Fairfield County Thanksgiving Day previews (and pick the winners)

Senior quarterback Jack Massie (shown in last year’s Thanksgiving game) and the Wreckers must beat Greenwich to return to the state playoffs for the fifth consecutive year. (Mary Albl)

Here’s the complete run-down on the Fairfield County Thanksgiving Eve and Thanksgiving Morning high school football games.

Same as before. Just scroll through, read through the previews and pick the winners.

Be sure to get the low-down on all the latest potential playoff scenarios and happenings. CLASS LL | CLASS L | CLASS M | CLASS S

And for a complete schedule of all this week’s games and results: THANKSGIVING WEEK SCHEDULE

Thanksgiving Eve

Danbury vs. Ridgefield

WHERE/WHEN – Lancaster Field at Tiger Hollow, Ridgefield, 7 p.m.
RECORDS — Ridgefield 8-2, Danbury 3-7
T-DAY SERIES — Ridgefield 8-3
LAST YEAR — Ridgefield 42-6
YOU SHOULD KNOW — Ridgefield back Will Bonaparte has run for 1,232 yards and 14 touchdowns, junior QB Ryan Dunn has thrown for 1,830 yards and 24 touchdowns. Ridgefield’s only losses were to Darien 19-13 and St. Joseph 41-12. Ridgefield needs to win and get one of Prep, Staples or maybe even Southington to lose to reach the state playoffs. …Danbury, led by receiver Elijah Duffy (39 catches, 661 yards, 5 TD) and QB Anfreny Ith (1,833 yards, 17 TDs), hasn’t won since a 30-25 win over Harding.

Who will win the Class M quarterfinal Barlow at Sheehan?

No. 3 Sheehan (9-1)

74%

No. 6 Barlow (7-3)

26%

Total Response: 327 Votes

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Thanksgiving Day

Bassick at Bullard-Havens

WHERE/WHEN — Bullard-Havens HS, 10 a.m.
RECORDS — Bassick 2-8, Bullard-Havens 6-4
T-DAY SERIES — Bullard-Havens 6-2
LAST YEAR — Bullard-Havens 49-24
YOU SHOULD KNOW — Bullard-Havens has been solid behind junior QB Chris McNamara, who’s accounted for 1,677 total yards, and Jose Cotto, who leads the team with 1,233 rushing yards. The Tigers nearly upset No. 1 Class S seed Capital Prep (they had a two-touchdown lead before a fourth-quarter comeback). Bassick has been relatively competitive in the FCIAC. It has a serious weapon in senior QB Vochan Folwer, who seems to have been under center for the Lions for decades. Folwer’s thrown for 1,106 yards and 6 touchdowns, and has added 1,029 yards rushing and seven TDs. Jihad Whitaker and Julian Fyffe have combined for over 2,000 yards rushing and 9 TDs.

Wh will win the Class M quarterfinal Watertown at Berlin?

No. 4 Berlin (8-2)

60%

No. 5 Watertown (8-2)

40%

Total Response: 284 Votes

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Barlow at Weston

WHERE/WHEN– Weston High School, 10 a.m.
RECORDS — Weston 3-7, Barlow 8-2
T-DAY SERIES — Weston, 8-5-4
LAST YEAR — Weston 21-14
YOU SHOULD KNOW — A year ago, this was for the last spot in Class M. Barlow QB Jack Shaban didn’t play due to a separated shoulder and Weston advanced with a 21-14 victory. Barlow was knocked out. This year, Barlow has already clinched its first state playoff berth in school history a week early. So seeding and Weston’s hopes for an upset to reach four wins are all that’s at stake here. Shaban, now a senior, directs one of the state’s most lethal option attacks. Barlow has run for nearly 4,000 yards this year with Shaban leading the way with 1,646 yards and 29 touchdowns. Weston is led by junior back Peter Lummis, who’s run for 802 yards and 8 TDs.

Who will win the Class S quarterfinal O'Brien Tech at St. Joseph?

