There won’t be many Friday night lights around our part of the state this weekend as the majority of the teams go dark, taking the first of two CIAC-mandated bye weeks.

This, then, is the chance for high school football diehards to take a road trip and see how other parts of the state are doing. It’s a perfect weekend to travel, too, as there are some pivotal games that will rearrange the state playoff rankings as well as The Day's state coaches’ poll.

The weekend’s biggest game is No. 5 West Haven at No. 10 Cheshire in a Southern Connecticut Conference Tier I game. The Westies (4-0) are the only unbeaten team left in one of the state’s most alpha divisions. The Rams (3-1) will be without starting quarterback Jack Raba (broken collarbone).

There’s another important game in the SCC Tier I as No. 14 North Haven plays at No. 13 Shelton. Both teams are 3-1. Shelton opened the season with a 28-10 loss to Cheshire. North Haven beat the Rams in Week 3 (17-14).

The weekend’s other significant game is in the Fairfield County Interscholastic Athletic Conference as No. 11 Ridgefield (2-1) plays at No. 15 Staples (3-0). The Tigers’ lone loss was to Darien on opening night (38-12, Sept. 8). The Wreckers overwhelmed their first three opponents by a combined score of 145-10, but two of those teams are winless.

Fitch (4-0) is the only area team receiving votes. It has 23 points and is ranked 20th.