For Farmington, the season begins for real on Friday night. The Indians have played five games and done well with five victories. But its biggest challenge to date is Friday night at home when the Indians (5-0, 1-0 CCC Div. II West) tangle with No. 7 Windsor (5-0, 1-0 CCC Div. II West). The winner has an inside track in the CCC Division II West but they both teams still need to face undefeated No. 4 Middletown (5-0). Simsbury also hosts New Britain on Friday night.
On Saturday, Avon travels to Falls Village to face Housatonic/Wamogo. Canton travels to Woodbury to challenge Nonnewaug while winless Lewis Mills will seek its first win of the season at Granby at 1:30 p.m. at the new artificial turf facility in Granby.
Friday, Oct. 18
New Britain (2-2, 1-1 CCC Div. I West) at Simsbury (1-4, 0-3 CCC Div. I West), 7 p.m.
Outlook: There is no easy path for Simsbury in Division I as they host the talented, quick Hurricanes. New Britain lost to No. 5 Southington, 38-7 a week ago but looked good on the defensive side of the ball. Hurricane head coach Tebucky Jones is looking for more production from the offensive side of the ball. They had 10 possessions when they ran just three plays before punting but Southington’s offense is so quick, it can make many teams look bad. New Britain had four turnovers a week ago. Simsbury will try to control the game with its triple option veer offense. Brad Helmkamp leads the Trojans in rushing with 441 yards and 3 TDs on 68 carries. QB James Hermsen has rushed for 211 yards and 3 TDs on 50 carries. … Simsbury has won three of the last five games between the two schools, including a 21-12 decision a year ago.
Series: Began 1984. New Britain leads 13-11
Windsor (5-0, 1-0 CCC Div. II West) at Farmington (5-0, 1-0 CCC Div. II West), 7 p.m.
Outlook: It’s the first real test for both teams. No. 7 Windsor is a quick, athletic team that will be a challenge to stop. QB Jedidiah Haynes (23-42-1, 455 yards, 6 TDs) threw 4 TDs passes and 230 yards a week ago in an easy 49-0 win over RHAM. RB Jaylen Berry (56-685, 8 TDs) leads Windsor on the ground while Tyninque Woods-Culver (21-506, 3 TDs) is the leading receiver. QB Jedidiah Haynes (23-42-1) has thrown for 455 yards and 6 TD passes. The Warriors have allowed just 21 points in the last three games. Farmington has lost its last two games to Windsor, which has help decide the CCC Division II West race and keep the Indians out of the CIAC playoffs. Farmington Chris Machol said that his team has grown into a big play team with running back Ivan Guadalupe (64-627 rushing, 4 TDs) and receiver Kenny Jones (8-227 rushing, 3 TDs; 15-200 receiving). QB Jeremy Buck has completed 48 of 81 passes for 584 yards, 7 TDs and three interceptions. Defensively, Jayson Martin (45 tackles) and Connor Martin (43 tackles) lead the Indians. … Farmington is ranked No. 18 in the state sportswriters poll by the New Haven Register and has been receiving votes all season.
Series: Began 2008. Windsor leads, 3-0
Saturday, Oct. 19
Avon (3-2, 2-1 Pequot West) at Housatonic/Wamogo (0-4, 0-1 Pequot West), 1 p.m.
Outlook: The Falcons should be able to handle a small Housatonic team that runs the single wing offense. After an exciting victory over previously undefeated North Branford with two TDs in the final 26 seconds a week ago, the challenge is to remain focused and play good football. Look for linebacker/running back Jimmy Murphy to be in the middle of the action and for the Falcons to work on their running game.
Series: Began 1962. Avon leads, 16-3
Lewis Mills (0-4, 0-2 Pequot West) at Granby (1-3, 0-1 Pequot West), 1:30 p.m.
Outlook: Granby QB Curtis Field (50-94-3, 750 yards, 6 TDs) loves to throw the ball around but the Bears can play defense, too, as they showed in a 6-0 overtime loss to Hyde a few weeks ago. Field threw 3 TD passes to his younger brother Connor two weeks ago in a 42-22 win over H-K on the road. Connor is one off Field’s favorite targets with 13 receptions or 307 yards and 3 TDs. Ian Downey (16-285, 2 TDs). Mills hopes to pick up its first win of the season but they will need to remain healthy and play well. … Mills won its first varsity game with a 20-13 win over the Bears at Muzzy Field in September 2010.
Series: Began 2010. Mills leads, 1-0
Canton (3-1, 2-0 Pequot West) at Nonnewaug (1-3, 0-1 Pequot West), 1 p.m.
Outlook: After two tight ballgames against Hyde and Coventry/Windham Tech/Bolton, the Warriors hope to use their running game to control a young Nonnewaug squad and earn their fourth victory. Canton will need to focus on this contest and not peek ahead to a huge game next week with Gilbert/Northwestern at home with the winner moving into the driver’s seat on the quest to win the first Pequot West title. The Warriors have been spreading the ball around with QB Eric Scott, RB Terrance Brophy and Dan Delos (5 rushing TDs) getting plenty of touches along with the versatile Cam Daley. Nonnewaug is led by Jon Gombos, who ran for 107 yards in a 26-20 loss to Sport Medicine Science Academy/University last week.
Series: First meeting
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