HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL CAPSULES
THANKSGIVING EVE FAIRFIELD PREP AT WEST HAVEN
WHERE/WHEN: Ken Strong Stadium, West Haven, 7 p.m.
RECORDS: West Haven 8-1, Fairfield Prep 8-1
THANKSGIVING SERIES: West Haven 17-8
2019 RESULT: Fairfield Prep 28-0
PLAYERS TO WATCH: WEST HAVEN: Deven Robinson, Sr., RB; Amir Nakome, Sr., LB/RB. FAIRFIELD PREP: Ryan O’Connell, Sr., LB; Tymaine Smith, Sr., LB/WR; Tim Pearson, Sr., WR.
AT STAKE: A first home quarterfinal game for the Jesuits (they played home in the state semifinals in 2018); For West Haven, a win clinches its first playoff spot since 2017. They’ll need help otherwise.
MASUK AT NEWTOWN
WHERE/WHEN: Blue and Gold Stadium, Newtown, 6 p.m.
RECORDS: Newtown 6-3, Masuk 7-2
THANKSGIVING SERIES: Newtown leads 14-9-1
2019 RESULT: Newtown 17-2
PLAYERS TO WATCH: NEWTOWN: Dylan Magazu, Jr., QB; Eric Gray, Sr., WR/DB; Caleb Smith, Jr., RB/WR/DB; Mark Sokk, Jr., LB;
MASUK: Nick Saccu, Sr., RB/WR/DB; Ryan Saccu, Sr., WR/DB; Dylan Jackson, Jr., QB.
AT STAKE: Both teams need to win to get into position in their respective playoff classes. A Masuk win and just some bonus help will clinch a Class L spot. A Newtown win, some bonus help and/or losses by some other contenders, will allow the Nighthawks to clinch a Class LL playoff spot to defend their 2019 title.
The Candlewood Cup
NEW MILFORD AT NEW FAIRFIELD
WHERE/WHEN: Rebels Stadium, New Fairfield HS, 6 p.m.
RECORDS: New Fairfield 7-2, New Milford 6-3
THANKSGIVING SERIES: New Fairfield leads 10-3
2019 RESULT: New Fairfield 20-6
PLAYERS TO WATCH: NEW FAIRFIELD: Jason Caswell, Sr., RB/DB; Justin McCormack, Sr., Jr.; Thomas Leary, Jr., LB. NEW MILFORD: Reese Vanek, Sr., QB; Jeremy Santos, Jr., WR; Jayden Alfano, Jr., LB.
AT STAKE: The Candlewood Cup. A potential home game for New Fairfield in the upcoming Class S playoffs (the Rebels have already clinched a spot). For New Milford, it’s first cup win since 2017 and it’s first 7-win year since finishing 8-2 in 2001, back when coach Sean Murray played quarterback for Bunnell.
NOTRE DAME-FAIRFIELD AT POMPERAUG
WHERE/WHEN: Pomperaug High School, Southbury, 6:30 p.m.
RECORDS: Pomperaug 0-9, ND-Fairfield 6-2
THANKSGIVING SERIES: Tied 3-3
2019 RESULT: Pomperaug 47-33
PLAYERS TO WATCH: POMPERAUG: Anthony Kosheluk, Sr., DE/TE; David Evans,
Sr., OL/DL. NOTRE DAME-FAIRFIELD: Tayshawn Dixon, Sr., RB/LB; Jailon Denny, Sr., QB/ DB; Jonathan Williamson, Soph., RB/LB.
AT STAKE: A win clinches Notre DameFairfield a spot in the Class S playoffs: its first postseason berth since 2002. For Pomperaug, its first win of the season.
RIDGEFIELD AT DANBURY
WHERE/WHEN: Crotty Field at Clapboard Ridge, Danbury HS, 6 p.m.
RECORDS: Danbury 3-6, Ridgefield 4-5
THANKSGIVING SERIES: Ridgefield leads 13-4
2019 RESULT: Ridgefield 36-21
PLAYERS TO WATCH: DANBURY: Nick Smith, Sr., WR/DB; Artez Taft, Sr., WR/DB.
RIDGEFIELD: Justin Keller, Jr., QB; Kyle Colsey, Soph., WR/DB; Nick Wright, Sr,. WR/DB; Cam Smith, Sr., OL/DL.
AT STAKE: A chance to end a four-game losing streak for Ridgefield. The Tigers have won 14 of the last 16 meetings. For Danbury, its first series win since 2014.
STRATFORD AT BUNNELL
WHERE/WHEN: Mastroni Field, Bunnell HS, Stratford, 7 p.m.
RECORDS: Bunnell 6-3, Stratford 3-6
THANKSGIVING SERIES: Bunnell leads 41-21
2019 RESULT: Bunnell 43-0
PLAYERS TO WATCH: BUNNELL: Theodore Lanham III, Sr., QB/DB; Michael Trovarelli, Jr., RB/DB; Nick Demanche, Sr., LB. STRATFORD: Tristen Pena, Jr., RB/CB; Syair James, Sr., RB/DE.
AT STAKE: The Manning E. Harvey Trophy. For Bunnell, a fifth-straight win in the series. For Stratford, its first win since 2015.
SEYMOUR AT WOODLAND
WHERE/WHEN: Woodland Regional High School, Beacon Falls, 6 p.m.
RECORDS: Woodland 5-4, Seymour 7-2
THANKSGIVING SERIES: Tied 9-9
2019 RESULT: Woodland 16-0
PLAYERS TO WATCH: WOODLAND: Nate Bodnar, Sr., WR/DB; Darren Gasparri, Jr., QB; Mason Mastropietro, Soph., WR. SEYMOUR: Cade Drezek, Jr., QB; Caleb Nimo-Sefah, Sr., RB; Sean Foster, Sr., WR/DB; AJ Deicicchi, Sr., LB.
AT STAKE: A win and Seymour clinches a spot in the Class S playoffs. A loss, and the Cats can still get in with some bonus help.
GUILFORD AT DANIEL HAND
WHERE/WHEN: Surf Club, Madison, 6 p.m.
RECORDS: Hand 6-3, Guilford 6-3
THANKSGIVING SERIES: Hand leads 41-5-1
2019 RESULT: Hand 61-6
PLAYERS TO WATCH: HAND: Seth Sweitzer, Sr., WR/DB; Patch Flanagan, Sr., QB; Ethan O’Brien, Sr., RB; Brendan Walsh, Sr., LB.
GUILFORD: Eric Dolmus, Sr., WR/DB; Michael O’Brien, Jr., RB/LB; Aiden McBrierty, Sr., LB.
AT STAKE: A spot in the Class L playoffs for Hand. The Tigers can get in with a win and some help, Masuk losing to Newtown should do the trick. For Guilford, its first series win since 2006.
— Pete Paguaga and Sean Patrick Bowley