Via press release.

NEW HAVEN, CT (August 31, 2012) –MyTV9’s High School Football Game of the Week, returns on Saturday nights this fall. The fifth season of MyTV9’s High School Football Game of the Week will feature some of the best of this year’s football match-ups from 10 different locations around the state. 

If you can’t make it to the football field, you still have two chances to watch your favorite teams in action. The High School Football Game of the Week will be streamed live each week on wtnh.com. It will then be broadcast on Saturday night, at 7pm on MyTV9. Keep up with the latest news about the High School Football Game of the Week on wtnh.com.

Date/Time                                          Teams                                                     TV Date/Time
Sept. 14, 7 p.m.                              Hamden at West Haven                               Sept. 15, 7 p.m.
Sept. 21, 7 p.m.                              Foran at Shelton                                          Sept. 22, 7 p.m.
Sept. 28, 7 p.m.                              Derby at Ansonia                                        Sept. 29, 7 p.m.
Oct. 5, 7 p.m.                                 Masuk at Bunnell                                         Oct. 6, 7 p.m.
Oct. 12, 7 p.m.                               Hillhouse at North Haven                             Oct. 13, 7 p.m.
Oct. 19, 7 p.m.                               West Haven at Hand                                    Oct. 20, 7 p.m.
Oct. 26, 6 p.m.                               Branford at Guilford                                     Oct. 27, 7 p.m.
Nov. 2, 7 p.m.                                 Fitch at New London                                   Nov. 3, 7 p.m.
Nov. 9, 7 p.m.                                 Wilbur Cross at Amity                                 Nov. 10, 7 p.m.
Nov. 21, 6 p.m.                               Berlin at New Britain                                    Nov. 24, 7 p.m.

Former NFL standout Tebucky Jones was named head coach at New Britain, his alma mater.
Jones, 36, replaces Paul Morrell, who went 36-25 in six seasons, including 1-9 in 2010. Read the story from the Hartford Courant here.

Also from the Courant, Scott Daniels has been hired at Glastonbury, replacing Pete Pfeffer, a former Register All-State coach of the year who resigned in December.

Ten years ago, Bob Barton, a retired Register copy editor, listed his Top 10 (plus an extra) games of the 1900s.

Included in the list were:

At No. 9: Hillhouse 28, New Britain 20 (Nov. 5, 1960): Future NFL Hall of Famer Floyd Little ran for 153 yards and scored all four of the Academics' touchdowns in this victory.

At No. 1: Derby 28, Seymour 18 (Sept. 27, 1969): Derby came in unbeaten in 24 games and trailed 18-0 late in the third quarter before rallying for victory.

Now that 10 years have passed in this century, what are your choices for best games of the 2000s (so far)?

With the end of the decade fast approaching, this week’s Top 10 lists the top teams from this decade.
The rankings are based upon a combination of state playoff appearances, number of finals a team reached and championships won.

1. New Canaan
The Rams, who play in, arguably, the toughest league in the state, the Fairfield County Interscholastic Athletic Conference, have qualified for the state playoff seven times this decade.
They advanced to five finals and have won four championships.

New Canaan is the three-time defending Class MM champions, and are one of the favorites in that class this season as well.

The Rams also won the Class M title in 2001. They went to the final in Class M in 2000, and the semifinals of Class MM in 2005.

The team did not make the playoffs in 2003 (the Rams went 5-5-1) and 2004 (6-4).

2. Ansonia
The Chargers, out of the Naugatuck Valley League, qualified for the playoffs eight times this decade, one more than New Canaan, and the most of any team on this list.

Ansonia went to five finals, and won Class S titles in 2002, 2003, 2006 and 2007. The Chargers also appeared in last year’s final before losing to Cromwell.

Ansonia, which has won a state-record 16 CIAC titles, lost in the Class S semifinals in 2000, 2001 and 2004.

3. Greenwich
Like fellow FCIAC member New Canaan, the Cardinals made the playoff field seven times this decade.

Greenwich won back-to-back Class LL titles in 2006-2007. The Cardinals lost in the Class LL final in 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2004.

The team’s six championship game appearances is the most of any team on this list. Greenwich also made the Class LL semifinals in 2003 before losing to eventual champion New Britain.

4. Staples
The Wreckers are the third FCIAC to make the list. Staples went to the playoffs seven times this decade.

The team won the Class MM title in 2002 and the Class L title in 2004 and 2005.

