Thanksgiving week is here! For most Valley football fans, this is the best week of the year. Football gets it started and a great day of food finishes it off.
This week’s schedule of games could give us some of our best games of the entire season. Ansonia and Wolcott can both clinch No. 1 seeds in the postseason with victories while Woodland needs a win over Seymour, plus a little help, to get in the Class S field. Derby is also barely alive for the playoffs and could end its losing streak against Shelton, while slugfests are set in Torrington and Waterbury.
Kyle and Remmy are back with video previews of all the games for the big week. We’re also thinking about getting together a tailgate Thursday morning at Jarvis Stadium, so we’ll have more details in the live scoreboard Wednesday.
Seymour Wildcats (5-4) at Woodland Hawks (6-3)
Rahmi Rountree and Woodland need a win over Seymour to help clinch a Class S postseason berth. Credit: GWImages/@GWImages
Christian Thurmond and Seymour will try to win their first game against Woodland since 2008. Credit: GWImages/@GWImages
When/Where: Wednesday, 6 p.m., Woodland Regional High
Radio: WATR 1320 AM (5:50 p.m.)
Twitter: @whawksfootball, @SeymourFootball, @NVLFOOTBALL, @kylebrennan1
Series History: 11th meeting; Seymour leads, 6-4
Series Stat: No team has ever shut out the other
Last Year: Woodland def. Seymour, 28-7
At Stake for Seymour: First winning season since 2008
At Stake for Woodland:Class S postseason berth (with minor help)Remmy’s Take: This is my favorite Thanksgiving Eve game — always has been. Woodland is coming off of two shellackings at the hands of the top two teams in the Brass, Ansonia and Wolcott. The question here: Is Woodland mentally ready for this game? Seymour is also coming off of a bad loss to Watertown. Woodland has more talent. Tanner Kingsley, Anthony Scirpo, Rahmi Rountree and a splash of Joe Masulli — too much for the Wildcats this week.
Kyle’s Take: Seymour just hasn’t played very well against good team this season. Its offense doesn’t have a ton of firepower and its defense hasn’t really been able to slow down offenses of teams with winning records. Once again, the Wildcats will fall just short of a winning record. Woodland has too much to play for and its offense will be overwhelming after a pair of subpar performances.
Picks: Remmy- Woodland, 40-14. Kyle- Woodland, 47-10.
Wilby Wildcats (4-5) at Sacred Heart Hearts (3-6)
Zack Goldberg and Sacred Heart will try to beat Wilby for the second year in a row. Credit: Stan Strusky/sscreativedesign
Brandon Sierra and Wilby will try to earn a .500 season for interim coach Gino Capuano. Credit: James C. Garman/SportsPageMagazine.com
When/Where: Wednesday, 6 p.m., Municipal Stadium
Twitter: @SHHS_Hearts
Series History: 63rd meeting; Sacred Heart leads, 31-30-1
Series Stat: Sacred Heart has won only four times since 1994
Last Year: Sacred Heart def. Wilby, 39-34
At Stake for Wilby: .500 season in Gino Capuano’s last game as interim coach
At Stake for Sacred Heart: Cort Johnson’s first Thanksgiving win as head coach
Remmy’s Take: This is a toss-up, as far as I’m concerned. One of these first-year coaches will get their first Thanksgiving win. Wilby coach Gino Capuano has done an outstanding job this season and Sacred Heart’s Cortez Johnson has dealt with his fair share of adversity earlier in the season. Wilby evens up the series by taking the win this week. The Wildcats are just tougher up front and their running backs should have a field day.
Kyle’s Take: This game, which actually means a ton for the Class S playoff race, will be watched closely by Woodland (and Derby and Holy Cross, if they get more help) for bonus points. The Hawks are rooting big-time for Sacred Heart to gain 10 potentially necessary bonus points that may help them avoid the No. 8 seed. But Wilby’s running game has been a strength all season and the Wildcats should have plenty of success attacking a weak Sacred Heart defense. The Hearts’ passing game has been disappointing the last few weeks.
