The CIAC playoffs in all six classes kickoff on Tuesday night. There are several intriguing round one match-ups.
Class LL
#1 Staples vs. #8 Fairfield Prep: The Wreckers beat Greenwich on Thanksgiving to secure the number one seed in Class LL. On paper they are one of the most talented teams in the state led by Caleb Smith. They are explosive on offense and can break a game open with their big play ability. Staples takes on a Fairfield Prep team that won four in a row to close out the season. The Jesuits are playing their best football of the season and are more than capable of “hanging” with the Wreckers in this one. I think Staples wins but FP will give them a run for their money.
#2 Greenwich vs. #7 Stamford: Greenwich lost to Staples on Thanksgiving and that cost them the number one seed. Despite that, the Cardinals are well positioned to make a deep playoff run. Stamford is back in the playoffs for the first time in 28 years. They have won four in a row and during that streak, they are averaging 37.5 points per game. Greenwich is going to have to lean on their ground to shorten this game a little. The Black Knights are coming in hot but in the end, the defending champs are at home and they are better.
#3 West Haven vs. #6 New Britain: West Haven is predominately a junior team but they have a talented senior class and they are well positioned to make a playoff run in this group. In order to do that, they will need to slow down New Britain’s big play offense. The Blue Devils can play any style offensively so if they need to grind the clock in this one, they can. I suspect we will have a high scoring game and if that’s the case, I am not picking against West Haven at home.
#4 Manchester vs. #5 Southington: Manchester is the higher seed but it is tough to pick against Southington and their high flying offense. C.J DiBenedetto and company have been slowed down of late and are coming into this game losers of two of their last three games, but they have arguably the best passing game in the state and when their offense is on, they are tough to stop. Manchester will need to play mistake free and find a way to slow this game down.
Class L
#1 Naugatuck vs. #8 Darien: Naugatuck has been a wagon all season long. They have not scored under 35 points in a single game this season. Darien has leaned on their defense all season. They win the old fashioned way. This game will be a contrast in styles and one of the toughest games to pick in a any class. Andy Grant has revived Darien and it is hard to pick against the Blue Wave’s tradition but I think this Naugatuck team is special. I truly believe it is their year in Class L. I am taking the Greyhounds in this one.
#2 New Canaan vs. #7 Killingly: I love this match-up. In fact, this is my favorite match-up of the opening round. After a week one loss to Shelton, the Rams have rolled the rest of the season with the exception of a 20-13 OT win over Wilton. They will have their hands full with arguably the best running back in New England in Soren Reif and the Redmen running game but this New Canaan team is experienced, poised and has a talented skill group capable of making big plays. I think Reif will get his but the Rams ability to strike fast will turn this into a shootout win.
#3 Maloney vs. #6 South Windsor: The Spartans only loss this season was to Class LL powerhouse Greenwich. Donte Kelly and company have one of the most explosive offenses in the state. It why many think Maloney might actually be the team to beat in this bracket. The Bobcats are coming off an 8-2 season where they won a lot of close games. Unfortunately for them, they are going to have to figure out a way defensively to match up against this talented Maloney skill group. That might be too much to ask. I can see South Windsor going toe to toe early but the Spartans are just too skilled.
#4 Newtown vs. #5 Shelton: Another great match-up that might be too close to call. Both teams lost to West Haven and they have been in some high scoring games this season. Dan Farina’s Nighthawks are battle tested. They have won some big games, especially earlier in the season. The offense was better earlier in the season but they have slowed down of late. Shelton opened the season with an upset win over New Canaan and have won their fair share of close games this season. Ryan Kinik and the Gaels find ways to score points, especially in key times. This game will go down to the wire and in the end, I think Shelton goes on the road and picks up a big opening round win to advance.
Class MM
#1 Windsor vs. #8 Bunnell: Windsor boasts one of the top offenses in the state. The Warriors scored over 50 points in a game this season four times. Their only loss this season was to New Canaan. Bunnell has a couple of nice wins on their resume. The Bulldogs defense has played well this season but they have not faced an offense the caliber of Windsor’s. If Bunnell can somehow find a way to slow the game down, they can hang around for a bit. If Windsor gets going early, forget it. They will blow this open and pull away early.
#2 Masuk vs. #7 Cheshire: Tremendous first round match-up. Masuk has been good all season long but they face a stiff opening round test against a talented Cheshire team that has one of the top skill groups in the state. Jeffery Gonzalez and Matt Jeffery are a dynamic duo that can change the complexion of a game on one play. As good as Masuk has been this season, they have had games where they have had to win shootouts. Cheshire has the ability to run the football, shorten the game and lean on their defense. I suspect that is what we will see in this one. I expect this game to come down to the wire but I am taking Cheshire to win on the road and advance.
#3 Wilton vs. #6 Platt: Wilton has gone toe to toe with some of the best teams in the state. The Warriors are battle tested. Platt has played some close games but also had some blowout wins. Jason Bruenn’s squad is certainly capable of playing with Wilton and even pulling off the upset but they are going to need play mistake free football and they have to possess the ball for long stretches in the game. That is easier said than done. Give me Wilton in what should be a good game.
