Week 7 high school football predictions: NFA will take home its first win of the season
Week 7 of the high school football season is upon us. Norwich Free Academy will be looking for its first win of the season in a Thursday night tilt at Bill Mignault Field in Ledyard. Thames River christens the team's new home field in Groton, while Quinebaug Valley looks to keep pace in the Class MM playoff rankings.
Killingly makes its longest trip of the season to Branford for a rematch of last year’s Class M semifinal. Griswold/Wheeler hosts Waterford in what should be a great Eastern Connecticut Conference battle, while Plainfield travels to Massachusetts looking for its second straight out-of-state win.
Norwich Free Academy at Ledyard
When: Thursday, 6 p.m.
Where: Ledyard High School, Bill Mignault Field
Records: NFA 0-5; Ledyard 5-0
Last week: NFA lost to Shelton, 49-28; Ledyard beat Waterford, 34-22.
Last season: Did not play.
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The skinny: Wildcats have shown marked improvement the last two weeks in losses against Fitch and Shelton. Could this be the spot they get first-year coach Erik Larka his first win as a Wildcat? Unbeaten Colonels aren’t as battle tested as NFA. Still, Ledyard, which is No. 6 in the Class SS playoff rankings, is scoring 43 points per game and are playing on the friendly confines of Mignault Field. Have a hunch this one could be an old fashioned ECC barnburner.
Prediction: NFA 35, Ledyard 32
Quinebaug Valley at VG Techs
When: Friday, 6 p.m.
Where: Woodrow Wilson Middle School, Middletown
Records: Quinebaug 4-1; VG Techs 0-5
Last week: Quinebaug had a bye; VG Techs lost to Bullard/Kobe, 39-0.
Last season: Quinebaug won, 38-8.
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The skinny: Perfect spot for The Pride to get back on track after a loss and a bye week. The Vinal Tech-Goodwin Tech co-op gives up points in bunches. Quinebaug sits at No. 9 in the Class MM playoff rankings.
Prediction: Quinebaug Valley 35, VG Techs 8
Prince Tech at Thames River
When: Friday, 6 p.m.
Where: Grasso Tech High School Turf Field
Records: Thames River 4-0; Prince Tech 1-4
Last week: Thames River beat Montville, 61-0; Prince Tech had a bye.
Last season: Thames River won, 26-20, in overtime.
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The skinny: Historic night in Groton as school hosts first ever football contest on new turf facility. Powerful Crusaders, who opened with four straight road games, will relish their new home digs. Thames River, which is No. 3 in the Class MM playoff rankings, has outscored opponents, 195-6. The Falcons, out of Hartford, are in rebuilding mode after being perennial contenders in the Connecticut Technical Conference.
Prediction: Thames River 49, Prince Tech 6
Waterford at Griswold/Wheeler
When: Friday, 6:30 p.m.
Where: Griswold High School
Records: Waterford 3-2; Griswold/Wheeler 2-3
Last week: Waterford lost to Ledyard, 34-22; Griswold/Wheeler lost to East Lyme, 27-20, in overtime.
Last season: Did not play.
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The skinny: The young Wolverines are coming off a near upset over East Lyme a week ago and should continue to make progress against the Lancers. Waterford is No. 8 in the Class SS playoff rankings.
Prediction: Griswold/Wheeler 21, Waterford 20
Killingly at Branford
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Where: Branford High School Turf Field
Records: Killingly 4-1; Branford 2-3
Last week: Killingly lost to Windham, 41-26; Branford lost to Foran, 35-14.
Last season: Killingly won,13-12, in Class M semifinals.
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The skinny: Terrific non-league matchup as the Hornets look to avenge last season’s playoff loss in the Quiet Corner. Be interesting to see how Killingly responds after suffering its first loss since the 2019 Class M final. Turnovers and the inability to stop the run plagued Killingly against Windham. Still, Killingly, at No. 10, remains in the GameTimeCT Top 10 poll. Game also has playoff implications. Branford is in the eighth and final spot in the Class M rankings, while Killingly is No. 6 in the Class MM rankings.
Prediction: Killingly 35, Branford 21
Plainfield at Dighton-Rehoboth (Mass.)
When: Friday, 6 p.m.
Where: Dighton-Rehoboth Regional Football Field, North Dighton (Mass.)
Records: Plainfield 1-3; Dighton-Rehoboth 1-5
Last week: Plainfield beat Hope (R.I.), 8-6; Dighton-Rehoboth lost to Apponequet Regional, 30-6.
Last season: Did not play.
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The skinny: Independent Panthers seeking their second straight out-of-state victory. Dighton-Rehoboth, which competes in the small school South Coast Conference, has been outscored 178-40. Young, rebuilding Panthers should relish another competitive matchup.
Prediction: Plainfield 20, Dighton-Rehoboth 14.
This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: Football preview: Wins predicted for NFA, Quinebaug Valley, Killingly
