Friday NVL Round Up

Went to the Crosby/Seymour game, and it was as good as it was played out to be. Mike Osiecki had over 300 yards as he put the Wildcats on his back in the 2nd half to win 36-19. The Bulldogs opened the scoring with a 48 yard pass to Dunbar, missing the PAT. The Cats quickly responded with a TD run from Osiecki. The rest of the first half was all Bulldogs, as they confused the Seymour offensive line, stacking 8 and 9 in the box. Unfortunately, the dogs shot themselves in the foot with an intentional grounding in the endzone that brought the Cats within 3 at the half. Halftime became the difference, as Seymour adjusted well to the Bulldog gameplan. This seems to be what separates the good teams from the top tier in the league, as teams make adjustments to take control of the game. Seymour did it against Sacred Heart, Wolcott, and again last night. The second half became the Mike Osiecki show (aside from a Ojoe kick return that gave Crosby a lead with just under 15 mins left in the game), as the ball and the game were literally put into his hands. No doubt about it, he carried the Wildcats.

Of note: While at this game, I spotted "Boss" Steve Fainer. That Indian has really gone off the reservation. I thought it was just his blog, but I'm not sure. Taking pictures of the Seymour coaching staff, even coming right up to "The Voice" as he was speaking with Seymour HC, Paul Sponheimer. There were some rumblings that he may have been asking for reparations for the lunch money Spoony took from him during elementary school. Regardless, I think I spotted "Boss" high tailing it out with 5 minutes left in the game, once it was clearly a Seymour win...I'm sure he wasn't trying to beat the traffic.

In other news, apparently I missed a great game in Torrington, as the Region-16 Hawks defeated Torrington 21-20. This may have been for the Copper Crown, but who knows...this is a wide open year in the NVL. Ansonia owned Wolcott 26-0, in the Tristan Roberts show. Finally, Kennedy won the Town Plot Championship 22-20; another heart breaker for Holy Cross. Lastly, before the Seymour/Crosby game, I think I even overheard Mark Jaffee telling some Seymour coaches he would prefer a Crosby Dog to some Frankie's at the stadium. Even he didn't want to go to the Town Plot Championship Game.

Watertown visits Wilby today...Enjoy.

One reason to applaud the Kennedy Eagles

Yesterday's Republican featured an article discussing how (Kennedy Eagles coach) Chris Sarlo trimmed his varsity roster, and only dressed 25 for his game last week. His reason? Lack of commitment from the players. So, his solution was to only bring the players dedicated to the program, its ideals, and practice. This is a step in the right direction for Kennedy.

Too often coaches will pack their sidelines with dead weight. These kids don't practice hard, and are around to wear the uniform. The coach just wants a packed sideline for intimidation purposes. I guess they don't realize that the game is won on the field. Instead, they bring a less than impressive group of pad slappers.

There is something to say about participation, and the experience of being on a team. For some kids, it's the best they'll achieve, and as long as they put in the time, it's fine. Bring them. However, Sarlo's issue was that some kids weren't coming to practice, and showing up on game day. "We're talkin' bout Practice!"

Wake up kids...You've got to pay your dues, and give the team a look, kids. You can't just show up on a Friday and expect to play. It takes no talent to TRY, and Sarlo brought the kids who try for him. Good for him. These kids were whining about playing, but weren't practicing. If their response is to quit the team, that's a little addition by subtraction for Sarlo. Besides, that'll be one less roast beef dinner that has to be bought for the end of the year banquet.

The original article can be found here.

GAME DAY!!!

The only game in the state last night, Naugatuck beat Sacred Heart, 40-22. I'd provide some stats, but nobody really cares. If you do care about this game, you have problems that probably require a psych evaluation.

Tonight's got a full docket of games, I'll be at Seymour/Crosby. Find a game in your area, and enjoy...otherwise, catch Cheshire @ ND-WH on TV. Get ready for Week 5!

