Football preview: Killingly faces New London in must-win mode again
Week 10 of the 2023 football season features Killingly looking to keep its Class L state playoff hopes alive against New London on Thursday night at Pat Cannamela Field.
Norwich Free Academy travels to Woodstock Academy on Saturday. The Wildcats will look to extend a two-game winning streak.
Griswold-Wheeler took a giant leap to securing a Class S playoff berth with a big win over Stonington last week. The Wolverines host Montville on Thursday looking to extend a six-game winning streak.
Plainfield is aiming to go above the .500 mark with a Friday home date against Amistad, a fledgling program from New Haven.
In Connecticut Technical Conference action, Thames River travels to Ansonia on Saturday morning for a battle against O’Brien Tech, while Quinebaug Valley is on a bye week.
Here are this week’s matchups and predictions:
Killingly at New London
When: Thursday, 6 p.m.
Where: Cannamela Field, New London HS
Records: Killingly 5-3; New London 5-3
Last week: Killingly defeated Ledyard, 28-22; New London defeated Windham, 27-12.
Last season: Teams did not meet.
The skinny: Killingly, at No. 9, is one spot away from a Class L playoff berth. Killingly will have to take-care-of-business again and then root for Masuk to beat No. 8 New Milford on Friday night.
Prediction: Killingly 32, New London 21
More: Griswold-Wheeler rallies for thrilling last-second win over Stonington
Montville at Griswold-Wheeler
When: Thursday, 6:30 p.m.
Where: Griswold HS Turf Field
Records: Montville 2-6; Griswold-Wheeler 7-1
Last week: Montville lost to Plainfield, 37-19; Griswold-Wheeler defeated Stonington, 33-30.
Last season: Griswold-Wheeler won, 47-12.
The skinny: The Wolverines have won six straight and should keep rolling into the Class S playoffs.
Prediction: Griswold-Wheeler 49, Montville 14
Amistad at Plainfield
When: Thursday, 6 p.m.
Where: Plainfield HS Lower Athletic Complex
Records: Amistad 0-0; Plainfield 4-4
Last week: Amistad did not play; Plainfield defeated Montville, 37-19.
Last season: Teams did not meet.
The skinny: Panthers have a chance to get above .500. This is the only game on Amistad’s schedule. The New Haven school is hoping to revive a football program. Plainfield and Amistad met twice in 2022 with the Panthers winning both games.
Prediction: Plainfield 35, Amistad 14
More: Thames River uses big fourth quarter to push past Platt Tech
Thames River at O’Brien Tech
When: Saturday, 10:30 a.m.
Where: O’Brien Tech Athletic Complex, Ansonia
Records: O’Brien Tech 0-7; Thames River 5-3
Last week: O’Brien Tech lost to Northwest United, 46-8; Thames River defeated Prince Tech, 23-0.
Last season: Thames River won, 49-6.
The skinny: The Crusaders are No. 13 in the Class MM playoff rankings and will need a lot of help to get the eighth and final spot in a loaded field. The Condors have scored just 28 points this season. The Crusaders should keep rolling here and get ready for a Thanksgiving Eve showdown against Quinebaug Valley and a shot at a 7-3 campaign.
Prediction: Thames River 33, O’Brien Tech 12
Norwich Free Academy at Woodstock Academy
When: Saturday, 12 p.m.
Where: Charles Bentley Athletic Complex, Woodstock
Records: Norwich Free Academy 2-6; Woodstock Academy 3-5
Last week: NFA defeated Bacon Academy, 37-7; Woodstock lost to Fitch, 54-14.
Last season: NFA won, 21-17.
The skinny: NFA aiming for their third straight win. A lot of young players have gained some valuable experience this season for the Wildcats. They’ll get more varsity reps here before the annual Thanksgiving Day clash against New London.
Prediction: Norwich Free Academy 39, Woodstock Academy 20
Last week: 6-0
Overall: 33-12
This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: Football preview: Killingly, Griswold-Wheeler look to keep rolling
