GameTimeCT

Kickoff, at last! Hello again and welcome to the Meat Grinder, your weekly dose of high school football in Connecticut brought to you by the gang at GameTimeCT.com and hosted by Sean Patrick Bowley and Pete Paguaga. In this first episode of Season 7, we look back at everything that's happened this past offseason, starting with the deaths of two of Connecticut's all-time great coaches, Chuck Drury of Pomperaug and Ed McCarthy of St. Joseph and West Haven. We also break down the preseason Top 10 and give you our picks to reach and win the SIX 2024 CIAC state championship games. Join us. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to 16th and final Season 6 episode of The Meat Grinder, your weekly dose of high school football in Connecticut, brought to you by GameTimeCT and CT Insider. After six great championship bouts ad CCSU and UConn's Rentschler Field, we've crowned our 2023 champions and voted in the final GameTimeCT Top 10 poll and the STAPLES WRECKERS are No. 1 following their thrilling, 21-20 Class LL championship victory over West Haven. Join hosts Sean Patrick Bowley and Pete Paguaga as they run through everything that happened during championship weekend, including recaps of all six state championship games and how they voted in the final top 10 poll. This week's special guest star, our first in over a month, is none other than newly crowned No. 1-ranked Staples coach ADAM BEHRENDS.  The Iowa native arrived in Westport from IMG Academy in Florida just four years ago and, after a near-disastrous 2-8 season in 2019, Behrends quickly molded Staples in to a contender. But after a 1-point loss to Fairfield Prep in the 2022 quarterfinals, the Wreckers developed a 2023 Mantra: Find the Point. And they did just that, avenging their playoff loss to Prep by a point and then avenging their Week 1 loss to West Haven by a single yard and one point: 21-20. We also run down some of the candidates of the upcoming 91st New Haven Register All-State football Team. So — for the final time in 2023 — join us, won't you? RUNDOWN 0:00 — 2023 CIAC Championship Montage 4:23 — Staples finishes No. 1  10:42 — The Final 2023 GameTimeCT Top 10 13:11 — Poll Comparisons: Pete, Sean, Coaches 16:43 — Class LL Championship recap 20:46 — Class S championship recap 23:15 — Class MM Championship recap 24:29 — Class M Championship recap 25:59 — Class L Championship recap 28:40 — Class SS Championship recap 30:47 — Championship weekend takeaways (crowd comparisions) 36:37 — Interview with Staples coach ADAM BEHRENDS 1:06:46 — Final championship thoughts, 2024 look ahead 1:15:17 — 2023 Players and Coaches of the Year? 1:23:58 — Will Aldam wins the picks and Season 6 wrap Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to another thrilling edition of The Meat Grinder, your weekly dose of high school football in Connecticut with GameTimeCT's Sean Patrick Bowley and Pete Paguaga, and the weekly GameTimeCT Pick'ems Podcas: CIAC quarterfinal edition. And what a Thanksgiving week it was as we completed the CIAC state playoff field. There were upsets galore in the final Class S standings; a stunning revival for Fairfield Prep, which toppled West Haven to become the first losing team to qualify; Jett Hall's legendary Valley performances as Naugatuck toppled Ansonia in a battle of unbeatens. But the best game of Thanksgiving belonged to the Apple Valley Classic, where — at long last — Notre Dame recruit Matt Jeffery, injured for the better part of the last seven weeks, made his triumphant return to the gridiron and led Cheshire past rival Southington in a ride-or-die scenario in a game it hadn't won since 2011. SPB takes you through that thriller at Fontana Field and all the rest as we put a bow on the 2023 regular season.  And now we're onto the playoffs. First 45 is your annual Thanksgiving recap with highlights of impactful games from last week. The second 45 is the pick'ems, where Pete and Sean predict all 24 quarterfinal games, not to mention take a few stabs at predicting the state champions. You won't want to miss a minute. So join us, won't you? RUNDOWN  0:00 — Opening Montage: Matt Jeffery, the return 1:55 — Introduction: CIAC playoff (and website) probs 10:15 —Thanksgiving week wrap: Tuesday night 11:59 — Thanksgiving week wrap: Wednesday night (Masuk, Hand, Fairfield Prep) 20:47 —Thanksgiving Day wrap: Smith, Staples knock off No. 1 Greenwich 27:56 — Thanksgiving Day wrap: Jeffery goes off as Cheshire topples Southington 39:29 — Jett Hall. Naugatuck run past Ansonia, to 10-0 record 43:55 — Wrapping up Thanksgiving. 45:12 — Flip over your record, it's the pick section. 49:20 — CLASS S bracket and picks 55:06 — CLASS SS bracket and picks 1:04:08 — CLASS M bracket and picks 1:15:01 — CLASS MM bracket and picks 1:20:58 — CLASS L bracket and picks 1:28:15 — Class LL bracket and picks #cthsfb #highschoolfootball #connecticut #football #notredamefightingirish #ctfootball Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome back to another thrilling episode of The Meat Grinder, your weekly dose of High School Football in Connecticut and because we live in Connecticut, and we're fast approaching the last Thursday in November, everybody should know what that means. Yes, turkeys, it's Thanksgiving Football Week in Connecticut, the final regular season game of the year. It's a time to come home home, get the fam or the gang together and head out to your favorite high school football game, whatever it might be called — The Route 83 Bowl, the Turkey Bowl, the Green Bowl, the Elm City Bowl, The Battle for the Bell or the Battle for the Sword... whatever. There's always something to whet your appetite Thanksgiving morning.  And of course Thanksgiving week means copious amount of playoff math, which begets playoff scenarios. Many, many playoff scenarios. Because time is precious and short, Thanksgiving Week also means our annual hybrid episode, combining the Meat Grinder with the weekly Pick'ems Podcast! So if you're not one of the lucky contestants to be playing this week, pull up a chair, kick back and relax. We've got everything you need to know, and then some.  We start off with the usual, a breakdown of the latest GameTimeCT 10 poll, followed by a complete run down of all the teams vying for playoff spots. There are only 16 of 48 spots remaining and we'll tell you who needs what to keep playing next week.  We also recap some of last week's big games with playoff implications, including Hand-Sheehan and South Windsor-Enfield. SPB also recaps two of last week's WILD NEPSAC Bowl games — Cheshire Academy's late rally past Avon Old Farms and Hamden Hall's thrilling conclusion to its Bowl game vs. Dexter Southfield-Mass. And, finally, treat yourself to a full hour of Thanksgiving high school football picks. We're picking 20 games, including some of the week's biggest.  So, Happy Thanksgiving to all. We do hope you will join us. RUNDOWN 0:00 — Introduction 1:25 — It's Thanksgiving Football Week 2023! 7:13 — Wilton gets defensive with Shelton 8:25 — The Latest GameTimeCT Top 10 Poll (Windsor rips Bloomfield) 11:40 — Class S playoff situation 13:02 — Class SS playoff situation 14:23 — Hand tops Sheehan to qualify in Class M 17:13 — Class M playoff situation 18:00 — Class MM playoff situation 19:59 — Class L playoff situation: South Windsor knocks off Enfield to qualify 23:57 — Class LL playoff situation (Fairfield Prep getting closer) 25:59 — NEPSAC Bowls: Late TD propels Cheshire Academy over Avon Old Farms. 