Picks: Remmy- Wilby, 34-20. Kyle- Wilby, 40-32.
St. Paul Falcons (2-7) at Hamden Hall Hornets (5-4)
Logan Marchi and St. Paul will try to knock off Hamden Hall for the second Thanksgiving eve in a row. Credit: Stan Strusky/sscreativedesign
TJ Linta and Hamden Hall have averaged more than 60 points over their last three games. Credit: Peter Hvizdak/Register
When/Where: Wednesday, 6:30 p.m., Hamden Hall Country Day School
Series History: Second meeting; St. Paul leads, 1-0
Series Stat: St. Paul’s third different two-year Thanksgiving series in the last six years
Last Year: St. Paul def. Hamden Hall, 34-12
At Stake for St. Paul: Chance to finish season with three wins in four games
At Stake for Hamden Hall: 60.3 ppg average in current three-game win streak
Remmy’s Take: Prepare yourselves for a three-hour game. You’ll thank me for the heads-up. St. Paul’s season comes to a bitter end.
Kyle’s Take: The temporary lights brought in to Hamden Hall might burn out by the time this game finally ends. Both teams score a ton, throw a ton and don’t have great defenses (although St. Paul’s is way worse). The quarterbacks (Logan Marchi and TJ Linta) have combined for more than 3,100 passing yards and 54 touchdowns. I don’t know for sure, but I’m guessing Hamden Hall is better.
Picks: Remmy- Hamden Hall, 55-49. Kyle- Hamden Hall, 61-42.
Naugatuck Greyhounds (6-3) at Ansonia Chargers (10-0)
Ryan O’Connor and Ansonia will seek revenge for Naugatuck’s 38-20 win last time the teams played at Jarvis Stadium. Credit: GWImages/@GWImages
Jason Bradley gets his first crack at Ansonia as the Greyhounds look to end the Chargers’ 24-game winning streak. Credit: Stan Strusky/sscreativedesign
When/Where: Thursday, 10:30 a.m., Jarvis Stadium
Radio: WATR 1320 AM (10:15 a.m.)
Twitter: @NVLFOOTBALL, @kylebrennan1
Series History: 113th meeting; Ansonia leads, 65-37-10
Series Stat: After Naugy’s five-game winning streak from 1968-72, Ansonia led the series, 33-30-10; the Chargers are 32-7 since
Last Year: Ansonia def. Naugatuck, 49-14
At Stake for Naugatuck: An upset in Shawn Kuczenski’s final game as interim coach
At Stake for Ansonia: No. 1 seed in Class S playoffs and 21-game NVL win streak
Remmy’s Take: Naugatuck is having a great season despite what occurred last offseason with its former head coach. Mick Pernell has played great and we’ve seen flashes of brilliance from young Naugy quarterback Jason Bradley. And we have Ansonia, who has clinched a playoff berth, wanting to get this game over with and rest its players for next week’s home quarterfinal game. This one could get ugly in a hurry. Don’t think for a second Ansonia hasn’t forgotten about what happened the last time Naugatuck visited Jarvis Stadium. With that said, I expect Turkey dinner to be served at halftime.
Kyle’s Take: As if the Ansonia-Naugatuck rivalry needed a little more fuel added to its fire, the rumor mill kicked up last week and produced a story that Naugatuck athletic director Tom Pompei sent a message to Ansonia AD Tony Piccolo following my story after the Chargers’ win in the Brass Division title game, apparently upset that Tom Brockett said he didn’t value the division title (which he shouldn’t, with his team’s expectations). This is absolutely true to my knowledge and might make this game end sooner than it otherwise may have.
Picks: Remmy- Ansonia, 49-7. Kyle- Ansonia, 55-14.
