Playoff Quarterfinals Predictions

Holy Cross senior quarterback Zach Brown
Credit: Steven Valenti/Rep-Am
Three teams will represent the Naugatuck Valley League in the state playoffs. No. 1 Ansonia and No. 7 Wolcott will compete in Class M, while No. 2 Holy Cross is the lone NVL team in Class S. The Chargers and Crusaders are general favorites to win championships in their respective classes.

All quarterfinal games will be Tuesday night at 6:30 p.m., and rain is expected throughout the day. Ansonia hosts No. 8 Bethel at Jarvis Stadium while Holy Cross hosts No. 7 Haddam-Killingworth at Municipal Stadium. Wolcott hits the road to No. 2 Ellington/Somers.
Ansonia senior quarterback Elliot Chudwick
Credit: Christopher Massa/Rep-Am
No. 1 Ansonia (11-0) vs. No. 8 Bethel (7-3): Bethel relies on its offense to win games. In its seven wins, Bethel has outscored its opponents, 298-196. In its three losses (to Pomperaug, Weston, and Newtown), Bethel has been outscored, 108-21. If the Wildcats are going to keep this game close, they will need to score a lot because it doesn't appear that they're going to slow down Arkeel Newsome. Bethel has a strong rushing attack with quarterback Brandon Schmidt (194 rush, 1,373 yds, 14 TD) and running backs Brian Birdsell (156 rush, 793 yds, 13 TD) and William Quinn (56 rush, 574 yds, 5 TD). Schmidt and Birdsell both have good size and strength, and reports tell us that the team runs option out of a number of different sets. The biggest key for Bethel will likely be its ability to chew up the clock on the ground and limit possessions. But it will be tough with Ansonia's very good defensive speed and strength. Jake LaRovera at defensive end will be important in this game, as well as the Chargers' linebackers. They have been up to task the entire season. While Ansonia might give up a score more than it's used to, Newsome and Co. should be able to score at will.
Picks: Remmy- Ansonia, 42-20. Kyle- Ansonia, 55-20.

No. 7 Wolcott (7-3) at No. 2 Ellington/Somers (10-0): Even though Wolcott is matched up with an undefeated team, the Eagles could not have gotten a much better draw than Ellington/Somers. The Knights are a solid team with a good defense, but their competition on the less-violent side of the Pequot Conference is not as strong at Wolcott has faced this season with teams like Torrington, Ansonia, and Holy Cross. Ellington/Somers allowed single-digit points in seven of 10 games and scored at least 27 points in eight of 10 contests. The Knights' leading rusher, Mitch Diresta, ran for 950 yards and nine touchdowns. While that may not seem like much, five other players ran for at least 160 yards and nine different players scored a rushing touchdown. Based on just a little video, it looks like Ellington/Somers runs some wing-T. The team has also intercepted 16 passes, so life might not be easy for Mike Nicol. The Eagles haven't been the best at stopping the run this season (see Torrington, Ansonia, Woodland, Holy Cross), but they will need to get some holds in this game. It will be tough for Nicol to win a playoff game all on his own, so Wolcott needs to get some other guys involved more consistently. If the Eagles have multiple players functioning on offense, they will likely have the advantage in athleticism and speed.
Picks: Remmy- Wolcott, 28-21. Kyle- Wolcott, 24-20.

No. 2 Holy Cross (9-2) vs. No. 7 Haddam-Killingworth (8-2): Haddam-Killingworth is almost a bit of a surprise entrant into the Class S playoffs. H-K was in position entering Thanksgiving eve, but few expected the upset over Valley Regional/Old Lyme that was necessary to clinch the playoff bid. But now that the Cougars are in the playoffs, Holy Cross will have to deal with one of the state's top rushers, Dan German. German has rushed 177 times for 1,724 yards and 22 touchdowns, and backup Nate Cruz has tacked on 488 yards and 11 scores. German has lost six fumbles, though, which can be a big problem against a playmaking Cross defense. H-K is a pounding type of team that can also play some pretty strong defense. The Cougars allowed more than 20 points only twice (to Cromwell and Hyde) and shut out a pretty explosive Valley Regional offense. Cruz is the big man on defense, racking up 100 tackles and three sacks on the season. Holy Cross' offensive line is very big, though, and its stable of backs should have room to run. It wouldn't be surprising with how physical both teams are if this game becomes one of field position and time of possession. Zach Brown is best known as the Crusaders' quarterback, but he was also one of the best punters in the NVL this season and that could be important in a ground-style game like this one could be.
Picks: Remmy- Holy Cross, 30-16. Kyle- Holy Cross, 21-13.
Wolcott junior quarterback Mike Nicol.
Credit: Steven Valenti/Rep-Am
Since it's playoff time, Kyle and Remmy also have the rest of the state's games in all classes picked.

Class LL
No. 1 Xavier (10-0) vs. No. 8 Glastonbury (8-2): Remmy- Xavier, 40-7. Kyle- Xavier, 42-13.
No. 2 Staples (9-0) vs. No. 7 Ridgefield (8-2): Remmy- Staples, 36-20. Kyle- Staples, 31-21.
No. 3 Hall (9-1) vs. No. 6 Newtown (8-2): Remmy- Hall, 30-28. Kyle- Newtown, 28-21.
No. 4 Conard (9-1) vs. No. 5 Norwalk (8-1): Remmy- Norwalk, 30-22. Kyle- Norwalk, 21-7.

Class L
No. 1 Windsor (10-0) vs. No. 8 Notre Dame-West Haven (8-2): Remmy- Notre Dame-West Haven, 28-20. Kyle- Windsor, 26-23.
No. 2 Daniel Hand (10-0) vs. No. 7 Coventry/Windham Tech (9-1): Remmy- Daniel Hand, 42-13. Kyle- Daniel Hand, 41-7.
No. 3 Masuk (10-0) vs. No. 6 North Haven (9-1): Remmy- Masuk, 49-20. Kyle- Masuk, 48-13.
No. 4 New London (9-1) vs. No. 5 New Canaan (9-1): Remmy- New London, 42-35. Kyle- New London, 41-35.

Class M
No. 3 Ledyard (9-1) vs. No. 6 Waterford (7-3): Remmy- Ledyard, 29-12. Kyle- Ledyard, 14-7.
No. 4 Berlin (9-1) vs. No. 5 Cheney Tech (9-1): Remmy- Berlin, 20-18. Kyle- Berlin, 41-7.

Class S
No. 1 Capital Prep/Classical Magnet (10-0) vs. No. 8 Cromwell (8-2): Remmy- Cromwell, 36-12. Kyle- Cromwell, 49-14.
No. 3 Valley Regional/Old Lyme (9-1) vs. No. 6 Rocky Hill (8-2): Remmy- Valley Regional/Old Lyme, 35-20. Kyle- Valley Regional/Old Lyme, 21-20.
No. 4 North Branford (9-1) vs. No. 5 Northwest Catholic (8-2): Remmy- Northwest Catholic, 28-20. Kyle- North Branford, 20-13.