32:12 — NEPSAC Bowls: Hamden Hall holds off Dexter Southfield on final play 37:40 — THE PICKEM PODCAST 39:56 — Masuk at Newtown 43:27 — Prep at West Haven 45:58 — NWU at ATI 48:07 — Staples at Greenwich 51:00 — Guilford at Hand 55:16 — North Branford at Coginchaug 57:06 — Fitch at Ledyard 58:36 — NFA at New London 1:00:41 — Darien at New Canaan 1:04:24 — Naugatuck at Ansonia 1:09:04 — Green Bowl: NDWH at Hamden 1:12:27 — Stratford at Bunnell 1:14:41 — Central at Harding 1:16:21 — Cheshire at Southington 1:21:50 — Hartford Public at Weaver 1:23:18 — Battle for the Bell: Bristol Eastern v. Bristol Central 1:25:34 — Stoddard Bowl: Platt vs. Maloney 1:28:01 — Rumble in Trumbull: St. Joseph at Trumbull 1:30:15 — Elm City Bowl: Hillhouse at Cross 1:32:40 — Carini Bowl: Sheehan at Lyman Hall Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The GameTimeCT Pick'Em podcast and board has returned for Week 11 of the 2023 football season. THE RUNDOWN 0:00 - 2:34 — Opener 2:35 - 4:15 — Conard (1-8) at Hall (6-3) 4:16 - 5:20 — ATI (7-1) at Bullard Havens (7-2) 5:20 - 6:07 — Waterford (2-6) at Weaver (1-7) 6:08 - 7:19 — Granby/Canton (8-1) at SMSA co-op (8-1) 7:20 - 8:47 — Fairfield Prep (2-6) at Notre Dame-West Haven (2-6) 8:48 - 10:08 — Manchester (6-2) at East Hartford (4-5) 10:09 - 11:47 — New Fairfield (3-5) at Windham (6-2) 11:48 - 14:04 — Daniel Hand (7-1) at Sheehan (5-3) 14:05 - 15:29 — Bloomfield (8-0) at Windsor (8-1) 15:30 - 17:34 — Shelton (7-2) at Wilton (7-2) 17:35 - 19:06 — Wrap Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We've reached the penultimate week of the 2023 regular season, the week where we set the Thanksgiving table and learn, definitively, who is in and who needs what to qualify for the CIAC playoffs.  And, yes, your crack staff at GameTimeCT hunkered down with our slide rules and abacuses this weekend so that we may give you our best estimates on the latest scenarios heading into the final week and a half.  We also run down the latest top 10 poll and recap some of last week's big games, beginning with No. 9 Ansonia's 35-0 takedown of Oxford in an unbeaten NVL battle at Jarvis Stadium last week in, perhaps, a harbinger of playoff matchups to come.  We also recap the return of North Haven coach Tony Sagnella from his weekend suspension and sift through the ongoing soap opera in Monroe, where Masuk's seniors have risen about the controversy surrounding their coaching staff, to deliver an emphatic, playoff-qualifying victory over New Milford.  Don't miss our weekly shoutouts and a look at the upcoming NEPSAC Bowl championship games.  So join us, won't you? RUNDOWN 0:00 — Introduction 3:34 — Ansonia knocks off unbeaten Oxford, heads into Thanksgiving 9-0 9:42 — Week 11 GameTimeCT Top 10 Football Poll (Nos. 10-7) 11:38 — Sagnella returns from suspension for No. 6 North Haven 12:49 — Week 11 GameTimeCT Top 10 Football Poll (Nos. 5-1) 14:53 — 2023 Playoff Scenarios: Explaining CIAC's playoff formula and website issues 19:45 — Class S Playoff Scenarios (North Branford's huge win)  22:38 — Class SS Playoff Scenarios  25:16 — Class M Playoff Scenarios 26:35 — Class MM Playoff Scenarios (Cheshire in trouble) 32:22 — Class L Playoff Scenarios 34:22 — Class LL Playoff Scenarios (Can Fairfield Prep pull this off??) 43:20 — Seniors rise above the mess at Masuk 54:42 — SHOUTOUTS 1:03:43 — Suffield Academy upsets Cheshire Academy, NEPSAC Bowl matchups announced Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to back to another episode of the Meat Grinder, your weekly dose of high school football in Connecticut. Do not adjust your YouTube or Spotify. It is Friday and it is a very special episode of the Meat Grinder. Last week's drop of the Alliance playoff proposal got our gears going, we discussed it amongst ourselves, and then had a lengthy discussion about it with Oxford's Joe Stochmal, a member of the CIAC committee. We also thought about how similar the proposal is to one enacted by Massachusetts a few years ago in how the MIAA, the Massachusetts version of the CIAC, virtually eliminated the state's longstanding Thanksgiving Day football tradition at the expense of expanding the playoffs and starting it in early November. To give us a window into how that went down, we reached out to Danny Ventura, the 30-year veteran high school sports reporter from the Boston Herald for his insights and opinions on how Massachusetts' devaluation of Thanksgiving Day football has gone over. Granted, the CT Football Alliance's proposal suggests moving rivalry games typically held on Thanksgiving to Columbus Day, whereas Massachusetts allows teams to play Thanksgiving Day games in between the MIAA semifinals and championship weekend. But it was still an enlightening conversation all the same. We just couldn't fit it all into this week's regular Meat Grinder without heavy edits. Since we appreciate Danny's time and his insight, we present to you the full interview in a special episode. ENJOY! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The GameTimeCT Pick'Em podcast and board has returned for Week 10 of the 2023 football season. THE RUNDOWN  0:00 - 2:54 — Intro 2:55 - 4:17 — Windsor (7-1) at Berlin (6-2) 4:18 - 5:02 — Wilcox Tech (3-4) at Platt Tech (5-3) 5:03 - 6:42 — Killingly (5-3) at New London (5-3) 6:43 - 7:44 — Ludlowe (6-2) at Wilton (6-2) 7:45 - 9:07 — Oxford (8-0) at Ansonia (8-0) 9:08 - 11:05 — North Branford (4-3) at MSW (5-3) 11:06 - 12:14 — West Haven (7-1) at Cheshire (7-1) 12:15 - 13:59 — Newtown (7-1) at Bunnell (6-2) 14:00 - 16:11 — Shelton (6-2) at Xavier (6-2) 16:12 - 17:05 — Bassick (0-8) at Harding (2-6) 17:06 - 17:43 — Wrap Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We knew it was coming and here it is. The Alliance brass has interrupted the season with their latest call to remove Thanksgiving Day as Connecticut's crown jewel of sporting events. The idea: Dump a century's worth tradition in favor of a balanaced schedule based on class, 50% more (whyyy??) playoff teams, the ending the season before the wrestling mats get rolled out. A win for 12 schools' winter programs and 24 middling football teams, perhaps. Naturally, our intrepid podcast hosts have their own opinions on this latest move to remove Thanksgiving Day football, and they lay out their pros and cons of this budding tradition of yearly CT high school football playoff ideas. This week's special guest star is none other than JOE STOCHMAL, the only coach Oxford's ever known. His program is 8-0 for the first time and on pace to reach the state playoffs for the first time, even as they head to Jarvis Stadium to face unbeaten NVL rival Ansonia on Thursday night.  Stox gives us the lowdown on his program and, as a member of the CIAC football committee, shows us the roadmap on how playoff proposals become CIAC law. He also gives us his personal opinion on the Alliance proposal.  In the meantime, check out highights from a handful of Week 9's biggest games, including: No. 3 Maloney rallying past Southington; North Haven, sans coach Tony Sagnella, knocking off Matt Jeffery-less No. 2 Cheshire; and, finally, Choate's 17-14 victory over Avon Old Farms in the most anticipated Prep school game of the year, since last year. It's a jam-packed and long episode. But, with this last full week of non-Thanksgiving football, why not spread our wings a bit? So join us, won't you? RUNDOWN  0:00 — Introduction. 2:00 — Turkey Day games in September?? No, Thanks: The Alliance playoff proposal. 20:07 — The Week 10 GameTimeCT Top 10 Poll (Nos. 10-8) 21:30 — Sagnella-less North Haven takes out Jeffery-less No. 2 Cheshire 28:33 — GTCT Top 10 Poll (Nos. 5-1) 29:55 — No. 3 Maloney rallies, holds off Southington 37:09 — Bunnell knocks off Notre Dame-Fairfield 38:27 — CLASS S playoff update:  39:40 — CLASS SS playoff update:  41:44 — CLASS M playoff update:  44:19 — CLASS MM playoff update:  46:36 — CLASS L playoff update 48:28 — CLASS LL playoff update 54:34 — Interview with OXFORD coach JOE STOCHMAL 1:31:24 — Shoutouts! 1:38:40 — Choate beats Avon Old Farms in anticipated NEPSAC unbeaten showdown 1:46:07 — Wrapping up Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

