Ridgefield Football: A Win Puts Tigers In Good Shape To Make State Playoffs

Trying to figure out the Class LL playoff race makes explaining the Bowl Championship Series seem like child's play

For starters, five teams have clinched playoff spots in Class LL: Xavier (9-0), Staples (8-0), Hall (9-1), Newtown (8-1) and Conard (9-1).

According to the CIAC's web site, however, 11 teams are still alive for the final three berths: Norwalk (7-1), Greenwich (8-1), Shelton (7-2), Pomperaug (7-2), Glastonbury (7-2), Ridgefield (7-2), Norwich Free Academy (7-2), Hartford Public (7-2), Stamford (6-2), West Haven (6-3) and New Britain (6-3).

Norwalk, which faces McMahon, and Greenwich, which takes on Staples in the FCIAC championship, clinch with victories.

If Ridgefield wins and Greenwich losses, the Cardinals wouldn't be able to catch the Tigers in points. A Ridgefield win also would assure the Tigers of finishing ahead of Hartford Public, Stamford, West Haven and New Britain.

Therefore, from a Ridgefield perspective, if Norwalk and Greenwich win, the Tigers would be battling Shelton, Pomperaug, Glastonbury and Norwich Free Academy for the final playoff spot.

Entering the final week of the season, Shelton and Pomperaug have 940 points, followed by Glastonbury and Ridgefield with 930. Norwich Free Academy is at 910.

If all win their final game, the rankings would look like this:
 
 8. Shelton: 940+140  (Derby 4-5, no guaranteed) -- 1080
 
 9. Pomperaug: 940+150 (Oxford 3-6, 20 guaranteed) -- 1090
 
 10. Glastonbury: 930+150 (Simsbury, 3-6, 20 guaranteed -- 1080
 
 11. Ridgefield: 930+170 (Danbury, 5-4, 20 guaranteed -- 1100
 
 12. NFA: 910+190 (New London, 8-1, 10 guaranteed) -- 1100

Ridgefield would be tied with NFA, and it would then come down to the bonus points available:

BONUS POINTS AVAILABLE
======================
 
 SHELTON (70)

*-Fairfield Prep (5-4) vs, West Haven (6-3)
*Guilford (4-5) vs. Hand (9-0)
*Amity (4-5) vs. North Haven (8-1)
*Hamden (1-8) vs. NDWH (7-2)
Hillhouse (6-3) vs. *Wilbur Cross (1-8)
*Cheshire (4-5) vs. Southington (6-3)
*Sheehan (5-4) vs. Lyman Hall (3-6)
 
Underdog: 6
 
Favorite: 1
 
Pick 'em: 0
 
Projected bonus points: 10
 
final total: 1090
 
POMPERAUG (30)
 
Masuk (9-0) vs. *Newtown (8-1)
New Milford (4-5) vs. *New Fairfield (3-6)
*Stratford (2-7) vs. Bunnell (7-2)
 
Underdog: 3
 
Favorite: 0
 
Pick 'em: 0
 
Projected bonus points: 0
 
final total: 1090
 
GLASTONBURY (50)
 
*New Britain (6-3) vs. Berlin (8-1)
Wethersfield (5-4) vs. *Newington (2-7)
*South Windsor (0-9) vs. Rockville (1-8)
Platt (4-5) vs. *Maloney (4-5)
Cheshire (4-5) vs. *Southington (6-3)
 
Underdog: 3

Favorite: 1
 
Pick 'em: 1
 
Projected bonus points: 10
 
final total: 1090
 
RIDGEFIELD (30)
 
*McMahon (3-6) vs. Norwalk (7-1)
Westhill (0-9) vs. *Stamford (6-2)
Trinity Catholic vs. *-Wilton (5-4)
 
Underdog: 1
 
Favorite: 2
 
Pick 'em: 0
 
Projected bonus points: 20
 
final total: 1120
 
NORWICH FREE ACADEMY (50)
 
*Montville (5-4) vs. St. Bernard (3-6)
Griswold (5-4) vs. *Plainfield (3-6)
Hillhouse (6-3) vs. *Wilbur Cross (1-8)
*East Lyme (4-5) vs. Waterford (6-3)
Ledyard (8-1) vs. *Fitch (5-4)  
 
Underdog: 4
 
Favorite: 1
 
Pick em: 0
 
Projected bonus points: 10
 
Final total: 1110

Upsets happen, of course, but according to these projections, Ridgefield would be headed to the playoffs.