The Wreckers went to five straight finals from 2002-2006, and seven straight playoff appearances from 2001-2007.

Staples lost in the Class L final in 2003 and 2006, and lost in the Class L semifinal in 2001 and 2007.

5. Masuk
The Panthers, out of the South-West Conference, have made the postseason seven times this decade, including the last four seasons.

Masuk is the defending Class L champions, the only title it has won this decade.

The Panthers, however, have been in four other finals (2000, 20003, 2005, 2007) this decade but finished as the runner-up each time.

Masuk lost in the Class MM semifinals in 2002.

6. New Britain
The Golden Hurricanes, members of the Central Connecticut Conference, had a sensational start to the decade.

New Britain, which leads the state in career victories, won three titles in four years. The Golden Hurricanes captured Class LL titles in 2001, 2003 and 2004.

New Britain also went to the Class LL semifinals in 2000 and 2002, for five playoff appearances this decade.

7. Hand
The Tigers had a remarkable run during the middle of this decade.

Hand, the Southern Connecticut Conference’s lone representative on this list, won three straight Class M titles from 2003-2005.

The Tigers also made the Class MM final in 2007 before losing to New Canaan.

8. Seymour
The Wildcats, another NVL school, have made five playoff appearances this decade.

The Wildcats won their only title of the decade after capturing the Class SS crown in 2007.

Seymour went to the final last season in Class SS, and also made the Class M final in 2001 and the Class MM final in 2002.

In 2000, the Wildcats were defeated in the Class M semifinals.

9. Bloomfield
The Warhawks, also from the CCC, were another team that had success early in the decade.

Bloomfield made the playoffs four straight times from 2000-2003. The team won the Class M title in 2000, the Class S championship in 2001 and the Class SS crown in 2003.

In 2002, Bloomfield lost in the Class SS semifinals, and the team lost in the Class S final in 2006 to Ansonia.

10. Ledyard
The Colonels, out of the Eastern Connecticut Conference, have made the playoffs six times this decade.

It’s lone title came in Class M in 2007, which was the last game in legendary coach Bill Mignault’s career.

Ledyard lost in last year’s Class M championship, and the team also lost in the Class M final in 2002 and 2003.

The Colonels also lost in the Class M semifinals in 2004 and 2006.

Honorable mention goes to:

Berlin (six appearances, one final (Class M 2007)
Hyde (six appearances, three titles (Class S 2000, 2004, 2005)
Shelton (four appearances, two titles (Class LL 2000, Class L 2003)
West Haven (four appearances, one title (Class LL, 2003)

Did your team make the list? Who would you add? Let us know. Leave a comment below.

This week we rank the past 10 Register All-State MVPs.

1. Dan Orlovsky, Shelton (2000)

As a senior, Orlovsky threw for 2,489 yards as the Gaels went 12-0 and won the Class LL state championship. Orlovsky went 28-4 during his high school career. He was named an All-American selection from Prep Football Report, SuperPrep and Prep Star as a senior.

But Orlovsky made an even bigger impact on the collegiate level. Orlovsky turned down offers from Purdue and Michigan St. to attend the University of Connecticut. Orlovsky holds the school record for most pass completions (916), pass attempts (1,567), yards passing (10,706), touchdown passes (84), interceptions (51), total plays (1,710) and total yards (10,421).

As a junior, he ranked seventh in the nation in passing, and fifth in touchdown passes. As a senior, he led the Huskies to a victory in the Motor City Bowl, in the school’s first bowl game appearance. Orlovsky was named the most valuable player of that game.

Orlovsky was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the fifth round (145th overall) in the 2005 NFL Draft. He is currently a member of the Houston Texans. He has thrown eight touchdowns, eight interceptions and for 1,616 yards as a professional.

2. Mike McLeod, New Britain (2004)

As a running back at New Britain, McLeod helped the Hurricanes win three state titles and four league championships. He rushed for 1,800 yards and 39 touchdowns as a senior. He scored a state-record eight touchdowns in a game against Manchester in 2004, and tallied 65 career touchdowns.

McLeod put up even more impressive statistics at Yale from 2005-2008. He set school records of 49 career touchdowns, 3,672 career rushing yards, 817 career attempts, three 200-plus yard games and 19 games over 100 yards.

McLeod holds the Ivy League records for consecutive games with a touchdown (18), which ended in 2007. Was the Ivy-League most valuable player in 2007.

