Editor's note: each Thursday, Coaches Aid takes a look at the top games around the state in Game Tracker.
Trumbull may feel like it isn’t getting enough love from the media.
The Golden Eagles haven’t been able to crack the state’s top 10 despite posting three straight shutouts, including last week’s 21-0 victory over then-unbeaten Bridgeport Central, which came into that game averaging 47 points.
But that will change if Trumbull knocks off Greenwich on Friday (7 p.m.) This is a battle of 4-0 teams and the biggest game to date in the FCIAC this season with major state playoff implications. Three FCIAC teams rank in the top six of the Class LL standings – Staples (third), Trumbull (fourth) and Greenwich (sixth).
Something will have to give Friday. While Trumbull has allowed only one touchdown all season, outscoring its opponents 95-7, Greenwich has been running wild, averaging 41 points per contest. The Cardinals are ranked third in the state media poll.
Greenwich quarterback Mike Lefflbine already has passed for 11 touchdowns - and rushed for five more - while averaging more than 200 yards per game through the air. After a sub-par 8-3 season – by their standards – the Cardinals appear highly motivated to get back to the postseason.
Trumbull has been tough at home, however, winning 22 of its last 26 games at “The Mac”, as the Golden Eagles refer to McDougall Stadium.
Here’s a look at some other big games this weekend, as the season reaches the midpoint:
New London (4-0) at Fitch (4-0) Friday, 6:30 p.m.
New London continues its rugged four-game stretch that concludes next week against Montville. So far, the defending Class SS state champions have survived a pair of close calls - 12-6 over Ledyard and 14-13 last week against East Lyme. The Whalers can virtually clinch the ECC Large Division crown with a win over Fitch, whose schedule hasn’t been as tough as New London’s, although the Falcons played well in wins over Windham (31-6) and Norwich Free Academy.(35-14).
Berlin (4-0) at Simsbury (4-0) Friday, 7 p.m.
This is a battle of division leaders in the Central Connecticut, as Berlin tops Division III and Simsbury shares the lead with Glastonbury in Division I. The Trojans will look to slow down Berlin running back Max DeLorenzo, something no one has done with much success this season. Delorenzo leads the state in rushing yards (802) and is second in rushing touchdowns (10). He scored five TDs in last week’s 48-13 victory over Tolland. Simsbury is coming off a 45-14 victory at Middletown, as Kyle Decker ran for 105 yards and three touchdowns.
Newtown (4-0) at Pomperaug (4-0) Friday, 7 p.m.
Will Pomperaug finally get tested in this battle of unbeatens? Led by running back Ben Crick, the Panthers have been pounding opponents and putting away games early. Two weeks ago, they jumped out to a 28-0 first-quarter lead against Bethel en route to a 42-14 victory. Last wek, they opened a 35-7 halftime lead at Bunnell before cruising to a 43-14 win. Newtown rushed for 340 yards in last week’s 41-25 win over New Milford, as Kyle O’Connor and Louis Fenaroli each ran for nearly 100 yards. Friday’s winner moves into the driver’s seat in the SWC Colonial Division.
Woodland (3-1) at Holy Cross (4-0) Friday, 7 p.m.
Holy Cross continues to rely on defense and more defense. The Crusaders are allowing an average of under five points per game and blanked Torrington, 19-0, last week for its second shutout of the season. They do tend to one-dimensional on offense, however. Last week, Holy Cross gained more than 300 yards, but it was all on the ground. This could be the final major best for Holy Cross en route to the NVL Copper Division title. Games follow against Crosby, Sacred Heart and Kennedy. Two week ago, Woodland was routed by Wolcott, 42-7, two weeks ago, but rebounded with a 22-12 win over Watertown last week.
Ansonia (3-1) at Wolcott (4-0) Friday, 7 p.m.
Wolcott, coming off back-to-back routs of Woodland and Crosby, hosts Ansonia in a showdown for first place in the NVL Brass Division. This is a huge game for the Eagles, who have an opportunity to unseat perennial state power Ansonia as the top team in the Brass Division. The jury may still be out on how good this Ansonia team really is or is not. After losing to Holy Cross (21-13), the Chargers defeated Wilby, 49-28, last week in a game that wasn’t that close, as Ansonia gave up a pair of meaningless touchdowns in the fourth quarter. Montrell Dobbs rushed for 117 yards and two TDs on only nine carries, and also returned a kickoff 80 yards for a score.
Sheehan (3-1) at Cheshire (3-1) Friday 7 p.m.
Cheshire looks to rebound from last week’s crushing last-second 40-36 loss to Notre Dame-West Haven and stay in the thick of the state playoff race. There is nothing wrong with the Rams’ offense but they do need to tighten a defense that is yielding 25 points per game. Cheshire quarterback Greg Palmer has rushed for 10 touchdowns and an average of 150 yards per game while spearheading the Rams’ offense. Sheehan rolled up the highest point total so far in the state this season in last week’s 63-21 drubbing of East Haven, but the Titans step up in class this week. Still, quarterback Brett Biestek could provide some problems for Cheshire. Running back Zach Prefontaine rushed for 144 yards and four TDs against East Haven.
Manchester (3-1) at Rocky Hill (3-1) Friday, 7 p.m.
Another CCC inter-divisional battle featuring 3-1 teams looking to stay in the state playoff race. Manchester will try not to look ahead to next week’s contest at Conard that could decide the Division II title. One of three 3-1 teams in Division III, Rocky Hill plays at Berlin next week. The loser of this contest could be eliminated from both its division and playoff races.
BOYS’ SOCCER
Staples (10-1-0) at Ridgefield (8-1-0) Friday, 6 p.m.
This is the showdown everyone has been waiting for this season in the FCIAC, and it certainly could be a preview of next month’s FCIAC championship game. However, it won’t be a battle of unbeatens, as both the Wreckers and Tigers suffered their first losses of the season over the past week. Staples’ defeat was out of conference, as it fell at Brookfield, 3-1, on Saturday, while Ridgefield lost to FCIAC foe Wilton, 1-0, on Monday. The winner of Friday’s contest will have the inside track toward securing the top seed for the FCIAC playoffs.
GIRLS’ SOCCER
Lauralton Hall (10-0-1) at Immaculate (6-2-3), Saturday, 4 p.m.
The Crusaders put their undefeated record on the line against the defending Class S state champion Immaculate, which appears to be gaining momentum as the postseason approaches. The Mustangs, who started 0-1-2, have won four in a row and are unbeaten in their last five. Lauralton Hall’s run at a perfect season ended Tuesday, when the Crusaders settled for a 2-2 tie at Pomperaug.
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