Newington eliminated from playoff hunt

Masuk's 17-14 victory over Newtown, combined with losses by East Hartford (to Manchester) and Windsor (to Bloomfield), have mathematically eliminated Newington from playoff contention before the Indians even take the field against Wethersfield in their annual Thanksgiving Day rivalry tomorrow morning.

Including "bonus points" from games that affect the playoff contenders' strength of schedule, Masuk, currently ranked #4 in Class L, is guaranteed to finish with a point average of no worse than 124, while #5-ranked Newington's maximum possible average is 123.

In addition to being stuck behind Masuk, the Indians also cannot leapfrog #1 Bunnell or #2 Staples, even if either loses tomorrow. Bunnell can finish with an average of no worse than 145.6; Staples is guaranteed at least a 123.3 average. #3 Conard, which has finished its season, can do no worse than its current 126 average.

So the Indians are out of the state championship hunt. That sucks. With star tailback Nathan Pagan a senior, you had to think, or at least hope, that maybe this was their year. But as it turns out, their one loss of the season -- a 31-6 setback at undefeated Class M power Bristol Eastern on October 20 -- was too much to overcome, as too many other Class L teams finished either unbeaten or with one loss, and all of them had stronger schedules than Newington.

But there's still plenty to play for tomorrow. The Wethersfield game is always important, regardless of any outside implications, and in this case the Indians are looking for their first victory at Wethersfield since 1993, as I mentioned previously. Also, with a win, Newington would finish the season 9-1 -- their best season, judging by win-loss percentage, since they won the state championship at 11-1 in 1980.

Comments

[jlr]

thbbbbbbt.

Welcome to Newington football. Yeah, I know they've done well the last few years, but one has a hard time forgetting 3-38-1.

You're not in town, are you? I'll be back in Newington until Sunday...

[Brendan]

The current seniors have no recollection of the dark days, unless they followed NHS football while they were in middle and elementary school. The team is 30-9-1 since they enrolled, having going 9-2, 7-3, 6-3-1, and 8-1 (with one game remaining) the last four years.

It'll be interesting to see how much of this four-year string of success is due to Nathan Pagan, who is at or near the top of all sorts of all-time state rushing lists. This morning's Wethersfield game is his last time in an Indians uniform. After he graduates, will the team revert to form (if not their old 3-38-1 form, at least their 9-23 form, circa 2001-2003), or will they be able to keep the success going?

Anyway, no, I'm not in Newington for Thanksgiving. (If I were, I'd be in Wethersfield right now, at the game.) I'm staying in Knoxville for the holiday. Becky and I don't want to travel too far afield -- i.e., more than an hour or two's drive away from our hospital -- at this point. :)

[Mike]

"The team is 30-9-1 since they enrolled, having going [sic] 9-2, 7-3, 6-3-1, and 8-1 (with one game remaining) the last four years."

I tell you, the man's conjugation is slipping. time to brush up on those flash cards, Daddy-to-be. ;)