No. 2 St. Joseph (9-1)

89%

No. 7 O'Brien Tech (8-2)

11%

Total Response: 401 Votes

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Brookfield at Bethel

WHERE/WHEN — DeSantis Field, Bethel HS, 10 a.m.
RECORDS – Bethel 8-2, Brookfield 9-2
T-DAY SERIES – Brookfield 12-5
LAST YEAR – Bethel 48, Brookfield 28
YOU SHOULD KNOW — Bethel has won eight consecutive games after starting the season 0-2 with losses to Barlow and Newtown. They’re mere bonus games from securing its third state playoff berth in four seasons. The Wildcats are massive up front, especially on the ends and senior QB Joe Piatnik runs the option offense as good as anyone. Receiver and end Cal Daniels is off to Stony Brook. Brookfield is led by QB Brad Westmark, big lineman Louis Rodrigues, WR/DB Liam Clancy and a talented sophomore class, including back Bobby Drysdale (1,685 yards, 23 TDs). A win for Bethel will clinch a playoff berth and maybe — just maybe — set up a rematch the following Tuesday in the Class M 4/5 game. Or maybe the winner would face Barlow. Brookfield can get the No. 3 seed and a home quarterfinal with a win. Bethel likely will qualify regardless of what happens.

Who will win the Class S quarterfinal Valley Regional/OL at Rocky Hill?

No. 3 Rocky Hill (10-0)

76%

No. 6 Valley Regional/Old Lyme (9-1)

24%

Total Response: 344 Votes

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Wilton at Trinity Catholic

WHERE/WHEN – Alumni Field, Trinity Catholic HS, 10 a.m.
RECORDS — Wilton 3-7, Trinity Catholic 0-10
T-DAY SERIES — Tied 4-4
LAST YEAR — Trinity 42-32
YOU SHOULD KNOW — Despite a lack of depth, the Warriors, led by senior QB Brett Phillips and his 2,152 total yards of offense (215.2 per game) have been a scrappy bunch. They took playoff contenders Staples, Trumbull, Ridgefield and New Canaan to the brink before losing, often in heartbreaking fashion. They started the season 3-1, but have since lost six straight. Trinity, a playoff team a year ago, has struggled in the first year under head coach Donny Panapada. Thomas Costigan and Randy Polonia have been standouts for the Crusaders as has freshman back Courtlyn Victrum (729 yards rushing).

Who will win the Class S quarterfinal Stafford Co-Op at Bullard-Havens?

No. 4 Bullard-Havens (9-1)

51%

No. 5 Stafford/Somers/East Windsor (9-1)

49%

Total Response: 314 Votes

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Stamford at Westhill

WHERE/WHEN — J. Walter Kennedy Stadium, 10 a.m.
RECORDS — Stamford 2-8, Westhill 5-5
T-DAY SERIES — Stamford 12-5
LAST YEAR — Westhill 20-6
YOU SHOULD KNOW — The Vikings A victory would give Westhill’s first ‘official’ winning season since 1987. But to them, it’d be their second. They don’t count last year’s forfeited games. Sr. QB Ryan Coppola has thrown for 1,029 yards and 9 TDs, but 13 interceptions. Senior Evan Skoparantzos (464 yards, 4 TD) and Dante Fargnoni are his favorite targets. Westhill has won four of its last five games. Stamford’s Cameron Webb leads the Black Knights in rushing and scoring. Stamford has lost two straight after winning its only two games back-to-back. At stake is the Frank Robotti Trophy and the Stamford City title. Westhill hasn’t won it outright since 2007.

Who will win the Class LL semifinals South Windsor at Greenwich?

Greenwich (11-0)

80%

South Windsor (10-1)

20%

Total Response: 408 Votes

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Norwalk at McMahon

WHERE/WHEN – Jack Casagrande Field, McMahon HS, Norwalk, 10:30 a.m.
RECORDS – McMahon 7-2, Norwalk 4-6
ALL-TIME SERIES – McMahon 32-19-1
LAST YEAR – McMahon 29-12
YOU SHOULD KNOW – Despite losing star Tre Forney early in the year, defense (led by LB Kenny Keen) and a strong run game (led by junior Timmy Hinton’s 745 yards rushing and 10 TDs) had McMahon off to a 7-0 start. Then McMahon suffered a 44-7 loss to Ridgefield. The Senators nearly knocked off St. Joseph the following week, only to see a last-ditch comeback end on an interception. That loss put their dream season in jeopardy of falling short of the playoffs. McMahon needs four teams — Prep, Staples, Trumbull and Ridgefield — to lose to get in. They haven’t been to the state playoffs since 1994.

Who will win the Class M semifinals SMSA Co-Op at Barlow?

