The lost 2020 CIAC football season had coaches, media and fans alike unsure what to expect this season other than chaos for a few weeks until teams began to separate themselves.

It's apropos, then, that The Day's state coaches' poll would have a wacky start.

St. Joseph (1-0) edged Darien (1-0), another Fairfield County Interscholastic Athletic Conference powerhouse, for the number one ranking despite earning just five of 13 first-place votes.

Darien received the other eight.

St. Joseph was ranked no lower than third on every ballot. Two coaches ranked the Blue Wave than fourth, giving the Cadets a slim 370-368 edge in total points.

It's certainly possible that Darien could overtake St. Joseph if one-or-more coaches adjust their rankings in the coming weeks. The Cadets also host the Blue Wave on Saturday, Oct. 30.

Greenwich (1-0), yet another FCIAC standard-bearer, is third.

Fourth-ranked Newtown (1-0) will have a chance to make its case for No. 1 in less than two weeks when it visits Darien (Friday, Sept. 24). The Nighthawks beat the Blue Wave in the 2019 Class LL final, 13-7, on a game-ending 36-yard touchdown catch.

No. 5 Fairfield Prep (1-0) is the first of four Southern Connecticut Conference Tier I teams ranked in the Top 10. It knocked off highly-touted Hand last Friday night, 29-16.

Southington (1-0) is sixth followed by yet another FCIAC force, New Canaan (1-0).

Three more SCC Tier I teams round out the Top 10 — No. 8 Cheshire (1-0), No. 9 Xavier (1-0) and No. 10 Hand.

Eastern Connecticut Conference schools Killingly (1-0), Fitch (1-0) and Norwich Free Academy (0-1) all received votes.

n.griffen@theday.com