- Wethersfield @ Hartford Public

       Wethersfield improved to 5-0 with a resounding 41-0 blanking of previously undefeated Maloney. Senior Tyler Nelson has his second consecutive outstanding performance, rushing for 160 yards and a touchdown. Quarterback Matt Sanzaro added a touchdown through the air and two more on the ground. The Eagles are firing on all cylinders and will now travel to the capital to play the Hartford Public Owls.

       The Owls are coming off a loss to Middletown and were hammered 40-16 by Wethersfield last season. Wethersfield’s defense harassed Hartford Public, forcing five turnovers and blocking a punt in the one-sided affair. The Eagles defense should be able to have similar success this season; they are allowing only 4.8 points per game and have shutout two opponents this season.

       The birds of prey battle is Friday at Dillon Stadium in Hartford. Kickoff is 7 p.m.

       Weaver @ Rocky Hill

       Rocky Hill is looking to shake off a home loss to Platt. The loss snapped a three-game winning streak for the Terriers, who are looking to get back on track against the winless Weaver Beavers.

       Weaver has lost all five games this season, including a loss to Berlin last weekend. Rocky Hill has beaten the Hartford-based Beavers by a combined 169-12 over the past four years. Grant Nieves had his breakout game against Weaver last season as a freshman, rushing for 65 yards on 14 carriers in a 49-12 victory. The sophomore has now teamed with senior Dave Sevigny and freshman Joe Catania to give the Terriers and multifaceted backfield trio.

       Dream Weaver will try and get through the night and pull the upset. Friday’s kickoff is 7 p.m.

       Newington @ South Windsor

       Newington is looking to halt a losing skid after dropping its third-straight game last Friday night, a 21-14 heartbreaker to Glastonbury. The Indians have the perfect opportunity this Saturday when they travel to play the winless South Windsor Bobcats.

       South Windsor has played well at times this season, despite losing all five of its games. The South Windsor offense has scored at least two touchdowns in four of its five games. Senior Deniro Edwards and sophomore Jake Sylvester have given the Bobcats a formidable offensive backfield.

       Newington has won the last three meetings between the schools, including a 52-36 fireworks show last season. Quarterback Jake Hedberg had his most productive game of the season, throwing for 459 yards and four touchdowns. He also ran for two scores in the lopsided victory.

       Kickoff for this conference collision is at South Windsor High School at 11 a.m.

       Coventry/Windham Tech/Bolton @ Cromwell

       Cromwell had won straight games before falling to Valley Regional/Old Lyme last Saturday. The Panthers now welcome the three-headed school monster Coventry/Windham Tech/Bolton to Pierson Park for an afternoon of football and fun.

       CWB started the season with a victory, but has since dropped its last four. The Patriots, much like the professional Patriots team, rely on their defense and a running game to be successful. They played Cromwell close last season, but ending up losing 20-14.

       Kickoff is Saturday at 1:35 p.m.

       West Haven @ Xavier

       Xavier and West Haven have developed a fierce rivalry over the years. Xavier had beaten West Haven four straight times before last season’s thrilling 35-34 overtime victory by West Haven. The win propelled the Blue Devils to the Class LL postseason and left Xavier on the outside looking in.

       Xavier is off to a fantastic start to the season, winning all five games, including a 28-10 victory over Amity last week. West Haven has won three of five games and is coming off of a 40-33 loss to Notre Dame. West Haven coach Ed McCarthy has announced that this will be his last season on the sidelines after amassing 329 wins during his tenure. McCarthy’s son, sophomore Tim McCarthy, is the team’s quarterback.

       Saturday’s game will be played on the field turf at Xavier High School. Kickoff is at 1 p.m.

       Bristol Central @ Middletown

       Middletown breezed by Hartford Public last Friday to win its third game in a row. Dario Highsmith has played exceptional during the three games, including a 169-yard performance on the ground against Hartford Public. The senior has tallied eight total touchdowns in the three wins.

       Bristol Central (3-1) is off to their best start since 2006 and is showing signs of the hardnosed team they were some forty years ago when coaching icon Thomas Bruni patrolled the sidelines. They will need to bring that toughness into Middletown, because the Rams have lost four years in a row to the Blue Dragons, including a 49-12 pasting last season.

       Kickoff is Friday at 7 p.m.

       Questions or comments? Email josh@rarereminder.com