Barlow (8-3)

86%

SMSA (8-3)

14%

Total Response: 301 Votes

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Harding at Central

WHERE/WHEN — Kennedy Stadium, Bridgeport
RECORDS — Central 0-10, Harding 3-7
ALL-TIME SERIES – Harding 50-35-4
LAST YEAR – Central 30-22
YOU SHOULD KNOW — Central hasn’t lost to Harding since 1998 — a run of 14 straight victories. But, for the first time since then, Central comes in as the underdogs. Junior QB Mykell Morris has been electric for the Hillhoppers however. Harding was coached by Jack Cochran for the first three games of the year, but he left with what was disclosed as a ‘heart aliment’ by Bridgeport superintendent Paul Vallas, and hasn’t returned. He isn’t expected to be coach next year. This is for the John E. Johansen Trophy. The Bridgeport City championship for Harding.

Who will win the Class LL semifinals West Haven at Darien?

West Haven (9-2)

52%

Darien (10-1)

48%

Total Response: 452 Votes

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Warde at Ludlowe

WHERE/WHEN – Taft Field, Ludlowe HS, Fairfield, 10 a.m.
RECORDS — Ludlowe 7-3, Warde 3-7
T-DAY SERIES – Warde 10-8
LAST YEAR — Ludlowe 31-13
YOU SHOULD KNOW — Ludlowe, headed by first-year coach Vin Camera, has already secured its football season since splitting from the old Fairfield High School in 2004. Senior QB Matt White has thrown for 1,144 yards and nine touchdowns and has run for another 1,000 yards and 14 touchdowns. Ludlowe made national headlines when White’s triple-tipped pass to Mikey Arman His Warde counterpart Brett Bisack has throw for 1,300 yards, but also has 12 picks against 5 TDs. T.J. Gallagher and Ryan Brown are the Mustangs prime offensive threats.. This is for the Gallagher-Banyas Trophy.

Who will win the Class L semifinals New Canaan at Masuk?

New Canaan (9-2)

61%

Masuk (10-1)

39%

Total Response: 456 Votes

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Bunnell vs. Stratford

WHERE/WHEN — Thursday, 10 a.m; Penders Field, Stratford
SERIES HISTORY — Bunnell leads 35-20
LAST YEAR — Bunnell 57-26
Players to watch: Bunnell: Nolan Aurelia, Sr., QB; Andrick Bernadel, Sr., RB/LB; Devante Teel, Sr., WR/D; Justin Townsend, Sr., RB/WR/LB; Stratford: Brad Derry, Jr., QB; Marquez Daniels, So., WR; Gueber Docteur, Jr., WR; Kyle Kodnia, Jr., K
You should know: Bunnell and Stratford both enter at 3-7 and on three-game losing streaks. …Bunnell, under first-year coach Doug Cotto, still operates out of a spread formation and has the skill players to move quickly down the field. Bunnell senior QB Nolan Aurelia has thrown for 1,890 yards and 17 touchdowns, and he’s also rushed for 506 yards and four scores. Sr. RB Justin Townsend has added 565 rushing yards and seven touchdowns. …Aurelia has targets in the open field in Senior Devante Teel (35 catches, 541 yards, eight touchdowns) and freshman Zhyaire Fernandes (37-732-2). Fernandes has also made two interceptions. Bernadel leads the team with 110 total tackles and he’s also made two sacks. …Stratford will honor its 1988 state championship team as part of this game’s festivities.

Who will win the Class L quarterfinal Masuk at Fitch?

No. 5 Masuk (9-1)

69%

No. 4 Fitch (10-0)

