Wolcott’s Mike Nicol (left), Ansonia’s Arkeel Newsome (center) and Woodland’s Tanner Kingsley (right) will lead their teams into Tuesday’s state quarterfinals. Credits: GWImages/@GWImages
Update (Tuesday, 2 p.m.): Another round of weather has screwed up the football schedule. The Wolcott-Montville, Ansonia-Prince Tech and Woodland-Capital Prep quarterfinals have been postponed to Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.
All semifinals will now be played Sunday.
Class M
No. 8 Montville (8-2) at No. 1 Wolcott (9-1): The Eagles are hosting their first-ever home quarterfinal in just their second-ever postseason appearance. Wolcott nearly suffered a come-from-ahead loss on Thanksgiving that would have knocked it down from the top seed, but a late touchdown pass from Mike Nicol to Matt Cyr gave the Eagles their first win over Holy Cross in 11 years. Montville has plenty of experience with NVL teams over the last few years (a loss to Ansonia in the 2010 Class S playoffs, a two-year series against Watertown) and beat the Indians in Week 1 of this season. Montville was vulnerable to the pass in an early-season beating by New London, so perhaps that becomes part of the Eagles’ game plan. Nicol has enjoyed some really good passing games and some mistake-ridden ones, so he’ll need to be more of the clean Nicol throughout the playoffs if the Eagles have a shot.
Picks: Remmy- Wolcott, 38-14. Kyle- Wolcott, 34-21.
Class S
No. 8 Prince Tech (8-2) at No. 1 Ansonia (11-0): There will be 16 quarterfinals played Tuesday night. None has a more assured outcome than the game at Jarvis Stadium. The Chargers will be easily favored no matter who they play in these playoffs, but they’re probably six-touchdown favorites against a tech school that just got walloped by the best in its league (Capital Prep). Prince has some nice stats on the season (leading rusher Rakheem Jordan has rushed for 1,674 yards and 19 touchdowns) but the competition is many levels below the defense those guys will see Tuesday. Ansonia just has to stay healthy.
Picks: Remmy- Ansonia, 49-0. Kyle- Ansonia, 42-0.
No. 7 Woodland (7-3) at No. 2 Capital Prep/Classical Magnet/Achievement First (10-0): By out-pointing Prince Tech, the Hawks avoided a third meeting with the Chargers (for now, at least). They also got what is probably the most favorable 7-2 matchup in the state, facing Capital Prep. But the Trailblazers aren’t the typical tech school champ prone to a first-round blowout. We’ve heard plenty of good things about the athletes and speed on the field for Capital Prep. Running backs Bennie Fulse and Mike Jones team with athletic quarterback Antwan Byrd and receiver Dequan Clarke to power and offense that averages nearly 400 yards and 36 points per game. The good news for Woodland is that Capital Prep’s defense is not nearly as good as its offense. The Trailblazers are prone to allowing big plays (see their most recent game against Prince Tech) so the Hawks’ offense should excel. They will just need a few stops on defense and ball control on offense.
Picks: Remmy- Woodland, 35-28. Kyle- Woodland, 41-35.
Of course, we have to pick the other 13 state quarterfinals (because that’s what we do).
Class LL
No. 8 West Haven (8-2) at No. 1 Staples (9-0): Remmy- Staples, 42-21. Kyle- Staples, 38-28.
No. 7 Glastonbury (9-1) at No. 2 Southington (10-0): Remmy- Southington, 28-20. Kyle- Southington, 21-14.
No. 6 Greenwich (8-1) at No. 3 Xavier (9-1): Remmy- Xavier, 35-21. Kyle- Xavier, 42-21.
No. 5 Norwich Free Academy (10-0) at No. 4 Newtown (10-0): Remmy- Norwich Free Academy, 24-21. Kyle- Newtown, 21-10.
Class L
No. 8 Platt (8-2) at No. 1 Daniel Hand (10-0): Remmy- Daniel Hand, 35-7. Kyle- Daniel Hand, 42-7.
No. 7 Fitch (8-2) at No. 2 Windsor (9-0): Remmy- Windsor, 42-14. Kyle- Windsor, 40-13.
No. 6 New Canaan (8-2) at No. 3 Avon (10-0): Remmy- New Canaan, 28-20. Kyle- New Canaan, 31-14.
