The Day's Top 10 H.S. state football poll

First-place votes in parentheses, record through Saturday, points tabulated on a 30-28- 26-24-22-20-18-16-14-12-11-10-9-8-7 basis, and last week's ranking:

1. Hand (10) 6-0 384 1

KNOW THIS: The Tigers learned quickly what kind of effort it takes to maintain the No. 1 ranking as they escaped Saturday's game against No. 8 West Haven with a 21-20 win. NEXT: at North Haven, Friday, 7 p.m.

2. Ansonia (2) 6-0 358 2

KNOW THIS: Hazekiah Duncan intercepted two passes Thursday, one of which he returned for a 41-yard touchdown, in a 49-21 win over Watertown. The score wasn't even that close - the Chargers led by 35 points after three quarters. NEXT: at Crosby, Friday, 7 p.m.

3. Staples 5-0 332 3

KNOW THIS: Head coach Marce Petroccio told the Westport News that he's never had so many offensive threats on one team. Think about that, Class LL contenders. NEXT: at Darien, Saturday, 1:30 p.m.

4. Windsor 5-0 294 4

KNOW THIS: The Warriors passed their first big challenge of the season Friday - they rallied four times and beat Middletown, 40-35. NEXT: vs. Farmington, Friday, 7 p.m.

5. Masuk 6-0 252 6

KNOW THIS: The Panthers have outscored opponents by an average of 36 points. NEXT: at Notre Dame-Fairfield, Saturday, 1 p.m.

6. Xavier 5-1 250 5

KNOW THIS: DeAngleo Berry ran 19 times for 131 yards and five touchdowns Friday as the Falcons took their frustrations out on Amity, 52-17. NEXT: at Hillhouse, Friday, 3 p.m.

7. Greenwich 5-0 224 9

KNOW THIS: Liam O'Neil was a model of efficiency Saturday - he completed 14 of 15 passes for 261 yards and five touchdowns as it trounced Bridgeport Central, 56-6. NEXT: at Westhill, Saturday, 1:30 p.m.

8. West Haven 5-1 193 7

KNOW THIS: The Westies played for the win Saturday and were a two-point pass away from knocking off Hand. NEXT: Cheshire, Friday, 7 p.m.

9. Southington 6-0 191 NR

KNOW THIS: Glastonbury has several offensive threats, yet Southington's defense allow just 63 yards in the second half of Saturday's 28-21, come-from-behind win. NEXT: vs. Hall, Friday, 7 p.m.

10. Berlin 6-0 165 10

KNOW THIS: Senior Kevin Main only had five carries prior to Friday's game against Rockville. He was given the ball seven times in that game and ran for 43 yards and three touchdowns in a 47-0 rout. NEXT: vs. Plainville, Friday, 7 p.m.

Dropped out: Glastonbury (8).

Also receiving votes: Norwich Free Academy (6-0), 108 points; Hillhouse-New Haven (5-1), 100; Newtown (6-0), 90; Glastonbury (5-1), 89; Trinity Catholic-Stamford (6-0), 67; Middletown (5-1), 62; New Canaan (5-1), 48; Wolcott (6-0), 29; Tie, Avon (6-0) and Fairfield Prep (5-1), 22; North Branford (5-0), 20; Barlow-Redding (6-0), 15.

The following coaches voted: Tom Brockett, Ansonia; Jim Buonocore, Ledyard; Craig Bruno, Bunnell; Dave Cadelina, Bridgeport Central; Steve Filippone, Hand; Rob Fleeting, Windsor; Tanner Grove, Montville; Jude Kelly, St. Paull; Tim King, Valley Regional; Sean Marinan, Xavier; John Murphy, Masuk; Marce Petroccio, Staples; Bob Zito, Maloney.

Note: Go to www.theday.com to read Ned Griffen's "Lonesome Polecat" - a state high school football notebook.