#4 Fitch vs. #5 North Haven: One of the few rematches in round one. North Haven beat Fitch 56-28 in Week 3. North Haven and their vaunted running game can be tough to stop. It is tough to match their physicality. Fitch is certainly capable of winning this game but they are going to need to turn this into a track meet and force North Haven to play from behind. Other team’s have tried and failed however. It is hard to beat a team twice in one season so New Haven will have it’s full, on the road nonetheless. Despite that, I still think they find a way to get it done and advance.
Class M
#1 Daniel Hand vs. #8 St. Joe’s: Juicy match up here. St. Joe’s isn’t exactly your run of the mill eight seed. They went 6-4 this season but their four losses were to Greenwich, Staples, Newtown and New Canaan. The Cadets are more than capable of pulling off the upset but it won’t be easy against a Daniel hand team that went 9-1 and boasts a defense that recorded six straight shutouts this season. St. Joe’s is going to have to win the line of scrimmage and they are going to need to make some big plays offensively. If they can’t, it will be tough to see them keeping up in this one. Despite that, I can see St. Joe’s pulling off the upset.
#2 Rockville vs. #7 Berlin: Rockville has been impressive this season offensively and they will pose a major challenge for a Berlin defense that gave up a bunch of points to quality opponents. this season. Berlin can certainly hang offensively. The question is, can their defense slow down a potent Rockville offense enough to pull off an upset and advance? I say no.
#3 SMSA Co-op vs. #6 Holy Cross: SMSA is one of the most balanced teams offensively and defensively in this playoff field. Holy Cross has a big play offense that can strike anytime but the Tigers have the necessary skill to match-up on the perimeter. Despite that, this game has upset potential. This Holy Cross team will be a tough out.
#4 ATI vs. #5 Northwest United: Beating a team twice in a seven day span is tough but if any program can do it, it is ATI. Both programs played similar schedules but as we saw last week, ATI’s skill group might be a little too much Northwest United. I think the Workhorses can play better but it is going to be hard to pick against ATI in this one.
Class SS
#1 Granby Canton vs. #8 Watertown: Granby Canton is coming off of a tough loss on Thanksgiving but the Bears still scored 28 in the loss and still look like the team they have been all season long. Watertown finished 5-5 this season but the Warriors have won their last two in a row and they have been good down the stretch. Getting a win at GB will be tough however because I do not think Watertown matches. Granby Canton should take care of business by three scores.
#2 Coginchaug vs. #7 Joel Barlow: Barlow comes in at 6-4 but they are not your average 6-4 team. The defending champs are poised to make another run but they have to get past a Coginchaug team that had a good season despite getting blown out in two losses. The question is, can they hold up against an offensive attack paced by Jack Gilbert and Scott Romano? I don’t think so. Barlow may not be who they were last season but they are good enough to win this game and advance.
#3 Windham vs. #6 Sheehan: Sheehan Sophomore Brady Rossacci leads one of the best rushing attacks in Connecticut. He has been terrific but the Titans have been inconsistent this season. Despite that, Sheehan is a team that is more than capable of going on the road and winning a playoff game against a Windham team that lost two of four down the stretch. I’m going Sheehan in what should a good game.
#4 Tolland vs. #5 GNH: Tolland won four of its last five games to secure its first playoff appearance in 16 years. GNH started 2-4 but played well and got in. The two teams are evenly matched and it will come down to the playmakers on both teams. Running back Aiden Avenia for GNH and quarterback Ryan Caminiti of Tolland figure to play a prominent role in this one.
Class S
#1 Ansonia vs. #8 WCA: Ansonia comes into this game banged up and maybe without its top two running backs. Despite that, they should be fine against a first time playoff participant in WCA. These two teams faced off on September 30th with Ansonia winning 42-7.
#2 Bloomfield vs. #7 NSM: Bloomfield had another solid season led by senior quarterback Darrien Foster and senior wide receiver Davion Kerr. The two spearhead one of the most potent offensive attacks in the state. NSM has made the playoffs six straight seasons and are far from a pushover but they will have their hands full against this talented Bloomfield team.
#3 Oxford vs. #6 Notre Dame Fairfield: Both programs opened the season with long, undefeated streaks. On paper, they should pretty evenly matched but from a skill standpoint, I give the edge to NDF thanks to the dynamic backfield of senior running back Antwan Davis and senior quarterback Bryson Razor. It is why I am picking the Lancers to win what should be a close game.
#4 Cromwell/Portland vs. #5 Griswold/Wheeler: One of the toughest games to pick because both teams are talented, experienced and similar. In games like this, you usually go with the home team and cannot go wrong taking Cromwell/Portland but this Griswold/Wheeler team is good and they have been consistent all year. We’re all thinking Ansonia, Bloomfield again but one of these two teams is certainly good enough to spoil the party.