Seymour and quarterback Mike Conlan still have an outside chance at the Class S playoffs if they win out. The ‘Cats face Wilby this week. Credit: GWImages/@GWImages
We’re in Week 7 already and we have the potential for the Copper Division championship to be sewn up by Friday at about 10 p.m. That would be an unlikely scenario but it’s absolutely possible and gives us some perspective on how late we are in this season already (it’s almost November!).
While the Woodland-Naugatuck game Friday night will be our Game of the Week, the Holy War at Municipal Stadium will be just as important in terms of figuring out how the Copper shapes up entering a huge Week 8 in which the Crusaders will visit the Hawks with the division title potentially on the line.
Also this week, Wolcott and Ansonia get final tune-ups before their Week 8 matchup at Jarvis Stadium that will be for the Brass Division title, while Derby tries to keep its slim Class S playoff hopes alive when it welcomes back alumnus Dan Dunaj and his reeling Torrington squad.
Friday, Oct. 26
Sacred Heart (3-3, 1-2) at Holy Cross (4-2, 2-1): This has the potential to be the most interesting game of the week. With the Crusaders seemingly improving their offense each week and finally back in a strong position in the Copper Division, they play in what could be a bit of a trap game this week against the Hearts, who have won three of four and both games with David Coggins and Co. in the lineup. Sacred Heart’s offense, with Coggins at wide receiver and Javon Martin playing very well in his two weeks at quarterback, is definitely capable. We would expect Isaiah Wright to play man on Coggins with probably some safety help from Maurice Fabiani over the top. Coggins will still probably get his yardage but if Cross gets some stops, it should be able to score more easily on Sacred Heart’s defense. The Hearts are improving on that side of the ball, too, but the Holy Cross line is better and will give Adrian Brown and Wright room to run. After Crusaders quarterback Kristian Harmeling had a good game last week against Naugatuck, it will be interesting to see how much his arm is used against Sacred Heart, as their best defensive players are in the secondary (Coggins and Martin). Cross can’t get used to turning over the ball like it did against Naugy. But the Crusaders’ superior defensive front and pressure from guys like Gerron Pendarvis and Bryan Burnette will be a little too much. Don’t be surprised if this one is tight in the fourth quarter.
Picks: Remmy- Holy Cross, 34-15. Kyle- Holy Cross, 35-22.
Torrington (2-4, 2-2) at Derby (4-2, 2-2): We’re not sure of Dillon McMahon’s status, but his potential absence Friday night would absolutely hinder Derby’s chances at winning this game. Still, there are other pieces available (perhaps look for Michael Kreiger to become more involved in the passing game) and Torrington’s defense has been torched in most of its big games this season, including the last two blowout losses to Naugatuck and Woodland. We have to wonder how much the last two losses, plus the hazing incident, have taken their toll on Torrington and whether or not the team can come back to compete.
Picks: Remmy- Derby, 35-21. Kyle- Derby, 41-27.
Watertown (1-5, 1-3) at Wolcott (6-0, 4-0): The only thing the Eagles have to be aware of is not letting this game become a trap with the Brass Division title game coming up in Week 8 at Ansonia. Wolcott matches up better against Watertown in every area of the game although the Indians are playing a little bit better of late (the switch to AJ Cattaneo at quarterback has opened up the offense a bit more). The most important goal in this game for Wolcott is to come out healthy so the team is at full strength for their trip to Charger Land.
Picks: Remmy- Wolcott, 42-20. Kyle- Wolcott, 48-13.
Ansonia (6-0, 3-0) at Crosby (1-5, 0-3): It’s anyone’s guess as to how long the Chargers’ starters actually play in this game. Does Tom Brockett rest the big guys most of the way to prepare for Wolcott? Or do they get their usual two full quarters of action? Either way, there’s nothing to see here.
Picks: Remmy- Ansonia, 42-3. Kyle- Ansonia, 49-0.
