The Gilbert/Northwestern/Housatonic Yellowjackets will venture away from home to square off against the Waterbury Career Academy Spartans at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday. Gilbert/Northwestern/Housatonic will aim to continue their three-game streak of scoring more points each matchup than the last.
Gilbert/Northwestern/Housatonic will bounce into Saturday's game after beating Watertown, who they had gone 0-3 against in their three prior meetings. The Yellowjackets were the clear victors by a 49-24 margin over the Warriors on Saturday. Considering the Yellowjackets have won three contests by more than 22 points this season, Saturday's blowout was nothing new.
Cole Linnen went supernova, rushing for 146 yards and one TD on only nine carries. His longest rush was for an impressive 57 yards, which helps to explain his lofty yards per carry total. Liam Baxter was in the mix as well, providing Gilbert/Northwestern/Housatonic with two touchdowns.
They were just one part of a punishing run game: Gilbert/Northwestern/Housatonic was unstoppable on the ground and finished the game with 282 rushing yards. That's the most rushing yards they've posted since back in November of 2024.
Meanwhile, Waterbury Career Academy scored first but ultimately less than Holy Cross in their matchup on Friday. They fell 19-15 to the Crusaders. The loss continues a trend for the Spartans in their meetings with the Crusaders: they've now lost nine in a row.
Having lost for the first time this season, Waterbury Career Academy fell to 6-1. As for Gilbert/Northwestern/Housatonic, their victory bumped their record up to 3-4.
Saturday's game might be decided on the ground. Gilbert/Northwestern/Housatonic has been excellent on the ground this season, having averaged 169.1 rushing yards per game. However, it's not like Waterbury Career Academy struggles in that department as they've been averaging 149.6 rushing yards. There's a good chance Saturday's contest turns into a tough fight on the ground.
Everything came up roses for Gilbert/Northwestern/Housatonic against Waterbury Career Academy in their previous matchup back in November of 2022, as the squad secured a 55-6 win. Do the Yellowjackets have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Spartans turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
