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. Southington (6) 9-0 374 1

KNOW THIS: The Blue Knights have beaten their opponents by an average of 31.7 points. Only one team has won by more. You'll meet them later.

NEXT: vs. Cheshire, Thanksgiving Day, 10 a.m.

2. New Canaan (7) 9-0 372 2

KNOW THIS: Here's what Harvard-bound Alex Lapolice did during last Saturday's 47-16 win over Trinity Catholic - he ran four times for 33 yards and two touchdowns, caught two passes for 119 yards and a score, had nine tackles and two interceptions.

NEXT: FCIAC championship vs. Darien at Boyle Stadium, Stamford, Thanksgiving Day, 10:30 a.m.

3. Darien 10-0 342 3

KNOW THIS: The Blue Wave hope this year's game against New Canaan at Boyle goes better than their last one (a 44-12 battering in the snowy 2013 CIAC Class S final).

NEXT: FCIAC championship vs. Darien at Boyle Stadium, Stamford, Thanksgiving Day, 10:30 a.m.

4. Shelton 10-0 288 4

KNOW THIS: Quarterback Mark Piccirillo has averaged 275 total yards a game, rushed for 21 touchdowns and thrown for 20. He's pretty important to the Gaels.

NEXT: vs. Derby, Thanksgiving Day, 10:30 a.m.

5. Newtown 10-0 274 5

KNOW THIS: The Nighthawks beat Brookfield almost four weeks ago (21-17). They're playing again on Thursday. League football championships are dumb.

NEXT: SWC championship vs. Brookfield at Pomperaug, Thursday, 7 p.m.

6. Ledyard 10-0 245 6

KNOW THIS: Remember that tease in the Southington nugget? The Colonels have won by a state-best average of 38.5 points.

NEXT: at Fitch, Thanksgiving Day, 10 a.m.

7. Windsor 9-0 217 7

KNOW THIS: We were certain that the Warriors would get a bump after holding Glastonbury to one offensive touchdown in last Friday's 28-14 win. Oh, well. It's the final poll that matters.

NEXT: at Middletown, Nov. 26, 7 p.m.

8. St. Joseph 8-2 186 9

KNOW THIS: The Cadets may be struggling to throw the ball effectively, but they still have all-state running back Mufasha Abdul-Basir and a physical offensive line. Abdul-Basir ran 32 times for 290 yards and two touchdowns during last Saturday's 33-17 win over McMahon, ruining the latter's shot at playing for the FCIAC title.

NEXT: at Trumbull, Nov. 26, 6 p.m.

T9. Ansonia 9-1 175 10

KNOW THIS: It's late November and the Chargers haven't qualified for states yet. That happens about as often as either political party holding themselves culpable for their mistakes. Or telling the truth. Or not selling out to the highest donor. Or...

NEXT: vs. Naugatuck, Thanksgiving Day, 10:30 a.m.

T9. Wethersfield 10-0 175 8

KNOW THIS: The Eagles have (unofficially) qualified for the playoffs for the second time in program history.

NEXT: at Newington, Nov. 26, 6:30 p.m.

Also receiving votes: Brookfield (9-1), 143 points; Berlin (10-0), 117; Valley Regional/Old Lyme (10-0), 82; Middletown (8-1), 63; Naugatuck (8-1), 62; Xavier (7-3), 44; Fairfield Prep (7-3), 38; North Haven (8-2), 30; Northwest Catholic (9-1), 32; Cheshire (8-2), 31; Hall (7-2), 17; Notre Dame-West Haven (7-3), 8.

The following coaches voted: Rich Angarano, Brookfield; 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; Marce Petroccio, Staples.

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