Wilby (3-3, 1-2) at Seymour (4-2, 1-2): Seymour’s very slim Class S playoff hopes are on the line this week when it hosts Wilby, fresh off a thrilling, 52-50 win over St. Paul. Wilby lost Jacob Thomas early in that game so it would be tough to beat Seymour if Thomas isn’t available. Wilby is definitely a scrappy group who doesn’t play great defense but has some athletes on offense who are able to score. Seymour isn’t necessarily explosive on offense but manages to move the ball pretty well against the middle- and lower-level teams in the league. These teams will probably try to do very similar things (Mike Conlan and Brandon Sierra are similar quarterbacks and their offenses are dedicated to running) so we expect the slightly better defense to emerge with the win.
Picks: Remmy- Seymour, 35-27. Kyle- Seymour, 34-32.
Saturday, Oct. 27
Kennedy (0-6, 0-3) at St. Paul (0-6, 0-3): Well, well, well. St. Paul has come close to two wins, losing twice to city schools by one score late in the game. It’s tough to see the Falcons’ offense not racking up a ton of points a week after Sacred Heart hit the 60-point mark against Kennedy. The name of the game for the Eagles will be running the ball successfully. St. Paul absolutely will allow that to happen. If the Falcons turn over the ball more than a time or two, Kennedy will be right in it. But right now the young Eagles team doesn’t have the athletes to match up with St. Paul’s offense.
Picks: Remmy- St. Paul, 68-41. Kyle- St. Paul, 56-38.
As always, make your picks right here. We’re updating the Predictions Tracker right now and it will be up to date shortly. Our Game of the Week thread, previewing the big Woodland-Naugatuck game, is coming up later this week.
Also, St. Paul quarterback Logan Marchi is up for the WFSB Friday Night Football Player of the Week. Click here to vote.
Week 7 Predictions are presented by DiGiorgi Roofing and Siding. Since 1933, DiGiorgi Roofing and Siding has been providing Connecticut with quality replacement windows, gutters and home improvements of all kinds. Call today at 1-800-428-6438. DiGiorgi Roofing and Siding is a proud sponsor of the NVL Football Blog.
Woodland 35, Naugatuck 31 – I think this will be one of many games this week. Both Woodland and Naugatuck, for division winning chances and playoff chances have to have this game. Naugy will run the ball with Pernell, but I don’t think their suspect pass defense which was beaten often by St Paul and didn’t look great against HC will stop Kingsley and his weapons. Woodland pulls out a close one.
Derby 38, Torrington 28 – Torrington D is dreadful right now. Team is a mess. Don’t think Derby is as sharp as they were a few weeks ago and wouldn’t be stunned to see Torrington take this one. But Derby is the better team, probably with or without McMahon
Sacred Heart 35, Holy Cross 34. – Sacred Heart knocks out the defending state champion from playoff contention and the defending Copper Division champs from NVL Championship contention with a close, high scoring win. All that’s left to wonder is what could have been for Sacred Heart had it not been for the suspensions of their 2 best players.
Wolcott 41, Watertown 14 – Snoozer. Not that Wolcott would take a team lightly, but probably wouldn’t struggle much if they did. They’ll build a big lead then sit some starters in the 4th quarter and gear up for Ansonia next week
Ansonia 45, Crosby 0 – If Ansonia kept their starters in all game, not sure that Crosby would get a first down.
Seymour 34, Wilby 28 – Relatively close game but Seymour’s the better team with more on the line. Very unimpressive 3 wins for Wilby and almost gave up a 24 point 4th quarter lead to St. Paul last week.
St. Paul 60, Kennedy 52 – Still can’t pick St Paul to let up under 50 until they actually do, but I’ll take St. Paul’s offense over Kennedy’s, Marchi has been playing well, home game for the Falcons. There is the possibility of interceptions helping Kennedy win the game, but a mistake-free game by Marchi would ensure the Falcon’s first win.
Correction** Woodland 35, Naugatuck 31 – I think this will be one of many GOOD games this week.
Woodland
Derby
Holy Cross
Wolcott
Ansonia
Seymour
St Paul
Woodland 35 Naugy 28
Torrington 35 Derby 30
HC 44 SH 36
Wolcott 50 WaterTown 20
Ansonia 52 Crosby 12
Wilby 33 Seymour 31
St paul 50 Kennedy 12
HC 42 SHHS 18 – HC knows how to play defense and SHHS doesn’t. HC has the athletes to conatin Coggins. This will NOT be a close game.
