hs fb - week eight preview

Cromwell @ Lewis Mills
 
Cromwell (3-4) has had an up and down season. Last week was a down week, allowing 527 rushing yards in a 45-24 loss to Hyde Leadership. This week they have a chance to point the arrow upwards when they travel to face the winless Lewis Mills Spartans.
 
The Burlington-based Spartans have a solid offense led by quarterback Lucas Lanning, but their defense has let them down in their seven losses, surrendering 46 points per game. The conferences foes did not play each other last season, but Cromwell defeated Lewis Mills the previous three seasons by a combined score of 160-47.
 
Muzzy Field in Bristol is the site of Saturday’s showdown. Kickoff is at 1 p.m.
 
Newington @ Southington
 
Newington has righted the ship, winning their last two games. The Indians are coming off of a nail-biting 20-18 victory over East Hartford. Jake Hedberg threw two of his three touchdowns passes to Andrew Grenier in the two-point win. It will take a monumental effort to win their third straight, because they have to travel to play nemesis Southington, who has won fourteen straight games (including the 2013 Class LL State Championship) dating back to last season. 
 
Southington has also defeated Newington in each of the last five meetings, including a convincing 56-20 win last season. Grenier hauled in seven passes for 168 yards and a touchdown in the defeat. However, Newington was ultimately doomed by five turnovers and a blocked field goal.
 
Newington’s defense will have their hands full with Southington’s junior quarterback Jasen Rose, who has thrown 25 touchdowns compared to only 6 interceptions with season. Kickoff is Saturday at 1 p.m.
 
Rocky Hill @ Bristol Central
 
Rocky Hill had quietly won four of five games before last Friday’s 44-22 upset loss to Plainville. Dave Sevigny had 80 rushing yards and two touchdowns for the Terriers, but the team’s normally reliable defensive front-seven had trouble stopping Plainville’s ground game. 
 
The Terriers next test is Bristol Central (4-2), who is coming off their first victory over Farmington since the Reagan Administration. Rocky Hill has won the last three games versus the Rams of Bristol, including a 35-0 blanking last season. Defensive back Jason Carducci had his coming of age game in the win, recording six tackles and intercepting his first pass at a varsity level. Carducci is now a junior and a leader of the feared Rocky Hill secondary.
 
Muzzy Field is the scene for a spooktacular Halloween night game. Kickoff is 7 p.m.
 
 Wethersfield @ RHAM
 
Wethersfield remained undefeated with an easy victory over the Fermi Falcons.  Now the Eagles turn their attention to conference rival RHAM, who has struggled this season---losing five of seven games. However, the Hebron-based Sachems are coming of their best performance of the season, a 50-18 whitewash of Bulkeley/Hartford Magnet Trinity College Academy.
 
Wethersfield has defeated RHAM in each of their head-to-head games over the past four seasons. This includes last season’s 34-7 drubbing when quarterback Matt Sanzaro threw four touchdowns to four different receivers. The Wethersfield defense also played spectacular in the win, registering four sacks and recovering four RHAM fumbles.
 
RHAM High School Athletic Center is the venue for Saturday’s game. Kickoff is 1 p.m.
 
 Middletown @ Farmington
 
Middletown is one of the hottest teams in the state, winners of five straight. The Blue Dragons latest victory was a 21-6 triumph over Maloney. Dario Highsmith again had a monster game and has combined to tally 472 yards and six touchdowns on the ground over the past two weeks. The team will look to make it six straight wins when they travel to play the Farmington Indians.
 
Farmington is in the midst of a rare down season, losing five of seven games. Middletown has defeated the Indians of Farmington in each of the last two seasons, but both games have been close. The Blue Dragons needed a phenomenal defense effort, surrendering only 46 rushing yards in a 21-7 victory last season.
 
Ghosts, goblins, and goal posts will be on display Friday night in Farmington. Kickoff is 7 p.m.
 
 Daniel Hand @ Xavier
 
Xavier welcomes Madison’s Hand Tigers to Palmer Field for a Halloween hoedown. The Falcons are returning home after losing their first game of the season, a 27-24 loss to Notre Dame. The Xavier defense played well, but two interception returns for touchdowns by Notre Dame doomed the previously unbeaten Falcons.
 
Hand has uncharacteristically struggled this season, losing five of seven games. In order to pull the upset the Tigers will need a big game from junior quarterback Nick Van Dell, who leads the team in passing and rushing yards. Hand lost only three regular season games last season, but one of them was to Xavier (28-14.) The Falcons defense frustrated the Tigers offense, intercepting three passes.
 
Fright night’s kickoff is 7 p.m. It’ll be a scream.