Cheshire lost just one game this season, to Class L finalist Notre Dame-West Haven 40-35 in the closing minute on Oct. 9.

Since then, the Rams have won seven straight games and play for the Class LL state title against Staples on Saturday (7 p.m. at West Haven's Strong Stadium).

Although that loss ended Cheshire's hopes for a perfect season, that game might've been the turning point in the Rams' season.

"After the Notre Dame game, that's when everything really started to click," Cheshire senior Dan Sweeney said. "It was such a hard loss, but, at practice that week, we really came together."

Cheshire will attempt to win its seventh state title. The Rams won six straight from 1992-1997. It lost to Glastonbury in the Class LL final last season.

"Everyone's just congratulating all of the football guys," Sweeney said. "The town is supporting us very much. The alumni have been supportive. They have been coming back to Cheshire a lot to watch us play. We've been getting text messages getting ready for Saturday. Cheshire football is family."

Read more on Cheshire in Friday's Register.