These are, of course, subject to change between now and September.
But, for now, peruse and enjoy.
♦♦♦♦♦♦
FOR STARTERS
A quick look at the top matchups of opening week:
Wednesday, Sept. 14
Seymour plays at OBrien Tech OBrien Tech kicks off its new program under former Newtown coach Ken Roberts.
Thursday, Sept. 15
Torrington at Ansonia Interesting non-NVL NVL matchup. Post-Dobbs Ansonia (featuring Arkeel Newsome) vs. Torrington and back Brenden Lytton);
Friday, Sept. 16
Notre Dame-WH at Xavier Rematch of last years thrilling opener. This time Xaviers wearing the crown.
Ridgefield at Greenwich Last time these two played: 2008, a 21-14 Ridgefield victory.
Pomperaug at Brookfield The post-Drury Panthers might look very different than when we last saw them. Brookfield, with QB Boeing Brown and RB Leaon Gordon, is a front-runner to challenge Masuk.
Trumbull at Catholic Memorial (Mass.) The large FCIAC schools draw the bye this year. Class LL runner-up Trumbull opens in Boston. These teams last played in 2007 and 2008. Split the series.
Notre Dame-Fairfield at New Fairfield New coach Rico Brognas first game at NDFF.
Saturday, Sept. 17
Staples at St. Joseph Both crews will look different than when we last saw them. Havent played since 2004.
Masuk at Oxford First game for the defending Class L champions. Last years battle ruffled a few feathers.
♦♦♦♦♦♦
REGIONAL NON-CONFERENCE CLASHES
As we all know, nine teams from the FCIAC and SCC have built-in byes on their schedule. After two seasons, the FCIACs weekly bye has rotated back to largest schools. The SCC is still saddled with byes thanks to Derbys evacuation two years ago. The NVL also gives its schools byes.
All nine of the SCC bye teams have filled their open dates, notably because the league doesnt play a championship game. So, SCC teams are free to schedule the week before Thanksgiving. Four teams have taken advantage.
Most of the NVL teams have filled their dates. The latest was Ansonia-Torrington a few weeks ago. Were told Ansonia was unsuccessful in its bid to to go outside the league and wound up scheduling Torrington in Week 1.
Only two bye teams remain. Sacred Heart in Week 3 and St. Paul on Thanksgiving Day (Rocky Hill bowed out).
Finally, FCIAC big schools havent lucky at all. Only four of nine bye teams have found opponents. Greenwich (Week 3), Staples (Week 4), Stamford (Week 6), Norwalk (Week 8), Harding (Week 9) have not filled their open dates yet. (Somebody check if Naples, Fla. is available).
With 14 teams, the SWC doesnt have this problem.
So far, here is how the regional schools have filled their open dates.
WEEK 1
Wednesday, Sept. 14 Seymour vs. OBrien Tech (at Nolan Field)
Thursday, Sept. 15 Watertown at Montville
Friday, Sept. 16 Wilby at Lyman Hall; Trumbull at Catholic Memorial (Mass.)
WEEK 2
Friday, Sept. 23 Danbury at Fitch; Fairfield Prep at Griswold
WEEK 3
Friday, Sept. 30 Law at Woodland
Bye: Greenwich; Sacred Heart-Waterbury
WEEK 4
Bye: Staples
WEEK 5
Saturday, Oct. 15 Westhill at Franklin (Mass.)
WEEK 6
Friday, Oct. 21 Platt Tech at East Haven
Bye: Stamford
WEEK 7
Friday, Oct. 28 Central at North Haven
WEEK 8
Bye: Norwalk
WEEK 9
Bye: Harding
WEEK 10
Wednesday, Nov. 16 Stonington at Foran
Thursday, Nov. 17 Norwich Free Academy at Wilbur Cross; Ledyard at Branford
Friday, Nov. 18 Sheehan at East Lyme.
THANKSGIVING
Bye: St. Paul-Bristol