The 13th Hall of Fame Classic is set for Friday at 7 p.m. at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield. New Haven leads the series 8-4. Below is a look at year-by-year results.

1997- New Haven 14, Fairfield 7
1998- Fairfield 19, New Haven 9
1999- New Haven 20, Fairfield 0
2000- New Haven 42, Fairfield 14
2001- Fairfield 24, New Haven 14
2002- Fairfield 16, New Haven 8
2003- New Haven 42, Fairfield 8
2004- New Haven 28, Fairfield 0
2005- New Haven 19, Fairfield 3
2006- New Haven 25, Fairfield 14
2007- New Haven 31, Fairfield 6
2008- Fairfield 31, New Haven 30 (2OT)


Look for a story on Law's Ricky Rozier in Thursday's Register.

13TH HALL OF FAME FOOTBALL CLASSIC
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Where: Sacred Heart University, Fairfield
Who: New Haven County all-stars vs. Fairfield County all-stars
Last year’s result: Fairfield 31, New Haven 30 (2OT)
Series: New Haven leads 8-4
Game information: Tickets are $7 and will be available at the gate. For additional information and to check out the archives visit http://www.newhavefootballfoundation.com/.


Read a story on Ansonia assistant John Sponheimer and his son, Notre Dame offensive lineman Matt Sponheimer, in Wednesday's Register. John is an assistant in the game, while Matt is playing. John will coach Matt for the first time.

Over the next 10 weeks, I will present a Top 10 list for a variety of topics pertaining to high school football, leading up to the preseason Top 10 poll Sept. 16.

The kickoff starts this week with the Top 10 Games to Watch.

It’s never too early to start talking high school football, and we want to hear from you. So feel free to send us games you're looking forward to watching, or any questions you have regarding high school football and I will do my best to answer.

Check back every Tuesday for the latest Top 10 topics.

1. Hamden at Hand, Sept. 17., 7 p.m.
Hamden, which went 9-3 and advanced to the state playoffs for the first time since 1998 last season, could potentially enter this season as the No. 1 team in the Register preseason poll.

Quarterback Jason Lassiter, wide receivers Geoff Kiarie and Tevin Moye, and defensive lineman Jo-Von Ladson return, so the Green Dragons will be dangerous in several key positions. However, earning a victory at the Surf Club is never an easy task.

Hand should improve on last season’s 7-4 record, and the Tigers should find themselves again in the hunt for a Class MM playoff berth. Senior Nick Merullo will be one of the state’s best quarterbacks.

2. Ansonia vs. Hillhouse, Sept. 18, 6 p.m. at Southern Connecticut’s Jess Dow Field
The game that everyone wanted to see — last season. Last year, both teams qualified for the state playoffs, and a meeting in 2008 could’ve been a classic.

But, finally, the Naugatuck Valley League decided to allow out-of-conference games this year. Smart move. Although Ansonia and Hillhouse, who are second and third, respectively, in career victories in the state, both suffered heavy graduation losses, this one should be competitive, and played in front of a playoff-like atmosphere.

3. Greenwich at Stamford, Sept. 25, 6 p.m.
It’s expected that Stamford will be better than its 6-5 record from a year ago. The Black Knights have perhaps the state’s best returning player in outside linebacker Khairi Fortt, a 6-foot-3, 225 pound senior who’s being recruited by Boston College, Notre Dame and Penn. St., among others. Senior Jalen Holmes will likely takeover the quarterback duties this season, and Holmes is already being touted as a top prospect.

However, if Stamford anticipates to move into the upper echelon of the Fairfield County Interscholastic Athletic Conference, it will need to defeat teams such as Greenwich, which is traditionally one of the league’s most dominant programs.

4. New Britain at Southington, Oct. 9, 7 p.m.
This contest could determine the Central Connecticut Conference Division I title. The CCC still consists of four divisions, mainly based on school size after the addition of several teams from the now-defunct Nutmeg League.

Although Southington lost some talent to graduation, the Blue Knights have been one of the state’s most consistent teams the past several seasons. New Britain has strength in the receiving corps with the return of seniors Tebucky Jones and Tarik Hightower.

5. Wilbur Cross at Ridgefield, Oct. 9. 7 p.m.
An intriguing non-conference match up. Ridgefield went 8-3 last season, and just missed a playoff berth. The Tigers are traditionally strong in the FCIAC, and this year should be no exception.

