It is Survival Sunday in the CIAC Playoffs. The state semi-finals are upon us and there are some unbelievable match-ups on tap. All six classes have a championship caliber game. It should be a great day of football.
Here is our preview.
Class LL
Southington Blue Knights at Staples Wreckers: Staples survived last week against Fairfield Prep and their reward is facing off against Southington and their high flying offense. The quarterback match up of Caleb Smith vs. C.J DiBenedetto makes this game one of the top match ups of the day. Defense wins championships and if that’s the case, the edge goes to Staples but their offense has to be much better than it was last week. I am going to take the Wreckers in this one but Smith and company will need to make a lot more big plays than they did last week.
#3 West Haven Blue Devils at #3 Greenwich Cardinals: Tough draw for the Cardinals. Rocco Grillo and company overcame an early deficit last week against Stamford and blew them out 47-21.
Greenwich cannot afford to fall behind against a West Haven team that has played a tough schedule and the addition of Camren Kemp, who rushed for 1,158 yards has been huge. The Blue Devils are balanced which make their offense tough to defend. Quarterback Nick Conlan and wide receiver Armani Reid have connected for 11 touchdowns passes this season so the Greenwich defense will be busy.
Despite that, the Cardinals are explosive enough to win a shootout or a slog. The weather could be a factor so look for Greenwich to run Ian Kim a bunch and lean on their offensive line. It should be enough to help them win a close game.
Class L
#8 Darien Blue Wave at #4 Newtown Nighthawks: Such an intriguing match-up. Darien was impressive last week in their upset win over Naugatuck. Sophomore quarterback Ben Rolapp has been the driving force behind the Blue Wave’s resurgence on offense after struggling early on.
Newtown survived last week thanks to a last two-point conversion against Shelton. The Nighthawks offense has been up and down at times but is certainly capable of blowing this game open.
All that being said, I think the two defenses will be the key in this game. Jack Chappa and J.J Haddick will have to play well for Newtown to win this game. They have been outstanding on both sides of the ball all season long.
I don’t think we’ll see a game that matches their 2019 Class LL playoff game but I think it’ll be a good game. I’m riding the Blue Wave to the state title game.
#3 Maloney Spartans at #2 New Canaan Rams: It is a rematch of last year’s championship game, which New Canaan won 16-13. The game features two of the best players in Connecticut in Maloney’s Donte Kelly and Alex Benevento. Both are special playmakers who are the driving force of their respective offenses.
Kelly is a dude. He can score in any way possible and change the complexion of a game on one play. Look for the Rams to double him in certain situations.
Both teams scored 49 points last week but look for this game to be a much lower scoring game. The playmakers will make their plays offensively but the team whose defense plays the best in the second will determine the winner. My money is on New Canaan to pull off another close win.
Class MM
#5 North Haven Nighthawks at #1 Windsor Warriors: Both teams have dealt with adversity this season. Despite that, they have persevered and are one win away from a state title game appearance.
Windsor cruised past Bunnell last week, 41-19. The Warriors have been a juggernaut offensively all season long and they are going to be a tough out.
North Haven had a big win over West Haven earlier this season and beat Fitch twice. Despite that, they still don’t get as much respect as they should.
If they are going to pull off the upset, North Haven is going to have to lean on their running backs and play keep away in terms of time of possession. If they cannot do that, it could be a long afternoon.
Controlling the clock is one thing. Scoring points is another. It takes a lot of points to beat Windsor. I don’t think North Haven scores enough in this one.
#3 Wilton Warriors at #2 Masuk Panthers: Great match up here between two high powered offenses. The key is going to be which defense steps up and gets key stops in key moments of the game.
Masuk of course is led by senior running back Jason Champagne and senior quarterback Rob Klein. Both have made plays all season and have kept the Panthers high flying offense on schedule.
As good as Masuk has been on offense, their defense has been just as good. The same can be said for Wilton’s defense. They’ve had some tough moments but the Warriors defense pitched three shutouts this season.
Can they slow down Masuk? Yes but the offense has to score at least 28 because that’s what it’s going to take to beat the Panthers.
I think Wilton’s defense rises to the occasion and the offense does just enough to lead them to a state title game.
Class M
#4 ATI United at #1 Daniel Hand Tigers: Daniel Hand has been rolling since an opening week loss to Bunnell. Last week, the Tigers knocked off a tough St. Joe’s team.
ATI hung 55 on Northwest United in a blowout win. Despite that, Hand is a different beast. They play great defense and have the ability to posses the ball and sustain drives. It will take a lot for ATI to pull off the upset.
That is why I am riding with Daniel Hand. They have been the best team in Class M all season long and they’ll keep things rolling to the state title game.
#6 Holy Cross Crusaders at #2 Rockville Rams: Holy Cross is a tough semi final match-up for Rockville because of their big play ability. Wide receivers Marques Campbell and freshmen Desean Greaves are tough to match up against.
Rockville has leaned on its defense all season long but that defense will be tested in this game. The Rams will need to win the time of possession battle if they want to win this game.
That is going to be tough to do against the big play Crusaders. Give me Holy Cross in this one.
Class SS
#8 Watertown Warriors at #5 GNH: Watertown won its first playoff game in 37 years last week so they have some momentum coming in. Quarterback Brady Gambee and running back Ty Housen power the offense. An offense that struggled early on but got better as the season went on.
GNH is led by senior running back Aiden Avenia. Their offense goes as he goes. GNH won four in a row to close the season and were impressive in their win over Tolland last week. Their defense has been terrific down the stretch.
It was why I am picking GNH in this one despite losing to Watertown earlier this season, 12-7.
#7 Joel Barlow Falcons at #6 Sheehan Titans: Great match-up. Top five game of the day in my opinion. Sheehan was impressive last week in a 33-0 win over Windham. Barlow escaped with a 13-6 win against Conigchaug.
Sophomore running back Brady Rossacci leads an explosive Sheehan offense. He had a breakout season as a freshmen last season and topped it this season rushing for 1,939 yards and 24 touchdowns.
Barlow plays good defense so they should be able to slow down Sheehan a little bit I am not sure they score enough to win this game. Give me the Titans in this one.
Class S
#4 Cromwell-Portland Panthers at #1 Ansonia Chargers: Terrific match up but full disclosure, I wouldn’t normally pick against the Chargers but they are so banged up right now, I’m not sure I can pick them.
Cromwell-Portland is coming a nice playoff win over Griswold-Wheeler. Senior running back Emeka Yearwood was the focal point of the Panthers offense once again and he will be in this one as well.
It is hard to pick against powerhouse Ansonia but given how banged up they are, I’m leaning that way despite yearning for a championship match up against Bloomfield.
#6 Notre Dame-Fairfield Lancers at #2 Bloomfield WarHawks: Tough match up for Bloomfield. The Lancers are skilled and could pose match up problems.
Bloomfield boasts the dynamic duo of Davien and Davion Kerr. Davien scored four touchdowns in Tuesday night’s playoff win.
NDF was struggling offensively until Tuesday night’s 35-0 over Oxford but they will have their hands full with a Warhawks D that shut down MSW on Tuesday. That is why I’m riding with Bloomfield in this game. Hawks get back to the state title game.