I went down to Ken Strong Stadium Friday and checked out the scrimmage between Ansonia and West Haven.

When I left, Ansonia held a 21-0 lead after three quarters. Looked like each teams' B-Unit was about to enter the game.

Final ended up being 28-7.

Some thoughts: 

• Ansonia junior running back Arkeel Newsome, the reigning Register player of the year, scored three times, including one on a long gain. The two other scores came near the goal line, although he did break off another long run to set up the Chargers' first score.

• Senior Andrew Matos caught a few passes from sophomore quarterback Jai'Quan McKnight. McKnight took over the QB duties from expected starter Tyler Lester, who broke his leg in a preseason camp. Lester may return late in the year. McKnight did a decent job directing the offense. McKnight was expected to be the second option after Newsome in the backfield before Lester's injury. McKnight also had an interception on West Haven's first offensive series.

• Ansonia's young and inexperienced offense line is coming along. The Chargers' defense was impressive.

• West Haven's defense was also solid despite surrendering those three scores. The Westies have some big and athletic kids. Senior Bobby Sampson had a solid game at defensive back, making several tackles and swatting away a few pass attempts.

• Offensively, West Haven struggled to get a rhythm. Junior Ervin Philips and senior Eddy Williams had some nice runs, though. Philips was open several times in the flat but quarterback Javon Taylor, a transfer from Wilbur Cross, was unable to make the completion. Taylor, standing around 6-feet-3, has a good arm and should be quite a weapon this season.

Overall, both Ansonia and West Haven looked good, and both should make runs at qualifying for the postseason. Ansonia, the defending Class M champions, move down to Class S. West Haven has a strong shot to qualify in Class LL, although its regular season schedule is again brutal.