High school football: Five takeaways from Week 10

With the 10th week of the Connecticut high school football season officially in the books, let’s take a look at some of the biggest storylines:

1. ONE WAYORANOTHER, MIDDLETOWN KEEPS FINDING WAYS TO WIN

Whether their quarterback has to be the top defensive back, or their third string running back posts a four-touchdown night, the Blue Dragons (8-0) keep winning.

In Week 9, Middletown, the fifth-ranked team in The Courant’s area rankings, stood up Platt on the goal line in the fourth quarter to escape with a win, 21-18, and stay perfect. With the win, the Blue Dragons unofficially clinched a spot in the Class L playoffs.

2. IT’S (UNOFFICIAL) CLINCH SEASON

No. 2/6 Southington (Class LL), No. 1/2 Hand-Madison (Class L), No. 5 Middletown (Class L), No. 6 Maloney (Class L), No. 3/8 Berlin (Class M) and No. 7 Stafford/Somers/East Windsor (Class S) unofficially punched their tickets to the playoffs with wins on Friday night.

The Redcoats (9-0) still have their annual rivalry game against No. 4/10 New Britain this week, but will earn a spot in the Class M playoffs regardless. A win, however, could increase their odds of leapfrogging St. Joseph for the top seed.

3. SHEEHAN IS WALKING AND TALKING LIKE A PLAYOFF TEAM

For a brief moment on Friday night, the Titans’ playoff chances looked to be in doubt as they trailed early to Branford.

Then Terrence Bogan showed up. The junior running back rushed for five touchdowns in the third quarter alone as the Titans (7-1) scored 50 unanswered points in the second half to beat the Hornets, 64-27.

Not only did the speedy Bogan wreak havoc on offense, but the defense sacked quarterback Sean Kelly three times and forced two safeties to hold Branford scoreless in the second half.

“It’s just confidence,” Bogan said. “We knew we had to come out here strong. We got beat a little bit in the beginning, but it was a real confidence booster for us.”

4. RAQUAN TOMPKINS AND EAST HARTFORD WON’T GO DOWNEASY

After back-to-back losses at the hands of Southington and New Britain, No. 10 East Hartford’s chances at a Class LL playoff berth looked slim. Then, quarterback Raquan Tompkins passed for 204 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 99 yards and two TDs as the Hornets (7-2) beat Newington 45-15. Now, as of today, they still stand on the outside looking in on the Class LL playoffs. But if East Hartford can beat Manchester in its final game of the season, and a few other games go the Hornets’ way (a New Britain loss to Berlin and a New Canaan loss to Darien, namely), they could salvage their season.

5. DESPITE DOWNSEASON, THERE’S HOPE FOR CHESHIRE

Standing at 3-6, the 2018 season was a disappointing one for the Rams, a traditionally strong team. But Cheshire, winner of three of its last four games, showed life late in the season, thanks to the play of junior running back Jake McAlinden, who’s rushed for 608 yards and five touchdowns in Cheshire’s three wins.

— Shawn McFarland