The latest “biggest game of the season” is almost here with the No. 1 ranking in The Day Top 10 state coaches’ poll at stake.

Top-ranked Southington (7-0) plays No. 3 Maloney (7-0) on Friday night at Falcon Field in Meriden (6:30 p.m.) Southington received eight of 13 first-place votes this week. Three of those votes went to the Spartans, the defending CIAC Class L champions.

A win would obviously strengthen the Blue Knights’ case for No. 1. Presumably Maloney would leap frog second-ranked Greenwich (6-1) for No. 1 if it wins, especially since Greenwich lost to Southington 29-28 on Sept. 24.

There’s no guarantee what voters will do if Maloney wins, however, given it’s been one of the most confusing seasons of late. A few coaches noted that over the weekend that there’s no dominant team.

West Haven (7-0) dropped one spot to No. 4 despite picking up a second first-place vote.

No. 5 St. Joseph (6-1) continues to impress after handling then-No. 2 New Canaan on the road last Friday, 27-14. The Cadets went into this season with a lot of uncertainty due to inexperience, yet they’ve beaten everyone but Greenwich (36-26, Oct. 14).

More impressive is that every team St. Joseph played had a winning record. That includes games against three 6-1 teams — Staples (42-21 win, Sept. 17), Greenwich and New Canaan.

The Cadets’ opponents have a combined 35-14 record.

New Canaan fell to No. 6 after its loss, followed by North Haven (6-1). The latter leapt over No. 8 Hamden (7-0) after holding Cheshire (5-2) to 150 yards in last Friday’s 10-0 win.

Newtown (6-1) makes its season debut at No. 9. The perennial South-West Conference power knocked off then-No. 10 Barlow last Friday 30-20, the first loss of the season for the latter.

The Nighthawks’ ascension pushed No. 10 Ansonia (7-0) down to No. 10.

Other notable games this week involving teams receiving votes are Notre Dame-West Haven (5-2) at Fairfield Prep (4-3), Friday, 6 p.m.; Windham (7-0) at Ledyard (6-1), Friday, 6 p.m.; Cheshire at Shelton (4-3), Friday, 7 p.m.; and Ridgefield (4-3) at Trumbull (5-2), Friday, 7 p.m.

n.griffen@theday.com