Wolcott Eagles (8-1) at Holy Cross Crusaders (6-3)
Joe Lynch and Wolcott can clinch the top spot in Class M for the first time ever with a win over Holy Cross. Credit: GWImages/@GWImages
Kristian Harmeling and Holy Cross probably won’t make the Class S playoffs, but they can keep Wolcott from earning the top seed in Class M. Credit: Stan Strusky/sscreativedesign
When/Where: Thursday, 10 a.m., Municipal Stadium
Twitter: @WolcEagleFtball, @HC_Football
Series History: 38th meeting; Holy Cross leads, 31-6
Series Stat: Wolcott hasn’t beaten Holy Cross since a 28-21 win in 2001
Last Year: Holy Cross def. Wolcott, 35-20
At Stake for Wolcott: No. 1 seed and home quarterfinal in Class M playoffs
At Stake for Holy Cross: Outside shot at Class S postseason berth
Remmy’s Take: This is definitely the best Thanksgiving Day game (on paper). Holy Cross will not make the playoffs this season. But we can bet the Crusaders would like nothing more than to smash Wolcott and go home with a win to end the season. Cross had a magical season in 2011. It lost many key players from that squad and I think that hurts them this time around. Historically, this is one of the more lopsided matchups the NVL has seen. There’s one big difference this time around — Wolcott has Jason Pace steering his team in the right direction for a second straight season. The Eagles get it done this year. Their defense is scrappy and very tough. They’re riding the wave. WAR DAMN EAGLE.
Kyle’s Take: This could end up being the best game of the week. It’s the first time in a long time that Wolcott is the unequivocal favorite and the Eagles have more to gain than the Crusaders (even if Cross wins, it’s unlikely that enough will happen to make a playoff berth possible). But Holy Cross has dominated this series and probably holds a mental edge. If there’s any high-profile game this year I could see being a defensive battle, this is it. The Crusaders’ defense is due for another good performance and will have a good plan to limit Wolcott up front, and I think the Cross running game will have success. But the best player on the field will be wearing scarlet.
Picks: Remmy- Wolcott, 28-14. Kyle- Wolcott, 20-17.
Derby Red Raiders (6-3) at Shelton Gaels (5-4)
Mike Kreiger’s older brother Ray never beat Shelton, but this year Derby has a good shot to knock off Shelton. Credit: GWImages/@GWImages
Eddie Kochiss and Shelton will try to keep their winning streak against Derby alive in the teams’ 102nd meeting. Credit: Keelin Daly/CT Post
When/Where: Thursday, 10:30 a.m., Finn Stadium
Twitter: @DerbyCT
Series History: 102nd meeting; Shelton leads, 52-42-7
Series Stat: Last year’s seven-point game was the closest since Derby’s 13-12 win in 2002
Last Year: Shelton def. Derby, 26-19
At Stake for Derby: Outside shot at Class S postseason berth
At Stake for Shelton: Nine-game winning streak over Derby
Remmy’s Take: I’ve picked Derby to win the last two meetings. NVL bias? Perhaps. But no one can outright discount Derby from winning this game, or at least keeping it close, in 2012. Ray Kreiger wasn’t able to beat the Gaels but little brother Mikey will. I don’t believe Derby is satisfied with finishing over .500 this season. The Raiders really want this win. Guys like Kreiger and Tyrae Small need this win. I think it will lead to a great offseason and great start to the 2013 season for them, as well.
Kyle’s Take: I’ve never picked Derby in this game, and I’ve been right so far. But I think this is the year it changes for the Red Raiders. I don’t know if I would pick them if Tyrae Small hadn’t become such an integral and successful part of the offense over the last few weeks, but his hard running in Week 8 and Week 9 really helped Derby’s offense hang on to the ball and score points. Plus, Dillon McMahon has been a bit quiet over the second half of the year. He can go out with a bang.
Picks: Remmy- Derby, 34-27. Kyle- Derby, 27-24.
Watertown Indians (2-7) at Torrington Red Raiders (5-4)
Desmond Langs and Torrington will try to finish the season on a four-game winning streak. Credit: Stan Strusky/sscreativedesign
Paulo Villanueva and Watertown suffered through a tough season but can finish with two straight victories. Credit: GWImages/@GWImages
When/Where: Thursday, 10:15 a.m., Robert H. Frost Complex
Radio: WAPJ 89.9/105.1 FM (10:10 a.m.)
