New London - Whatever New London High School accomplishes this season - beat Ledyard in two weeks, division title, playoff berth, state title - will begin with the same reference point: the loss at Plainfield last month. And yet that regrettable, forgettable night is becoming a better teacher every day.

The Whalers are 4-0 since, heading to a bye week and impending showdown at unbeaten Ledyard following Friday's 48-7 Eastern Connecticut Conference Large Division win over Fitch at Cannamela Field.

"This is the most intelligent group of kids I've ever had and that's anywhere I've been, St. Bernard, Bacon Academy and here," New London coach Duane Maranda said. "Early in the season, sometimes it was hard to get them excited for games. Such nice kids. It was hard to get them excited and hungry. We're much better at flipping the switch now. That (Plainfield) game taught us not to overlook anybody. It doesn't matter the opponent, just play Whaler football."

That much was evident Friday. New London scored all 48 points in the first half. The second half took 29 minutes of actual time.

Quarterback Danny Maranda completed 16 of 19 passes for 325 yards and four scores, all in the first half. He threw two touchdowns apiece to Jelani Lucas and Troy Gray. Running back Kevin Shaw (105 yards) scored twice for the Whalers, who also forced a safety.

Lucas also scored on a 16-yard interception return. Lucas and Gray have combined for 11 interceptions through seven games. They combined for 201 receiving yards.

"We have a long standing rivalry with Fitch and we're always excited for Fitch week," New London senior Hunter Roman said. "We knew it was a big game and we made sure to tell everyone we can't take it lightly. Anything can happen in rivalry games. We executed the way we should."

Rob Duncan scored on an 84-yard touchdown run for Fitch (0-7, 0-3).

New London (6-1, 2-0) can clinch the Large Division for the second straight season with a win over Norwich Free Academy on Thanksgiving. For now, though, it's a bye week and ample time to prepare for Ledyard.

"It's not very often the New London Whalers go into a game as the underdog," Roman said. "But we were put in that position two times last year we came out on top. We believe in ourselves. We just have to focus on executing the way we should."

Maranda, asked about the Ledyard game, began speaking with a wry grin.

"We're just a little old school from the quote-unquote 'weaker' Large Division," he said. "We're going to have to figure out a way to compete."

m.dimauro@theday.com

Twitter: @BCgenius