Derby 27 Torrington 14 – This game is a tough one to pick. After watching Derby royally suck last week against Wolcott it was tough to pick them to win but Torrington is amess right now. They have forgotten how to play defense, they have off the field problems and I think the wheels have just come off the bus.
Wolcott 42 Watertown 21 – Watertown just is not good. I say it all the time on this blog, I am NOT sold on Veroneau (spelling?) and what his staff are doing. They have been a huge disappointment this year and Wolcott will thump them.
AHS 49 Crosby 0 – Do you really need an explanation?
Seymour 35 Wilby 14 – The Cats outcoach the Cats.
St Paul 56 Kennedy 55 – St. Paul gets their first win.
Woodland 35 Naugatuck 20 – Shea and company get it done!
So you’re allllll on Woodland so far? Interesting.
A wrap of last week’s three big NVL games on the Red Zone blog: http://blogs.rep-am.com/redzone/2012/10/23/wrap-up-what-we-learned-from-three-big-nvl-games/
Naugy
Ansonia
Holy Cross
Saint Paul
Seymour
Torrington
Wolcott
Naugy – Its a tough place to win.
Sacred Heart
Derby
Wolcott
Ansonia
Seymour
Kennedy
The last time Woodland played at Naugatuck, it handed Naugy its first loss of the season in dominating fashion. I remember hearing about Jack “The Hitman” DeBiase’s pick-six from the Naugy 5-yard line.
Woodland killed Naugy on the ground that night. This year, we won’t see that big-time run game from Woodland. We’ll see it through the air. I expect Kingsley to have a huge game.
An all-time great play, indeed.
We’ll talk more about Woodland-Naugy in our Game of the Week thread coming soon, but I think there is some vulnerability in the Naugy secondary.
Woodland 28 Naugy 21
Derby 21 Torrington 7
HC 35 SHHS 14
Wolcott 42 Watertown 20
AHS 49 Crosby 0
Seymour 14 Wilby 13
St Paul 55 Kennedy 36
Woodland 32 Naugatuck 30 – Close game, woodland should come out on top.
Derby 30 Torrington 12 – Torrington’s weird. Hasn’t been the same since all the crap Bresson and the other 3 got into.
Hc 40 SHHS 24 – Holy cross more experience, better disciplined.
Wolcott 35 Watertown 7 – Solid Wolcott Defense, but, Wolcott is the only team who hasn’t put up at least 40 on Torrington, so that is a question mark on their offense.
AHS 40 Crosby 6 – Ansonia hands the ball off to Crosby to entertain the crowd, then blocks the extra point.
Seymour 26 Wilby 12 – Seymour wants it more
St paul 52 Kennedy 30 – St Paul will probably pass on the Kennedys questionable coverage on defense.
Woodland 42 Naugatuck 38
Derby 33 Torrington 28
Holy Cross 35 Sacred Heart 21
Watertown 48 Wolcott 20
Ansonia 47 Crosby 6
Wilby 39 Seymour 38
St. Paul 54 Kennedy 35
Watertown over Wolcott by 28 points? That’s interesting.
Oops my bad! Have the teams switched. haha
That SHOULD read:
Wolcott 48 Watertown 20.
Thanks for catching that!
Want to put $100 on that Wolcott game and I’ll give Watertown 14 points?
No betting here, lad.
Give me 60 points I will take it lolololol
Woodland (really struggled with this pick)
Derby
HC
Wolcott
AHS
Seymour
St Paul
I cannot wait until November 2 when Wolcott will it comes down to death Valley… Home of THE A. It’s going to be a great Game. Two great teams
Week 7-WOW
Naugy-the hounds come back strong
Derby-T red raiders are a mess
Cross-They won’t look bye this game
Wolcott-hope they are not looking to far ahead
Ansonia
Seymour-hoping Cat’s get #5 could be last
St Paul-can eagles play D
Ansonia
Seymour-last easy one for Cat’s
woodland-in close one–21-20
derby 35-21–torrington stinks
cross—game should be close for half——–33-14
wolcott—-heres hoping they come to nolan field undefeated
seymour—but not sure pick——28-20
st.paul—-i know they can score———48——-34
ansonia—–j.v.game starts at 8
Got some news for you wags the whole league stinks except ansonia who uses Waterbury kids to supplement their already good team .
