H.S. FOOTBALL / WEEK 4 PREVIEW CAPSULES

Ledyard (1-2); Montville (1-2)

Ledyard defeated Bacon 8-6; Montville lost to Waterford 21-12

Ledyard won despite not scoring an offensive touchdown last week. Montville lost, despite moving the ball on Waterford, but killed itself with a number of 15-yard penalties. So perhaps the team that eliminates more mistakes wins this game. The Indians at least have quite the receiving target in Bradley Johnson, who caught eight passes for 161 yard and a touchdown last week. Waterford (2-0); Fitch (1-2)

Waterford defeated Montville 21-12; Fitch lost to NFA 28-0

This is the second annual Ellis Bowl. Fitch coach Mike Ellis, formerly the Waterford coach and still a teacher at Waterford High School, lost 41-9 to his old group last season. Is this a big game? Put it this way: This is Waterford’s “spirit week” ... and it’s for a road game. The Lancers have hardly been mistake free, but have used big plays from quarterback Spencer Hoagland, among others, to start 2-0. They certainly have a chance to be 3-0.

TODAY'S GAMES Ledyard at Montville, 6:30 p.m. Records: Last week:

Outlook: Waterford at Fitch, 6:30 p.m. Records: Last week:

Outlook: Cromwell/Portland at Valley/Old Lyme, 6:30 p.m. Records: Last week: Outlook: SATURDAY'S GAMES Vinal/East Hampton/Goodwin at Thames River, 10:30 a.m. (East Lyme H.S.) Records: Last week:

(2-0) Cromwell/Portland (2-0); Valley/Old Lyme

Cromwell/Portland was idle; Valley/Old Lyme defeated Morgan 37-13

The Warriors try to become the first team to score a point this season on Cromwell/ Portland, which has outscored its opponents 88-0. This is a matchup of two first-place teams within the Pequot. Cromwell/Portland leads the Sassacus North at 2-0, while Valley-Old Lyme leads Sassacus South at 2-0. Vinal (0-3); Thames River (1-2) Vinal lost to Prince Tech 42-0; Thames River lost to Cheney Tech 42-18

Outlook:

Thames River coach Sean Ladyga had a heart to heart with his team last week, following a disappointing loss in which the Crusaders allowed 28 straight points. Quarterback Jared Neal nearly accounted for every yard of offense, rushing for nearly 200 yards. He needs help. Given that Vinal has been outscored 105-35, perhaps Thames River can rediscover itself.

NFA at Darien, 2 p.m. Records: Last week: Outlook: Last week: Outlook:

NFA (1-1); Darien (3-0)

NFA defeated Fitch 28-0; Darien defeated Greenwich 42-35

East Lyme at Branford, 5 p.m. (Guilford H.S.) Records: Last week:

NFA’s demanding schedule reaches its apex here. Darien is the state’s No. 1 team and defending state Class LL champion. Two-way lineman Andrew Steuber is headed to Michigan and the Big House. The Blue Wave graduated quite a bit from last season’s No. 1 team, but is likely as good as anybody else in Connecticut. NFA played well last week against Fitch, but on the road against this team? Tall task. East Lyme (0-3); Branford (2-1)

East Lyme lost to Stonington 26-7; Branford lost to Shelton 45-14

Outlook:

Note: This game was changed from Friday to Saturday and will be played at Guilford High School. Branford, despite last week’s loss, leads “Tier 3” of the Southern Connecticut Conference. East Lyme has struggled to score points in the last two weeks.

— Mike DiMauro