GameTimeCT's Pete Paguaga and Sean Patrick Bowley are back for Week 9 of the staff pick'ems for the 2023 football season. Each and every week the duo will be selecting 10 games from across the state. THE RUNDOWN 0:00 - 4:10 — Intro  4:10 - 6:02 — CCC: Maloney (6-1) at Southington (5-2) 6:03 - 7:05 — Bullard Havens (5-2) at Wilcox Tech (3-3) 7:06 - 8:53 — Griswold/Wheeler (6-1) at Stonington (6-1) 8:54 - 10:25 — Trumbull (3-4) at Staples (6-1) 10:26 - 11:26 — Kennedy (3-4) at Wilby (0-7) 11:27 - 13:31 — Granby/Canton (6-1) at Cromwell/Portland (5-1) 13:32 - 17:33 — Cheshire (7-0) at North Haven (5-2) 17:34 - 19:51 — Stratford (0-7) at Bethel (1-6) 19:52 - 21:04 — Hillhouse (2-5) at East Haven (2-5)  21:05 - 23:23 — Manchester (5-1) at Windsor (6-1)  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It was a weekend of firsts across the state as October drew to a close. Notre Dame-Fairfield is 7-0 after beating Masuk for the first time since 2005. Coming off its first loss of the season, No. 7 West Haven handed No. 4 Newtown its first loss. Shelton, meanwhile, handed No. 6 North Haven its first on-field loss of the season while returning to the top 10 poll for the first time in a month. Up north, Manchester rallied to defeat Berlin 27-21 and is 5-1 for the first time since 2008 (a fact we didn't learn 'til after). Windham rallied to hand Stonington its first loss of the season. Back south, Wilton defeated Darien for the first time since 2007. And FIVE teams simultaneously earned their first victories of the season. Greenwich is still first in the latest GameTimeCT Top 10 football poll, but St. Joseph was the first team to hold the Cards under 30 points since Stamford did it Week 2. (Greenwich still won, 23-9, and might have become the first team to unofficially clinch a CIAC playoff spot. In Preps, Salisbury became the first team to beat Cheshire Academy. Everybody's anxious to see who'll emerge first in the Founders League when Choate and Avon Old Farms meet Saturday. This is also our first week without a guest. Coincidence? Hmm... But never fear, it's yet another jam packed episode with all the highlights and playoff outlooks you'll need on this first of November. So join us, won't you? RUNDOWN 0:00 — Opener, ND-Fairfield beats Masuk for first time since 2005 7:30 — Pete's first-half trip to Newtown-West Haven 10:45 — Pete's second-half trip to Shelton-North Haven 18:18 — The Week 9 GameTimeCT Top 10 Poll 26:47 — Sean's first-half trip to Manchester-Berlin 31:41 — Sean's second half trip to Windham-Stonington 41:43 — Wilton breaks another curse, beats Darien 45:14 — CIAC playoff standings: Class S & SS 49:52 — CIAC playoff standings: Class M & MM 57:23 — CIAC playoff standings: Class L & LL  1:06:46 — Week 8 Shoutouts (5 teams win their first games!) 1:15:41 — Salisbury rallies to knock off Cheshire Academy #cthsfb #ctfootball #connecticut #highschoolsports #highschoolfootball #fridaynightlights Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

GameTimeCT's Pete Paguaga and Sean Patrick Bowley are back for Week 8 of the staff pick'ems for the 2023 football season. Each and every week the duo will be selecting 10 games from across the state. THE RUNDOWN 0:00 - 3:07 — Intro 3:08 - 4:46 — Maloney at Hall 4:47 - 5:41 — Thames River at Cheney Tech 5:42 - 7:34 — Stonington at Windham 7:35 - 9:46 — Wilton at Darien 9:47 - 11:19 — Seymour at Gilbert/Northwestern/Housatonic 11:20 - 12:47 — Stafford co-op at Ellington 12:48 - 14:30 — North Haven at Shelton 14:31 - 17:42 — Masuk at Notre Dame-Fairfield 17:43 - 18:53 — West Haven at Newtown 18:54 - 21:06 — Trumbull at Stamford 21:07 - 22:36 — Wrap Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Triumph and sadness ruled yet another rainy week of football. First, at the opening of the new Ken Strong Stadium turf, North Haven — ranked in the preseason, but dropped following its forfeit to Darien Week 1 — completed its march back to the top 10 with a near-perfect 21-13 upset victory over No. 2 West Haven. The following night, Windsor, in its first game since the death of teammate Elijah-Jay Rivera, honored his memory with a moving ceremony with his family in the pouring rain at Jack O'Brien Stadium. Pete and Sean discuss these headlining events of Week 7, and delve into some of the other key games, including Ansonia's Sunday wipeout of Holy Cross, New Canaan's overtime victory over Wilton, and Greenwich's statement 42-0 victory over Trumbull and much more. This week's special guest star is Newtown's first-year coach DAN FARINA. whose No. 5-ranked Nighthawks put their unbeaten record to the test against a West Haven squad anxious to atone for their first loss of the year. Plus, we run down some of the other big games of the week in the weekly Shoutout section. So join us, won't you? RUNDOWN 0:00 — Opening, Windsor honors teammate Elijah-Jay Rivera 9:52 — North Haven grounds down No. 2 West Haven 21:34 — Top 10 Football Poll: No. 8 Ansonia's Sunday Stroll 23:47 — No. 7 Staples survives Harris, Stamford 26:43 — No. 6 New Canaan bests Wilton in OT 30:49 — No. 1 Greenwich's mission statement 36:38 — Latest CIAC playoff standings 44:05 — Interview with Newtown coach DAN FARINA 1:04:44 — Week 7 shoutouts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

