Sports Corner
Thanksgiving High School Football Preview
- Wethersfield @ Newington

       There is bound to be hype whenever Wethersfield and Newington play in any sporting event. The bordering schools will continue their storied gridiron rivalry next Wednesday night.

       Wethersfield won last season’s game 16-14 under the lights at Central Connecticut State University on the evening prior to Thanksgiving. The game was played in adverse weather conditions and Wethersfield’s Richard Williams (now a junior) thwarted a late Newington drive with an interception to seal the victory. It was the Eagles’ first victory over Indians since 2010. Dating back to 2004, Newington has won seven of the 10 contests in the series.

       This season’s matchup has a lot of implications. Newington (5-5) is looking to close out head coach Eric Hennessey’s first season on the sidelines with a sixth victory, which would give the team a winning record. The Indians are coming off a disappointing 26-14 loss to New Britain.

       Wethersfield (10-0) is looking to polish off an undefeated regular season and win their 17th game in a row, dating back to last season. The team has an eye on the Class L playoffs, which start in early December. The Eagles are fresh off a 56-21 pasting of East Hartford behind six touchdown passes from Matt Sanzaro, which bring the senior signal caller’s season total to 28.

       The matchup should be fun to watch because both teams like to air it out. Sanzaro and Newington’s Jake Hedberg are two of the better field generals in the state and have a plethora of receiving talent at their disposals. Weather aside, the game could come down to which team has the ball last.

       Hold off putting that pumpkin pie in the oven, because the showdown at Newington High School kicks off at 6:30 p.m.

       Rocky Hill @ Northwest Catholic

       Rocky Hill and Northwest Catholic have developed an intense rivalry. That football feud gets renewed on Thanksgiving morning. Rocky Hill has won the last three contests, including last season’s 21-6 Turkey Day victory. The Indians of Northwest Catholic had won the previous three contests prior to last season.

       The Terriers (5-5) are hoping to end their season on a high note, which would give head coach Mark Fritz a winning record as he concludes his first season patrolling the sidelines. They are coming off of a 35-8 demolition of Rockville, behind five touchdowns from senior Dave Sevigny.

       The West Hartford-based Indians are in the midst of their best season since 2006. They have won nine of ten games and are fresh off of an impressive 30-22 win over Platt, behind senior running back Delano Robinson’s 303 rushing yards and three touchdowns. A home win over Rocky Hill would almost assure them a spot in the Class S postseason.

       The game is scheduled to be played in West Hartford, but last year’s contest was moved at the last-minute due to poor field conditions at Northwest Catholic High School. So check your local listings for any changes. You might want to DVR that darn parade, because kickoff is scheduled for 10 a.m.

       Cromwell @ Coginchaug Regional

       Do you want to see a budding football rivalry while the turkey roasts in the oven? Well, you’re in luck, because Cromwell and Coginchaug Regional will clash for the fifth straight morning on Thanksgiving. Cromwell won the first three meetings by a combined 116-48, but the Durham-based Blue Devils snapped the streak last year, winning 35-6.

       Cromwell (6-4) enters the game having won three in a row following a 26-14 victory over Haddam-Killingworth. The Panthers have a chance to finish the season with four straight wins, but it will take a monumental effort, because Coginchaug has won eight of ten games this season, including a 36-7 win over Nonnewaug last week.

       Fireworks aren’t normally associated with Thanksgiving, but expect plenty of them in this contest. Coginchaug is averaging 32 points per game and Cromwell is averaging 27 per contest.

       Kickoff is 10 a.m.

       Questions or comments? Email josh@rarereminder.com
MORE SPORTS NEWS  |  STORY BY JOSH HOWARD  |  Nov 19 2014  |  COMMENTS?