Class LL-Small

Fourth-seeded Xavier, which needed help on the final day of the season to even make the state playoffs, defeated top-seeded and previously unbeaten Shelton 28-27 in overtime on Saturday at win the Class LL-Small championship at West Haven High School.

The Gaels (12-1), who defeated the Falcons 28-20 during the regular season, were on the verge on winning the game in regulation, but quarterback Mark Piccirillo fumbled the ball into the end zone from the Xavier 1 with 50 seconds left and Eric Lee recovered, sending the game into overtime.

In overtime, Piccirillo threw a 14-yard touchdown pass to Alex Kirk to give Shelton a 27-21, but Xavier's Kalem Lutton blocked the extra point.

The Falcons (9-3) won the game moments later when quarterback Mike Scherer ran five yards for the game-tying touchdown and Andrew Verre kicked the game-winning PAT.

"For a lot of reasons, this one might be the sweetest," said Xavier coach Sean Marinan, whose Falcons won their fourth state title in the last five seasons. "Shelton was the best team all year and much better against us in the regular season. But finally we've started to play up to our potential."

It was a crushing defeat for Shelton, which was trying to win its first state title since 2004.

Picirillo, who rushed for 141 yards and hit eight of 14 passes for 233 yards and three TDs, did not feel he fumbled.

"I believe my elbow was down so it should not have been a fumble," Piccirillo said. "But there is no replay in high school. It sucks but it's too bad it came down to that."

Class L-Large

Second-seeded New Canaan rallied from a 20-7 halftime deficit to defeat No. 1 Darien 21-20 in the Class L-Large championship game at West Haven. The Rams avenged a Thanksgiving Day defeat to their rival, who overcame a 21-0 deficit of its own to win the FCIAC title and earn the No. 1 seed.

Kyle Smith caught a 17-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Michael Collins to get the Rams to within 20-14 with 7:57 left in the third quarter on a clutch fourth-and-nine conversion. Then in the fourth quarter, Collins hit Alex LaPolice from 24 yards out with 6:59 remaining and Peter Swindell's extra point put New Canaan ahead.

Collins also threw a 15-yard TD pass to Michael Kraus in the first quarter after Krause recovered a fumble moments earlier.

Darien's three touchdowns came in the second quarter as Timothy Graham threw TD passes to William Hamernick (30 yards) and Griffin Ross (11), and Hudson Hammill ran three yards for a score. A bobbled after Hammill's score was the Blue Wave's lone conversion blemish and it would prove costly.

Class L-Small

Top-seeded Windsor scored on an interception return and a fumble recovery, and forced three other turnovers, in a 38-16 victory over No.3 Notre Dame of West Haven at Central Connecticut's Arute Field.

It was the first state title for the Warriors, who finished unbeaten at 12-0. Windsor had lost in the championship game in 2012 and 2002.

"We finally did it for the town of Windsor," said Windsor junior Tyler Coyle, who returned a fumble 89 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter.

A 53-yard touchdown pass from Christian Lupoli to Nico Ragaini for third-seeded Notre Dame cut the Windsor lead to 19-16 in the third quarter. But Eric Vinson would return an interception 69 yards for a score on the Green Knights' next offensive possession. Coyle's touchdown return came later in the third quarter to put the Warriors up 31-16. Jordan Knight scored on a 65-yard run in the fourth quarter for Windsor.

Notre Dame (9-4) was denied its fourth title. Lupoli threw a 6-yard touchdown to Huner Burns to put Notre Dame on the board after trailing 19-0 in the second quarter. Lupoli finished completing 19 of 47 passes for 156 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions. Ragaini caught seven passes for 83 yards.

John Nolan (9 of 15, 165 yards) threw two touchdown passes to Coyle and one to Courtney Rush in the first half for the Warriors. Coyle made five receptions for 64 yards.

Class S-Small

Quarterback Rayshaun Phillips rushed for 109 yards and two touchdowns to lead second-seeded Capital Prep/Achievement First to a 20-13 victory over No. 4 North Branford at Central Connecticut's Arute Field.

Capital Prep (12-1) won its first state championship and the first for the Constitution State Conference.

"I think it means a lot for our program," Capital coach Chris Fulton said. "We play some quality teams and we have some quality coaches in our league. Obviously we don't have as much depth, but it's great for the league and great for us for sure."

North Branford (11-2) was searching for its title since 1979 and has now lost in its last three attempts in the final.

The Trailblazers forced seven North Branford turnovers and held the Thunderbirds without a point in the second half. North Branford quarterback Paul Pastet was also sacked six times.

- CIACSports.com