What Remmy has seen:
Ansonia- The Chargers are without a doubt the top team in the NVL this season. Ansonia has shown the ability to score at will. If there's anything wrong with this team, it is its pass defense. This is a young, well-coached, undefeated bunch that still plays with chips on their shoulders every time they step onto the football field.
Naugatuck- Having seen the Hounds twice this season, I have to say this is the most explosive team in the NVL. Naugy has exceptional athletes on both sides of the ball and have the ability to score by run or pass on any given play. This is also a very squad on special teams. Coaching has been suspect, according to many people in the Valley (Naugatuck fans included).
What Kyle has seen:
Ansonia- Just when we think Ansonia is going to have a down year, the Chargers pull what they have this year. It's credible to see what Montrell Dobbs and Tom Brockett have led a bunch of young kids with very minimal varsity experience to do this year. Their running game is one of the best in the league and they have an underrated passing game. Their defense certainly isn't the best in the league, but they get stops when they need them.
Naugatuck- I thought Naugatuck was playing the best football in the league for about the first seven weeks of the season. The Hounds have the most weapons of any team in the league and can really run or pass the ball. The aerial attack is Naugy's strength, though, and Erich Broadrick is quietly one of the best leaders in the NVL. The Hounds' defense really isn't too bad, either, and is probably better than Ansonia's, particularly in the defensive backfield.
Remmy's keys to the game:
Ansonia- The key isn't to run Dobbs down Naugy's throat. It's to limit Naugy's time of possession. The Chargers have the ability to score every time Dobbs carries the ball. However, the fewer plays Ansonia allows Naugy to run, the better I'd feel about the Chargers' chances on Turkey Day. Beware of Naugy's receivers. Berger and Conklin should not be ignored. On the other hand, if the Chargers are having a field day running the ball, Naugy will likely go to man coverage. Chudwick needs to be able to recognize this and pop a pass or two over the defense to keep them honest. We could see a big game from Chudwick and his receivers with Naugy obviously focusing more on Dobbs.
Naugatuck- Win the turnover battle and make a big play on special teams to take the crowd out of the game. Don't be shell-shocked if Dobbs makes a couple of big plays early in the game. This happened with Wolcott and completely flustered the Eagles. Try to get the ball to Conklin. Conklin is 6'4'' and Ansonia's tallest defensive back is 6'2''. This mismatch could prove to be the difference in this game.
Kyle's keys to the game:
Ansonia- I don't think it's necessary for the Chargers to get on top early in this one. We saw Ansonia storm back from a huge early deficit to Derby and this is a team that doesn't ever pack it in. Whatever type of game this is, whether high-scoring or hard-hitting, Ansonia will be in it. There's no reason for the Chargers not to use what got them here, and that's Dobbs. The play-calling this year has been very good as far as I've seen, using a heavy dose of Dobbs and countering with some well-timed passes by Elliot Chudwick. I think the onus in this game falls on Ansonia's defense. We'll see how well the Chargers can stop Naugy's passing game, because it's inevitable by about the second or third quarter that the Hounds' offense will be more pass than run.
Naugatuck- The key is what it is for every team that plays Ansonia--limit Dobbs and you can win. If you keep the kid under 200 yards, you'll be right in this game and very likely ahead at the end. I'd like to see Naugatuck stick with the run a little more. I thought the Hounds abandoned it too early against Sacred Heart and Woodland and I think that really hurt them in both games. I know Rob Plasky has the utmost confidence in Broadrick's arm, but he's got some really good running backs that can soften the Chargers' defense and set up the play-action pass perfectly. I think it's also more important for Naugy to get on top early because the Greyhounds haven't showed the ability to come from behind (although they haven't needed to much).
Remmy's pick: Ansonia, 34-19.
Kyle's pick: Ansonia, 21-20. As much as it pains me to do that, use it as motivation, Naugy.
Final playoff projections are coming up very soon.
Final playoff projections are coming up very soon.
