Norwich Free Academy at Southington
What: Class LL quarterfinal.
When: Tuesday, 6:30 p.m.
Where: Fontana Field, Southington High.
Records: No. 5 Norwich Free Academy, 8-2; No. 4 Southington, 10-0.
Southington's playoff history |
||
|---|---|---|
| Finals | ||
| Year | Opponent | Score |
| 2014 | def. NFA | 49-0 |
| 2013 | def. Fairfield Prep | 52-34 |
| 2006 | lost to Greenwich | 28-7 |
| 2005 | lost to Xavier | 45-30 |
| 1999 | lost to Greenwich | 47-27 |
| 1998 | def. NFA | 54-26 |
| 1994 | lost to Hart. Public | 22-7 |
| 1984 | lost to Glastonbury | 23-17 |
| Semifinals | ||
| Year | Opponent | Score |
| 1998 | def. Norwalk | 34-22 |
| 1999 | def. Masuk | 48-41 |
| 2005 | def. West Haven | 30-24 |
| 2006 | def. Shelton | 36-9 |
| 2007 | lost to Shelton | 21-19 |
| 2013 | def. Ridgefield | 45-0 |
| 2014 | def. Glastonbury | 42-14 |
| 2015 | lost to Darien | 49-7 |
| Quarterfinals | ||
| Year | Opponent | Score |
| 2012 | lost to Glastonbury | 23-14 |
| 2013 | def. NFA | 52-14 |
| 2015 | def. Conard | 48-6 |
Key duos: Norwich Free Academy — Jawaun Johnson (Sr., RB-DB), R.J. Darby (Sr., RB-LB). Southington — Vance Upham (Sr., RB-LB), Anthony Plantamuro (Sr., WR-DB).
Worth noting
- The Blue Knights won postseason games against the Wildcats in 2013 and 2014. They beat NFA, 52-14, in the 2013 Class LL quarterfinals, and then earned a 49-0 victory over NFA in the 2014 Class LL-Large final. … NFA played four nonconference games as part of the Eastern Connecticut Conference’s new setup for its most powerful schools. The Wildcats were blown out by Xavier and Darien in the first three weeks of the season, but they reeled off seven straight wins to end the season, including a 13-0 win over previously unbeaten New London on Thanksgiving.
- NFA has never won a state title. Southington is a three-time champ, including back-to-back titles in 2013-14.
- Upham is one of the state’s best two-way players. He’s rushed for 1,605 yards and 23 touchdowns, and he’s added 71 tackles and three sacks.
- Johnson’s best game for NFA came in a midseason romp over then-No. 7 Staples, when he ran for 275 yards and three touchdowns on 18 carries and added three catches for 115 yards and another score.