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. Ansonia (7) 7-0 376 1

KNOW THIS: Arkeel Newsome has run for 300-or-more yards the last three games, tying a state record.

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

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

KNOW THIS: You must go to New Canaan this Friday night.

NEXT: vs. St. Joseph, Friday, 7 p.m.

3. St. Joseph (1) 7-0 344 3

KNOW THIS: You must go to New Canaan this Friday night.

NEXT: at New Canaan, Friday, 7 p.m.

4. Middletown 7-0 268 4

KNOW THIS: Rush hour traffic is always dicey on I-95 and the Merritt Parkway, so if that deters you from driving to New Canaan, then go to Middletown instead.

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

5. Newtown 7-0 248 5

KNOW THIS: The Nighthawks have averaged 52 points in their last four games and are No. 1 in the CIAC Class LL rankings.

NEXT: at New Fairfield, Friday, 7 p.m.

6. West Haven 6-1 225 6

KNOW THIS: The trio of quarterback Duane Gary, tailback Ervin Philips and fullback Marshont Little have combined to rush for 309 yards.

NEXT: at Wilbur Cross, Friday, 3:30 p.m.

7. Glastonbury 6-1 197 7

KNOW THIS: Its defense held Manchester to 148 yards in last Friday's 41-0 win, clinching its sixth-straight division title in the process.

NEXT: vs. Conard, Friday, 6:30 p.m.

8. Hand 6-1 177 9

KNOW THIS: The Tigers have managed to get past Fairfield Prep (35-27) and Shelton (44-41) in successive weeks. Up next is a Falcons team fighting to keep their playoff hopes alive, followed by a game at No. 6 West Haven.

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

9. Farmington 7-0 166 8

KNOW THIS: It's allowed 9.6 points a game, the second-lowest average in the state. Number one? Middletown (9.4).

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

10. Platt 7-0 127 10

KNOW THIS: Quarterback Andrew McBride missed last Saturday's game at Weaver due to injury, and running back Tyzahn Leatherwood left early after tweaking his ankle. The Panthers still won, 55-22.

NEXT: vs. Berlin, Friday, 6:30 p.m.

Also receiving votes: Norwich Free Academy (5-1), 121 points; Tie, North Haven (6-1) and Southington (5-1), 83; Darien (6-1), 82; Woodland-Beacon Falls (7-0), 62; Tie, Capital/Classical/Achievement (7-0) and Fairfield Prep (5-2), 52; Xavier-Middletown (5-2), 50; Barlow-Redding (6-1), 45; Hall-West Hartford (5-1), 35; Ledyard (6-1), 30; Staples-Westport (5-2), 29; Valley Regional/Old Lyme (6-0), 27; McMahon-Norwalk (6-0), 25; Shelton (5-2), 14; Trumbull (6-1), 11.

The following coaches voted: 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; John Murphy, New Milford; Marce Petroccio, Staples.

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