HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL / WEEK 9 PREVIEW CAPSULES

TODAY’S GAMES NFA at Waterford, 4:30 p.m. Records: NFA (4-3); Waterford (2-5)

Last week: NFA defeated Fitch 32-21; Waterford lost to Stonington 42-28

Outlook: NFA can take another step toward a winning season with a victory here. The Wildcats have played well in recent weeks, nearly pulling the upset vs. Windsor before quarterback Elijah Parker threw for 247 yards in the win over Fitch last week. Waterford allowed 42 points in a loss to Stonington last week. The Bears had scored 42 points all season entering the game. CREC at Montville, 5 p.m. Records: CREC (1-6); Montville (2-5) Last week: CREC last to Lyman Hall 35-0; Montville lost to Plainfield 21-0 Outlook: CREC, located in Enfield, stands for Civic Leadership/Academy of Aerospace and Engineering/ Metropolitan Learning Center. Its lone win on the season came against Amistad, a previous victim of the Indians. Montville can still finish .500 with wins in its last three games.

Fitch at Capital/AF, 6:30 p.m. Records: Fitch (4-3); Capital/AF (1-6) Last week: Fitch lost to NFA 32-21; Capital/AF lost to Bristol Central 28-7

Outlook: Capital/Achievement First and Fitch have a common opponent: New London. Both lost to the Whalers (Capital 20-7 and Fitch 13-8). Fitch’s chance to return to the Class L playoffs took a severe hit last week after the lost to NFA. The Falcons need to win out and hope many favors are done for them across the state. SATURDAY’S GAMES Thames River at O’Brien Tech, 11 a.m. Records: Thames River (4-2); O’Brien Tech (5-1)

Last week: Thames River lost to Bullard Havens 32-14; O’Brien Tech defeated Vinal/Goodwin Tech 33-22

Outlook: Thames River played the best team in the Connecticut Technical Conference last week (Bullard Havens) and gets another toughie here in one-loss O’Brien Tech. The Crusaders fell to No. 14 in the Class M playoff rankings, meaning they’ll likely have to win out to qualify for the postseason.

Stonington at Bacon Academy, 2 p.m. Records: Stonington (1-6, 1-2 ECC Div. II); Bacon (1-6, 1-1) Last week: Stonington defeated Waterford 42-28; Bacon lost to Windham 30-20

Outlook: Can the Bears make it two straight? They won their first game of the season last week, thanks to Riley Burnside, who scored three touchdowns for Stonington, including one on an 80-yard kickoff return. Nate Miller scored twice for the Bears as well. — Mike DiMauro