DERBY VS. NO. 4 ANSONIA 

When: Thursday, 6:30 p.m.
Where: Nolan Field, Ansonia
Team records: Derby 2-0; Ansonia 2-0
Players to watch: Derby — Dillon McMahon, Sr., WR/DB; Tyrae Small, Jr., RB/LB; Duane Jones, Sr., OL/DL; Ansonia — Arkeel Newsome, Jr., RB/DB; Andrew Matos, Sr., WR/LB; Jh’Mel Trammell, Sr., OL/DL.
You should know: This game marks the 90th meeting between these two storied programs. Ansonia holds a 53-28-8 series lead. The Chargers have won the last five meetings (2002-2003, 2009-2011). The teams did not play from 2004-2008. Derby’s last win was a 14-12 victory in 2001. The last time the Red Raiders won the first two games in a season was in 1999. This contest is the first Naugatuck Valley League Brass Division title of the season for each team. Derby earned a hard-fought 21-20 victory over Naugatuck last week. Naugatuck scored late in the fourth quarter but Small blocked the extra point attempt and the Red Raiders survived. Derby’s defense was stingy, allowing just two touchdowns. The Greyhounds scored on a kickoff return on the game’s opening play. The Red Raiders will need to play nearly flawlessly to pull the upset here. Emotions should be high, and in a rivalry game, anything can happen. Ansonia, though, might be too skilled for Derby to contain for four quarters and is favored here.
Register’s pick: Ansonia.

OTHER GAMES

CSC
Prince Tech at O'Brien Tech, 7:00 p.m. Pick: Prince Tech

NVL BRASS
Watertown at Wilby, 6:00 p.m. Pick: Watertown

SCC DIVISION II EAST
East Haven at North Haven, 7:00 p.m. Pick: North Haven

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.

Only two games on tap for Thursday.

Here are my picks:

CSC

O'Brien Tech at Wilcox Tech, 7:00 p.m.: Good shot for OB Tech to pick up a victory. Win would boost Condors' confidence. Pick: O'Brien Tech.

ECC INTER

Ledyard at Killingly, 6:30 p.m.: Killingly hasn't defeated the Colonels since 1998. Pick: Ledyard.

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.

By Mike Pucci, Register Staff
mpucci@nhregister.com / Twitter: @MikePucciNHR

Despite a convincing win over Holy Cross in Week 4, Ansonia football coach Tom Brockett is well-aware how dangerous the Crusaders can be.

Holy Cross scored first in that contest on Oct. 7 before the Chargers settled down and rolled to a 45-13 victory.

The teams meet again Thursday night to decide the Naugatuck Valley League champion. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. at Municipal Stadium in Waterbury.

Like Ansonia (9-0), the Crusaders (8-1) have a plethora of skill players, and both teams thrive running the ball.

Senior Dave DiGiorgi is Holy Cross’ best overall player, while fellow running back Adrian Brown, a junior, and freshman sensation Isaiah Wright are also dangerous in the open field.

“Obviously they’re a very talented football team,” Brockett said. “They have great skill players. Every time you go against that you worry about the speed and how those kids can score on you on one play.”

Read the full story here.

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