Avon needs to beat Simsbury, get some help to remain in Class L playoff hunt

The Avon High football team needs to beat Simsbury Tuesday night to remain in contention for a Class L playoff berth.

AVON – The Avon High football team earned another 10 points in its quest to earn a Class L playoff berth with Berlin beating New Britain on the final play of the game Friday night, 31-28. For Avon to claim one of the eight playoff berths in Class L, a few things have to happen.

• To have any chance to qualify for the Class L tournament, Avon (7-2) needs to beat Simsbury (1-8) on Tuesday night. A loss will eliminate the Falcons.
• Middletown (8-1) must lose to No. 4 Windsor (9-0) on Thanksgiving Eve. If the Dragons beat Windsor, they will qualify for the Class L tournament.
• Notre Dame-West Haven (7-2) could lose to Hamden (1-8) but that is highly unlikely.

Avon needs some help from teams they have beaten this season. They’ll need most of these scenarios to work in their favor. Wins by Rockville, Plainville and Tolland will be crucial. Middletown, Avon’s closest rival for the playoff berth earns points if Rockville, Plainville or Tolland lose their games.

Victories by Wethersfield over Newington, Bristol Central over Bristol Eastern and Bacon Academy over RHAM will help Avon by keeping bonus points away from Middletown. Wethersfield, Bristol Central and Bacon will each be favored to win on Thanksgiving morning.

Teams earn 100 points for every team they beat, although Avon would get 110 points for beating a team in a larger division — SImsbury in Class LL. Teams also earn 10 points for each win by a team that they have beaten. The teams with the eight highest averages qualify for the CIAC playoffs.

Class L playoff points race

Key games to watch and results that would benefit Avon.

Tuesday, Nov. 24
Avon (7-2) defeat Simsbury (1-8)
Tolland (3-6) defeating E.O. Smith (4-5)

Wednesday, Nov. 25
Northwest Catholic (4-5) beating East Catholic (7-2)
Windsor (9-0) beating Middletown (8-1)

Thursday, Nov. 26
Rocky Hill (7-2) defeating Cromwell/Portland (8-1)
Plainville (4-5) defeating Farmington (3-6)
Rockville (3-6) beating South Windsor (3-6)