The Day's Top 10 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 (9) 10-0 380 1
KNOW THIS: The defending CIAC Class L champions have won a school-record 23 successive games. NEXT: Class L quarterfinals vs. Platt, today, 6:30 p.m.
2. Staples (2) 9-0 352 3
KNOW THIS: Joey Zelkowitz ran for an FCIAC championship record 317 yards with three touchdowns as the Wreckers ran down then seventh-ranked Greenwich Thursday, 48-30. NEXT: Class LL quarterfinals vs. West Haven, today, 6:30 p.m.
3. Ansonia (2) 11-0 350 2
KNOW THIS: The Chargers are tied with New Britain for the most wins in state history (742). They'll have that record to themselves after tonight. NEXT: Class S quarterfinals vs. Prince Tech, today, 6:30 p.m.
4. Windsor 9-0 296 4
KNOW THIS: The Warriors wasted a 17-point lead in last season's Class L semifinals and lost on a last-second field goal to New Canaan, 27-24. Consider this season their screaming for vengeance tour. NEXT: Class L quarterfinals vs. Fitch, today, 6:30 p.m.
5. Xavier 9-1 277 6
KNOW THIS: Chew on this - the Falcons concluded the regular season by bludgeoning West Haven and Middletown by a combined score of 83-21. And those two teams are 8-2 and in the playoffs. Zoinks. NEXT: Class LL quarterfinals vs. Greenwich (Palmer Field), today, 6:30 p.m.
6. Southington 10-0 248 8
KNOW THIS: The Blue Knights' reward for an unbeaten season is a rematch with Glastonbury in what was one of the best games of the regular season (Southington won in the closing seconds, 28-21). NEXT: Class LL quarterfinals vs. Glastonbury, today, 6:30 p.m.
7. Newtown 10-0 232 10
KNOW THIS: If you believe in the power of The Day state coaches poll…. . NEXT: Class LL quarterfinals vs. Norwich Free Academy, today, 6:30 p.m.
8. Norwich Free Academy 10-0 183 9
KNOW THIS: ….then NFA at Newtown will be one of tonight's best games. NEXT: Class LL quarterfinals at Newtown, today, 6:30 p.m.
T9. Glastonbury 9-1 154 NR
KNOW THIS: We're sure that the Tomahawks are mighty happy to get another shot at Southington. NEXT: Class LL quarterfinals at Southington, today, 6:30 p.m.
T9. Greenwich 8-1 154 7
KNOW THIS: Greenwich vs. Xavier is a pretty nasty quarterfinal. NEXT: Class LL quarterfinals at Xavier (Palmer Field), today, 6:30 p.m.
Dropped out: Masuk-Monroe (5).
Also receiving votes: Hillhouse (8-2), 138 points; Masuk (9-1), 105; West Haven (8-2), 76; Wolcott (9-1), 74; Middletown (8-2), 58; Avon (10-0), 55; St. Joseph (8-2), 48; Berlin (9-1), 45; North Branford (10-0), 37; New Canaan (8-2), 31; Hartford Capital/Classical/Achievement (10-0), 15; Fitch (8-2), 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.
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