Wilbur Cross, out of the Southern Connecticut Conference, has several skill players returning, including quarterback Dontay Long, running back James Ward and receiver Maurice Morrison.

6. New Canaan at Seymour, Oct. 16, 7 p.m.
Another interesting non-conference tilt between teams that have combined to win 11 CIAC state titles. New Canaan, from the FCIAC, finished last season ranked No. 1 in the final Register Poll.

The Rams lost a bunch to graduation, but should still be one of the top teams in the league. Seymour begins life without veteran coach Paul Sponheimer, who retired. Tom Lennon takes over the reigns for the Wildcats, who should contend in the NVL.

7. Xavier at Hamden, Oct. 23, 7 p.m.
Xavier handed Hamden its first loss, 21-14, on Oct. 24 last season. The Falcons return running back/defensive back Julian Hayes, who was a Register All-Area selection as a junior, and quarterback Alex Pace.

This one, a SCC Division I West contest, should be one of the league’s more competitive games this season.

8. Ansonia at Derby/O’Brien Tech, Oct. 30, 7 p.m.
This rivalry, which was once one of the state’s best, especially during the 1970s and 1980s, resumes after a five-year absence. Ansonia won the last meeting, 48-0, in 2003. Derby begins play in the NVL, after moving over from the SCC.

The Red Raiders will struggle with numbers again, and it still remains to be seen if Derby will fare any better in a new league. Ansonia, depsite graduation losses, will still be one of the league’s best.

9. Bunnell at Masuk, Nov. 13, 7 p.m.
Masuk is the defending Class L champion. Bunnell was the 2006 and 2007 champion. Both belong to the South-West Conference.

Despite graduation not being too kind to either, this game has been one of the most anticipated in the state the last several seasons. If you like offense, do not miss this one.

10. North Branford at Hyde, Nov. 26, 10:30 a.m.
Although this rivalry hasn’t existed as long as others in the state, this game is usually highly competitive, and often decides the Pequot Conference champion. Usually played on Wednesday night, this game will be contested on Thanksgiving morning this year.

For a complete schedule of this year's games click here.

Controversial New London football coach Jack Cochran has been fired. Superintendent of Schools Christopher Clouet cited “questionable judgments” by Cochran during his time as a coach at the high school, according to the New London Day. Cochran was hired at his alma mater in 2005.

Cochran was let go from his position as head baseball coach on March 5 after holding an illegal practice, which was a factor in Clouet's decision to fire Cochran from coaching football.

Cochran led the Whalers to the Class SS football title this past December. Cochran has won eight state titles in his career. He will remain as a health teacher at the school.

According to The Day, Cochran will fight the decision, and a hearing in front of the Board of Education is likely to discuss the matter.

Former North Haven football coach Gregory Volpe, who more recently was coach of the Hartford Knights and later the New England Knights (same team) was named the new coach at East Haven.

The East Haven Board of Education voted 7-0, with two abstentions, Tuesday to hire Volpe.

Volpe takes over for current school athletic director Mike Marone. The Easties have lost 21 straight games, with their last win coming on Thanksgiving over rival Branford in 2006.

Paul Sponheimer's personal choice to replace him as football coach at Seymour was finally made official on Monday.

Tom Lennon will take over head coaching duties for the Wildcats this fall. Lennon was the defensive coordinator for Sponheimer, who retired after 29 seasons and four state championships.

"I'm really excited about this opportunity," Lennon said. "I graduated from Seymour (in 1997), I played for Seymour. I graduated (from college) with a finance degree with all intentions of getting a job in the business world. When I was looking for my first job, I did some substitute teaching and coaching and I loved it so much. I had to be a teacher to be a coach. Being a Seymour Wildcat, and being involved in football, is all I've ever know."

Lennon, who is also the indoor and outdoor boys' and girls' track coach at the school, says Sponheimer has been a big influence.

"He's been great," Lennon said. "He's a large part of who I am as a person. Aside from my own parents and family, he's one of the most influential men in my life. Obviously, there are big shoes to fill but he'll be there to support me as I transition in."

Mike Tracy has been named the new coach at Branford. Tracy takes over for Gary Gravina, who resigned after seven seasons in January.

Tracy, a 1993 Branford graduate and captain his senior year, was the defensive coordinator for the past seven seasons under Gravina.