No. 5 Middletown (8-2) at No. 4 Masuk (9-1): Remmy- Masuk, 41-28. Kyle- Middletown, 35-31.
Class M
No. 7 Bullard Havens Tech (8-2) at No. 2 Berlin (9-1): Remmy- Berlin, 35-7. Kyle- Berlin, 28-13.
No. 6 Weston (8-2) at No. 3 Ellington/Somers (9-1): Remmy- Ellington/Somers, 21-14. Kyle- Weston, 24-14.
No. 5 St. Joseph (8-2) at No. 4 Hillhouse (8-2): Remmy- St. Joseph, 35-27. Kyle- Hillhouse, 28-27.
Class S
No. 6 Trinity Catholic (8-2) at No. 3 North Branford (10-0): Remmy- Trinity Catholic, 21-14. Kyle- North Branford, 39-34.
No. 5 Hyde Leadership (9-1) at No. 4 Rocky Hill (9-1): Remmy- Hyde Leadership, 27-21. Kyle- Rocky Hill, 28-22.
Extra Points: If you’re interested in buying advance tickets to any of the league’s quarterfinal games, we’ve got the links for you. Click here for Wolcott-Montville, here for Ansonia-Prince Tech and here for Woodland-Capital Prep. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for students and seniors. … Kyle was among three panelists on Laxworm Radio’s “The Show” on Sunday morning. He, Sean Patrick Bowley and Ned Griffen chatted about Thanksgiving and the upcoming quarterfinals. Click here to listen to a replay. … Ansonia legendary coach Jack Hunt’s funeral will be Monday morning. After Thursday’s game, the Rep-Am caught up with the Ansonia coaching staff after the game to discuss Hunt’s importance to the program. … The Predictions Tracker is updated through Thanksgiving.
The State Quarterfinals Preview is presented by Blanchette Sporting Goods. BSG has been a family-owned and operated sporting goods store for more than 40 years. Located in Shelton, Blanchette carries not only a wide selection of equipment, but also a full line of apparel for several Valley schools. Blanchette can also handle embroidery, screen printing, trophies and more. Call today at 203-929-6331 or visit the showroom on Bridgeport Avenue.
ANSONIA 52-13
WOLCOTT 40-20
CAPTIAL PREP 33-30
STAPELS 38-20
SOUTHINGTON 21-12
XAVIER 38-14
NFA 27-20
HAND 42-12
WINDSOR 42-20
N.CANNAN 26-21
MASUK 38-23
BERLIN 30-14
WESTON 14-6
ST. JOES 30-23
TC 32-30
ROCKYHILL 38-20
Interested to see everyone’s quarterfinal picks, both in the league and out.
Depending on how many people pick all 16 games, we’ll figure out whether or not to include them all in the Predictions Tracker (it’s now updated through Thanksgiving).
Southington-Glastonbury, Newtown-NFA, Masuk-Middletown, Ellington/Somers-Weston, Hillhouse-St. Joseph, Capital Prep-Woodland, North Branford-Trinity Catholic and Rocky Hill-Hyde could really all go either way.
Hey Kyle didnt I didnt do to bad for a old curmudgeon. You could at least through me a parade.
Not bad at all, Mr. Curmudgeon.
Here are the lines for the Quarters: Ansonia -41.5, Woodland +9.5, Wolcott -15.5.
This is as of Sunday night. Subject to change the morning of Quarterfinals.
All 3 NVL teams win. Ansonia can put up what they want on Prince.Woods will win by 2 or more scores. Wolcott will win in a close game.
Ansonia
Wolcott
Capital Prep
Staples
Southington
Greenwich
Newtown
Hand
Windsor
New Canaan
Masuk
Berlin
Weston
Hillhouse
N. Branford
Hyde
NVL could have 2 state champs again. St. Joe’s & Berlin will be trouble though.
I don’t think Wolcott can beat St. Joes nor Hillhouse, though I hope I am wrong.
Winners:
Staples
Southington
Xavier
Newtown
Hand
Windsor
New Canaan
Masuk
Wolcott
Berlin
weston
Hillhouse
Ansonia
Woodland
North Branford
Hyde
Staples
Glastonbury
Xavier
NFA
Hand
Windsor
New Canaan
Masuk
Wolcott
Berlin
Ellington/Somers
St. Joseph’s
Ansonia
Woodland
North Branford
Rocky Hill
Good luck to the three NVL teams. Congratulations on your great seasons. Hope you all make it to Renschler Field.