Crosby/Seymour Preview

Seymour at Crosby is the most interesting matchup of the year-to-date in the NVL. Seymour's Mike Osiecki and Crosby's Dion small are the top two scorers in the league through 4 weeks. Small has rushed for nearly 100 yards more over that time, however the Wildcats also include Taylor Searle's 365 yards at tailback, and 301 from QB Connor Shugrue, to go along with Osiecki's 388. Crosby's passing attack includes 3 receivers with over 20 receptions each, Steve Dunbar (25 rec, 338 yds, 5 TDs), Jerome Cunningham (25-365-2), and Dion Ojoe (22-310-4). They truly have tremendous quick strike ability. Seymour will grind it out, use clock, and try to keep Crosby's defense on the field. If the Wildcats can do that, the game is theirs. This is the game of the week in the NVL, and could end up being the game of the year. I know that the traffic on that part of 84 sucks. Do yourself a favor, hit up 84E, exit 25, grab some Nardelli's (or go up Pierpont to Vito's Pizza, it's by the Cumberland Farms on Waterbury-Meriden Rd.), bring it to the game, and enjoy what should prove to be a great game.

Week 5 Picks

With the slate of games as follows, here are my picks:

Thursday
Naugy (2-2) @ Sacred Heart (0-4): The Hearts have let up 173 points. Naugatuck has given up 113. Defense is not a premium in this "battle." SHHS-31 NHS-23

Friday
Wolcott (3-1) @ Ansonia (4-0): Wolcott has looked good, and running for nearly 400 yards in a game is amazing. Still, I think that the Chargers will win a tight battle- Ansonia-28 Wolcott-14.

Seymour (4-0) @ Crosby (4-0): Crosby has speed and home field advantage. Seymour has an offense that has scored the 2nd most points in the state (St. Joe's #1...Crosby also in top 5), and a defense with a killer linebacking crew and some serious pass rush. The difference maker in this game is will be whether or not Crosby gets its running game going. Seymour-34 Crosby-28 (NAILBITER!!!)

Kennedy (0-4) @ HC (1-3): Even Frankies isn't enough to get me to the Stadium to watch this. Two words AWWWWWWWW-FUL! Kennedy gets its first win of the season. JFK - 20 HC - 8

Region 16 (1-3) @ Torrington (2-2): Copper Division bragging rights on the line for two rookie Head Coaches. Hawks haven't looked good. Raiders on a hot streak, with a strong running game. Red Raiders-34 Regional School District 16-24

Saturday
Watertown (3-1) @ Wilby (0-4): Watertown's running game rolls... Injuns 43 Scaredy Cats 13

Additionally, the Waterbury-Republican posted their video picks on Thurs. 10/9. I still can't get over this, because the unintentional comedy scale is pretty good in terms of local sports. While Mark Jaffee has become increasingly more comfortable on camera, he still doesn't quite seem sure of himself. The hand gestures this week kind of make me laugh. His partner looks like Wade Boggs. I'm just sayin'!

ECC Updates

ECC updates are available in the Day's Monday Morning Quarterback:

http://www.theday.com/re.aspx?re=3147dbb2-65af-4d53-a3d1-adb8c036cdfd

Week 5 Poll

The Day of New London Top 10 state coaches football poll

First-place votes in parentheses, record, points tabulated on a 30-28-26-24-22-20-18-16-14-12-11-10-9-8-7 basis and last weekʼs ranking:

1. Ansonia (9) 4-0 376 1

2. New Canaan (2) 4-0 342 2

3. New London (1) 4-0 300 3

4. Bunnell-Stratford 4-0 282 4

5. Masuk-Monroe 4-0 281 5

6. Seymour (1) 4-0 227 6

7. Hillhouse- New Haven 4-0 203 7

8. Hamden 4-0 200 NR

9. Darien 4-0 188 NR

10. Berlin 4-0 182 8

Dropped out: Staples-Westport (9), Shelton (10).

Also receiving votes: Southington (2-1), 150; Windsor (4-0), 105; Greenwich (3-1), 84; Cromwell (4-0), 56; Crosby-Waterbury (4-0), 51; Tie, Cheshire (2-2) and Glastonbury (4-0), 48; Xavier-Middletown (3-1), 39; Shelton (3-1), 28; St. Joseph-Trumbull (4-0), 22; Staples-Westport (3-1), 21; Manchester (4-0), 15; Norwich Free Academy (2-1), 12; Wilton (4-0), 11; Tie, New Britain (3-1) and Wilbur Cross-New Haven (3-1), 8; Tie, Montville (4-0), Newington (3-1), Rocky Hill (3-1) and St. Bernard/Norwich Tech (4-0), 7.

