The football season kicks off next Wednesday. Below are 10 games you may not want to miss in 2010.

Sept. 17
1. Xavier at Notre Dame-West Haven, 7 p.m.: Xavier handed ND only loss last season.

Sept. 18
2. Avon at Hyde, 1 p.m.: Could be game of the year in Pequot Conference. And it takes place in Week 1.

Sept. 24
3. Masuk at Pomperaug, 7 p.m.: Rematch of last year's SWC championship game won by Pomperaug.

Oct. 2
4. Conard at Glastonbury, 1 p.m.: Has potential to be one of the best games in the Central Connecticut Conference this year.

Oct. 9
5. Ridgefield at Wilbur Cross, 1 p.m.: Ridgefield earned a one-point win last year down in Fairfield County.

Oct. 15
6. Wolcott at Ansonia, 7 p.m.: This marks the 1,000th game in the storied Ansonia program. Wolcott has never defeated the Chargers.

Oct. 23
7. New Canaan at St. Joseph, 2 p.m.: These squads could be, perhaps, the best two teams in the FCIAC this season.

Nov. 12
8. Shelton at Cheshire, 7 p.m.: This meeting has become quite the rivalry in recent years.

Nov. 25
9. Staples at Greenwich, 10 a.m.: Or are Staples and Greenwich the two best out of the FCIAC?

Nov. 25
10. Hillhouse at Wilbur Cross, 10:30 a.m.: Elm City Classic could indeed be that as these rivals meet on Thanksgiving morning.

The internet recruiting site, Scout.com, lists New Canaan offensive linemen Connor Hanratty as the top player in the state and the third-best nationally at his position. Hanratty, son of former NFL player Terry Hanratty, will attend Notre Dame, his father's alma mater.

Florida-bound offensive linemen Tommy Jordan, the Ridgefield senior, is ranked No. 2 behind Hanratty and No. 17 nationally.

Other state players listed nationally are:
LB No. 93 Graham Stweart (Xavier) Headed to Boston College.
TE No. 84 Mitch King (Valley Regional) Interest from Duke, Temple, Tulane
RB No. 120 Max DeLorenzo (Berlin) Headed to UConn

Among the other top players in the state include: Avon RB Ross McDonald, St. Joseph RB Tyler Matekevich, New London LB Stefan Dance, Montville RB Tyler Girard-Floyd, Masuk QB Casey Cochran and Conard RB Jon Esposito.

Above are nominees for the distinction of being the state's best as we enter the 2010 season. Who is your choice?