I posted this on a lower thread, so I’ll stick it in the limelight here.
Dave Ruden of the Stamford Advocate learned today that the three Bridgeport public schools (Central, Harding, Bassick) had a conversation with the NVL about joining the league. Here’s a little more from his blog post:
http://blog.ctnews.com/overtime/2012/11/26/harding-central-bassick-in-talks-to-join-nvl/
This would be awful in every way except boys basketball (Waterbury basketball, that is). Hopefully it does not happen. We’ll have more on this eventually.
1) I resent people like the Bassick coach and the Oxford BOE member looking at the league as an easy alternative.
2) The FCIAC will have to find a way to give its glamour teams 5 guaranteed wins a year without the city schools.
3) Adding three LL or L schools could help with NVL teams getting playoff points.
4) It would balance Oxford but 18 is an awfully big league. I would like to see a small/large break with the LL/L/M schools on one side and 2 crossover games.
5) I feel sorry for the small lower valley schools when hoops season starts.
6) Did I mention screw the overrated hero-scheduling FCIAC?
A very interesting view and a view I can get behind, Donald.
Certainly I don’t blame schools for wanting to get a more even playing field, but it’s definitely coming across in many ways like they want to come to an “easy” conference where they can come and win.
If I had to bet right now, I’d say it’s unlikely that the Bridgeport schools join. I can’t see a lot of NVL schools liking the idea, geographically, demographically or otherwise.
I really think the best play for the league at this point is to get a firm update on the Ansonia-Derby merger situation. If it’s likely that the whole districts and high schools merge within five years, I think they should swallow the 15-team league for a few years and wait for it to go back down to 14.
Eighteen teams in the cozy old Valley is just too many for me.
Horrible, horrible idea.
friday nite football in bridgeport?can you saycarjack?
Worse that that Wags, how about a Waterbury team playing a Bridgeport team. Can you say “security”?
If New Canaan, Darien, Greenwich, and Wilton can do it, anyone can. I just wouldn’t want to, personally. Not on a Friday night unless I’m in full body-armor.
my picks—like em or not
XAVIER
STAPLES—CLOSE ONE
GLASTONBURY
NEWTOWN–WIN OVER MASUK LOOMS BIG
NEW CAANAN
HAND
MASUK-CLOSE ONE
WINDSOR
HILLHOUSE—
BERLIN
WESTON—IN UPSET
WOLCOTT—-FOR THE NVL
WOODY—FOR NVL
NORTH BRANFORD—-TOSSUP
ROCKY HILL—NOT BAD
ANSONIA—-EMOTIONAL WEEKEND DOESNT BODE WELL FOR CLASS S
LL
Staples
Southington
Xavier
Newton
L
Hand
Windsor
New Canaan
Masuk
M
Wolcott
Hillhouse
Berlin
Weston
S
Ansonia
Woodland
Trinity
Rocky Hill
Wolcott
Ansonia
Woodland
Staples
Southington
Xavier
Newtown
Hand
Windsor
New Canaan
Masuk
Berlin
Weston
St. Joe
North Branford
Rocky Hill
Kyle, just wanted to thank you again for the job you did on the air at WATR this year. It was a pleasure working with you – too bad they don’t do state playoff games.
While we didn’t have too many close games on the air this year, just to show how dominating Ansonia has been in their current 25 game winning streak, the 27 points allowed to Naugatuck were the most and the 21 point margin of victory was the least for the Chargers during that time. I don’t expect that to change in the next two weeks.
Thanks, Steve! It really was a pleasure doing games with you this fall.
I really don’t see Ansonia losing, either, although definitely the chance is higher this postseason than last. Still a long shot.
You guys did a great job this season. I listened to a few games from my computer.
Thanks, fish! It was fun, although most of the games weren’t.
After watching some capital prep film all I have to say is tonights game vs woodland is going to be a shoot out. Woodland secondary won’t be able to keep up with their speed but can’t see capital stopping woodlands offense either. Woodland 62 prep 56
Ansonia
Montville
Capital Prep
Staples
Southington
Greenwich
Newtown
Hand
Windsor
New Canaan
Masuk
Berlin
Weston
Hillhouse
N. Branford
Hyde
JTS, where’s the love for the NVL teams besides AHS?