I did hear about Ansonia buying apartments for Newsome and a few others so they could legally play for Ansonia..that probably is why Ansonia is distinct from the rest though, they get the kids from all over Waterbury, probably more places too..
Ansonia Kids train on their own time 6 to7 days a week In the off-season when your kid is at home playing Xbox and eating cup cakes our kids are in the gym working out…. It’s about heart and dedication to the game… So keep eating the cup cakes and playing
The Xbox
I am a Derby guy who is tired of all you cry babies. Find a way to win games. The rest takes care of itself. To constantly express your bitterness is sad. Every time they boast you bring out this tired response.
Naugy
Ansonia
Holy Cross
Saint Paul
Seymour
Derby
Wolcott
Woodland v Naugy – Openly rooting for Naugy here so there is no pointless NVL title game, but unless Pernell can shut down Scirpo and put Kingsly on his back they aren’t winning. Woodland wins
Torrington v Derby – I dunno what’s going on in Ttown but they bounce back against a banged up derby team. Ttown
HC v SH – Holy Cross win the Holy game
Wolcott v WaterTown – Wolcott looking ahead wins a closer game than it should be
Ansonia v Crosby- Ansonia
Wilby v Seymour – Cats win by 2 td’s
St paul v Kennedy – ST Paul garners their first W
Cats win by 2 TDs? I see what you did there.
Seymour Cats win by 2 Td’s. I love all the Waterbury comments coming out again. Everyone hates a winner especially when they just pound every team that they face. Can’t wait for two weeks when a sea of red comes up to Jarvis undefeated and pulls the usual flop and by halftime everyone wearing the Wisconsin W will be on their way home saying ehhh we could beat them if they didn’t have those Waterbury kids. Shut it and just get better!
You’re probably right Sanders. Then on T-day, Naugy will pull their usual flop and by halftime everyone wearing the Garnet and Gray will be on their way home saying eehhh we could have beat them if we were able to get away with cheating and get those recruits in from Waterbury!
WAGS why don’t you go up there and coach Torrington, I am sure you would do better!
Back to the Waterbury recruiting again! I’m not going to waste my time on that!
Ansonia
Woodland
Torrington
HC
Wolcott
Seymour
St. Paul
I’m pretty pumped for November 2nd, Ansonia vs. Wolcott, but I’ll probably be heading to my car again in the 3rd quarter. Wolcott was blowing up Twitter Friday night, you would think they actually have beaten Ansonia….EVER!
Wolcott (football team) wasn’t blowing-up Twitter on Friday. A few fans were very happy the team moved to 6-0 after its shellacking of Derby. Watertown is looking to play spoiler this week but I expect Wolcott to be ready for the challenge. The visit to Ansonia for Wolcott won’t be as sweet, going into the game, if Wolcott loses this week.
I’m pumped that we could possibly see two undefeated teams on Nov. 2nd battling for the Brass! However, we all know how some of these “big games” versus Ansonia turn out for the opposing team. I, for one, hope it’s a close game!
People are going to be screaming, “WAR DAMN EAGLE!”
Agree with both. Certainly wasn’t the Wolcott players blowing up twitter and everyone wants a good game. And when you’re on top like Ansonia everyone will be rooting for the underdog
Wolcott, like everyone else, isn’t in the same class though. Ansonia will take care of them relatively early (but maybe not as early as every other game)
Its pretty funny that everyones answer to the Ansonia illegal transfer situation is to tell other teams to get better. Thats basically what Bud Selig did for 10 years with the MLB steroid situation and look how that turned out. How are Waterbury area schools supposed tom get better when their best players head south. You think Kennedy, Wilby, or Crosby wouldnt be 10x better with Newsome in the backfield.
Bud Selig???????????? Then lets change the rules. Any suggestions. Cmon we need to find away so that we can ALL beat Ansonia. Silly.
the transfer thing has been happening a long time. Weather it be from Waterbury, Bridgeport, Hamden –wherever !! The Players, Coaches, Parents, and Fan’s all know !!!!! Nothing has ever been done but under the breath comments, so until somebody has the balls to do something “it is what it is”
Stop complaining and play the game !!!
