Ansonia at Woodland – This one’s the premier league matchup in week one. Both teams are awfully young and inexperienced but led by an excellent player on both sides of the ball—Ansonia’s Montrell Dobbs and Woodland’s Jack DeBiase. Both of those guys will probably have their usual solid performances, so it will come down to their supporting casts and defenses. It should be interesting to see how both teams use the passing game; it might be more than we’re used to.
Picks: Kyle- Ansonia, 27-20. Remmy- Ansonia, 22-8.
Torrington at East Lyme – The Raiders boast a powerful running attack and have a stingy defense. East Lyme, from the ECC, posted a 10-2 record last season after being bounced from the Class MM playoffs by New Canaan. This will be a good road match-up for the Raiders, especially after having a tough time last season away from home.
Picks: Kyle- Torrington, 33-14. Remmy- Torrington, 27-26.
Seymour at Naugatuck – We know Naugy brings some speed to the table this year with a plethora of skill players sharing time on the field. Seymour is really down this season. The Cats are young and will not be playing with any pressure. If this game gets ugly, we can only imagine what will happen at New Canaan next month.
Picks: Kyle- Naugatuck, 28-13. Remmy- Naugatuck, 42-12.
Sacred Heart at Cheney Tech – NOT Sacred Heart at Pomperaug (Pomperaug would win that one). The NVL hopes to God that the Hearts don't lose to a tech school in order to save face in the non-conference.
Picks: Kyle- Sacred Heart, 50-12. Remmy- Sacred Heart, 62-14.
Holy Cross at Wilby – We have no official word yet on Holy Cross quarterback Zach Brown’s injury in last week’s scrimmage, but it doesn’t look like he’ll be playing in this one, at least. The talk on the Crusaders in the preseason has been their small size up front to pave the way for a two-headed running game with Brandon DiClemente and Dave DiGorgi. Wilby lost its best player in running back Devon Pruden, so we’ll have to see if the cupboard was left empty for the Wildcats.
Picks: Kyle- Holy Cross, 21-6. Remmy- Holy Cross, 18-0.
Kennedy at Watertown – This game will give us an indication of how good Watertown will turn-out this season. Kennedy won the Jamboree this past weekend, but that doesn’t really tell us much because the city schools aren’t close to being powerhouses - or are they?. One thing, though; Kennedy was without their best player.
Picks: Kyle- Watertown, 28-12. Remmy- Watertown, 34-20.
Picks: Kyle- Watertown, 28-12. Remmy- Watertown, 34-20.
Derby at St. Paul – We’ve heard plenty about Derby in the preseason, but now will be the time to start showing that it can be an above-.500 team. The Raiders bring back quarterback Ray Kreiger and some good two-way players in Zach Salazar, Jonathan Haydu, Rashawn Hendricks, and Jacob Tomczak. St. Paul lost a lot from last year’s squad, but I’ve been told by some to look out for the Falcons as a sleeper.
Picks: Kyle- Derby, 21-14. Remmy- St. Paul, 30-13.
Crosby at St. Joe’s – The Bulldogs travel to Trumbull this year to face the reigning class S champs. The only difference this year is the Cadets will be without their all-state RB/LB, Tyler Matakevich, as he is still nursing a foot injury. Many feel the Cadets will still clean-house with the Bulldogs despite their loss.
Picks: Kyle- St. Joseph, 42-20. Remmy- Crosby, 19-17.
Wolcott at Killingly – Wolcott is nearly everybody’s preseason favorite to win the league championship. The Eagles bring back a heck of a lot from last year’s Brass Division champion, including quarterback Dom Gambino and most of its skill and line players. Could this finally be the year when Wolcott comes through on its potential?
Picks: Kyle- Wolcott, 48-7. Remmy- Wolcott, 51-0. No, really.
League Predictions
Kyle
Brass Division
1. Wolcott (10-0, 6-0)
2. Watertown (8-2, 5-1)
3. Ansonia (7-3, 4-2)
4. Derby (4-6, 3-3)
5. Crosby (5-5, 2-4)
6. Seymour (1-9, 1-5)
7. Wilby (0-10, 0-6)
Copper Division
1. Woodland (8-2, 6-0)
2. Naugatuck (9-1, 5-1)
3. Torrington (6-4, 4-2)
4. Holy Cross (5-5, 3-3)
5. Sacred Heart (4-6, 2-4)
6. St. Paul (1-9, 1-5)
7. Kennedy (1-9, 0-6)
NVL Championship: Wolcott over Woodland
Remmy
Brass Division
1. Wolcott (9-1, 5-1)
2. Watertown (8-2, 4-2)
3. Ansonia (7-3, 4-2)
4. Crosby (5-5, 3-3)
5. Derby (3-7, 2-4)
6. Seymour (2-8, 2-4)
7. Wilby (1-9, 1-5)
Copper Division
1. Naugatuck (8-2, 5-1)
2. Torrington (8-2, 4-2)
3. Holy Cross (6-4, 4-2)
4. Woodland (5-5, 3-3)
5. Kennedy (4-6, 3-3)
6. St. Paul (3-7, 1-5)
7. Sacred Heart (2-8, 1-5)
NVL Championship: Wolcott over Naugatuck