I’m hoping both Wolcott and Woodland pound their opponents.
Woodland is having an early dismissal. We’ll see what this does to the Woodland-Capital Prep game.
Newtown-NFA has already been postponed to tomorrow night.
Wolcott-Montville has been postponed to Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.
I think it’s likely that Woodland-Capital Prep will also be postponed. We’ll post as soon as we know.
Woodland-Capital Prep postponed to Wednesday at 6:30 p.m., too.
The word is that semifinals for any postponed games will be Sunday.
Ansonia-Prince Tech is still currently on (as of 10:40 a.m.).
Perfect. That means I can go to one.
I think all games should be cancelled if some are!
Here are my picks, I need to rebound from a 4-4 Thanksgiving!!
Ansonia
Rocky Hill
Capital
NB
Wolcott
St. Joe’s
Berlin
Weston
Hand
Masuk
Windsor
NC
Staples
Newtown
Glastonbury
Xavier
I’m in agreement. I think it’s time the CIAC makes a blanket postponement to Wednesday and Sunday.
I must say big guy but you were a formidable opponent but age triumphed over beauty. On to the post season.
Staples over West Haven
Glastonbury over Southington
Xavier over Greenwich
Newton over NFA
Class L
Hand over Platt
Windsor over Fitch
Middletown over Masuk
New Caanan over Avon
Class M
Berlin over BHT
St Joseph over Hillhouse
Wolcott over Montville
Ellington/Somers over Weston
Class S
Ansonia over Prince Tech
Trinity Catholic over North Branford
Hyde Leadership over Rocky Hill
Woodland over Capital Prep
Class LL
West Haven
Southington
NFA
Xavier
Class L
Hand
Windsor
New Canaan
Masuk
Class M
Berlin
Hillhouse
Wolcott
Weston
Class S
Ansonia
Rocky Hill
Woodland
Trinity
I know, right. I guess that woodland bothered me with the 63 points and they let up a lot of points in our league. Struggled with Wolcott pick. I think they might be too one demensional for me . If not this week then definitely next week.
Wolcott isn’t one dimensional. Looking at their offensive stats for the season on maxpreps, they were actaully very balanced. They should make it to the semi finals.
Hillhouse is good, gang. Real good. Probably two-three touchdowns better than Wolcott, should the Eagles beat Montville.
The Academics are ridiculously fast in both backfields and they’ve got a pretty good defensive front. And they hit HARD. Gonna be tough to beat.
Kyle,
Right on with your assessment of Hillhouse. St. Joe’s took a pounding from them with Hillhouse’s ace Harold Cooper only having a so-so game. A lot of complaining from the sideline from St. Joe’s about rough play and late hits. If Wolcott gets by Montville, they are bound to have trouble with the Hillhouse speed on both sides of the ball. Hillhouse is going to be a tough out in Class M.
Hillhouse beat the be-jesus out of Xavier for three quarters before losing by a point late. I was suprised by how much crying the St. Joes coach did after the game about the weather, Hillhouse DB’s playing to rough, referees, etc. He should have given Hillhouse credit for playing well and go home.
Dyer: You ain’t been here long, have you?
Della Vecchia: Long enough to recognize a hometown referee!
Della Vecchia: Look, it’s bad enough we gotta play in this cage you call a gym. Your players are playing like gorillas!
Best quote of the night was Hillhouse HC: “Football is a game meant to be played in the elements. Not one of my kids ever complained.”
Kyle
I could not agree more with your take on Wolcott vs Hillhouse.I posted this exact {2-3 Touchdowns} outcome if the 2 did meet up this year in the Playoffs.
Considering how nice today is compared to yesterday and last night, wiser heads prevailed as to postponing the games yesterday. As I understand it , it was the call of the home team A.D.’s whether or not to play. I wish the best of luck to our three representatives, Ansonia, Woodland and Wolcott as they attempt to prolong their seasons.
BIG SUPPORTER OF ANSONIA SPORTS,BUT IF STAPLES WINS OUT IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE IF REGISTER OOOPS I MEAN SCC POLL VOTES STAPLES 1. I THINK THEY ARE 2 TDS BETTER THAN HAND.MIGHT BE WRONG BUT LONG WAY TO GO TO START CROWNING TEAMS.