First-place votes in parentheses, record, 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. Southington (6) 5-0 376 2

KNOW THIS: The Blue Knights thrashed a quality (and unbeaten) Hall team as if it were a jabroni in last Friday's 48-0 beatdown. Southington scored three times in the first quarter, led 41-0 at halftime, and the majority of the second half had running time.

NEXT: vs. Conard, Friday, 7 p.m.

2. New Canaan (7) 5-0 370 1

KNOW THIS: The idle Rams won't be pleased they lost their ranking. It's understandable.

NEXT: vs. Staples, Friday, 7 p.m.

3. Darien 6-0 332 4

KNOW THIS: The Blue Wave have been shaky in the first half and plagued by turnovers this season. They played their best game of the season in last Saturday's 42-0 win over then-one loss Trinity Catholic.

NEXT: at Ridgefield, Friday, 7 p.m.

4. Xavier 6-0 254 5

KNOW THIS: The Falcons opened up their new on-campus field in style during last Saturday's 27-7 win over West Haven. They outscored the Westies in the second half, 25-0, and outgained them, 219-83. They also named their swank new digs field after legendary former coach Larry McHugh, too.

NEXT: at Notre Dame-W.H., Friday, 7 p.m.

5. Newtown 6-0 234 7

KNOW THIS: One last time - the Nighthawks held Ansonia to 47 yards on 46 rushing attempts and dropped it for losses on 21 plays during last Friday's 14-8 win. And now they gets to play host to No. 10 Brookfield. Cool scheduling!

NEXT: vs. Brookfield, Friday, 7 p.m.

6. Cheshire 6-0 235 6

KNOW THIS: The Rams have been tested a few times already this year. Their next challenge is this Friday when they play host to CIAC Class LL runner-up Fairfield Prep in one of Week 7's marquee games.

NEXT: vs. Fairfield Prep, Friday, 7 p.m.

7. Shelton 6-0 205 T9

KNOW THIS: Gaels' quarterback Mark Piccirillo has been the bane of opposing SCC defensive coordinators. He completed 13 of 20 passes for 222 yards and three touchdowns, and ran 10 times for 67 yards and two scores in last Friday's 58-22 win over Wilbur Cross.

NEXT: at Hand, Friday, 7 p.m.

8. Ledyard 6-0 197 8

KNOW THIS: Speaking of dudes who give defensive coordinators agita, the Colonels' JoJo Shumaker ran for 292 yards and six touchdowns in last Friday's 48-19 win over Montville.

NEXT: at Killingly, Friday, 6:30 p.m.

9. St. Joseph 5-1 195 T9

KNOW THIS: Mufasha Abdul-Basir ran for two touchdowns and Kevin Trefz threw for two more in last Friday's 45-0 win over Bassick.

NEXT: vs. Trinity Catholic, Saturday, 2 p.m.

10. Brookfield 6-0 160 NR

KNOW THIS: The Bobcats make their Top 10 season debut this week, but for how long? You'll just have to go to Newtown this Friday and enjoy watching the South-West Conference's two best teams go at it.

NEXT: at Newtown, Friday, 7 p.m.

Dropped out: Ansonia (3).

Also receiving votes: Windsor (6-0), 158 points; Ansonia (5-1), 148; Wethersfield (6-0), 118; North Haven (5-1), 102; Fairfield Prep (4-2), 53; Valley Regional/Old Lyme (6-0), 42; Northwest Catholic (6-0), 26; Middletown (5-1), 25; Hall (4-1), 23; Windham (6-0), 15; Notre Dame-West Haven (4-2), 14; Hand (2-4), 10; Tie, Naugatuck (4-1) and New London (5-1), 8; Morgan (5-1), 7.

The following coaches voted: Rich Angarano, Brookfield; Tom Brockett, Ansonia; Jim Buonocore, Ledyard; Craig Bruno, Naugatuck; Scott Daniels, Glastonbury; Joe DellaVecchia, St. Joseph; Steve Filippone, Hand; Rob Fleeting, Windsor; Steve George, Newtown; Tanner Grove, Montville; Tim King, Valley Regional/Old Lyme; Sean Marinan, Xavier; Marce Petroccio, Staples.

Note: Go to www.theday.com to read The Lonesome Polecat, Ned Griffen's state high school football blog.