The Best Saturday of The Year
What started in the swelter of August ends in the chill of December. Six state champs get crowned, 2 games get shown live on CPTV (Class S @ 1:30pm & Class L @ 6:30pm) and we promise the most fun (and memorable) 15 minutes in Connecticut television that night with FNF on Channel 3 - Are you ready?
A Buffet Of Interviews
On Wednesday the CIAC hosted its annual pre-finals football luncheon in Cheshire. All 12 head coaches and captains from each team were invited to attend. It made for a delicious buffet of interviews but not enough time for yours truly to grab anything from the actual lunch buffet itself. Never thought of that diet before, get so busy with work — you have no time to eat. It was a great event and a very productive one for all media members who attended — appearing to me that the media attended in record numbers.
Here are some thoughts on each of the 6 state title matchups:
Class LL - Greenwich vs. Shelton - 7pm - SCSU - New Haven
Take away a week 6 home loss to Hand in which tailback Andre Henderson was injured and did not play and the Gaels come into this game undefeated. Greenwich has the one loss to Florida’s #1 ranked team - Naples - and by all accounts seems better off and more confident due to its’ trip to the Sunshine State. I was thoroughly impressed with Cardinals star running back Jonathan Meyers upon meeting and speaking with him for the first time on Wednesday.
Too much been there, done that from Greenwich for Shelton to overcome:
Greenwich 27 Shelton 14
Click here to hear my podcast with Shelton Head Coach Jeff Roy)
Class L - Bunnell vs. Masuk - 7pm - West Haven - (CPTV)
LIVE coverage on CPTV with Joe “Bonnie Bernstein” Zone roaming the sidelines. Of course that nickname has a long way to go to match UConn wide receiver recruit Mike Easley’s - “The Easy Button” . Beating Masuk for a third time this season won’t be easy for Bunnell but it does happen:
Bunnell 24 Masuk 20
P.S. If Bunnell wins and Ansonia and Greenwich happen to lose, could the Bulldogs finish #1 in the final Poll?
Class MM - Daniel Hand vs. New Canaan - 2pm - Trumbull
New Canaan goes for back to back Class M championships. Hand shoots for a second title in three seasons and tenth overall. All this on the line and a 15 year old will be the difference? Yes. Hand sophomore quarterback Nick Merullo stepped in for the Tigers in Week 6 and has become so good so quickly coach Steve Filippone tells me he expects Merullo to go down as one of the best ever in Madison before he graduates.
For more on Merullo and his dad, Matt, who played catcher in the big leagues, click here.
Hand 31 New Canaan 22
Class M - Ledyard vs. Berlin - 2pm - CCSU - New Britain
Will he or won’t he? Will legendary Ledyard head coach Bill Mignault coach his last game Saturday? He says he hasn’t decided. A win will help make the decision for him. Berlin plays it tight in its’ first ever State Finals appearance but the Grandfather - Bill - and his quarterback playing grandson - Marc go out together on top.
Ledyard 38 Berlin 34
Click here to hear my podcast interviews with both Bill Mignault
Click here to hear my podcast interview with Berlin’s 3 year starter at Quarterback Jim Connelly
Class SS - Seymour vs. Tolland - 7pm - Trumbull
Before Tuesday’s state semifinal with NVL rival (and Thanksgiving opponent) Woodland - Seymour head coach Paul Sponheimer declared that that game was for the SS Championship. It’s a proclamation that quickly ended up as bulletin board material for the underdog Eagles from Tolland. Trust me when I say players, coaches and parents alike feel Tolland is getting the short shrift despite their recent success. Look for them to gain some motivation from that perceived disrespect.
Coach is right though. The SS Championship was won Tuesday night for Seymour.
Seymour 42 Tolland 7
Class S - Ansonia vs. New London - 2pm - West Haven (CPTV)
The Grandaddy of ‘em all - and I’m not talking about Bill Mignault. This is by the far the most hyped and most highly anticipated game of the day. Mighty Ansonia vs. Jack Cochran and his Whalers. Can New London slow down Chargers running back and Gatorade State Player of the Year Alex Thomas? Will Ansonia put up more than the 7.2 points New London is allowing opponents this season?
Yes. The Chargers will score 24. Thomas will rush for just under 200 yards and Joe Zone will get showered by Gatorade in the postgame celebration and need to rush out to pick up a new jacket before roaming the sidelines for the CPTV nightcap. Of course for a pledge of $150.00 Joe could get a UConn Women’s pullover from CPTV during halftime. The way Maya Moore and company are playing - it might be worth it!
Ansonia 24 New London 20
Click here to hear my podcast chat with Ansonia senior lineman (and UConn bound) Erik Kuraczea
When it’s all said and done Saturday night, Channel 3 will have brought you highlights from north of 130 high school football games this season. It’s a team effort we’re very proud of.
Hope you’ve enjoyed our coverage. As always, we welcome your feedback.
Completely Unrelated Thought of the Week:
Best Christmas song? Hands down, Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

Want to feel proud about what young Americans are doing for our country in Iraq and what impression one of them is making on a Connecticut high school football team?
Take 3 minutes to watch our FNF story on Justin Clough (click here)
Enjoy the games! See you Saturday night at 11:15pm for FNF.
John