Series History: 47th meeting; Watertown leads, 23-22-1
Series Stat: Watertown broke Torrington’s three-game winning streak last year
Last Year: Watertown def. Torrington, 18-13
At Stake for Watertown: All-time lead in Thanksgiving series
At Stake for Torrington: Revenge for last year’s upset loss
Remmy’s Take: Another very tough game to pick. Watertown has upset Torrington many times in what is usually a street fight. Watertown showed me something last week with its dominant performance against Seymour. But I just think Torrington has been playing with a chip on its shoulder all season long and wants to prove to the NVL that it’ll be back next season to contend. Torrington evens up the series this week.
Kyle’s Take: On a pretty regular basis, this is the best game of all the Thanksgiving rivalries. These teams really don’t care for each other and usually pride is all that’s on the line. The last few meetings in this series have been pretty contentious and I expect the same thing this year. Both are probably playing their best football of the season right now after seasons filled with disappointment and injuries, but I think the Indians have the edge. They’re physical.
Picks: Remmy- Torrington, 34-27. Kyle- Watertown, 20-14.
Kennedy Eagles (0-9) at Crosby Bulldogs (1-8)
Tyshon Rogers and Crosby lost to Kennedy in last year’s season finale and will try to keep the Eagles winless this year. Credit: GWImages/@GWImages
Kennedy’s leading rusher Davon Humbles will try to help the Eagles win their first game of the season. Credit: Stan Strusky/sscreativedesign
When/Where: Thursday, 10 a.m., Jimmy Lee Stadium
Series History: 48th meeting; Crosby leads, 33-14
Series Stat: Crosby’s winning percentage is second-highest of all NVL Thanksgiving rivalries
Last Year: Kennedy def. Crosby, 39-24
At Stake for Kennedy: Avoiding first winless season since 2004
At Stake for Crosby: Avoiding eight-game losing streak to end season
Remmy’s Take: Yes, Crosby loves turning over the ball. But Crosby also knows what a win tastes like. The Dawgs showed some grit in their win over St. Paul whereas Kennedy has yet to win a game and is the youngest team in the NVL. Not this year, my friends. Crosby will have smoked eagle for dinner.
Kyle’s Take: Kennedy hasn’t shown much to make me believe they can win this game except total effort for four quarters every time. The Eagles are young and could really use this one win to propel them into next season. You can say whatever you want about Chris Sarlo, but I think he’s the right man for an awfully tough job. Kennedy is persistent on the ground and needs to stay away from the passing game, where most of its turnovers come. Crosby gives away the ball too much.
Picks: Remmy- Crosby, 42-28. Kyle- Kennedy, 34-26.
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
Extra Points: We’d like to thank everyone who’s made this a great year so far, especially the photographers who have allowed us to showcase their awesome work on our blog. Together, they’ve covered just about every team in the league so you can find photos of many of our league’s players on their websites. We encourage you to browse their albums and consider buying a photo to help support these guys’ work. Visit Gregg’s and Stan’s websites for more. … There will be plenty up on the Rep-Am Red Zone blog early this week, including a special Thanksgiving edition of Gimme Five and Kyle’s final postseason breakdown, with full scenarios and projections.
Update: Kyle’s begun his Thanksgiving “Gimme Ten” list. Check out the 10 teams with the best season so far, the nine best games leading up to Thanksgiving, eight interesting Thanksgiving numbers, the seven area teams still alive for the postseason, the six best local Thanksgiving rivalries and more to come. Also, check out the Rep-Am’s Thanksgiving Football Contest.
Playoffs Update: Kyle has finally finished all his postseason scenarios for every single team in the state, and there’s extra emphasis on the local teams in the breakdowns. Check out all of them on the Red Zone.
