Howdy,

There’s were a few folks who said, “WHAT”, when word got out that the CIAC planned on scheduling ALL eight of its semifinals at 2 p.m. next Saturday rather than playing a night game-or-two.

Eight games at one time mean one less game for us diehards to watch.

There’s also the thought that playing eight at once might cost the CIAC $$$$ because football fans have to choose which game to attend and which to blow off.

Speaking from a selfish standpoint, it stretches the media thin, especially with UConn playing its season finale that afternoon at Rentschler.

Leroy Williams, the CIAC football committee chairman, said that data has shown that crowds haven’t been as willing to show up for night games as they have for day games. Folks have been staying inside where it’s warm because too few New Englanders can handle cold weather anymore.

(That last sentence is Polecat Worldwide's opinion. The opinions of Polecat Worldwide does not represent the opinions or views of Mister Williams, the CIAC or, generally, rational people. But if they were everyone's opinion, then they'd be damn good ones)

“We’ve seen that we do better with afternoon games than we do at night,” Williams said. “That’s the main reason. I’m like you — I’d love to see two games.

“We’re not seeing a lot of people (going to two games). We seem to do better with just afternoon games.”

Diehards still have a glimmer of hope, however — the CIAC might need to hold a night game because of site availability.

“We seem to do better with just afternoon games, but that’s not a done deal yet,” Williams said. “We have a number of teams willing to host games that still have a team in the tournament. We may have to go with a night game like we’ve done in the past. Maybe seven in the afternoon and one at night. It’s not etched in stone yet.”

So there you go.

Here’s YOUR playoff schedule:

Quarterfinals

(All games Tuesday, 6:30 p.m.)

CLASS LL

No. 8 Ridgefield (9-2) at No. 1 Newtown (12-0)

No. 5 Norwich Free Academy (8-2) at No. 4 Southington (9-1)

No. 7 Fairfield Prep (9-2) at No. 2 Glastonbury (10-1)

No. 6 West Haven (9-2) at No. 3 Hall (9-1)

CLASS L

No. 8 Hand (8-3) vs. No. 1 Darien (10-1) at McMahon

No. 5 New London (9-2) at No. 3 Middletown (10-1)

No. 7 North Haven (9-2) vs. No. 2 Platt (11-0) at Falcon Field

No. 6 Farmington (9-2) at No. 3 New Canaan (10-1)

CLASS M

No. 8 Quinebaug Valley (9-2) at No. 1 Valley Regional/Old Lyme (11-0)

No. 5 Brookfield (9-3) at No. 4 Bethel (9-2)

No. 7 Ledyard (9-2) vs. No. 2 St. Joseph (10-1) at Trumbull

No. 6 Gilbert/Northwestern Regional (9-2) vs. No. 3 Barlow (9-2) at Western Connecticut State

CLASS S

No. 8 Bloomfield (9-2) vs. No. 1 Capital/Classical/Achievement (11-0) at Dillon Stadium

No. 5 Morgan (10-1) at No. 4 Woodland (10-2)

No. 7 Coginchaug (9-2) at No. 2 Ansonia (12-0)

No. 6 Prince Tech (9-2) at No. 3 Rocky Hill (10-1)

Quarterfinals

Saturday at sites TBA, 2 p.m.

Finals

(At Arute Field, Central Connecticut State)

Friday, Dec. 13, 7 p.m.; and Saturday, Dec. 14, 10 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 5 p.m.

Thanks for reading. More later

Vaya con dios….