Five Connecticut high school football games to watch in Week 3
Week 3 of Connecticut high school football features possibly the most highly anticipated game of the year. That’s thanks to the Connecticut High School Football Alliance, which schedules conference crossover games from the state’s five biggest leagues — the Central Connecticut Conference (CCC), Southern Connecticut Conference (SCC), Fairfield County Interscholastic Athletic Conference (FCIAC), South-West Conference (SWC) and Eastern Connecticut Conference (ECC). Alliance games kick off this week, and there are some powerhouse programs facing off.
Here are the five games to watch this week.
Newtown at Darien
This is the only non-area game listed and for good reason. The alliance game is a rematch of the 2019 Class LL state championship game in which the Newton Nighthawks scored a last-second touchdown to beat Darien 13-7 — seven years to the day of the Sandy Hook school shooting in Newtown.
While most of the players on both sidelines have changed over the last two seasons, the prestige hasn’t. Both programs are 2-0 and considered two of the top teams in the state. Expect one of the best games of the year to be played on Friday night when Darien of the FCIAC hosts Newtown of the SWC at 7 p.m.
New Canaan at Hand
Another alliance game, Hand of the SCC host one of the state’s top programs in New Canaan of the FCIAC at the Surf Club in Madison at 7 p.m. on Friday. Hand was off last week after its matchup against conference foe Sheehan was postponed and is looking to avenge a Week 1 loss against Fairfield Prep.
The Rams have outscored their opponents 99-0 through two games.
Hartford Public at Rocky Hill
Hartford Public hasn’t won three games in a single season since 2016. Against Rocky Hill, the 2-0 Owls could accomplish that feat within the first three weeks of the season. Seeking their best start to the season since 2012 when they went 7-3, the Owls and head coach Harry Bellucci will travel to Rocky Hill at 7 p.m. on Friday night.
The Owls beat Lewis Mills 14-13 last week after trailing by 13 points in the fourth quarter. Jaheim Cole and Christian Garcia scored the two late touchdowns.
Rocky Hill has played just once this season — a 20-7 Week 1 win over East Catholic — because its game against Avon last week was postponed.
Wethersfield at Bristol Central
Wethersfield travels to Muzzy Field to face Bristol Central at 6 p.m. on Friday looking for a third win in a row to begin the season. The Eagles have some wind in their sails after a shutout victory over Platt in Week 1 and a dramatic victory over Berlin in Week 2 when a Torronce Smith interception with under a minute left sealed a 21-18 win.
The Rams (1-1) bounced back from a 7-6 loss to Bloomfield in Week 1 with a 27-0 win over South Windsor last Friday. UConn commit Victor Rosa rushed for 239 yards and three touchdowns in the victory.
Simsbury at Maloney
The Simsbury Trojans (1-1) will travel to Falcon Field in Meriden at 6:30 p.m. on Friday in hopes of bouncing back after a 43-27 loss to Hall last Saturday despite 100-plus yards on the ground and two touchdowns from running back John Mairano.
After a late loss to Southington in Week 1, Maloney beat Conard 33-14 in Week 2 behind three rushing touchdowns from senior Kenny McMillan. The Spartans were without veteran quarterback Angel Arce against Conard due to a concussion, though he is likely to be cleared to play against Simsbury.
Shawn McFarland can be reached at smcfarland@courant.com.