Vote for Zach Sirowich of Seymour - Timex Heart of a Giant
Also, for you Naugatuck-Ansonia folks, we found this full game broadcast of the 1981 Thanksgiving classic. The Greyhounds beat the Chargers 24-20 en route to their first CIAC state title and the No. 1 ranking in New England. It’s really cool to watch (although maybe painful for some Ansonia fans).
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Some of these picks made with almost zero confidence… lol
Woodland 46 Seymour 22 – Too much on the line for the Hawks.
Sacred Heart 35 Wilby 30 – Wilby not as good as their record indicates.
St. Paul 55 Hamden Hall 52 – Shootout. Toss Up.
Wolcott 34 Holy Cross 18 – Wolcott wants a home game next week.
Crosby 27 Kennedy 26 – Flip a coin.
Watertown 28 Torrington 21 – Watertown has been improving of late.
Ansonia 44 Naugatuck 18 – Brockett wants starters out at half time.
Shelton 30 Derby 21 – Derby is good, but Shelton is at home.
I can’t believe the regular season is over already. My Tday picks:
Woodland 48 Seymour 14 – too much offense by Woodland
Wilby 21 SH 20 – Wilby finishes season with a W
Hamden Hall 48 St Paul 30 – St. Paul glad to see this season end
Crosby 28 Kennedy 14 Both teams glad season is over.
Torrington 49 Watertown 28 – Revenge is sweet for Ttown.
AHS 62 Naugy 14 – basically a scrimmage for AHS going into playoffs.
Wolcott 42 HC 14 – Coach Pace is a winner.
Shelton 44 Derby 29 – Gaels salvage their season…I hope.
Happy Thanksgiving everybody!
Woodland
Wilby
Hamden Hall
Crosby
Torrington
Dabonia
Wolcott
Shelton
Jamie, Jamie, Jamie – (Dabonia ???). You can’t upset Ansonia, neither with your words or your football team. Lighten up.
Voice, its not an insult, its one of the many nicknames Ansonia has. I can be like wags and put suck into everyone elses names if you’d like.
Last week of the season I might as well wing it since I can’t win overall record
Holy Cross 34-29 Wolcott – Why not Crusaders take out frustration on Eagles
Sacred Heart 42-40 Wilby – Last hurrah for Coggins and company
Crosby 38-23 Kennedy – Crosby can score Kennedy has problems offensively
Woodland 36-13 Seymour – Woodland last ditch attempt at playoffs
Watertown 32-28 Torrington – Watertown will make less mistakes
Derby 44-18 Shelton – Derby leaves a lasting impression
St. Paul 56-33 Hamden Hall – Whole lot of offense
Naugatuck 33-31 Ansonia – Strange season for Hounds ends even stranger
WOLCOTT 47-20
WILBY 33-30
CROSBY 34-12
WOODLAND 44-13
TORRINGTON 44-33
DERBY 43-23
HAMDEN HALL 60-55
ANSONIA 54 -20
Why I have bad vibes re: my alma mater this year…
1) Derby is due… it’s been 10 years
2) Derby has a lot of offense
3) Shelton defense has been torched a few times this year
4) Derby is due… no one coach has ever won 9 in a row
in this series. Jeff Roy is 8-0.
5) Derby has a running game this year.
6) Derby has some linemen this year.
7) Derby is due… it’s been 10 years. Yeah, yeah,,, we said that already.
8) The JV game may be an omen.
9) Momentum… Gaels have dropped their last 2, albeit to top tier teams,
while Derby won its last game.
10) See numbers 1, 4 and 7 above. The law of averages.
Woodland
Wilby
Hamden Hall
Crosby
Torrington
AHS
Wolcott
Shelton (see what I did there)
Happy Thanksgiving everybody!
Ha ha. Classic.
Ansonia
Woodland
Sacred Heart
Hamden Hall
Wolcott
Crosby
Watertown
Shelton
Have a Happy Thanksgiving everyone and where are the standings?
