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 previous ranking:

1. Hand-Madison (9) 8-0 380 1

KNOW THIS: The Tigers beat Shelton Friday, 42-23, but coach Steve Filippone wasn't happy. "We've been getting worse since we beat Xavier," he told the New Haven Register. "They thought the season ended after Week 5 and that's the attitude." NEXT: at Notre Dame-West Haven, Thursday, 7 p.m.

2. Ansonia (2) 9-0 352 2

KNOW THIS: The Chargers already roughed up Woodland (47-16) on Sept. 21, which begs the question, "besides money, why is the NVL bothering with a title game?" NEXT: NVL championship vs. Woodland at Municipal Stadium, Waterbury, 6:30 p.m.

3. Staples-Westport (2) 7-0 348 3

KNOW THIS: The Wreckers led Fairfield Warde by 49 points at halftime in Saturday's 49-20 win, earning raves from Warde coach Duncan DellaVolpe. "They might be the best team I've seen since I've been in the league for 14 years," DellaVolpe told the Westport News. NEXT: vs. Westhill, Thursday, 5 p.m.

4. Windsor 8-0 290 4

KNOW THIS: The Warriors scored 42 first-half points and held RHAM to 56 yards in Friday's 49-27 win. NEXT: Hartford Public, Saturday, 6:30 p.m.

5. Masuk-Monroe 8-0 268 5

KNOW THIS: Your weekly Thomas Milone update - the senior UConn baseball recruit caught two touchdowns and ran for two more as the Panthers crushed previously unbeaten Barlow Saturday, 42-23. NEXT: at Weston, Thursday, 7 p.m.

6. Xavier-Middletown 8-1 265 6

KNOW THIS: The Falcons had a 301-to-8 edge in yardage in the first half of Monday's 42-7 rout of then No. 8 West Haven. NEXT: vs. Middletown, Nov. 22, 7 p.m.

7. Greenwich 7-0 242 7

KNOW THIS: Dear FCIAC - if the Cardinals' Thanksgiving Day game against Staples is for the league title, then please move it to a time and date where we can all enjoy it. Okay? Thanks. NEXT: vs. Danbury, Friday, 7 p.m.

8. Southington 9-0 204 9

KNOW THIS: Stephen Barmore threw a 30-yard touchdown to Corbin Garry as time expired Friday as Southington escaped Manchester with a 13-12 win. NEXT: vs. Cheshire, Nov. 22, 7 p.m.

9. Norwich Free Academy 9-0 137 NR

KNOW THIS: Welcome to the Top 10, Wildcats. They've outscored teams by an average of 32 points. NEXT: at New London, Nov. 22, 10 a.m.

10. Newtown 8-0 130 NR

KNOW THIS: Andrew Tarantino took over for an injured Dan Herbert and threw four touchdowns as the Nighthawks rolled Bunnell Friday, 42-8. NEXT: vs. Immaculate, Wednesday, 7 p.m.

Dropped out: West Haven (8), and Berlin (10).

Also receiving votes: votes: Glastonbury (7-1), 98 points; Hillhouse-New Haven (7-2), 97; Middletown (8-1), 96; New Canaan (7-1), 88; West Haven (7-2), 64; Wolcott (8-1), 61; North Branford (8-0), 50; Berlin (8-1), 44; Avon (9-0), 43; Fitch (7-1), 26; St. Joseph-Trumbull (6-2), 18; Tie, Hartford Capital/Classical/Acheivement (9-0) and Trinity Catholic-Stamford (7-1), 7.

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. Paul; 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 state high school football notebook.