The final weekend of the high school football regular season before the Thanksgiving Day contests begins on Thursday night with Granby (4-4) visiting Coventry/Windham Tech/Bolton. On Friday night, Canton (5-3) makes its first-ever trip to Dillon Stadium in Hartford to face SMSA/University. On Saturday, Avon (9-0) and Simsbury (6-3) close out the regular season while Lewis Mills (0-8) prepares for its Thanksgiving Day game with a game against undefeated North Branford. Farmington (6-3) is off this weekend.

Thursday, Nov. 15

Granby (4-4, 4-4 Pequot Uncas) at Coventry/Windham Tech/Bolton (6-2, 6-2), 6 p.m. The Bears are looking to secure its first winning season in its short three-year history but they face a difficult task against the Patriots, who have been solid running the ball behind Kyle Wing. QB Devan Vales has a nice group of receivers led by 6-foot-4 Tom Myers, who will be attending UConn next fall. Granby’s offense has been sparked by junior QB Curtis Field, who has thrown for 1,329 yards and 10 TDs. Field completed 16-of-24 passes for a school record 290 yards and 4 TDs in last week’s win over Stafford/East Windsor. His favorite target is Ian Downey (35-464, 4 TDs) and Caleb McMullin (30-377, 3 TDs). This game may come down to whose defense can make the big play. Series: Began 2010. Coventry/WT/Bolton leads, 2-0

Friday, Nov. 16

Canton (5-3, 5-3 Pequot Uncas) at SMSA/University (3-5, 3-5), 6 p.m., Dillon Stadium. After a bye week, Canton hopes to finish the season strong with a pair of victories to set a new school record for most wins in a season but they’ll face a rejuvenated Tigerhawk team that has won three of its last four games. SMSA/University QB Wilfredo Alicea is the team’s leading rusher with 650 yards and five TDs and he frequently runs when the protection breaks down. Ezequiel Ortiz has rushed for 531 yards and 6 TDs but sophomore Kadeem Johnson has run for 323 yards in the past two games. Alicea can also throw the ball. He has completed 48 passes for 670 yards and 6 TDs. Canton has been solid with its running game, led by senior Kyle Mullins and a disciplined approach on defense. A majority of the SMSA staff, including head coach Graham Martin, have coached at Canton at some point in the last five years. Series: Began 2011. SMSA/University leads, 1-0
Game preview

Saturday, Nov. 17

Avon (9-0, 9-0 Pequot Uncas) at Windsor Locks/Suffield/East Granby (1-7, 1-7), 1 p.m. Avon has already won the Pequot Uncas Division title for the fourth time in five years and secured a spot in the Class L tournament that begins on Tuesday, Nov. 27. But the Falcons are stilling working on improving their game and technique so they can be competitive in the playoffs. Windsor Locks is led by running back Tystan Caulley. Avon is looking for its second 10-0 regular season campaign in four years. A win will tie the school record for most wins in a row, 11, set initially in 1966-67. Avon back Colin Moore has rushed for 1,830 yards this season. Series: Began 1979. Avon leads, 17-3

North Branford (8-0, 8-0 Pequot Sassacus) at Lewis Mills (0-8, 0-8), 2 p.m., Muzzy Field, Bristol. The Thunderbirds face Mills before they tangle with undefeated Hyde (8-0) on Thanksgiving Eve at North Branford for the Pequot Sassacus championship. Mills will be looking for little victories against the high-scoring T-Birds including first downs, stops on defense and points. Mills has its eye on improving for its season finale on Thanksgiving against Nonnewaug (1-7) in Woodbury. Series: Began 2010. North Branford leads, 2-0

Glastonbury (8-1) at Simsbury (6-3), 6 p.m. In the regular season finale, Simsbury is trying to keep its slim playoff hopes alive against a Glastonbury team looking to secure a berth in the Class LL tournament. After a 35-14 tough loss to Southington that saw the Blue Knights pull away in the second half, Simsbury rallied with a dominating win over East Hartford last week, 38-18 with a season-high 166 yards passing and 2 TDs. The key will be to keep the game close and not let the Tomahawks pull away. Glastonbury scored just 10 points in its 10-6 win over Hall a week ago. Simsbury will try to beat the Tomahawks for just the second time since 2007 when they prevailed in OT. Series: Began 1969, series tied 17-17-1