I’ve finally finished all the playoff breakdowns and scenarios. Check out what everyone needs to do and what the quarterfinal matchups will be on the Red Zone.
http://rep-am.com/sports/redzone/doc50abb81c18b50337458040.txt
Woodland 38, Seymour 13
Wilby 31, Sacred Heart 28
St. Paul 44, Hamden Hall 40
Wolcott 31, Holy Cross 21
Crosby 38, Kennedy 27
Watertown 21, Torrington 20
Ansonia 49, Naugatuck 20
Shelton 28, Derby 22
WOODY WINS BIG
DERBY——PICKING DERBY TO WIN IS LIKE GOING TO H.EAVEN——YOU KNOW IT KNOW ITS GOING TO HAPPEN,JUST DONT KNOW WHEN,
CROSBY==BEFORE A BANNER CROWD OF 7
HOLY CROSS—–UPSET SPEACIAL
HEARTS——I THINK
ANSONIA=====EVERYONE ATTENDING GETS PLASKY BOBBLEHEAD AND COMMEMORATIVE CANCELLED CHECK.
WATERTOWN OVER SORRYINGTON=THATS FOR YOU JAMIE
Happy Turkey Day big guy and the same goes for your family!
OOPS== HAMDENHALL OVER ST.PAUL,IM BLESSED TO BE ABLE TO ENJOY THANKSGIVING–TO EVERYONE HAVE A HAPPY HOLIDAY
AHS plays starters for a half as they get ready to beat anyone in there way to a state tittle AHS 49-7. Derby I think will get by Shelton in a good game to the end 27-26. Woodland Wolcott Wilby Watertown H Hall and Kennedy. Have a great Thanksgiving.
How can anyone with a heart root for Woodland to win and possibly play Ansonia for a third time. LET’S GO CATS, LETS GO CATS, LOUDER LET’S GO CATS!. Derby needs a win this year over Shelton to keep the momentum going at a small school and hopefully they can continue to build. AHS will win hands down, and I like Torrington big over Watertown. A torrington loss and the natives will be screaming for their heads! Hahahaha. Wolcott handles HC. And out of league I’m hoping for a big Oxford win and an early Christmas gift as the 8 seed in S. It was fun watching that 81 AHS naugy game again. Still to this day for me that 94 AHS Naugy game will never be topped, sad to say but being a waterboy in that game was the highlight of my athletic life. Its amazing watching that 81 game how close fans were to the field and how much was on the line in that 1 game. Players and fans were on the edge of their seat every play and I dunno if we will ever see that again.
Steve that was my first AHS Naugy game I was at. I was in the endzone. People were so close to the field. Also Steve I think AHS will get Prince Tech . That should be a barn burner.What a joke!
To all the bloggers here on the NVL blog I wish a healthy and Happy Thanksgiving. I don’t usually pick scores but I’ll make an exception
Ansonia 47 Naugatuck 21
Shelton 17 Derby 15
Woodland 40 – Seymour 14
Torrington 56 – Watertown 20
Wolcott 47 – Holy Cross 13
St. Paul 56 – Hamden Hall 52
Sacred Heart 20 – Wilby 13
Crosby 7 – Kennedy 6
Woodland
Derby
Ansonia
Wolcott
St Paul
Sacred Heart
Crosby
Torrington
Man has “the spread” ruined high school football or what? I am sure all the teams who score in the sixties will be happy for themselves but frankly I find it sickening that defense is an afterthought. Some of these coaches need to look in the mirror.
Kingsley had a night setting a state record for passing yards in a game. The short pass to Woodland is what an Iso is to every other team around the state.
God bless him but is it necessary. I am sure they are proud and happy but they got drilled the last two weeks. Maybe I am jealous that all these weak teams are getting into the playoffs.
My condolences to the Hunt family and the Ansonia football family. Coach Hunt was a great man and excellent motivator. Coach Hunt is huge to the town of Ansonia and not just as a football coach. He will definitely be missed. It was great that the chargers got the W on today and keep playing Ansonia football the way coach Hunt would want. Happy Turkey to all.