The following coaches voted: Tom Brockett, Ansonia; Jim Buonocore, Ledyard; Dave Cadelina, Bridgeport Central; John DeCaprio, Notre Dame-West Haven; Chuck Drury, Pomperaug-Southbury; Steve Filippone, Hand-Madison; Tanner Grove, Montville; Jude Kelly, St. Paul-Bristol; Tim King, Valley Regional-Deep River; Bill Mella, Southington; John Murphy, Masuk-Monroe; Marce Petroccio, Staples-Westport; Bob Zito, Maloney-Meriden.

SCC Week 5…So much for 4-0 vs 4-0…

Well so much for two undefeated teams meeting in week 5. Shelton screwed that up. They could not get the running game going and could not handle 6 foot 8 Will Tye. Score ended up Will Tye 21 and Shelton 14. Shelton did complain about the officiating and all my connections agreed it was pathetic. I get a chuckle when you think of like this….A Valley school getting “jobbed” at a private school. You do not have to be in the SCC to have that happen.
I really feel that if you are a bad football team and want to feel good about your program and boost you teams confidence and self esteem you should schedule some division II teams….Hillhouse is unbeaten at 4-0 and is the beneficiary of this “great” group of schools. I have seen Foran and they scored 54 on E.Haven. OMG East Haven must be really bad. Sheehan starts 3-0 and moves up to Div I and gets rolled by Hand…. Obviously Finn stadium is the place to be but WH and Hand is always fun…Regardless, enjoy wherever you go

Week 5 Games

Prep (2-1) at Amity (1-3)Last week: Prep defeated Law 33-6; Amity lost to Hamden 48-26
Should be a good one. Amity can really make a statement and give then something to hang their hats on if they win as they can’t be happy at 1-3…Anyone know why all those players really left the team??

Hamden (4-0) at Shelton (3-1)Last week: Hamden defeated Amity 48-26; Shelton lost to Xavier 21-14Maybe the worst thing for Hamden is that Shelton lost. Hamden has more speed. They are 4-0 just like everyone with a football mind knew if they had a real head coach. Shelton must play their A game…May the best team win.

West Haven (1-2) at Hand (2-2)Last week: West Haven defeated Notre Dame 43-14; Hand defeated Sheehan 35-15
Always an exciting game. WH seems to be getting some swagger back. Filipone will coach em’ up this week that is for sure.

Cheshire (2-2) at Notre Dame (0-3)Last week: Cheshire defeated Cross 33-14; ND lost to West Haven 43-14This is a game where I can see Cheshire finding a way to mess it up. Then again ND is messed up already.

Law (2-2) at Guilford (2-2)Last week: Law lost to Prep 33-6; Guilford defeated Lyman Hall 40-0
Why do I have no opinion on this?? I can not think of anything funny to say either..Sorry…

Lyman Hall (2-2) at Hillhouse (4-0)Last week: Lyman Hall lost to Guilford 40-0; Hillhouse defeated Branford 35-13When I think of Lyman Hall (or Sheehan) all I can think of how bad Maloney and Platt must be…Hillhouse has already started to practice for Prep and Shelton…ooops Cross too….

East Haven (0-4) at Sheehan (3-1)Last week: East Haven lost to Foran 54-17; Sheehan lost to Hand 35-15
And some of have the nerve to say Rusty Dunne was an awful coach. Shame on you!!!!

North Haven (2-2) at Foran (3-1)Last week: North Haven defeated Derby 48-0; Foran defeated East Haven 54-17
NH is tougher. They will be well coached. Sags will find a way!

Xavier (3-1) at Branford (2-2)Last week: Xavier defeated Shelton 21-14; Branford lost to Hillhouse 35-13
Ask the folks from Shelton and they will tell you Xavier is much better at home….They are on the road…….but it is Branford…….

