Below are my Week 1 pics for games being played on Thursday and Friday.

THURSDAY’S GAMES

Woodland (6-4 in 2011) at Sacred Heart (4-5), 6 p.m.: Woodland has the talent to ascend back into the upper echelon in the Naugatuck Valley League. Register’s pick: Woodland.

No. 7 Hillhouse (7-3) at Foran (3-7), 7 p.m.: Hillhouse, led by junior running back Harold Cooper, is a legitimate Class M contender. Register’s pick: Hillhouse.

FRIDAY’S GAMES

Fairfield Prep (5-5) at Wilbur Cross (1-9), 4 p.m.: Fairfield Prep is expected to be one of the most improved teams in the Southern Connecticut Conference. Register’s pick: Fairfield Prep.

Platt Tech (4-6) at Cheney Tech (9-2), 6 p.m.: Platt Tech should be improved, but Cheney Tech appears poised to contend for the Constitution State Conference title. Register’s pick: Cheney Tech.

Hyde (4-6) at Haddam-Killingworth (8-3), 6:30 p.m.: H-K suffered a huge blow when senior quarterback Alex DiMauro-D’Amico suffered a season-ending leg injury. Register’s pick: Hyde.

Lewis Mills (2-8) at Morgan (1-9), 6:30 p.m.: Can Lewis Mills make it two straight season-opening wins over the Huskies? Register’s pick: Morgan.

Valley Regional/Old Lyme (10-2) at North Branford (9-2), 6:30 p.m.: Last year Valley Regional/Old Lyme won 48-47. It could be just as high scoring this season. Register’s pick: North Branford.

Amity (4-6) at No. 3 Hand (13-0), 7 p.m.: Hand has the talent to repeat in Class L. Register’s pick: Hand

No. 4 Ansonia (14-0) at Torrington (7-3), 7 p.m.: Ansonia won last season’s meeting convincingly in a game billed as one of the marquee match ups in the NVL. This year’s contest may truly be worthy of the hype. Register’s pick: Ansonia.

Bethel (7-4) at Bunnell (8-2), 7 p.m.: Bunnell and senior quarterback Bryan Castelot might have the most explosive offense in the South-West Conference. Register’s pick: Bunnell.

Guilford (4-6) at North Haven (9-2), 7 p.m.: North Haven senior running back Jalon White is one of the top backs in the SCC. Register’s pick: North Haven.

Hamden (1-9) at West Haven (7-3), 7 p.m.: Speaking of good running backs in the SCC, the Westies have a special one in junior Ervin Philips. Register’s pick: West Haven.

Law (0-10) at Sheehan (5-5), 7 p.m.: If there’s a sleeper team in the SCC, it could very well be Sheehan. The Titans’ offense could be as potent as any team in the league. Register’s pick: Sheehan.

Lyman Hall (4-6) at East Haven (2-8), 7 p.m.: New Lyman Hall coach Rob Marone will seek his first victory against a school where his father, Mike, is the athletic director. Register’s pick: Lyman Hall.

Shelton (8-2) at Cheshire (5-5), 7 p.m.: Shelton just missed qualifying for the state playoffs last season. With many starters back, expect the Gaels to make another push for the postseason. Register’s pick: Shelton.

Trumbull (2-7) at Branford (4-6), 7 p.m.: Tough to peg what kind of year either team will have. Trumbull, though, has been stronger overall in recent years so they get the edge here. Register’s pick: Trumbull.

Whitney Tech (first year as varsity team) at Seymour (5-5), 7 p.m.: Welcome to the big leagues, Whitney Tech. Register’s pick: Seymour.