Here's my ballot for the final Register Top 10 Poll of 2012. The poll will be released later today on-line and in Tuesday's print editions.

State Champions

Class LL: Xavier (12-1) def. NFA (12-1)
Class L: Hand (13-0) def. Windsor (11-1)
Class M: Hillhouse (11-2) def. Berlin (11-2)
Class S: Ansonia (14-0) def. North Branford (12-1)


It wasn't a difficult decision this year. Hand, which has been No. 1 since defeating then No. 1 Xavier on Oct. 12, earned my vote. The Tigers defeated Class LL champion Xavier, Class M champion Hillhouse, Class LL quarterfinalist West Haven and a tough North Haven (7-3) team during the regular season. Then Hand beat Platt (8-3), Masuk (10-2) and previously unbeaten Windsor in the Class L playoffs to win the title.

While picking a No. 1 was easy, selecting No. 2 and No. 3 was more difficult. Xavier and Ansonia both made a strong case.

Xavier lost only to Hand during the regular season and defeated West Haven, Hillhouse and Class L quarterfinalist Middletown. The Falcons then knocked off FCIAC runner-up Greenwich, Glastonbury and previously unbeaten NFA in the postseason.

Ansonia earned wins over Class M quarterfinalist Wolcott and Class S semifinalist Woodland (twice) during the regular season. Wins over Prince Tech, Hyde and previously unbeaten North Branford followed in the Class S playoffs.


In my final ballot, Xavier edges Ansonia for the No. 2 top. I believe Xavier might have played the best football of any team in the state, including Hand, during the season's second half. But head-to-head competition matters, and Hand did defeat Xavier on the field, so it's Hand No. 1 and Xavier No. 2.



My Ballot
1. Hand
2. Xavier
3. Ansonia
4. Windsor
5. Norwich Free Academy
6. Staples
7. Hillhouse
8. Glastonbury
9. Southington
10. Greenwich
11. North Branford
12. Newtown
13. West Haven
14. North Haven
15. Berlin