SEAN PATRICK BOWLEY’S GUIDE TO THE GAMES | WEEK 11
Welcome to a special pre-Thanksgiving Week edition of AUDIBLES, a quick-hit preview of the state’s high school football games.
This week is the finale for some (Berlin-New Britain, Hall-Conard), and a makeup week for others hit by COVID postponements earlier in the year. In short, it’s a shortened week with a majority of the state using a bye to prep for the Thanksgiving Week feast.
But it’s still a huge week as state playoff hopes hang in the balance. Without having precise scenarios (those will come after), we give you an idea of what to root for here.
So instead of wasting time, let’s get right to it.
FRIDAY CCC
Manchester (1-8) at East Hartford (4-5), 6:30 p.m.: East Hartford’s won the last three in this rivalry and four of the last five.
New Britain (1-8) at Berlin (3-6), 7 p.m.: Redcoats can end a competitive, but tough year with a fourth Beehive Bowl win in last six meetings.
CTC
Prince Tech (4-5) at Northwest United (5-3), 6 p.m.: Win here gets NWU a well-deserved winning season.
VG Techs (0-9) at Cheney Tech (8-1), 6 p.m.: Win will make it official, but Cheney clinched a Class L playoff spot last week.
Wilcox/Kaynor (0-8) at Platt Tech (4-4), 7 p.m.: season still in sight for Panthers.
ECC
Montville (0-8) at Griswold/Wheeler (2-6), 6:30 p.m.: As long as everybody stays healthy for Thanksgiving.
NVL
Winning
Torrington (5-3) at Wolcott (3-5), 6:30 p.m.: Semonich and the Raiders can just taste a playoff berth now.
PEQUOT
Haddam-Killingworth (2-6) at SMSA (4-4), 6 p.m.: Scoring has been Cougars’ issue. SMSA not so much.
Stafford/Somers/East Windsor (5-3) at Cromwell/ Portland (8-0), 6 p.m.: This is it Bulldogs. This is your season.
Coginchaug/Hale Ray/East Hampton (5-3) at Granby/ Canton (6-2), 6:30 p.m.: Same, Coginchaug.
Morgan (7-1) at Ellington (6-2), 6:30 p.m.: Same, Morgan and Ellington.
OSW (0-8) at Coventry/WT/Bolton/Lyman (2-6), 6:30 p.m.: Same for these guys, but for different reasons.
SCC
Hand (5-3) at Notre Dame-WH (3-5), 7 p.m.: Win out and it says here Hand is going dancing (they’ll need a little help, but still...)
Hillhouse (1-8) at Amity (5-3), 7 p.m.: Amity will take a winning season.
OTHERS
New London (5-3) at Wilbur Cross (2-6), 7 p.m.: Hamden’s rooting hard for you, Govs.
Pomperaug (0-9) at Wilton (6-3), 7 p.m.: Likely the last huzzahs for everyone this year. But who knows?
SATURDAY CCC
Conard (4-5) at Hall (8-1), 1:30 p.m.: Conard can really make arch-rival Hall’s lives extra miserable by sending it on the road for the playoffs.
Enfield (0-9) at South Windsor (6-3), Noon: South Windsor started 0-2 and it should finish 7-3. Not too shabby.
CTC
O’Brien Tech (2-6) at Bullard/Kolbe (4-5), Noon: A .500 season will be an accomplishment for Tigers after starting year 0-3.
ATI (5-3) at Thames River (7-1), 1:30 p.m.: Don’t be shocked to see Masuk, Hand and Fitch players leading the ATI cheers. Expect it.
PEQUOT
Windsor Locks/Suffield/East Granby (1-7) at CREC (2-7), 11 a.m.: Last shot to squeeze one more W out of this year, fellas.
OTHERS
Glastonbury (2-7) at Xavier (5-4), 1:30 p.m.: Xavier’s four losses include three vs. the state’s Top 5 ranked teams. Sheesh. Don’t forget to tip your schedule maker.