GameTimeCT's Pete Paguaga and Sean Patrick Bowley are back for Week 7 of the staff pick'ems for the 2023 football season. Each and every week the duo will be selecting 10 games from across the state. The Rundown 0:00 - 2:21 — Intro 2:22 - 3:45 — Enfield at Berlin 3:46 - 5:03 — Wilcox Tech/Kaynor Tech at ATI 5:04 - 6:35 — Fitch at Killingly 6:36 - 8:25 — Wilton at New Canaan 8:26 - 9:09 — Holy Cross at Ansonia 9:10 - 10:34 — Stafford co-op at Granby/Canton 10:35 - 12:40 — North Haven at West Haven 12:41 - 14:15 — Notre Dame-Fairfield at Joel Barlow 14:16 - 15:14 — Wilby at Crosby  15:15 - 17:38 — SMSA co-op at Rockville  17:39 - 18:40 — Wrap Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome back to another edition of The Meat Grinder, Connecticut's award-winning high school podcast brought to you by GameTimeCT.  We've reached the midpoint of the 2023 season, and what better way to celebrate than diving into a very special Meat Grinder midseason double album. Yes, like the rock legends of old — The Beatles, Floyd, The Stones, Zep, The Who — we've got so much good stuff we're loathe to make any cuts, so we've decided to release it all in one drop. Join hosts Sean Patrick Bowley and Pete Paguaga as they look back on the Week 6 that was, including the two big Saturday FCIAC games, Rockville and Notre Dame-Fairfield's mission statement victories, Masuk freshman Aaaron Champagne popping the cork on Barlow. This week's special guest star is ninth-year Fitch coach MIKE ELLIS, whose team rallied to beat NFA on Saturday to set up a big ECC Division I showdown at perennial contender Killingly. Truth be told, Ellis hesitated before joining the podcast this week after realizing that all of this season's previous guests lost the same week they appeared on pod. Is there a Meat Grinder Podcast Curse? If there is, Ellis says he's here to break it. We've only just begun. The podcast's second half is our annual Midseason report, beginning with the first good look at the 2023 CIAC postseason picture in all six (bleh) playoff divisions. And, finally, Pete and SPB will conduct a midseason football snake draft, where they'll each select their top players and units from the season's first half. So join us, won't you? RUNDOWN 0:00 — Fanfare 1:33 — Who'll Stop The Rain? 4:23 — RIP Windsor's Elijah-Jay Mariano Rivera 6:30 — GameTimeCT Top 10 (Part 1) 10:58 — FCIAC: Smith, No. 7 Staples grinds past Wilton 13:00 — GameTimeCT Top 10 (Part 2) 16:16 — Pequot: Rockville focuses anger, shuts down Granby/Canton 21:17 — SWC: Don't mess with DeJesus, ND-Fairfield 25:59 — SWC: Masuk's popping Champagne 30:48 — FCIAC: Danbury tops Norwalk ... playing college OT rules 37:21 — Week 6 Shoutouts 41:11 — Interview with Fitch coach MIKE ELLIS 1:08:59 — The Midseason Report: First look at CIAC playoff picture 1:30:39 — The Midseason Mock Draft! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

GameTimeCT's Pete Paguaga and Sean Patrick Bowley are back for Week 6 of the staff pick'ems for the 2023 football season. Each and every week the duo will be selecting 10 games from across the state. The Rundown 0:00 - 4:11 — Intro 4:12 - 6:18 — Waterford at Ledyard 6:19 - 9:09 — Staples at Wilton 9:10 - 10:33 — Windsor Locks co-op at Haddam-Killingworth 10:34 - 13:18 — Lyman Hall at Hillhouse 13:19 - 17:37 — Joel Barlow at Masuk 17:38 - 20:38 — Bullard Havens/Kolbe at Bassick 20:39 - 22:50 — Darien at Greenwich 22:51 - 25:47 — Brookfield at Notre Dame-Fairfield 25:48 - 27:03 — Woodstock Academy at Foran 27:04 - 28:23 — Hand at Law 28:24 - 28:54 — Wrap Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to another edition of The Meat Grinder, Connecticut's only award winning high school football podcast, brought to you by GameTimeCT and CT Insider. It was a bye week for half the state, yet somehow we have jam-packed show because plenty happened. With everybody focused on Camren Kemp's Hamden homecoming on his birthday, it was junior quarterback Nick Conlan, who connected the biggest haymakers of Friday night as No. 2 West Haven beat Hamden to stay unbeaten. Join hosts Pete Paguaga and Sean. Patrick Bowley as they break down that anticipated matchup, plus plenty of others, including big nights from Granby/Canton's Will Attianese and Rockville's Amir Knighton as they head for another collision course Thursday night.  The guys also check in on Oxford, which is having a dream season thanks to gutsy QB Matt McGuire, who — once again — rallied the Wolverines to a big victory. There was also Evan Anderson's emotional night for Southington, big first wins by Hillhouse and Kennedy, and Avon Old Farms' rally past Brunswick in the rain.  Our special guest star this week is first-year coach ANDY GRANT of Darien, whose 4-0 team heads to face No. 1 Greenwich in one of two big FCIAC games Saturday. And, finally, we open up the MAILBAG and answer some questions for the first time this year. Post your questions in the comments below for next week. Join us, won't you? RUNDOWN 0:00 — Opening Montage 1:26 — Somebody get Shelton another umbrella 4:00 — SCC: Conlan leads No. 2 West Haven in Kemp's Hamden homecoming 11:26 — Latest GameTimeCT Top 10 Football Poll rundown  15:25 — Interview with No. 9 Darien coach Andy Grant 37:11 — FCIAC: It's ‘Go' Time for Darien, Wilton 42:25 —Pequot: Rockville at Granby/Canton showdown resumes again 47:05 — NVL: Oxford's dream season marches onward 50:47 —Kennedy, Hillhouse score upsets for first wins 52:28 —CCC: Southington's Anderson honors father's memory; DiBenedetto ties TD record 54:23 — CTC: VGW Techs snaps 22-game losing streak; ATI beats Bethel 57:00 — CT Alums Show Out in NFL, CFB 59:13 — Preps: Avon Old Farms rallies in rain to beat Brunswick 1:03:28 — MAILBAG! FURTHER READING CONLAN SPARKS WEST HAVEN PAST HAMDEN AS KEMP ADDS KEY TD IN BIRTHDAY RETURN — https://www.ctinsider.com/gametimect/football/article/west-haven-hamden-ct-high-school-football-game-18411872.php NORTH HAVEN SETS TONE EARLY TO BEAT FAIRFIELD PREP — https://www.ctinsider.com/gametimect/football/article/north-haven-ct-high-school-football-vs-18411877.php NEW CANAAN BEATS ST. JOSEPH FOR FIRST TIME SINCE 2014 — https://www.ctinsider.com/gametimect/football/article/new-canaan-football-beat-st-joseph-four-tds-luke-18412484.php LATEST TOP 10 FOOTBALL POLL — https://www.ctinsider.com/projects/2023/gametimect/football/ct-high-school-football-rankings-oct-10/ WEEK 6 SCHEDULE / SCOREBOARD — https://www.ctinsider.com/gametimect/football/article/2023-week-6-ct-high-school-prep-football-18415268.php WEEK 5 SCHEDULE / SCOREBOARD — https://www.ctinsider.com/gametimect/football/article/2023-week-5-ct-high-school-football-scoreboard-18401665.php WEEK 5 TOP PERFORMERS — https://www.ctinsider.com/gametimect/football/article/ciac-connecticut-football-performers-week-5-18412684.php INSIDE WEEK 5 — https://www.ctinsider.com/gametimect/football/article/ct-high-school-football-week-5-wrap-18408829.php #cthsfb #connecticut #highschoolsports #highschoolfootball #fridaynightlights #podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

