Two local teams will be attempting to reach the Class S state championship game, and it will be an all-area final if they do.
No. 8 WCA (8-3), which is coming off a 41-28 comeback win over No. 1 Capital Prep-Achievement First, takes on No. 5 Bloomfield at Bloomfield High School. No. 6 Woodland (8-3), coming off a dominant 33-7 win over No. 3 Cromwell-Portland, will face No. 2 Ansonia (10-1) in a rematch of an earlier regular season game at Nolan Field. Both games are scheduled for 12:30 p.m. kickoffs on Sunday.
WCA, which won its first playoff game in program history on Tuesday, is trying to reach its first-ever state final. Woodland is looking for its first state final appearance since 2013, which was ironically against Ansonia.
Here’s more on each semifinal:
NO. 8 WCA AT NO. 5 BLOOMFIELD
Last week: WCA 41, Capital-Achievement 28; Bloomfield 22, East Catholic 21
Key players: WCA – Sr. QB/DL Dylan Rossi; Sr. OL/DL David Rivera; Sr. OL/DL Dashon Williams; Jr. LB Rocco Zenick, Jr. WR/DL Jameer Guest; Jr. WR/DB Josh Myers; Jr. WR/DB Jaymonie Eason; Jr. RB/LB Mehkeem Ambursley; Jr. DL Iasias Rivera; So. WR/DB Jaiden Rousseau. Bloomfield – Sr. RB/DB Marlon Britton; Sr. RB/DB Zachai Kimber; Sr. OL/DL Bradley Campbell; Sr. OT/DL Avery Steer; Jr. QB/DB Cameron White; Jr. FB/LB Romar Heron; Jr. WR/DB Zion Banton; Jr. WR/Dahkai Powell; Jr. OL/DL Kayden Thomas; Jr. LB Khile Francis; Jr. LB Nejon Bassue; Jr. CB Vernon Kelly, Jr.; Fr. WR/CB Lamont Applewhite.
What WCA must do: No. 1, don’t fall behind like it did against Capital/Achievement on Tuesday night. The Spartans need to establish the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball and continue their balanced rushing attack between Ambursley, Rossi and Guest. Rossi can help the offense stay on the field by getting the ball to Rousseau in the pass game. On defense, WCA will have to deal with potentially three explosive backs – Britton, Kimber and Heron. All three have scored a touchdown of at least 65 yards, so preventing explosive plays will be key.
NO. 6 WOODLAND AT NO. 2 ANSONIA
Last week: Woodland 33, Cromwell-Portland 7; Ansonia 48, Valley Regional-Old Lyme 22
Key players: Woodland – Sr. capt. WR/CB Josh Stepputtis; Sr. capt. TE/DE Brett Lato; Sr. WR/DB David O’Brien; Sr. WR/CB Bryce DeCrescenzo; Sr. capt. RB/LB Christian Morales; Sr. capt. FB/DL Will Brooks; Jr. LB/TE/DE Erik Pulkkinen; Jr. RB/LB Nico Scampolino; Jr. WR/CB Norman Cook; Jr. QB Jack Brunetti; Jr. capt. WR/FS Mark Poulin; Jr. LB Trent Burkowsky; Jr. LG/DL Aidan Kane; So. LB Evan Mastropietro; So. K Hunter Cronk. Ansonia – Sr. capt. RB/LB Quintez Whittle; Sr. capt. RB/LB Jayden Jackson; Sr. WR/DB Romeo Charles; Sr. capt. OL/DL Ayden Mercer; Sr. OL/DL Curtis Cenatus; Jr. RB/DB Crishon Fogle; Jr. OL/DL Jacob Romanowski; Jr. OT/DT Jayden Whittle.
What Woodland must do: Establish offensive balance and score first. Doing that would give the Hawks the early momentum. Woodland has to attempt to contain Quintez Whittle, which is much, much easier said than done. Whittle had 322 yards rushing, five touchdowns and six two-point conversions in Ansonia’s win over VR-OL. Forcing the Chargers into 3rd and long situations, even some passes, would be great for the Hawks defense.
