It's been confirmed that Ansonia will face Hillhouse in the 2009 season-opener. It will be Hillhouse's home game, and the site and time has yet to be determined.

The game will be played at a neutral site and at night on either Thursday Sept. 17 or Friday Sept. 18. West Haven High School's Strong Stadium is the likely candidate to host the game.

"We had an open date in Week 1," Ansonia coach Tom Brockett said, "and we were looking for games against the best team available. We didn't think we could find anyone better then them."

Ansonia, out of the Naugatuck Valley League, is ranked second in the state for most career wins while Hillhouse, which plays in the Southern Connecticut Conference, is third.

Since Derby and St. Paul joined the NVL recently, the NVL, unlike in past years, will allow its teams to play one out-of-league contest. Derby will likely face St. Paul in Week 1 and play it's out-of-league game on Thanksgiving against traditional rival Shelton, from the SCC.