GameTimeCT's Pete Paguaga and Sean Patrick Bowley are back for Week 5 of the staff pick'ems for the 2023 football season. Each and every week the duo will be selecting 10 games from across the state. The Rundown  0:00 - 2:51 — Intro 2:52 - 4:38 — Maloney at Glastonbury  4:39 - 6:31 — O'Brien Tech at VGW Tech 6:32 - 8:49 — New Canaan at St. Joseph 8:50 - 11:59 — Oxford at Woodland 12:00 - 14:51 — Cromwell/Portland at Rockville 14:52 - 17:16 — West Haven at Hamden 17:17 - 20:27 — Fairfield Prep at North Haven 20:28 - 22:27 — North Branford at Granby/Canton 22:28 - 23:59 — Xavier at Branford 24:00 - 26:31 — Newington at Enfield 26:32 - 27:11 — Wrap Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thanks to another round of nasty weather — this time a wave of torrential rain that drenched much of Connecticut and made playing football a slippery endeavor — it was a chaotic Week 4 of high school football. For those who played Friday night, the rain disrupted just about every football team's delicate offensive choreography, which scripted some eye-popping results. The one constant, however, was No. 2 West Haven's 31-21 victory over rival and No, 6-ranked Shelton at Finn Stadium. Now, the Westies are making a serious run at the state's top ranking as they head to face rival Hamden in a homecoming for RB Camren Kemp, who transferred a week before the season. Join SPB and Pete Paguaga as they break down that matchup and everything else that happened over the four-day Week 4 weekend: St. Joseph's narrow FCIAC win over Stamford on Saturday, Cromwell/Portland's Pequot rout of the new MSW co-op on Sunday. This week's special guest is first-year North Branford coach ANTHONY SALVATI, a T-Bird alum whose team is 3-0 going into a showdown with unbeaten Granby/Canton. Salvati talks about his squad, why he returned to his alma mater after spending four years at Guilford, and why he hopes the T-Birds will never have to co-op, as so many other Pequot programs have. So join us, won't you? RUNDOWN 0:00 — Opening Montage 1:43 — Surviving and drying from Friday night's monsoon 8:40 — The Latest GameTimeCT Top 10 10:35 — Reid, No. 2 Westies make their case v. Shelton 17:02 — Hamden-West Haven outlook: Kemp comes home 21:36 — SCC: No. 3 Cheshire shuts out Prep 24:29 — CCC: Hall upsets No. 9 Southington 27:48 — SWC: Masuk gets defensive to beat Bunnell 36:03 — SPB's Saturday NVL Tour (HC, Ansonia win big) 39:05 — FCIAC: St. Joseph holds off Stamford 49:02 — Pequot: Cromwell/Portland routs MSW 51:12 — INTERVIEW with North Branford coach Anthony Salvati  1:08:30 — Wrapping up Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

GameTimeCT's Pete Paguaga and Sean Patrick Bowley are back for Week 4 of the staff pick'ems for the 2023 football season. Each and every week the duo will be selecting 10 games from across the state. THE RUNDOWN  0:00 - 4:01 — Intro 4:02 - 6:14 — Wethersfield at Berlin 6:15 - 9:25 — Bullard Havens/Kolbe at Northwest United 9:26 - 11:50 — ATI at Thames River 11:51 - 13:30 — Griswold/Wheeler at Bacon Academy  13:31 - 16:24 — St. Joseph at Stamford 16:25 - 17:14 — Crosby at St. Paul 17:15 - 20:01 — Seymour at Holy Cross 20:02 - 22:12 — MSW at Cromwell/Portland 22:13 - 25:16 — West Haven at Shelton 25:17 - 27:28 — Bunnell at Masuk 27:28 - 29:00 — Wrap Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After a rough showing in the Alliance's first week, the FCIAC roared back with three Top 10 Alliance victories in Week 3, including No. 1 Greenwich's thrilling 30-28 win over No. 3 Maloney, unranked Staples' 34-27 takedown of No. 2 Southington, and New Canaan's reaffirming 33-12 win over No. 10 Windsor.  Though Newtown dampened league spirits when it rallied to beat Trumbull, Darien stifled Fairfield Prep and Ludlowe rolled past Hamden (or so we heard) to keep the good times rolling in Fairfield County. Meanwhile, Bloomfield made a bold mission statement with a 24-point comeback victory over No. 9 Masuk. Join GameTimeCT's Sean Patrick Bowley and Pete Paguaga as they — once again — sift through the wreckage of the week that was, including two programs that snapped long losing streaks and two programs lighting up the scoreboard.  One of them involves this week's special guest star: Morgan/Saybrook/Westbrook coach KEVIN SULLIVAN, whose new co-op of former rivals leads the state in points scored and is 3-0 going into a huge test vs. Cromwell/Portland (2-0). Join us, won't you? RUNDOWN  0:00 — Opener and Opening Salvos 4:18 — Perino's FG lifts No. 1 Greenwich past Maloney in classic 15:27 — The Latest Top 10 Poll (rankings 1-4) 18:16 — No. 5 Newtown rallies to stay unbeaten 20:21 — Latest Top 10 Poll (rankings 6-9): Staples rallies past No. 2 Southington 22:43 — Return of the FCIAC, New Canaan roars past No. 10 Windsor 32:45 — Bloomfield bests No. 9 Masuk in wild shootout. 39:57 — Darien drops Fairfield Prep to 0-3. 45:51 — Ludlowe overwhelms Hamden, but how?? 46:14 — Wrapping up Week 4: Berlin, Manchester win; Bethel, Derby snap losing streaks 50:43 — Roberts, East Hartford lighting up scoreboard 52:13 — Alliance Scoreboard 54:27 — Interview with MSW Co-Op's KEVIN SULLIVAN 1:10:21 — Week 4 look ahead Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

GameTimeCT's Pete Paguaga and Sean Patrick Bowley are back for Week 3 of the staff pick'ems for the 2023 football season. Each and every week the duo will be selecting 10 games from across the state. THE RUNDOWN 0:00 - 5:00 — Intro  5:01 - 7:22 — Oxford at Seymour 7:23 - 8:46 — Bullard Havens/Kolbe at Cheney Tech 8:47 - 12:11 — Capital Prep/First Achievement at Morgan/Old Saybrook/Westbrook 12:12 - 16:18 — Greenwich at Maloney 16:19 - 18:21 — Bloomfield at Masuk 18:22 - 21:02— Newtown at Trumbull 21:02 - 24:20 — Staples at Southington 24:21 - 26:37 — Notre Dame-West Haven at St. Joseph 26:38 - 29:37 — Windsor at New Canaan 29:38 - 32:06 — Fairfield Prep at Darien 32:07 - 34:05 — Wrap Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to another edition of The Meat Grinder, Connecticut's only award winning high school football podcast, brought to you by GameTimeCT and CT Insider. A supposed off-week was anything but as several big results rocked the early 2023 season — Cheshire topped Shelton in overtime, Darien rallied to beat McMahon and Hand bested Fairfield Prep in overtime. All three featured crucial, if not controversial, late-game calls. Those games at least matched, if not overshadowed, several big games on the docket, including North Haven's triumphant return to the field after forfeiting its season opener due to alleged student misconduct, and Cheshire Academy's big New England showdown with defending champ Brunswick. Join GameTimeCT's Sean Patrick Bowley and Pete Paguaga as they sift through the wreckage of the week that was, including a rundown of the latest top 10 poll and the upcoming slate of Alliance games, headlined by No. 1 Greenwich at No. 3 Maloney.  RUNDOWN 0:00 — Opener 4:18 — North Haven returns, beats Sheehan 9:25 — GameTimeCT Top 10 Poll - Part 1 (Welcome Windsor, Masuk) 11:18 — Tough Call No. 1: Cheshire 21, Shelton 14 OT 17:09 — GameTimeCT Top 10 Poll - Part 2 19:38 — No. 1 Greenwich at No. 3 Maloney preview 23:27 — Tough Call No. 2: Hand 35, Fairfield Prep 34 OT 31:33 — Tough Call No. 3: Darien 21, McMahon 14 35:14 — Alliance Scoreboard / Schedule Week 3 43:39 — Special Guest: Bunnell coach Ty Jenkins 1:01:32 — "Magic" Mallory leads Cheshire Academy in big prep school opener 1:05:01 — In Memoriam: Joe Canzanella, Kellen McIntosh Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

