The Ansonia Chargers need a win over the surging Naugatuck Greyhounds Thursday to secure a spot in the CIAC Class S playoffs.
On Thanksgiving Day, the Chargers (7 – 2) will face-off against Naugatuck (4 – 5) – a rivalry that dates back more than 100 years.
“The history of the game speaks for itself,” said Ansonia Head Coach Tom Brockett.
Naugatuck began the season with what was a monumental win at Seymour (ranked #5 in the pre-season poll) followed by a win over visiting Torrington. The Greyhounds, decimated by injuries all season long, have since dropped five out of their last seven.
The Hounds have been held scoreless in each of their last three Thanksgiving Day games versus the Chargers; having been out-scored 87 – 0.
But not so fast. The Hounds are coming off of an impressive 8 – 0 shut-out win against previously undefeated Holy Cross. However, the question remains: Will the same Naugatuck team show-up this week or will they disappoint their faithful yet again?
The Chargers are focused and well-rested after a dominating 51 – 21 win at Seymour and a bye week.
“It was the first bye week since I’ve been head coach. We gave the kids a little longer off than normal because some of them had the flu. From a rest standpoint, it was perfect timing. We had four days off which was nice,” Brockett said.
The ability to receive ample rest before the rivalry game could be priceless for the Chargers, as they will punch their ticket into the CIAC Class S playoffs with a win.
But the Greyhounds won’t be pushovers.
“I know one thing, they beat Holy Cross and we didn’t, so they’re definitely dangerous. I was at the game and was extremely impressed.”
This group of Ansonia seniors has never lost to Naugatuck — nor have they allowed the Hounds to score against them.
“I think for the seniors, it’s different because it could possibly be your last game. But at the same token they can possibly reach the states. With a win Thursday, it will be a special day for them,” Brockett said.
Conversely, a loss will make the Thanksgiving Day turkey just a bit harder to swallow at the dinner tables in this football-crazy city.
“We spend a lot of time getting ready for the game but we’re big believers in trying to control what we do. It’s our execution that determines whether we win or lose. We kind of want to dictate the tempo of the game,” the coach said.
With work-horses Bobby Kinnebrew (281 yards rushing, 6 TDs vs Seymour) and Montrell Dobbs in the Charger backfield, along with impressive line play, Coach Brockett can certainly get his wish and dictate the tempo of Thursday’s game.
Despite many recent lop-sided victories by the Chargers over the Greyhounds, Thursday’s game could be yet another classic in this storied rivalry.
The game has seen a dramatic decrease in attendance due to these recent blow-outs. Crowds of 10,000 were the norm whereas lately, a crowd of 3,000 is hard to find.
This rivalry has seen crowds of over 15,000, specifically in 1981, when Naugatuck won the contest over Ansonia, 24 – 20.
“I don’t think you can go to any school in Connecticut on Thanksgiving and not find a great game. There’s no feeling like waking up on Thanksgiving morning and playing football,” Brockett said.
