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Quinebaug
Pride must
perform on
the big stage
By Ron P. Coderre
The 2013 Thanksgiving holiday is highlighted by three high school football games. On center stage with the most at stake is the contest featuring the Quinebaug Pride at Killingly in a 10:30 a.m. start. The game is scheduled to be broadcast live on WINY Radio with John Wilbur calling the play-by-play and Paul Coutu providing the color commentary.
About a half hour south on Rt. 395, the Plainfield Panthers travel to Jewett City to play the Griswold Wolverines in a 10 a.m. kickoff. This game is probably the most heated contest of the holiday, as the rivalry is now the longest standing in the area since Putnam dropped football to join the tri-op Quinebaug Pride program.
On the eve of Thanksgiving Woodstock like the traditional holiday turkey is putting its neck on the chopping block against Windham in Willimantic under the arcs. Kickoff is scheduled of 6:30 p.m.
Pride Playing for More Than Pride
If you look at the Quinebaug Pride vs. Killingly game by comparing records immediately the Pride looks like the favorite. However, when comparing other aspects of the two teams, the contest looks much different.
The Pride enters the game with an impressive 8-2 log while the Redmen are 4-6. A victory by the Pride just about assures coach Joe Asermelly’s team of a spot in the CIAC Class M Postseason Tournament. Playing for the spot puts additional pressure on the Pride, while the Redmen can play the role of spoiler, giving significant meaning to the outcome of this contest.
Killingly plays in the more competitive Eastern Connecticut Conference Medium Division, while Quinebaug plays in the Constitution State Conference which is not as competitive. There are no common opponents on the schedules, but both teams have played teams that are ranked in the CIAC standings. The Redmen lost to five ranked opponents, NFA, New London, Ledyard, Windham and Montville, while the Pride was beaten by Capital/Classical/Achievement and Prince Tech but have taken the measure of Cheney Tech and Bullard Havens.
The Redmen have put 241 points on the scoreboard but have allowed opponents to score 298. The Pride on the other hand has been an offensive machine, scoring 370 points while allowing only 213 over the first 10 games.
The Pride is led by quarterback Tylor Genest, who guides an offense that features two feared running backs Raif Santerre (971 yards) and John Sanderson (1019 yards). Genest and Santerre have each scored 14 touchdowns. Recently the Pride unveiled a passing game that features three capable receivers in Benjamin Brissette, Saige Louis and Jeremee Perez. They also have a decent kicker in the person of Connor Pion. Brissette from his middle linebacker position directs a solid Pride defense.
The Killingly offense relies heavily on running back Tyler Stucke, who despite playing injured for the major part of the season is a threat every time he has the pigskin in his hands, as he’s racked up close to 1000 yards in limited action. Michael Elsey who has emerged when Stucke’s been down is a dangerous runner and receiver. The quarterback role has been split between freshman Kyle Derosier and senior Nick Hewitt but with Derosier under center Killingly has a sure handed receiver in Hewitt. The Redmen also features another pass catcher in Travis Zurowski. The Killingly defense is anchored by the quartet of Mitch Conroy, Zane Cooke, Troy Chappell and Henry Hewig.
The game comes down to whether the Pride, which plays a seemingly less competitive schedule, can prove that its consistent play throughout the season isn’t a fluke. Santerre and Sanderson along with Genest must rise to the occasion if they want to play again in the CIAC Quarterfinals on December 3.
Killingly will be out to prove that playing in the ECC builds strength because of the week-in and week-out level of competition. The Redmen will also have to get more out of the offense than simply relying on Stucke to carry the load.
A big crowd should be on hand for this meaningful game that could go down to the wire. The Pride has had significant comeback wins this season and appears ready for the Redmen. Look for the Pride in a squeaker.
Wolverines Favored on Home Turf
Based on the records, Plainfield (5-5) and Griswold (5-4), this game appears to be another typical Panthers vs. Wolverines snarling battle. Plainfield has suffered nagging injuries to key players all season and it’s no different on Thanksgiving.
Cody Alday and Jordan Federer are nursing ankle injuries and quarterback Steve Jankowski has been hampered with leg and hand injuries at varying points in the season. Griswold due to a scheduling snafu has only played nine games and should be rested and healthy for this showdown.
The teams have had four common opponents throughout this season. Both teams beat St. Bernard/Norwich Tech and Woodstock Academy and each was beaten by New London. Plainfield lost to Windham, a win that Griswold marks as the highlight of its season up until now.
Overall it appears that Griswold has a slight edge because of its stronger ECC schedule. Of Plainfield’s five victories, three came against Rhode Island opponents that aren’t of ECC caliber. When coaches Glenn Labossiere of Griswold and Pat Smith of Plainfield stand on opposite sides of the gridiron it’s a guaranteed that a fight to the end will ensue.
The pick here is Griswold by 10 points.
Academy Appears Doomed
In a year that’s been tough from start to finish, 0-10 Woodstock Academy faces yet another rugged opponent in the 6-4 Windham Whippets. The Windham squad of coach Brian Crudden had numerous weapons in quarterback Jack Risley, receiver Dakota Fleming, and running backs Gilberto Torres and Joe Santiago.
A victory for Woodstock would make the season a success despite a very trying fall. But it doesn’t look like there are any miracles in the offing. It’s the final game for Centaur seniors Billy Harrington, Justin Cutting, Patrick Falkowski and John McGinn.
The pick is Windham in a lopsided affair.