GameTimeCT's Pete Paguaga and Sean Patrick Bowley are back for Week 2 of the staff pick'ems for the 2023 football season. Each and every week the duo will be selecting 10 games from across the state. The Rundown 0:00 - 3:41 — Intro 3:42 - 4:57 — Avon at East Catholic 4:58 - 6:23 — Prince Tech/Innovation at ATI 6:24 - 8:25 — Fitch at New London 8:26 - 10:54 — McMahon at Darien 10:55 - 13:09 — Holy Cross at Naugatuck 13:10 - 15:29 — North Branford at Ellington 15:30 - 18:12 — Shelton at Cheshire 18:13 - 21:30 — Bunnell at New Fairfield 21:31 - 23:40 — Killingly at Notre Dame-West Haven 23:41 - 26:20 — Ridgefield at Staples 26:21 - 26:53 — Wrap Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

GameTimeCT's Pete Paguaga and Sean Patrick Bowley are back for the staff pick'ems for the 2023 football season. Each and every week the duo will be selecting 10 games from across the state. The Rundown 0:00 - 0:53 — Intro  0:54 - 2:47 — Woodland at Holy Cross 2:48 - 3:58 — Trumbull at Hamden 3:59 - 5:13 — Wilton at Berlin 5:14 - 6:48 — Rockville at Granby/Canton 6:49 - 8:38 — Masuk at Killingly 8:39 - 10:02 — West Haven at Staples 10:03 - 12:22 — New Canaan at Shelton 12:23 - 13:59 — St. Joseph at Newtown 14:00 - 16:31 — Darien at North Haven 16:32 - 18:23 — Fairfield Prep at Greenwich  18:24 - 20:03 — Wrap Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The SCC's big dogs, West Haven, Shelton, Hamden and Cheshire knocked off the FCIAC's big dogs in a stormy (figurative and literal) start to the 2023 Connecticut High School Football season. Pete Paguaga and Sean Patrick Bowley return to break down the Top 10 carnage and hit on some of the big performances of Week 1.  While Masuk's coaching situation remains unknown, the investigation surrounding North Haven's sudden forfeit to Darien apparently is complete and the Nighthawks will get to kick off their season Saturday. Plus, join us for our new segment: What Did We Learn from Week 1? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sean Patrick Bowley and Pete Paguaga return with a full hour of 2023 Connecticut High School football season previews in the Season SIX premiere episode of the Meat Grinder. The guys look over what's new, who's who and what's what; go on some rants, run down the GameTimeCT preseason Top 10 football poll and, finally, make their state championship picks and all sorts of other goodies as we begin what we hope is another great year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

GameTimeCT's Pete Paguaga and Scott Ericson are back with the ninth and final episode of the High and Tight high school baseball podcast for the 2023 season. The champions were crowned this weekend at Palmer Field and all four champions joined the show this week. Class S champion: Haddam-Killingworth coach Mark Brookes joined the show with Joseph Giaccone, Blake Kamoen and Callen Powers. Class M champion: Nonnewaug co-coach Kyle Brennan joined the show with Dylan Chung and Matt Palumbo. Class L champion: Brookfield coach Matt Hart was joined by the entire Brookfield tea. Class LL champion: Fairfield Warde coach Brett Conner and assistant coach Jim Pjura were joined by Garrett Larsen, Griffin Polley, Paddy Galvin and Will Stellato. Rundown 0:00 - 11:51 — Opening 11:55 - 25:30 — Class S champions Haddam-Killingworth 35:53 - 59:28 — Class M champions Nonnewaug 59:32 - 1:15:10 — Class L champions Brookfield 1:15:14 - 1:44:45 — Class LL champions Fairfield Warde 1:44:47 - 1:51:04 — Closing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

GameTimeCT's Pete Paguaga and Scott Ericson are back with the eighth episode of the High and Tight high school baseball podcast for the 2023 season. The duo is alone this week because the state championship matchups are set. The two break down the last two weeks of the tournaments and select which team they think will be celebrating on Palmer Field this weekend. Rundown 0:00 - 2:58 — Introduction 2:59 - 5:33 — Class S finals breakdown 5:34 - 12:55 — Class M finals breakdown 12:56 - 21:27 — Class L finals breakdown 21:28 - 30:26 — Class LL finals breakdown 30:27 - 31:05 — Schedules released  31:06 - 39:04 — Championship game predictions 39:05 - 44:05 — Wrap up Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

GameTimeCT's Pete Paguaga and Scott Ericson are back with the seventh episode of the High and Tight high school baseball podcast for the 2023 season. The duo is alone this week because the state tournament pairings have dropped. The two break down each class and select their final fours and champions for each class. Rundown 0:00 - 1:24 — Introduction 1:25 - 10:20 — Conference Tournament Recap 10:21 - 20:37 — Class S breakdown and predictions 20:38 - 32:27 — Class M breakdown and predictions 32:28 - 45:40 — Class L breakdown and predictions 45:41 - 1:04:58 — Class LL breakdown and predictions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

GameTimeCT's Pete Paguaga and Scott Ericson are back with the sixth episode of the High and Tight high school baseball podcast for the 2023 season. The duo is joined by St. Bernard baseball coach Grant Livingston. Livingston helped lead St. Bernard to the 2007 Class S state title as a player and is now leading the program as the head coach. He has led the team to a 15-2 stater. The trio discuss the road Livingston has took to come back home and his group this season. The interview wraps up with a draft of Baseball Superstitions. Rundown 0:00 - 1:50 — Introduction 1:51 - 15:23 — Conference Tournament Discussion 15:24 - 21:42 — Conference Tournament winners predicitions 21:50 - 36:56 — Interview with St. Bernard coach Grant Livingston 36:58 - 44:58 — Baseball Superstitions Draft with St. Bernard coach Grant Livingston 45:11 - 45:49 — Wrap up Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

GameTimeCT's Pete Paguaga and Scott Ericson are back with the fifth episode of the High and Tight high school baseball podcast for the 2023 season. The duo is joined by Trumbull baseball coach Phil Pacelli. The longtime Trumbull coach has led his team to an 12-4 record this season. Pacelli is a Trumbull guy through and through, playing for the Eagles before joining the staff and eventually taking over the program.The trio discussed what has worked with his group this season and what do they have to do to continue their successful season. The interview wraps up with a draft of Baseball's Top Positions. Rundown 0:00 - 3:04 — Introduction 3:05 - 7:04 — Connecticut Bluebloods 7:45 - 22:54 — Favorites, Surprises and Dark Horses in each Class 23:54 - 39:02 — Interview with Trumbull coach Phil Pacelli 39:03 - 46:59 — Baseball's Top Positions Draft with Trumbull coach Phil Pacelli 47:02 - 52:36 — Wrap up Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

GameTimeCT's Pete Paguaga and Scott Ericson are back with the fourth episode of the High and Tight high school baseball podcast for the 2023 season. The duo is joined by Hamden baseball coach Mike Dwyer. The second year coach has led his team to an 8-2 start. Dwyer played at Hamden before playing at Newbury College and has been coaching in the Green Dragons program for the last five years. The trio discussed his team's hot start and what they are doing to win games. The interview wraps up with a draft of Biggest Baseball Crimes draft.  Rundown  0:00 - 2:02 — Introduction 2:03 - 4:32 — Top 10 Poll Review 4:33 - 5:47 — Is the poll cursed? 5:48 - 8:35 — Pre interview chat 8:36 - 27:35 — Interview with Hamden coach Mike Dwyer 27:36 - 37:44 — Biggest Baseball Crimes Draft with Hamden coach Mike Dwyer 37:49 - 40:39 — Wrap up Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