End the 50 point rule and disolve all the leagues. Divide the state into 4 quarters/regions. Schedules will be created based on power rankings and adjust every two years. This would put and end to the lopsided blowouts and match like teams for competive football games. It would be a win/win for the football players and not so much for those hanging onto the glory days. CIAC manages/sets schedule.
Wow. Add this to the record.
perspective—what would make you think coaching torrington would be a welcomed oppurtunity?i stated years ago TORRINGTON had a lot of bark but no bite.IF i upset some of you seymour guys, im sorry but TORRINGTON stinks.As far as the league stinking,the NVL had 2 of the four state champions
last year,so it cant be that bad.On the recruiting issue,ANSONIAS been winning games for 100 years without recruits,i doubt if they need them now.
I wouldn’t say Torrington has “No bite”..Looking back at week 3, upset or not, they beat Holy Cross all while missing 3 starters, yes..Holy Cross may not be at Ansonia’s caliber but it’s still a good accomplishment. Torrington is a different kind of team..they do bad, almost win a heart-breaker, upset a good team, and get destroyed in 2 important season starting games but in the end i still can’t agree that they “stink”, inconsistent yes, i can agree with that. If they figure things out down there they’ll be a fantastic team in the upcoming season, lots of talent with the coaches, hotheaded? maybe..stupid, no.
Holy Cross 34-13
Derby (with or without mcmahon) 41-20
Wolcott 38-8
Ansonia 52-6
Seymour 34-27
St. Paul 65-44
Naugy 41-37
My opinion on the question “Is this a down year for the NVL?” is that it HAS to be considered a down year within the league. Whether anyone wants to admit it, every game played within the NVL this year is irrelevant as far as an NVL champion. No one can or will beat Ansonia, and they will cake-walk to a 10-0 season and NVL championship, and it looks like Trinity will be their only competition when they play in the Class S state championship. Lack of competitiveness = down year
That being said, if you look at how the NVL is compared to the rest of the state, last year we had 2 state champions, and this year we can again. Whether Wolcott beats Ansonia or not, both will have a chance to win their respective state championship games.
Wolcott still has some tough games left after Ansonia.
Woodland and Holy Cross won’t lay down for the Eagles. Losses there will not be good for playoffs.
Woodland 27-20 they have Naugys Number. Also winners AHS Derby HC Seymour Kennedy Wolcott. Get ready for the battle at Jarvis next Friday.
<>
Instead of worrying about the 2 or 3 kids who are originally from the WB area that play for Ansonia, how about Kennedy (748), Crosby (723), and Wilby (682) find more kids out of their male enrollments who can actually play – and then maybe coach them to be players? (And I don’t really see this as a HS problem because most of this process starts in youth football.)
Those are their 2012 Male Enrollment numbers per the CIAC. Ansonia has enrollment of 359. And those kids are taught how to play football – starting at a young age in youth football. That’s the main difference IMO. Not a few kids who may or may not come down to Ansonia to play.
Well said.
Exactly!
Get off the WB crap.Nhbeast your rite on it. Them big WB schools need to get some good coaching and get the best kids to come out. On to Ttown what a joke. Big school that cant get it going. There all bark no bite.More problems there than wins?????
Holy Cross 38-27 Sacred Heart – Hearts defense is suspect
Derby 34-20 Torrington – Torrington season is unraveling
Wolcott 48-22 Watertown – Eagles are playoff bound
Ansonia 63-18 Crosby – A good workout for the JV’s
Seymour 27-23 Wilby – Seymour remains in playoff hunt
St. Paul 66-30 Kennedy – another game bordering the 100 point mark
Naugy 33- 26 Woodland – There will be no Naugy mistakes in this one
Can’t understand anyone that picks St. Paul giving up less than at least 40
What’s up with you and St. Paul in every post?
Not sure, I’m mostly a Woodland fan. Just find St. Paul an interesting team
Since we’re on the topic, what makes St. Paul so interesting this season?