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Football capsules: A look at Friday's season openers

jimmy zanor, norwich bulletin
·4 min read

Football is back.

The 2023 Connecticut High School football season begins on Friday, Sept. 8. Five of our six local teams open up against quality non-league opponents in Connecticut Football Alliance matchups, while Plainfield begins another independent season against a Division IV Rhode Island foe.

Norwich Free Academy travels to Fairfield County for a key battle against Stamford; Killingly hosts Masuk in a rematch of last year’s Class MM semifinal barnburner; Griswold-Wheeler hosts East Catholic, a Class S playoff team from a year ago, in the first game on the Wolverines’ new turf field; Thames River, coming off its first playoff appearance in program history, hosts ECC’s Fitch; and Quinebaug Valley, the Crusaders CTC rival, also opens against an ECC opponent in Woodstock Academy.

Here’s a quick look and predictions for Friday’s season opening games:

Killingly's Soren Rief looks for more yards against Masuk defender Kyle Beckett in last year's Class MM semifinal at Killingly High School. Killingly hosts Masuk on Friday, Sept. 8 at 6:30 p.m.
Killingly's Soren Rief looks for more yards against Masuk defender Kyle Beckett in last year's Class MM semifinal at Killingly High School. Killingly hosts Masuk on Friday, Sept. 8 at 6:30 p.m.

Quinebaug Valley at Woodstock Academy

When: Saturday, 10 a.m.

Where: Charles Bentley Athletic Complex, Woodstock

2022 Records: Quinebaug Valley 5-5; Woodstock Academy 4-6

Last game: Season opener

Last season: Teams did not meet.

The skinny: Pride coach Joe Asermelly returns after a one-year absence and that’s good news for the Ellis Tech, Putnam, and Tourtellotte cooperative program. It’s always tough though when the CTC ventures outside of their league, especially against an ECC Division I opponent. Still, Woodstock lost 17 seniors to graduation and the Pride may keep this season opener between local teams close.

Prediction: Woodstock Academy 20, Quinebaug Valley 6

Norwich Free Academy at Stamford

When: Friday, 5 p.m.

Where: Boyle Stadium, Stamford HS

2022 Records: NFA 4-6; Stamford 4-6

Last game: Season opener

Last season: Teams did not meet.

The skinny: The Wildcats won four of their last five games in 2022 and are hoping to carry that momentum into their second season under head coach Erik Larka. It’s never easy, however, opening up against an FCIAC team on the road. Three of Stamford’s losses a year ago were to state powers Greenwich, St. Joseph, and Danbury. Have a hunch the Wildcats have enough firepower to stay close against the Black Knights and perhaps pull off a signature win late and begin what could be an interesting season in the Rose City.

Prediction: NFA 28, Stamford 26

Scituate (R.I.) at Plainfield

When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Where: Plainfield HS

2022 Records: Scituate 1-7; Plainfield 1-7

Last game: Season opener

Last season: Teams did not meet.

The skinny: It’s interesting that both teams only victory last season came against the same team: Plainfield edged Hope (R.I.), 8-6, while Scituate blanked Hope, 35-0. Scituate, Hope, and Tiverton, who the Panthers host in October, are Division IV teams in Rhode Island that complement Plainfield’s independent schedule. The Panthers are still in rebuilding mode and a season opening win could be a huge confidence boost.

Prediction: Plainfield 14, Scituate 12

Fitch at Thames River

When: Friday, 6 p.m.

Where: Grasso Tech HS, Groton

2022 Records: Fitch 6-4; Thames River 10-1

Last game: Season opener

Last season: Teams did not meet

The skinny: Fitch and Killingly are the Crusaders’ non-league Connecticut Football Alliance matchups this season and Craig Sylvester’s crew are underdogs in both games. Thames River had a magical season a year ago, going a perfect 10-0 during the regular season and qualifying for the state playoffs for the first time in program history. The Crusaders suffered some key graduation losses but the cupboard is not bare. Fitch got some votes in the GameTimeCT’s preseason Top 10 poll. Interesting CTC versus ECC opener.

Prediction: Fitch 35, Thames River 25

East Catholic at Griswold-Wheeler

When: Friday, 6:30 p.m.

Where: Griswold HS Turf Field

2022 Records: East Catholic 7-4; Griswold-Wheeler 6-4

Last game: Season opener

Last season: Teams did not meet.

The skinny: The Wolverines christen its gorgeous new turf football field with a terrific Connecticut Football Alliance matchup. East Catholic, out of the CCC, is coming off a Class S playoff appearance (the Eagles fell to Woodland, 35-0) in 2022. Grisowld has a core group of returning lettermen that have high expectations. Look for the Wolverines vaunted rushing attack to relish the turf on an historic night.

Prediction: Griswold-Wheeler 32, East Catholic 24

Masuk at Killingly

When: Friday, 6:30 p.m.

Where: Morgan Field, Killingly HS

2022 Records: Masuk 8-4; Killingly 11-2

Last game: Season opener

Last season: Killingly won 54-51 in Class MM semifinal.

The skinny: Killingly is ranked No. 11 in the GameTimeCT’s Top 10 preseason poll. But Masuk has revenge on their minds as they return to the site of last year’s epic Class MM playoff game. These are the kinds of big games that the Connecticut High School Football Alliance, which represents 100 teams in six leagues (ECC,CTC,FCIAC, CCC,SCC,SWC), envisioned when it was formed in 2017. The atmosphere on a football Friday night in the Quiet Corner is unmatched. Look for Killingly to gain control of the line of scrimmage and begin its quest for an eighth straight playoff appearance.

Prediction: Killingly 35, Masuk 28

This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: NFA, Killingly, Griswold-Wheeler open seasons with Connecticut Football Alliance contests