GameTimeCT's Pete Paguaga and Scott Ericson are back with the third episode of the High and Tight high school baseball podcast for the 2023 season. The duo is joined by Abbott Tech baseball coach Dave Simone. The Abbott Tech coach has been leading the Wolverine program for 10 years. He played at Immaculate before going on to play at UConn-Avery Point and then Western Connecticut State University. The trio discusses coaching in the Connecticut Technical Conference (CTC), what the struggles are, what are the misconceptions about the league as a whole. The interview wraps up with a draft of Biggest Pet Peeves in Baseball. Rundown 0:00 - 01:44 — Introduction 1:44 - 9:49 — Top 10 Poll Review 9:50 - 11:54 — Pre-Interview 11:55 - 34:10 Interview with Abbott Tech coach Dave Simone 34:11 - 46:32 — Biggest Pet Peeves in Baseball Draft with Abbott Tech coach Dave Simone 46:48 - 48:05 — Wrap up Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

GameTimeCT's Pete Paguaga and Scott Ericson are back with the second episode of the High and Tight high school baseball podcast for the 2023 season. The duo is joined by Southington baseball coach Stan Switala. The Southington coach joined the Blue Knights coaching staff last season after 18 years coaching in California. The trio talks about the biggest differences he has seen since he started coaching in Connecticut and many other things. The interview wraps up with a draft of Best Ballpark Food to eat during baseball games. Rundown 0:00 - 03:39 — Introduction 3:40 - 9:58 — Top 10 Poll Review 10:00 - 32:27 — Interview with Southington coach Stan Switala 32:28 - 39:58 — Best Ballpark Food Draft with Southington coach Stan Switala 39:59 - 43:50 — Wrap up Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

GameTimeCT's Pete Paguaga and Scott Ericson are back for the fifth season of the High and Tight high school baseball podcast. The duo is thrilled to be back behind the microphone to talk all things Connecticut High School baseball. In the first episode of the season, the two talk the preseason top 10 poll, top players to keep an eye this season and pick who they think could be the player of the year. They also draft their favorite plays in the game of the baseball. Rundown 0:00 - 04:12 — Introduction 4:13 - 12:54 — Preseason Top 10 breakdown 12:55 - 18:27 — 25 to Watch Discussion 18:28 - 20:05 — CT Alum shoutouts 20:06 - 24:56 — Player of the Year Predictions 24:57 - 30:40 — Best Baseball Plays Draft 30:41 - 34:18 — Dream Guest Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode hosts Pete Paguaga and Sean Patrick Bowley look back at six state championship games, examine what happened and what worked and what didn't during the games at Central Connecticut State's Arute Field and UConn's Rentschler Field. They also look at all of the state's final rankings — the GameTimeCT Top 10 Poll, The Day of New London's Coaches Poll, the MaxPreps.com computer rankings — and compare them to their personal Top 10 votes. The season's final guest star is none other than ANTHONY MORELLO, with whom we have a comprehensive interview about what it took for his team to return to the pinnicle after coach John Marinelli's departure after the 2018 championship season. And, finally, Pete and Sean discuss the potential players and coaches of the year. So join us, won't you? Be sure to catch the LIVE ACTION episode on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@gametimect

It's State Championship Weekend and we have a special guest to help preview the state finals. UConn coach Jim Mora joins hosts Pete Paguaga and Sean Patrick Bowley to talk about the football state championships being held at Rentschler Field, UConn and Arute Field, CCSU. Mora also talks about the taking the job at UConn, the season the team has had, earning a bowl bid in his first season, local players playing at UConn and much more. Join us, won't you? Be sure to also check out the live action version of the show on YouTube.

It's State Championship Weekend! The matchups are set. The annual CIAC championship has been conducted and the title venues —— Central Connecticut State's Arute Field and University of Connecticut's Rentschler Field —— are ready to host Saturday's six championship games. Join hosts Pete Paguaga and Sean Patrick Bowley has they talk about the weekend ahead, preview the games and pick who they believe will win the six state championships. Join us, won't you? Be sure to also check out the live action version of the show on YouTube.

After a competitive and ofen surprising round of 24 state quarterfinal games, we've reached the final four of the 2022 Connecticut high school football season. That is, it's the final four in six state championship divisions, or the final 12. Welcome to yet another very special Meat Grinder / Pick'ems Podcast crossover show, in which hosts Pete Paguaga and Sean Patrick Bowley look back at the eventful 24 quarterfinal games and look ahead to Sunday's semifinals, from Class S all the way up the chain to Class LL and then back again. So join us, won't you?

Welcome to the Annual Turkey Wrap Episode of the Meat Grinder, our look back at all the thrills, chills and spills and clean up after the Thanksgiving Week regular season finale. Despite the CIAC's best efforts to dilute the playoffs to the point where only 11 of 48 playoff spots were up-for-grabs heading into the week (and a mere seven on Thanksgiving Day), the contenders and rivals still managed to give their fans a show as they vied for precious playoff berths. Sean and Pete take a look back at some of the madness, beginning with Valley Regional/Old Lyme practically begging for table scraps after getting put outside by Rocky Hill's late-announced forfeit win from Week 1 and ending with Cheshire coach Don Drust pacing across the Maclary Complex praying his team had enough to squeak in over Darien after a tough loss to Southington in the Apple Valley Classic. There was also an incident where internet star Logan Paul showed up in Milford and somehow got upstaged by Law's John Neider. PLUS! It's another crossover episode with the Pick'ems Podcast, in which Pete and Sean attempt to pick the winners of Tuesday's 24 state quarterfinal games. So join us, won't you?

It's Thanksgiving Week! The end of the regular season is upon us, so welcome to a very special episode of BOTH the Meat Grinder AND the Petey Pageviews Pick ‘em Podcast. That's right, it's the WEEK 12 CROSSOVER EPISODE. Like when Family Guy met the Simpsons, or when Phineas and Ferb met the Avengers or Family Matters met Full House (ugh). In the Meat Grinder portion of the podcast, we take a look at the playoff situation heading into the final week of the regular season. There are 38 of 48 spots already filled — which has diminished the importance of this week's matchups, frankly. Regardless, SPB breaks down who needs what to qualify for one of the final 10 spots.. Also, Hartford Public's 2-1 Friday — including 1-1 on forfeits — has indirectly turned Class SS topsy-turvy. On the Pick ‘ems Podcast episode, Pete and Sean pick the winners of TWENTY Thanksgiving week games. So we'll see if the contenders can separate from the pretenders. Here are last week's results: Barker, Bowley, Brechlin and Stewart went 10-0; Fornabaio, McNamee, Morelli and Paguaga went 9-1; Ericson went 7-3 and the 8-Ball went 5-5 again. And here are the overall standings, Bowley and Fornabaio are tied for first at 79-31; McNamee and Stewart are tied for third at 78-32; Morelli is along in fifth place at 75-35; Barker and Paguaga are tied for sixth at 74-36, Brechlin is eighth at 72-38 and Scott Ericson is ninth at 64-44. The 8-Ball is stuck in .500 at 55-55. It's s jam-packed episode you just can't afford to miss. So join us, won't you?

GameTimeCT producer Pete Paguaga hosts the Connecticut high school football pick'ems show with GameTimeCT producer Sean Patrick Bowley.

