Pickens' Picks/ Week 3: Patterns emerge, Prep takes a big test

Week three is upon us already?

Honestly, I've been vacationing down south this past week, departing after Fairfield Prep's blowout of East Haven last Friday night and returning home Thursday.

So although fall has officially begun, as I write this I can't tell you whether the foliage season has kicked off in Fairfield or whether true football weather has arrived up north.

But I'm finally starting to get a handle on this year's Fairfield high school football teams.

Maybe there's more fight to come from Notre Dame, Warde and Ludlowe than we've seen. We're only two games into the season, but they are a combined 0-6 and collectively have given up 242 points. That suggests it could be a long season.

Prep, on the other hand, has looked impressive two straight weeks, notching consecutive 47-0 wins over Wilbur Cross and East Haven, respectively. Posterity, however, ultimately will prove how great those wins really were.

The Jesuits will step onto the big-boy stage Friday night.

GAME OF THE WEEK

Prep (2-0) at Xavier (2-0)

Saturday, 7 p.m

Palmer Field

I stood outside of the Jesuits huddle after their whitewashing of East Haven last Friday and Tom Shea told his guys "The preseason is over."

Shea meant all the scrimmages, games against lesser SCC opposition and good-feelings have only been a prelude this Friday.

Prep has outscored its two opponents 94-0, but this week's different.

This week, the state's No. 1 team will be across the line of scrimmage.

The dynastic Falcons have won 31 consecutive regular season games -- including their first two this year -- and 37 of 38 contests overall. Xavier's last regular season loss came on Sept. 18, 2009 against Wilbur Cross -- a result which both shows how long ago that was and how far the Governors have fallen since.

Prep's loyal following certainly won't forget the 2011 edition of this game, a contest in which Xavier came to Fairfield and waxed Prep 35-0 for its 24th consecutive regular-season win. Shifty playmaker Joe McBride hurt his knee in that game, an injury that ended his high school football career.

Those same Jesuits fans also may recall the 2008 edition, a game in which Prep trailed 35-14 but miraculously rallied and won, 36-35. It wads Rich Magdon's final varsity win.

Prep optimists also could say that Jovan Santos-Knox is playing linebacker at UMass, Mike Mastroianni is at Springfield College and Xavier is the top-ranked team simply because of its resume.

Realists might say the Falcons don't rebuild, they reload, and would note Xavier in its first two games has outscored its foes 93-12.

Will this game be a Xavier rout? I doubt it.

Will it be a classic? I hope so.

This town could use an infusion of competitive high school football.

And if the Jesuits win, they'll put themselves in a terrific position to reach the state playoffs and catapult themselves into the ranks of the state's elite teams.

Do I think Prep gets that done?

Sorry folks. Can't bet against a champion. Pick: Xavier 35, Prep 27.

Ludlowe (0-2)

at Trumbull (0-2)

Saturday, 10 a.m.

McDougall Stadium

The Falcons enter their clash with Trumbull on a 12-game losing streak. In two games this year, they've been outscored 82-21 and seemed out of both games by halftime.

But Trumbull arguably has had a more frustrating time of it. In their opener, the Eagles hung right in there with Branford for a half before the Hornets pulled away. Last weekend, Trumbull fell at home to Westhill in overtime.

Granted, Westhill was in mourning over Marcus Dixon's loss, but still. A home loss to Westhill? The same Vikings who had lost 20 straight games? The same Westhill that Ludlowe beat for its last win on Nov. 12, 2010?

Times change and teams change. Trumbull apparently is down, so this could be Ludlowe's time to end its losing streak and get some good karma going.

But I don't see it happening. Pick: Trumbull 21, Ludlowe 7.

New Canaan (1-1)

at Warde (0-2)

Saturday, 10:30 a.m.

Tetreau/Davis Field

There's undoubtedly some gamesmanship in this start time.

Warde's playing it on Saturday because it wanted an extra day to practice after Yom Kippur on Wednesday. Plus, a 10:30 a.m. start means the Rams must leave New Canaan by about 8 a.m., perhaps earlier.

This means the kids have to be up early, it means they need to go to bed early on Friday night, it means the better team could be at a disadvantage.

Ludlowe played one of these games at Staples a couple of years ago, and if the Falcons could have hung onto the ball, they could've won.

But Lou Marinelli's a pro, and I doubt he'll fall for this, even on the road. Pick: New Canaan 42, Warde 14.

Notre Dame (0-2)

at Barlow (2-0)

Saturday, 4 p.m.

I overestimated ND last weekend. The Lancers are still far from where they need to be.

Meanwhile, the Falcons are looking good, having outscored their opposition 82-34 in two games.

This one could get ugly. Pick: Barlow 49, ND 12.

Last week: 3-1

Year-to-Date: 6-2.

Reach Pat Pickens at ppickens@bcnnew.com.