31%

Total Response: 439 Votes

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Staples vs. Greenwich

WHEN: Thursday, 10 a.m.
WHERE: Staples Field
T-DAY SERIES: Staples leads series 6-2
LAST YEAR — Staples 48-30
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Staples: Jack Massie, Sr., QB; Patrick Lesch, Sr., RB; Will Patrick, Sr., WR; Jake Melnick, Jr., WR/DB; Greenwich: Austin Longi, Jr., RB; Matt Marzulla, Jr., QB; Tommy Rapa, Sr., RB; Jack Wynne, Sr., DL.
YOU SHOULD KNOW: Isn’t this game supposed to be for the FCIAC title? Normally, yes. Not this season. Not for the first time since 2010. It’s still a big game, however, with some postseason implications. The Wreckers need a win to stay in the hunt for a Class LL state playoff spot. A victory for Staples (8-2, 8-1) is good, but they also need Fairfield Prep, Ridgefield, Hall or Southington to lose. So expect Staples to be pretty fired up. …Greenwich’s (7-3, 6-3) postseason hopes are all but done. A win would end the season on a high note for them and give them the title of dashing the Wreckers playoff hopes. …Staples’ Massie leads the Wreckers offense with the ability to strike through the air (1345 yards, 14 TDS) and on the ground (602, 8 TDs). Add in Lesch (983, 14 TDs) who should go over the 1,000 rushing yard mark, and Johnson (694, 7 TDs). The Wreckers are averaging 264.5 yards on the ground per game. Staples defense is coming off a performance against Norwalk where they gave up just 13 points and shutout the Bears in the final three quarters. …Greenwich’s Longi has been the do-it-all man for the Cardinals. Staples will need to keep a few eyes on him. He has 1,358 rushing yards (22 TDs) and has caught three scores for 342 yards. He also has three interceptions and 2,543 all-purpose yards. The ground game has been the bread and butter as Greenwich is averaging 291.4 yards a game. Defensively, the Cardinals should be stronger as Kendrick Pozo returned and played against Danbury on Nov. 15. He was reportedly out since a Week 2 injury. …Staples has won the last four meetings, including 11′ and 12 for the FCIAC title.

Who will win the Class L quarterfinal Maloney at Windsor?

No. 3 Windsor (9-1)

87%

No. 6 Maloney (9-1)

13%

Total Response: 384 Votes

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THE TURKEY BOWL

Darien at New Canaan

WHERE/WHEN – Dunning Field, New Canaan, 10:30 a.m.
RECORDS — New Canaan 11-0 (FCIAC Champions), Darien 9-1
ALL-TIME SERIES — New Canaan 46-34-2 (New Canaan 13-4-1 on Thanksgiving)
LAST YEAR — Darien 36-23
YOU SHOULD KNOW — Last year, Darien won this game for the first time in 11 years. This year, they’re facing, perhaps, the best New Canaan team since 2008 (or, ever?). The Rams come in as the reigning FCIAC champions, having won the title with a 31-20 victory over St. Joseph. But Darien is having its best year since it won the FCIAC championship in 2010. Wave all-purpose back Nick Lombardo has been one of the FCIAC’s most electric players, senior first-year starting QB Silas Wyper has been flawless and the defense, particularly ends George Reed and Mark Evanchick. New Canaan, the No. 1-ranked team in Connecticut, has been lights out, scoring 492 points — the third best total in the state — and holding opponents to just 147. LB Cole Harris might be the state’s best linebacker and the D is tough behind LB Mike Root and end Connor Buck. QB Nick Cascione, though his stats aren’t gaudy as some, is one of the state’s most efficient QBs. He’s thrown 1,740 yards and 27 touchdowns vs. just 3 interceptions. New Canaan can clinch the top seed in Class L with a win. A Darien upset would propel the Wave to as high as the No. 2 seed if all breaks right. Imagine that.

Who will win the Class L semifinals Windsor at Hand?

Hand (10-1)

73%

Windsor (10-1)

27%

Total Response: 453 Votes

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St. Joseph at Trumbull

WHERE/WHEN– Dalling Sports Complex, St. Joseph HS, Trumbull, 10:30 a.m.
RECORDS — Trumbull 8-2, St. Joseph 9-2
T-DAY SERIES — Trumbull 21-7
LAST YEAR — St. Joseph 55-20
YOU SHOULD KNOW — St. Joseph comes in having won back-to-back series meetings for the first time looking to make it three straight to assure at No. 2 seed in the Class M playoffs. They also come in as the FCIAC runners up. The Hogs feature one of the biggest offensive lines and best skill players in the state, including QB Jordan Vazzano (2,404 yards, 30 TDs), RB Mufasha Abdul-Basir (1,693, 20 TDs) and WR Lars Pedersen (13 TDs). But Trumbull’s offense has been searing behind senior QB Nick Roberts, who’s thrown for nearly 3,000 yards (2,918) and 31 TDs. T.J. Hyduk has caught 49 passes for 994 yards and 13 TDs. M.J. Cesare has rushed for over 1,000 yards and 18 TDs. The Eagles must win to have a chance at the Class LL playoffs (they needs two teams above them to win). This is for the Jerry McDougall Trophy.