CIAC Playoff Roundup: NFA Stuns New Britain, Berlin Wins

Norwich and Berlin football fans have plenty to celebrate this week. Two of Connecticut’s most tradition-rich programs dominated their quarterfinal matchups to advance in the CIAC state playoffs.

It was a night for big-play offenses, attacking defenses, and some truly standout individual performances. Both Norwich Free Academy and Berlin sent a clear message to the rest of the state’s high school football landscape—from Hartford to New Haven, Bridgeport to Stamford, and every corner of Connecticut in between.

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Norwich Free Academy Stuns Top-Seeded New Britain

On paper, an eighth seed visiting a top seed in November usually looks like a tough assignment. On the field in New Britain, Norwich Free Academy (NFA) flipped the script with a 35-0 dismantling of the Golden Hurricanes in the CIAC Class LL quarterfinals.

The Wildcats’ performance felt like one of those classic playoff statement games folks in Norwich, Waterford, and eastern Connecticut talk about for years.

Aaron Driscoll Leads an Explosive Passing Attack

Quarterback Aaron Driscoll played with clinical precision and plenty of guts, attacking New Britain’s secondary all night. He completed 8 of 16 passes for 181 yards and four touchdowns, spreading the ball around and keeping defenders guessing.

Driscoll’s touchdown passes went to three different receivers:

Makiye Howard – a reliable target who turned short throws into big gains
Rusean Clahar – another downfield threat who helped stretch the defense
Ryan Cleary – part of a balanced receiving group that made NFA tough to defend

Two-Way Stars Power NFA’s Dominant Defense

While the offense lit up the scoreboard, NFA’s defense dominated too, pitching a shutout against a top-seeded New Britain team that cruised through the regular season. The Wildcats’ defensive effort would have impressed anybody from New London to Willimantic.

Makiye Howard headlined the defense, showing off his versatility with two interceptions and five tackles. His knack for reading routes and jumping passing lanes stopped New Britain drives cold.

Mhi Blessin Maddox-Moore delivered on both sides of the ball. On offense, he rushed six times for 39 yards, including a 25-yard touchdown run that showed off his burst. Defensively, he chipped in nine tackles, flying to the ball and setting the tone physically.

Special Teams Excellence Completes the Shutout

You can’t have a dominant playoff win without solid special teams, and NFA checked that box. Wyatt Woodworth stayed steady, knocking through all five extra points for a perfect 5-for-5 night.

Woodworth’s punting and kickoff work helped control field position. His ability to flip the field and pin New Britain deep made life easier for the NFA defense and kept the top seed on its heels.

Berlin Blanks Platt Tech to Stay Perfect

While NFA turned heads in Class LL, Berlin quietly—and efficiently—took care of business in the CIAC Class M quarterfinals. The Redcoats rolled to a 42-0 win over Platt Tech, preserving their flawless 11-0 record.

Fans from Meriden to Middletown know December is when Berlin football often plays its best. This performance fit that tradition perfectly.

Puzio Orchestrates Near-Perfect Offensive Showcase

Quarterback Cody Puzio was nearly perfect under center, completing 7 of 8 passes for 122 yards and four touchdowns. His poise and accuracy let Berlin seize control early and never look back.

His favorite target, Carmine Rio, delivered a star-making performance with four receptions for 74 yards and three touchdowns. Rio’s route running, timing, and knack for winning red zone matchups made him a nightmare to defend.

Balanced Attack with Balicki on the Ground

Berlin didn’t just win through the air. The Redcoats leaned on the ground game behind Nick Balicki, who rushed for 51 yards and scored two early touchdowns.

His work between the tackles opened up passing lanes and set a physical tone. With a balanced attack that kept Platt Tech guessing, Berlin’s offense looked every bit like a championship-caliber unit.

What These Wins Mean for the CIAC Playoff Picture

Norwich Free Academy and Berlin showed exactly what coaches in Danbury, West Hartford, and honestly, every football town talk about all season. You’ve got to play your best football when it really counts.

Both teams advanced with emphatic shutout wins—35-0 for NFA and 42-0 for Berlin. That’s not something you see every day.

Platt Tech wrapped up its season at 7-4. They had a strong year but just ran into a deeper, more polished Berlin squad at the wrong time.

For New Britain, the loss stings. It really highlights how tough the Class LL field gets when a team like NFA catches fire.

All eyes in Connecticut—from the shoreline up to the capital—are on these two programs now. If their quarterfinal games say anything, Norwich Free Academy and Berlin look like real threats to bring home state titles.

Here is the source article for this story: Connecticut high school football roundup: NFA stuns New Britain. Berlin handles Platt Tech

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