Something doesn't add up here Medic..this was prominent last night on the Courant's web site This morning..less than 12 hours after I read it for the first time; I had to use Google to find it. The CIAC is a absolute joke no question about it:
Kevin Caliendo said:
Kevin Caliendo said:
I think Darien is the best team in the state. Southington is not as good defensively as they were last year. Darien can score and they're one of the best defensive teams in the state and the best defense player in the state. Shelton has been decimated by injuries to some of their best skill players. Shelton's also vulnerable on defense against teams with athletes and they played a below average SCC schedule this year. They beat three GOOD teams in Prep, NDWH and West Haven. The other seven wins were against bad teams. Hand and Xavier were not very strong this year. So, I don't think you can use them to make a strong argument. I think they have a tough first round matchup against an aangry Westies team looking to avenge a midseason loss to the Gaels (48-27). C. Kanios and S. Kirk accounted for 200 receiving yards in that game, both are done for the year. Shelton's RB, P. Hoff (dislocated elbow) is expected back on Tuesday. While QB, Z. Tuskowski (sprained ankle) returned on Thanksgiving (7-12, 196 yds, 3 TDs, all in first half) in a 49-0 rout of Derby. I think Shelton can still get to he finals, but their injuries are too great to win it all.
I know people on here want to see them get knocked off, but Ansonia will be in the Class S Final. They will maul Capital Prep and Trinity Catholic will have trouble stopping them in the semis. Trinity Catholic gives up far too many points. Bagley and Bailey are seniors, they're motivated by blowing a two score lead in the loss to Valley Regional last year Class S Large Final, and they are a handful for Class S schools. Ansonia plays at a different level then most other Class S schools. They are relentless on defense and they just pound on your defensive front. For what it's worth, Ansonia gave North Haven, Shelton, and NDWH all they could handle in preseason scrimmages. Depending on who you talk to, Ansonia physically manhandled NH and NDWH. Shelton held most of their starters out in the Ansonia scrimmage. So, take that one with a grain of salt. Seymour will also be a handful for teams, including Ansonia, if they can get by the Warhawks. Seymour QB, J Kelley is very good running Seymour's offense. He's a dual-threat. At 5'11, 200, he's a load and he's got some talented WRs. Bloomfield will have trouble with East Catholic in their opener. They beat EC earlier this year 38-32. A Bloomfield/Seymour semi final will be a shootout. The winner will give Ansonia a challenge. Seymour played Ansonia close in their first meeting before Ansonia pulled away late.
I was tempted to pick Wethersfield over NH. I agree Windsor/NC winner lifts the plaque. NF/Brookfield would be a great rematch, if they meet in the final. Brookfield is healthier, but St Joe's and Ledyard always seem to be in the mix. Ledyard is massive upfront and scores in bunches. Brookfield has not been great defensively this year. Maybe the injuries have something to do with that, but I think Ledyard and St Joe's experience in the playoffs gets them into the finals. I wouldn't be surprised if Ledyard took the title. I just like DelVecchia and his staff.
You're right.....St Joe's and Ledyard would meet in the semis. I was thinking the winner of that match up wins it all. I meant to put St. Joe's over Brookfield in Class M final, but I wouldn't be surprised if Ledyard wins it. Yeah, the Cadets had some ugly wins, but their coaches will have them prepared. They've won it before with 2-3 losses.
I think you can say the same for the SCC, which usually has five or six really good teams. Other then Shelton and NH, the league was way down. Prep, Xavier, West Haven, and Hand were not as good as they've been in recent years. NDWH is ok, but I wouldn't say they're up there with Shelton and NH. Cheshire has been competitive but they're far from what they were 20-years ago.
Harding will have a tough time with NDWH. The Constitution State Conference has nothing that prepares Harding for a game like this. I know Harding has some young talent but I don't think this one's even close. Ragani and Lupoli are studs.
No sleeping, i like NDWH, they have a very tough semi-final against Windsor/NC winner. There is just something about Southington that doesn't impress me. I've seen them twice and haven't been wowed. Same can be said about New Canaan this year. They are both very good, but not as strong as last year. They both have great offensive systems and can outscore just about anyone, their defenses are a little suspect. With the right match ups they can both win it all.
You nailed it. I know Harding scrimmaged some FCIAC teams in the preseason and held their own, but the CSC is so bad it's actually a detriment to them. Pfommachanh is definitely a DI prospect if he continues to make strides in the off-season. He has some nice wr's and some size on the lines, but no competition during the regular season.
