H.S. FOOTBALL WEEK 2 SPOTLIGHT

NO. 3 HAND VS. NO. 7 HILLHOUSE

♦ When: Today, 4 p.m.

♦ Where: Bowen Field, New Haven
♦ Team records: Hand 1-0; Hillhouse 1-0

♦ Players to watch: Hand — Brendan Bilcheck, Sr., QB; Peter Gerson, Sr., DE; Kyle Anderson, Sr., WR/DE; Hillhouse — Harold Cooper, Jr., RB/LB; Andre Anderson, Sr., RB/DB; Je’Vaughn Moore, Sr., QB.

♦ You should know: It’s never easy for an opponent to come to Bowen Field on a Friday afternoon, especially for Hand, which normally does not play well there. “The bottom line for us, and not to jinx us, but we never play well there. Ever. It throws our clocks off,” Hand coach Steve Filippone said. “It’s not an excuse in any way, shape or form, but we’re not accustomed to it.” The Tigers have more than the site and time to be concerned with. Hillhouse is a formidable opponent. Anderson and Cooper are two of the best backs in the state. Defensively, Filippone praised Anderson’s abilities. “He’s the best defensive back, in terms of run support, that I’ve ever seen,” the coach said. “He makes plays from 15 yards deep (and makes them) behind the line of scrimmage.” The Tigers, though, are equally as talented, featuring an effective spread offense and one of the best defenders in the state in Gerson. Hard to make a pick here. Should be quite the contest. Hillhouse’s speed, athleticism and, yes, home-field advantage, might give it the edge.

♦ Register’s pick: Hillhouse.

FRIDAY'S GAMES

East Haven (1-0) at Fairfield Prep (1-0), 6 p.m.: East Haven earned a season-opening win for the first time since 2006. It’s reward? A date with the Jesuits, perhaps the SCC’s most improved team. Register’s pick: Fairfield Prep.  

Nonnewaug (0-1) at Valley Regional/Old Lyme (0-1), 6;30 p.m.: Valley may be young, but there’s talent all over the field, especially quarterback Jean-Luc Poulard and receiver Chris Jean-Pierre. Register’s pick: Valley Regional/Old Lyme.

North Branford (1-0) at Haddam-Killingworth (0-1), 6:30 p.m.: The host Cougars have been hit hard by injuries, which doesn’t bode well for their chances against the Thunderbirds, perhaps the most talented team in the Pequot Conference. Register’s pick: North Branford.

Bunnell (1-0) at Brookfield (1-0), 7 p.m.: Both teams can score, but defense may decide this South-West Conference contest. Register’s pick: Bunnell.

Cheshire (1-0) at Branford (1-0), 7 p.m.: Observers might have underestimated Cheshire heading into Week 1. After a victory over highly-touted Shelton, the Rams have positioned themselves as contenders in the SCC. Register’s pick: Cheshire.

Foran (0-1) at Shelton (0-1), 7 p.m.: Shelton can’t slip up here if it has any hopes of qualifying for the postseason. Register’s pick: Shelton.

Hamden (0-1) at Danbury (0-1), 7 p.m.: Hamden (SCC) and Danbury (FCIAC) have two of the biggest student populations in their respective leagues. Register’s pick: Danbury.

Naugatuck (1-0) at Derby (1-0), 7 p.m.: Could be the most competitive game in the Naugatuck Valley League this weekend. Register’s pick: Derby.

North Haven (1-0) at No. 1 Xavier (1-0), 7 p.m.: North Haven will certainly put up a fight, but the Falcons looked like they could beat some college teams in a Week 1 win over Notre Dame-West Haven. Register’s pick: Xavier.

Notre Dame-Fairfield (0-1) vs. Stratford (0-1), 7 p.m. at Bunnell: Stratford gave Brookfield all it could handle last week, proving that the Red Devils might just be a factor in the SWC this season. Register’s pick: Stratford.

Notre Dame-West Haven (0-1) at Lyman Hall (0-1), 7 p.m.: Lyman Hall coach Rob Marone will have to wait another week to earn his first victory with the program. Register’s pick: Notre Dame-West Haven.   

Sacred Heart (0-1) at Seymour (1-0), 7 p.m.: Sacred Heart wide receiver David Coggins and quarterback Javon Martin were ruled ineligible for the season’s first four games for their involvement in recruiting violations after the two attempted to transfer to Naugatuck. Register’s pick: Seymour.

Sheehan (1-0) at Amity (0-1), 7 p.m.: Sure, Sheehan, will score, but the Titans must put forth a better defensive effort after surrendering 42 points in a win over Law last week. Register’s pick: Sheehan.

West Haven (1-0) at Guilford (0-1), 7 p.m.: Guilford still looking for its first points of the season after being shut out against North Haven in Week 1. Register’s pick: West Haven.

Wilbur Cross (0-1) at Law (0-1), 7 p.m.: Law looks to snap 12-game losing skid. Register’s pick: Wilbur Cross.

Woodland (1-0) at No. 4 Ansonia (1-0), 7 p.m.: Will it be Woodland’s high-octane spread offense or the Chargers’ effective rushing attack, led by junior Arkeel Newsome, that emerges victorious? Register’s pick: Ansonia.

SATURDAY'S GAME

Morgan (1-0) at Hyde (1-0), noon: After going 4-6 in 2011, Hyde appears ready to contend again in the Pequot Conference. Register’s pick: Hyde.

Weston (1-0) at Oxford (1-0), noon: The schedule only gets tougher for Oxford, but a 2-0 start could do a lot for the Wolverines’ confidence. Register’s pick: Oxford.

East Hampton/Vinal Tech (0-1) at Old Saybrook/Westbrook (0-0), 1 p.m.: I’m sure Old Saybrook/Westbrook is raring to go after having last week off. Register’s pick: Old Saybrook/Westbrook.

Last week: 19-4. Season: 19-4.