The Meat Grinder (S5 E13): The 2022 Turkey Wrap & Quarterfinal Pick'ems

·1 hr 17 min·5 clips

A high school football player begs Cromwell to win so his 5-4 team can grab one of the last three playoff spots.

The episode opens with audio from a player desperately hoping for a Cromwell win to help his own team's playoff chances. Host John Patrick Moley, joined by Pete Paguaga, frames the playoff push as 'the Meat Grinder,' a term borrowed from Coach Mike Drury. They celebrate Thanksgiving Day as Connecticut's premier sporting event, despite criticizing the CIAC for expanding to six 'watered-down' playoff divisions. The recap begins with Tuesday and Wednesday games that set the stage: New Milford clinching its first-ever playoff berth, Valley Regional's win-and-in scenario, and Cromwell Portland's dominant victory. Thanksgiving Day drama included Guilford's loss to Hand, Fairfield Prep's upset of then-No. 1 West Haven, and Wilton qualifying after a 19-day layoff. The hosts describe the chaotic finish in Class L, where Cheshire's coach Don Drust anxiously sought score updates after a loss, ultimately learning his team qualified thanks to other results, knocking Darien out for the first time since 2012. They highlight two non-playoff-impacting but wild games: Foran vs. Law's 938-yard offensive shootout featuring John Nider's six touchdowns, and Staples vs. Greenwich's back-and-forth thriller with seven lead changes. The hosts then transition to their quarterfinal predictions, working through each class. In Class S, they pick Ansonia, Woodland, New Fairfield, and Bloomfield. For Class SS, they choose Cromwell Portland, Joel Barlow (led by Danny Shaben), Foran, and Windham. In Class M, they select Berlin, Rockville, Law, and Notre Dame-West Haven. For Class MM, they predict Wilton, North Haven, Killingly, and Masuk. In Class L, they go with St. Joseph, New Canaan, Maloney, and Newtown. Finally, in Class LL, they pick Southington, Fairfield Prep, West Haven, and Greenwich. Throughout the picks, they critique team schedules, conference strength, and player matchups, while lamenting the diluted playoff structure that allowed a 5-5 team (Branford) to qualify.

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