 |
| Holy Cross senior quarterback Zach Brown Credit: Steven Valenti/Rep-Am |
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 |
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 |
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.