It's a jam-packed, albeit delayed, special episode in which Pete and Sean look back at the thriller at Ken Strong Stadium where unbeaten West Haven survived a spirited comeback against rival Hamden to stay unbeaten, not to mention a number of other wild results from a weatherbeaten Week 10 schedule. No. 1 Maloney's reign lasts all of one week, thanks to Glastonbury. Could the Westies capture the imagination of the state's Top 10 voters? Or would a former favorite reclaim the top spot? Also, the Clinch Is In! Twenty-eight teams have unofficially punched their ticked to the state playoffs in this expanded six-championship season. We take a look at which of the remaining 20 spots can be filled in the coming days. One of the teams desperately needing a victory to get in is 6-3 Windsor, which faces next-door rival Bloomfield in its finale Saturday. It's the first time the two CCC powers have played in more than a decade. Joining us as a special guest is Windsor coach ROB FLEETING, who two 22-year, two-time state championship coaching career reached the 200-victory milestone last week. Fleet looks back at all the great players and great teams under his charge over the years, plus how his program deals with yearly turnover. So join us, won't you? Be sure to check out our LIVE ACTION version on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@gametimect RUNDOWN: 0:00 — Intro and highlights: No. 4 West Haven beat No. 7 Hamden in 27-23 classic 13:07 — Naugatuck blasts Woodland in monsoon 14:18 — Glastonbury knocks off No. 1 Maloney 16:40 — Latest Top 10 Poll: Southington is No. 1 again?? 24:56 — The Playoff Picture: 28 Teams Clinched 28:41 — Bloomfield holds off Platt to clinch; Platt awaits Stoddard Bowl 33:03 — The Playoff Picture: Class L 36:27 — The Playoff Picture: Class MM 39:10 — The Playoff Picture: Class M 40:37 — The Playoff Picture: Class SS 41:47 — The Playoff Picture: Class S 44:30 — Windsor coach ROB FLEETING interview 1:16:38 —2022 Championship Venues Announced 1:24:10 — Wrapping Up Further Reading: Latest Top 10 Poll: Southington is No. 1 (again) https://www.ctinsider.com/gametimect/football/article/The-GameTimeCT-Top-10-Football-Poll-Week-11-17583489.php Inside Week 10 of CIAC Football: Dreaming of math-free playoff scenarios https://www.ctinsider.com/gametimect/football/article/CIAC-football-Week-10-wrap-17569011.php Week 10 HS Football Scoreboard / Schedule https://www.ctinsider.com/gametimect/football/article/The-Week-11-CT-High-School-Football-Schedule-17583231.php Reid's last-minute TD catch lifts No. 4 West Haven over Hamden https://www.ctinsider.com/gametimect/football/article/West-Haven-Hamden-football-SCC-CIAC-17579839.php Bronson, New Milford upset Barlow, stay in Class L playoff race https://www.ctinsider.com/gametimect/football/article/New-Milford-upsets-Joel-Barlow-moves-one-win-17578650.php Martin, Deitelbaum lead Naugatuck in wipeout of Woodland https://www.ctinsider.com/gametimect/football/article/Martin-Deitelbaum-lead-Naugatuck-in-wipeout-of-17578801.php Rockville snaps Cromwell-Portland's 22-game winning streak https://www.ctinsider.com/gametimect/football/article/Rockville-football-snaps-Cromwell-Portland-s-17577497.php Petrone, Glastonbury knock off newly-crowned No. 1 Maloney in OT https://www.ctinsider.com/gametimect/football/article/Glastonbury-upsets-No-1-Maloney-in-CT-football-17576112.php Fairfield Prep rides defense in defeating No. 10 North Haven https://www.ctinsider.com/gametimect/football/article/Fairfield-Prep-North-Haven-CIAC-football-17574497.php

GameTimeCT producer Pete Paguaga hosts the Connecticut high school football pick'ems show with GameTimeCT producer Sean Patrick Bowley.

Welcome back to another episode of The Meat Grinder, your weekly dose of high school football in Connecticut with GameTimeCT's Pete Paguaga and Sean Patrick Bowley. Now that Maloney has snatched the No. 1 banner away from Southington with its thrilling, 31-28, double overtime victory won on the foot of Josh Scaramuzzo, we turn our attention to Week 10 and another showdown between unbeaten teams. This time, it'll be No. 4 West Haven (8-0) playing host to No. 7 Hamden (8-0). While it might not pack the punch of No. 1 v. 2, it's an old District League rivalry resumed this year for supremacy in SCC Tier II, not to mention for a possible home game in the upcoming Class LL playoffs. Joining us this week is, of course, Hamden coach and athletic director Tom Dyer, who has guided Hamden to this recent renaissance of two-consecutive playoff seasons. Dyer, who won a couple of state titles at Hillhouse, talks about his team and what's been behind its 8-0 start. Dyer, who is also a representative on the CIAC's football committee and the coaches association, also has a say in the makeup of how Connecticut conduct its football playoffs. Naturally, given SPB's distain for the recent six-division expansion, we hear from Tom about the philosophy of the decision. Plus, with 2 1/2 weeks of games left before the end of the regular season, we delve into the latest CIAC playoff situation. So join us, won't you?

GameTimeCT producer Pete Paguaga hosts the Connecticut high school football pick'ems show with GameTimeCT reporter Scott Ericson.

Welcome back to another thrilling episode of the Meat Grinder, your weekly look at high school football in Connecticut with GameTimeCT's Pete Paguaga and Sean Patrick Bowley. And it was indeed a thriller on Halloween Weekend, especially up at Pierson Park in Cromwell where Cole Brisson and the Cromwell/Portland football team rallied and then hung on for dear life to win against Di'Angelo Jean-Pierre and Valley Regional/Old Lyme, 28-27. Johnny Beltre tipped away the 2-point pass to extend the defending state champions' 21-game win streak. Joining us this week is Cromwell/Portland coach Randell Bennett who talks about that game and how he went from an inaugural Cromwell player to a championship head coach in 20 years. We also take a look at the latest Top 10 poll where, for the third-consecutive season, voters have set up a No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchup when Southington faces Maloney in a CCC battle at Falcon Field in Meriden. We also break down St. Joseph's defensive win over New Canaan and the latest CIAC playoff point standings. And, finally, we dip into Choate's big 26-15 victory over Loomis Chaffee in a massive NEPSAC battle of unbeatens. It's a jam-packed episode. So join us, wont you?

GameTimeCT producer Pete Paguaga hosts the Connecticut high school football pick'ems show with GameTimeCT producer Sean Patrick Bowley.

This week's special guest star is 5-1 North Haven football coach Tony Sagnella who returns for a re-do of last year's interview that went unheard because Sean forgot to hit the record button. Coach Sags talk's about this year's resurgent team, which plays Cheshire this week as it fights for a Class MM playoff spot. The guys also talk to Sagnella about the genesis of North Haven's famous single wing and his time spent as an NFL replacement player for the Washington Redskins during the strike year of 1987.  Naturally, it's a longer-than-normal interview. But well worth it. As for last week, on the night where West Haven honored the 20th anniversary of their last state championship football team, the Westies of the present were busy earning their biggest victory to date: a 34-28 victory over then-No. 6 Shelton.  Sean talks about the game and interviews some of the key players from that great, 2002 Class LL title team, including Tom DeMorro and Phil Banks, who scored the winning TD, and coaches Bert Siclari and Ed McCarthy. The guys also break down the latest Top 10 poll, including No. 1 Southington's narrow win over Windsor and No. 8 Ansonia's nailbiting 31-28 victory over Holy Cross, and examine the six state playoff standings through seven weeks. So join us, won't you?

GameTimeCT producer Pete Paguaga hosts the Connecticut high school football pick'ems show with GameTimeCT producer Sean Patrick Bowley.