagles. A couple weeks ago, a team alumnus and friend of mine contacted me excited about the team's chances. He felt this was the year Wethersfield would do some serious damage.
Now, a pair of losses later, even he said it was the "same old Wethersfield".
I still think this team is solid, and in particular I think the Eagles play well at home. They are comfortable on their turf and enjoy having the fans. So I think they can keep this one close.
Windsor is a strong team, but definitely not as good as Glastonbury. I can't decide whether I think they are better or worse than Manchester. Probably a little bit better in my opinion.
But I also think Wethersfield will play better than it did against Manchester.
I'm going to call for an upset here and pick Wethersfield to get a good win at home.
Plainville at East Catholic, 7 p.m.: It's been easy to pick against Plainville lately, but chin up Devils fans. The Eagles of East Catholic High appear, on paper, to be the worst team in the Nutmeg League. Now, I said that RHAM looked worse than Plainville early on and I was wrong. There's a little more to go on here.
I actually like Plainville to win this by a solid margin. Don't expect a blowout or anything. And the Devils better avoid mistakes. But I think they will get a win here.
If not, they are officially the conference's cellar dweller.
STATE PICK OF THE WEEK
Manchester at Glastonbury, Friday, 7 p.m.: I don't really think this is a great matchup. But, it's hard to ignore two LL unbeatens from the same conference who both hold playoff spots based on the current standings. One of them won't for long.
You should have figured out by my comments above that I think, emphatically, that the one is Manchester. I don't believe the Indians are terribly good. I think they will be lucky to go .500 against their remaining schedule.
More importantly, I believe Glastonbury is legitimately very good, and WILL contend for that playoff spot. I like Glastonbury by a lot here.
Some other big games this weekend, as there are several:
St. Bernard/Norwich Tech at Stonington
Griswold at Montville
Crosby at Naugatuck
Avon at Tolland
New Canaan at St. Joseph
Bethel at Masuk
Enjoy.
But, to be honest, I suspect that Rocky Hill is actually the next best team after Berlin. True, the Terriers lost to Northwest on a muddy day. I'm convinced on solid ground they would have won going away. St. Paul only beat the Indians by a point in what was, I'm told, a very well-balanced matchup. These are all good teams, but Rocky Hill seems to be a little more explosive at its best than the others.
And make no mistake about it, the Terriers are at their best on artificial turf. So while they play a road game at Sage Park, the surface will make them feel right at home. I have a feeling this could be a very good game, or it could be another Berlin blowout in what is setting up to be a remarkable season. If Rocky Hill is to win, its defense will have to make the difference. That seems pretty clear to me.
I'm glad I don't have to make an official prediction on this one. See you at the game.
As for the rest of my picks...
Friday:
New Britain at East Hartford, 7 p.m.: The Hurricanes showed, hopefully, that their loss to Weaver was simply a slipup and not a trend. In either case, I don't think East Hartford can stand up to them much. This won't be one of the epic CCC North clashes that could define the next seven weeks.
I like New Britain by a healthy margin.
Simsbury at Southington, 7 p.m.: On the other hand, Simsbury appears to be stronger than East Hartford. Of course, Southington seems to be among the state's elite once again, and after talking to some people in the know, the Knights close call against Bristol Eastern seems more an aberration than anything else. The Knights showed how good they can be against Conard last week.
I like Southington, by an equally healthy margin.
Newington at Bristol Central, 7 p.m.: Unless the lights of Muzzy Field are too bright, I just can't see the Rams slowing down the powerful Indians offensive attack. And likewise I don't think the Rams offense will have enough to consistently score against Newington's defense.
Newington has been the most pleasant surprise this season among local teams. Even had I expected good things from them, which I really didn't, I wouldn't have expected them to be this good.
Look for Newington to roll this week in an offensive show.
Saturday:
Farmington at Hall, 1:30 p.m.: Sorry, Farmington. This won't be the week for a win. Hall is way too good.
Windsor at Wethersfield, 2 p.m.: How expectations have changed quickly for the Eagles. A couple weeks ago, a team alumnus and friend of mine contacted me excited about the team's chances. He felt this was the year Wethersfield would do some serious damage.
Now, a pair of losses later, even he said it was the "same old Wethersfield".
I still think this team is solid, and in particular I think the Eagles play well at home. They are comfortable on their turf and enjoy having the fans. So I think they can keep this one close.
Windsor is a strong team, but definitely not as good as Glastonbury. I can't decide whether I think they are better or worse than Manchester. Probably a little bit better in my opinion.
But I also think Wethersfield will play better than it did against Manchester.
I'm going to call for an upset here and pick Wethersfield to get a good win at home.
Plainville at East Catholic, 7 p.m.: It's been easy to pick against Plainville lately, but chin up Devils fans. The Eagles of East Catholic High appear, on paper, to be the worst team in the Nutmeg League. Now, I said that RHAM looked worse than Plainville early on and I was wrong. There's a little more to go on here.
I actually like Plainville to win this by a solid margin. Don't expect a blowout or anything. And the Devils better avoid mistakes. But I think they will get a win here.
If not, they are officially the conference's cellar dweller.
STATE PICK OF THE WEEK
Manchester at Glastonbury, Friday, 7 p.m.: I don't really think this is a great matchup. But, it's hard to ignore two LL unbeatens from the same conference who both hold playoff spots based on the current standings. One of them won't for long.
You should have figured out by my comments above that I think, emphatically, that the one is Manchester. I don't believe the Indians are terribly good. I think they will be lucky to go .500 against their remaining schedule.
More importantly, I believe Glastonbury is legitimately very good, and WILL contend for that playoff spot. I like Glastonbury by a lot here.
Some other big games this weekend, as there are several:
St. Bernard/Norwich Tech at Stonington
Griswold at Montville
Crosby at Naugatuck
Avon at Tolland
New Canaan at St. Joseph
Bethel at Masuk
Enjoy.
Labels: football
posted by Ryan Pipke at
3:48 AM
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