The New Canaan varsity football team (New Canaan, CT) will host Maloney High School (Meriden, CT) in a home playoff game today at 6:30 PM at New Canaan. This matchup is part of the 2024 Connecticut High School Football Playoff Brackets: CIAC – Class L tournament.
Maloney vs New Canaan High School Football Game Info:
What: Connecticut High School Football
Who: Maloney vs New Canaan
When: Tuesday, December 3, 2024
Time: 6:30pm.
Bracket: 2024 Connecticut High School Football Playoff Brackets: CIAC – Class L
Live stream: Watch here
Game Preview: Maloney vs New Canaan
New Canaan, CT — The New Canaan Rams (9-1) are set to host the Maloney Spartans (6-4) in a highly anticipated Class L playoff game tonight at 6:30 PM. The matchup brings two accomplished programs back together after an earlier season meeting that saw New Canaan secure a dominant 42-13 victory on September 13.
Team Overview and Rankings
New Canaan comes into the game as one of the top teams in the state, ranked 3rd in Connecticut and holding the No. 1 spot in Class L. With a 9-1 record and an undefeated 8-0 league campaign, the Rams have shown remarkable consistency on both sides of the ball. Their lone loss was in a non-league matchup.
Maloney, ranked 19th in the state and 5th in Class L, holds a respectable 6-4 record. Despite their underdog status, the Spartans have shown resilience throughout the season, finishing with a strong 5-1 league record and a balanced attack on offense.
Scoring and Offensive Comparisons
New Canaan has been a scoring machine this season, averaging 34.3 points per game while allowing only 90 points over 10 games. Their offensive efficiency is driven by early scoring, with an average of 24.1 points in the first half.
Maloney, averaging 30.1 points per game, has proven capable of generating offense but struggles with consistency, particularly in the second half. They have allowed 256 points this season, creating potential vulnerabilities against New Canaan’s dynamic attack.
Head-to-Head Matchup
The teams met earlier this season, with New Canaan dominating Maloney in a 42-13 win. The Rams used a balanced approach to build a commanding lead, scoring 21 points in the first half and holding Maloney to just six. Maloney struggled to contain New Canaan’s offense and will need to make significant adjustments in this rematch.
Key Players to Watch
- New Canaan: Quarterback Luke Robinson leads the Rams with 141.6 passing yards per game, supported by receiver Andrew Esposito, who averages 82.1 receiving yards and 10 points per game.
- Maloney: Running back Henry Stein has been a steady contributor with 58.9 rushing yards per game, while Esposito’s counterpart on defense, Ryan Brooks, averages 6.9 tackles per game.
Common Opponent Performance
Both teams faced Staples during the regular season. Maloney narrowly lost to Staples 28-21, while New Canaan secured a 23-10 victory, highlighting the Rams’ stronger overall form.
What’s at Stake?
With this being the opening round of the Class L playoffs, the winner will move one step closer to the state championship. For New Canaan, a victory would solidify their dominance and keep their title hopes alive. For Maloney, an upset win would mark a dramatic turnaround and avenge their earlier loss to the Rams.
Kickoff is set for 6:30 PM at New Canaan, with fans eager to see if the Spartans can rise to the challenge or if the Rams will continue their march toward postseason glory.