Derby (1-3) at Cross (3-1)Last week: Derby lost to North Haven 48-0; Cross lost to Cheshire 33-14
I know they have a Coach D. there now but…..can you imagine what the last two Coach D’s they had think about this storied program now!

CCC Week #5

I have not seen all the top CCC teams play yet this year.I will keep my eyes on the papers and check out as many as I can in the next 7 weeks.My Ratings will hopefully adjust with each teams performance on the field of play

My CCC Top 10:
...........................
Glastonbury
Southington
Windsor
Manchester
New Britain
Newington
Weaver
Conard
Wethersfield
Hall


Friday

Rockville at Maloney, 6:30 p.m.
Both teams searching for win #1.Only Maloney's 17-14 loss to Lyman Hall in week #1 was the only close game either team has played in 2008.Go with the home team(Maloney) in a squeaker.

Bloomfield at Newington, 7:00 p.m.
Look for Newington to improve to 4-1 with a home win against the War Hawks in a High Scoring affair.

Conard at Southington, 7:00 p.m.
Blue Knights stay undefeated(against Connecticut Competition) with a relatively close game against the always tough Chieftains.

Farmington at East Hartford, 7:00 p.m.
Hornets roll big against the defenseless Indians of the old Nutmeg league.

Fermi at Manchester, 7:00 p.m.
Manchester goes to 5-0 ? I cannot believe this can be true but a most probable win against Fermi and it is a reality.

Hartford Public at Bristol Eastern, 7:00 p.m.
Lancers find a way to defeat the Owls in a close low scoring game in week #5.Is it me or does the Pub play alot of close games ?

Weaver at Bulkeley, 7:00 p.m.
The Beavers,all 27 strong,roll the Bull dogs

Windsor at Simsbury, 7:00 p.m.
Best Matchup of the week.The Warriors should prevail on the road in a potentially close game.That is if the Warriors do not repeat a performance like the 1st half in week #2 vs South Windsor




Saturday

Glastonbury at Wethersfield, 12:00 p.m.
Rumors have the Tomahawks as the best team in all the CCC.Time will tell as their schedule starts to heat up.This week will be no gimmie against the 3-1 Eagles on the road.

Bristol Central at South Windsor, 1:30 p.m.
Both teams in search of win # 2.Even game,go with the Rams on the road.By the way is there anymore Hernandez boys on the way,Central sure could use one in a hurry.

New Britain at Hall, 1:30 p.m.
Hurricanes in a close one on the road against the Warriors.I still think the loss to the Weaver Beavers and another potential loss to Southington will keep them out of the postseason for the 4th consecutive season.Coincidence that Jack Cochran has been away from "Hard Hittin" New Britain for 4 years ?

Platt at E.O. Smith, 1:30 p.m.
Panthers travel to Storrs on Saturday and win by a score or two for their 3rd win of the season over EO Smith

NVL: Week 4 Final/Week 5 Preview

No surprises in the NVL this week. Except maybe the Saturday barn-burner between Torrington and Wilby. Watertown looked strong, picking up its 3rd win of the season. Woodland and HC seem to be on the same page, while Naugatuck doesn't even seem to be in the book.

Looking ahead to this week, the premier match up is Friday night at Jimmy Lee, when Crosby hosts Seymour in a battle of quality unbeaten teams. Cats versus Dogs! Crosby is 2nd in the Class L standings, with Seymour topping the SS rankings. Will it be Seymour's grind it out running game, or the speed, height, and athleticism of the Crosby passing game. Speed kills...then again, so does Mike Osiecki.

Another interesting matchup is Wolcott visiting Ansonia. Ansonia may be tops, but the Eagles have been impressive this year. Count 'em-367 rushing yards for the Eagles on Friday night versus Kennedy. The sleddin' won't be as easy Friday at Nolan Field, but I think Wolcott will be in this one for a while. In the end, Ansonia may have the one weapon they need-Tristan Roberts. Plus, all Ron Bilodeau does is throw TD passes.

The rest of the slate includes:
Thursday
Naugy @ Sacred Heart
Friday
Kennedy @ HC
Region 16 @ Torrington
Saturday
Watertown @ Wilby

Predictions Wednesday...