HS FB - Week Five preview

Wethersfield @ Maloney
 
Two of the state’s best teams lock horns for an epic midseason game. Wethersfield brings their unblemished record to Meriden to visit the equally impressive 4-0 Maloney Spartans. The winner will have a leg up in the race for a Class L postseason berth.
 
Wethersfield destroyed Maloney 53-8 last season behind a balanced offense which totaled 260 yards through the air and amassed 248 more on the ground. However, this isn’t your grandmother’s Spartans; they have dismantled their opponents this year to the tune of 162-67. Maloney is fresh off of a 22-0 shutout of E.O. Smith and is led offensively by junior quarterback Chris Dingwell.
 
The classic showdown is Friday at Falcon Field in Meriden. Kickoff is 7 p.m.
 
Valley Regional @ Cromwell
 
Valley Regional has won three of the last four against Cromwell, including a 49-2 blowout last season. Justin Cheverier ran for three touchdowns and tallied 12 tackles (4 for loss) in the lopsided victory. Cheverier is now in the midst of his senior season and has been instrumental in the team’s 4-0 start.
 
Cromwell has won two straight after losing their first two contests. Sophomore running back Kristian Sapp has been a man on fire in the two wins and he will have to duplicate that feat this week against the stingy Warriors’ defense that has only surrendered 24 points in four games.
 
To see if Cromwell can pull the upset and make it three straight victories comes to Pierson Park on Friday night. Kickoff is 6:30 p.m.
 
Glastonbury @ Newington
 
Glastonbury has slowly built a football powerhouse. During that building process they have had tremendous success against Newington, winning all five games dating back to 2009. Last season, they intercepted quarterback Jake Hedberg three times and held the Indians to a mere 13 yards on the ground in a 33-0 shutout.
 
Newington started the season winning two games, but they have since hit a bump in the road, losing two consecutive. The Indians’ offense has struggled in the two-game skid, scoring only 16 points in eight quarters. Glastonbury lost their first two games, but they have bounced back with two straight shutout victories.
 
Both teams prefer to pass, so expect to see plenty of footballs fill the night sky this Friday. Kickoff is under the lights at 6:30 p.m.
 
Platt @ Rocky Hill
 
Platt handed Rocky Hill their only regular season loss last season. Panther’s running back Tyzhan Leatherwood ran for a school-record 350 yards and four touchdowns in the 47-14 victory. The lighting quick Leatherwood is now a senior and has helped Platt win three of their first four games this season.
 
Rocky Hill will try and control the ball on the ground in an effort to keep the ball away from the potent Platt offense. The Terriers have been successful at controlling time of possession over their last three games, all wins, including a wacky 7-6 overtime barnburner at Bloomfield last Friday. 
 
Rocky Hill returns home to McVicar Field after two straight road games. Kickoff is Friday at 7 p.m.
 
Xavier @ Amity
 
Xavier takes their undefeated record on the road to face upstart Amity. Xavier has won the last five games against the Woodbridge-based Spartans, scoring 40+ points in each game, including a 42-28 win last season.
 
Xavier remained undefeated after a 38-6 victory over Hillhouse. Quarterback Mike Scherer threw two more touchdown passes and has improved in each game this season, but it has been the Falcons defense that has carried the team. Through the first four games the defense has only surrendered 27 total points.
 
Amity may have their best team in years and have battled through a brutal early season schedule to post a 2-2 record. They have a balanced offense, led by fleet-footed quarterback Michael Devito and tailback D’Chaun Wilson. The team is coming off an impressive 31-0 blanking of Lyman Hall.
 
Kickoff is Friday night at 7 p.m.
 
Middletown @ Hartford Public
 
Middletown has won the last four games between the two schools, including last season’s 41-7 annihilation. This game should be interesting because the venue is Dillon Stadium, where Hartford Pubic has never lost a game. Which begs the question; why not play all your home games there?
 
Kickoff is Friday at 7 p.m.