High school football season begins Friday with four of six Valley teams on road

Avon QB Dylan Burgos and the Falcons open the 2017 campaign on Saturday when they host East Catholic at the high school at 1 p.m.

The high school football season kicks on Friday here in the Farmington Valley with Simsbury, Farmington and Granby playing under the lights — all on the road. Simsbury will be at Hall in West Hartford with Farmington seeking its first-ever win against Platt High in Meriden. Granby visits North Branford for the first time.

On Saturday, Avon and Lewis Mills each host their season openers at 1 p.m. Avon will be looking for its first win over East Catholic since 1995 and Lewis Mills will face off with Coventry/Windham Tech/Bolton/Lyman Memorial. Canton will travel to Durham looking to snap a 21-game losing streak in their first-ever meeting with the newly-formed Coginchaug/Hale Ray co-op team.

Friday, September 8

Simsbury (5-5) at Hall (6-4), 7 p.m.
Outlook: This is an intriguing opener for Simsbury, which is looking to take a step forward in the CCC Division I West Division. Simsbury will be led by 6-foot-2 QB Jackson Masters, who will be able to throw to two-time conference All-Star Ralph Gilliard (53-805, 7 TDs), Jake Taddio and Tate Valerio. Conference All-Stars Jackson King and Cole Hermsen (127 tackles) will lead the defense. At Hall, Andrew Nicklas takes over as the starting QB. The Warriors will be led by All-State tackle Brandon Beecher and All-CCC Div. I pick guard Justin Searls. Hall has won six of the last seven including a 22-18 win a year ago, erasing an 18-point Trojan lead.
Opening day record: Simsbury, 51-48-3
Series: Began 1974. Tied, 20-20
Preview: Simsbury

Granby (2-8) at North Branford (6-4), 6:30 p.m.
Outlook: The Thunderbird return several skill position specialists including QB Jeff Jablonski, who threw for 920 yards and 6 TDs a year ago including 269 yards and 2 TDs to Sydney Franklin. Granby returns nine starters on offense and defense and hopes to begin the season with victory.
Opening day record: Granby, 2-5
Series: Began 2016. North Branford leads, 1-0
Preview: Granby

Farmington (3-7) at Platt High (8-2), 6:30 p.m.
Outlook: The Indians open the season with three games in four weeks against teams that played in the Class L playoffs. The Panthers have earned spots in the playoffs in four of the last five seasons including last year when they were 8-2 and shared the CCC Division II West title. Platt returns QB A.J. Marinelli (111-220 passing, 1,669 yards) and RB E.J. Dudley (198-1,020 rushing). Up front, they are young but big. They are deep at the receiver position. … Platt has 299 wins as a program. … Farmington returns with starting QB Zac Conrad, who threw for 1,031 yards and 14 TDs a year ago.
Opening day records: Farmington, 37-47-3
Series: Began 1983. Platt leads, 9-0
Preview: Farmington

Saturday, Sept. 9

East Catholic (5-5) at Avon (1-9), 1 p.m.
Outlook: A year ago, Avon had one of their worst seasons – in terms of wins (one) for just the second time in team history. One of the reasons for that was a young, inexperienced team getting experience at the varsity level. More experienced, a year older and stronger, the Falcons are optimistic and eager to begin the climb back up when they host the Eagles at home. QB Dylan Burgos, who threw for over 600 yards and six TD passes, returns along with several two-way starters from a year ago – Ryan Ollestad, Vinny Bonalum, Chris Gens, Matt Borquin, Dan Quick and big 6-foot-6 Henry Schrecongost, who is already drawing interest from collegiate scouts and coaches.
Opening day record:  Avon, 29-28-0
Series: Began 1977. East Catholic leads, 13-5
Preview: Avon

Canton (0-10) at Coginchaug/Hale Ray (1-9), 1 p.m.
Outlook: This is the debut contest for the Coginchaug/Hale Ray co-op team. Coginchaug was a co-op team with Vinal Tech from 2000 to 2009 before fielding a team on their own from 2010 to 2015. QB Eli Rivera will lead the Blue Devils for first-year coach Eric Becker with Dave Skelps and Pat Ladas in the backfield. This is also the debut head coaching debut for Canton’s Dante Boffi, a long-time assistant coach. Canton will be trying to snap a 21-game losing streak dating back to the 2014 Class S playoffs. The Warriors will be led by QB Dugan Lloyd, sophomore running back Carter Gavin and junior tight end Gavin Wood.
Opening day records: Canton, 16-22
Series: First meeting
Preview: Canton

Coventry/Windham Tech/Bolton/Lyman Memorial (5-5) at Lewis Mills (4-6), 1 p.m.
Outlook: RB Hunter Cowger and Chris Romano return for the Spartans, who have an older and experienced offensive and defensive line, led by senior captain Zack Kelly. Junior Grayson LeBarge takes over at QB for Mills. Coventry added a fourth school to their co-op this year with the addition of Lyman Memorial to go with Windham Tech and Bolton.
Opening day record: Lewis Mills, 3-4
Series: Began 2015. Lewis Mills leads, 2-0
Preview: Lewis Mills