Football: Four valley teams play under lights Friday night

Four Farmington Valley teams are in action on Friday night with undefeated Avon making its first-ever trip to Dillon Stadium in Hartford to face SMSA/University and Simsbury hoping to win its third in a row when they host Manchester at 7 p.m. Canton travels to Falls Village to face Housatonic/Wamogo while Bristol Central will host Farmington at historic Muzzy Field in Bristol. On Saturday, Granby hosts Windsor Locks/Suffield/East Granby at Aherns Field at 1 p.m.

Friday, September 28

Avon (2-0, 2-0 Pequot Uncas) at Sport Science Medicine Academy/University High School (0-1, 0-1), 6:30 p.m., Dillon Stadium, Hartford: In Avon’s first-ever appearance at Dillon Stadium in Hartford, the Tigerhawks will have to contend with Avon’s stout defense and its outstanding running game. In two games, the Falcons have allowed just 15 points and senior running back Colin Moore has run for 4 TDs and over 230 yards in both games. Moore set a single game school record with 293 yards last week in the win over Coventry/Windham Tech. After two weeks, Moore (525 yards) leads the state in rushing and is No. 2 in scoring with 8 TDs for 48 points. SMSA is quick and athletic but they managed just seven points in last weekend’s 47-7 loss to Ellington, which scored 4 TDs in the first quarter. Due to rain, postponed to Monday, 5:30 p.m. at Dillon Stadium

Canton (1-1, 1-1 Pequot Uncas) at Housatonic/Wamogo (0-2, 0-2), 7 p.m. The Warriors snapped a 13-game losing streak that dated back to 2010 with an 8-0 win Saturday night against Windsor Locks. Now, Canton tries for a second straight win under the lights in Falls Village. Canton will have to contend with the unique single wing formation that tries to confuse the defense to gain yardage on the ground and eat up the clock. The Warriors were pleased to pitch a shutout last Saturday against a Windsor Locks team that scored 40 points a week earlier against Housatonic. Canton hopes to get its offense flowing smoother behind backs Kyle Mullins, Dan Delos and Jesse LaChance and QB Eric Scott. Due to rain, postponed to Saturday night, 6:30 p.m. at Housatonic.

Manchester (2-0) at Simsbury (2-0), 7 p.m. After scoring just three points in an opening night win over Newington, Simsbury’s triple option veer offense was able to get more traction in a 21-0 win over Conard last week with 251 yards rushing. Cormack Mulshine (6 carries, 55 yards), Andrew Girard (9-50) and Brad Helmkamp were able to score TDs for Simsbury, which wants to control the ballgame with its running attack. Manchester, which outscored Hall, 34-21 and rolled past South Windsor, 38-7, will be on the road for the first time this year. QB Marquis Little was 15-of-23 for 229 yards and 3 TDs against South Windsor. TE Andrew Issacs and RB Elijah Udoh are explosive threats for the Indians.

Farmington (2-0, 1-0 CCC Div. II West) at Bristol Central (1-1, 0-1), Muzzy Field, 7 p.m. Farmington earned a hard-earned 17-7 win over Maloney last week, rushing for 171 yards on 38 carries. The Indians played well defensively with 69 tackles and five sacks. Ivan Guadalupe led Farmington with 113 yards on 23 carries and 1 TD. Farmington will be facing a Bristol Central squad that handled Bulkeley in its opener (29-0) but was manhandled in a 49-7 loss to speedy Windsor last week, giving up over 400 yards and managing just 70 yards of offense on its own. RB Tyler Burrow, who ran for 183 yards on 29 carries against Bulkeley, is a big threat for the Rams. Due to rain, postponed until Saturday at noon at Muzzy Field

Saturday, September 29

Windsor Locks/Suffield/East Granby (1-1, 1-1 Pequot Uncas) at Granby (0-1, 0-1), Aherns Field, 1 p.m. The Bears will have to contend with Windsor Locks’ outstanding running back Tristian Caulley, who ran for 3 TDs and 189 yards in 40-0 win over Housatonic in week 1. Caulley ran for 116 yards in the loss to Canton last week. “That is a rare kid,” Canton coach Paul Philippon said. “You take away his first read, his second read and you feel you have him bottled up and he picks up seven or eight yards.” The Bears are looking to improve after their 34-0 loss to Enfield in week one.

Lewis Mills (0-2) bye. The Spartans return to action next week at Coginchaug in Durham on Oct. 6.