3. Aaron Hernandez, Bristol Central (2006)

Hernandez holds state records for receiving yards in a game (376 in 2005), receiving yards in a season (1,807 in 2005) and receiving yards in a career (3,677 from 2003-2006) while at Bristol Central.

He also holds state records for touchdown receptions in a career (47), in a season (24 in 2005) and consecutive games catching a touchdown pass (18 from 2005-2006).

As a senior, he was rated the No. 1 recruit at the tight end position by both Scout.com and Rivals.com, and earned a spot to play on the East team in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

Hernandez is now playing at Florida, the 2008 national champions. During his career with the Gators, Hernandez has played in 26 games, including 16 starts. He has caught 43 passes for 532 yards seven touchdowns.

4. Alex Thomas, Ansonia (2007)

Thomas is the state’s all-time leading rusher. He holds records for most yards in a game (518 in 2007), yards in a season (3,596 in 2007) and yards in a career (8,279 from 2004-2007).

Thomas helped lead the Chargers to back-to-back Class S state championships, Naugatuck Valley League championships and the No. 1 ranking in the final Register Top 10 Poll.

He also holds the state mark for touchdowns in a career (114), touchdowns in a season (47 in 2007) and career points (747).

Thomas, a sophomore, is vying for a starting position at running back at Yale.

5. Tim Washington, Bristol Central (2001)

During his career for the Rams, Washington set several state records, including rushing yards in a career, rushing yards in a season, touchdowns in a career and touchdowns in a season.

Those marks have since been broken, by Thomas, but Washington still holds state records for most consecutive 100-yard rushing games with 29, points scored in a season (294 in 2000), point responsibility in a season (350 in 2000) and point responsibility in a career (806).

As a senior, he was a SuperPrep All-American, rated the No. 5 prospect in New England and the No. 35 running back in the country by SuperPrep. Rushed for 7,712 yards and had 9,021 yards of offense in his career. He attended Syracuse, and later the University of Massachusetts.

6. John Sullivan, Greenwich (2002)

An offensive lineman is seldom selected as the Register State MVP. Sullivan was an exception. As a senior for the Cardinals, Sullivan was a Parade and SuperPrep All-American, as well as a USA Today and ESPN.com second-team All-American.

He was rated No. 61 on the ESPN list of the nation’s top 100 players, and No. 14 among offensive linemen nationally by CBSSportsLine.com. As a senior, led Rams to 12-1-1 mark, the Fairfield County Interscholastic Athletic Conference title and an appearance in the Class LL state final. Made 20 tackles for a loss and 12 sacks in 2002 on defense as a nose guard.

At Notre Dame, Sullivan started 43 games on the offensive line, including 31 straight starts. Sullivan was a sixth round pick (187th overall) in the 2008 NFL draft, selected by the Minnesota Vikings where he is likely to start at center this season.

7. Kenny Tinney, Ansonia (2003)

The versatile Tinney excelled in several positions for the Chargers. He played quarterback, and had an above-average arm. But he was most effective when running the ball out of the pocket.

Tinney was also a dangerous special teams player, returning both kickoffs and punts, as well as a talented defensive back.

Tinney helped lead Ansonia to back-to-back Class S state titles in 2002 and 2003. He was a three-time coaches all-state and all-Naugatuck Valley League selection. He returned a state-record seven punts for touchdowns in 2003, which is one shy of the national mark.

Tinney would rate higher on the list but had a tumultuous college experience. He spent the 2004 and ‘05 seasons at Milford Academy in New Berlin, N.Y. Tinney had committed to UConn out of high school and then re-opened the recruiting process before committing to Syracuse after one season at Milford.

After he failed to qualify after the 2004 season, Tinney re-opened his recruitment again and eventually committed to Michigan State, before being kicked out of school. He also had stints at Grambling and Central Connecticut St., but never played in an official collegiate game.

8. Jermelle Lewis, Bloomfield (1999)

As a senior, Lewis was rated as the top running back on the East Coast, and the sixth best back in the nation by the internet recruiting site Rivals.com. He was named an All-American by The Sporting News and a first team All-American by SuperPrep.com.

Lewis helped his team win 35 straight games and claim three straight Class S state titles. In his junior and senior season, he tallied 54 touchdowns and nearly 4,000 rushing yards. He finished his career with 84 touchdowns. In addition, Lewis won New England indoor track championships in both 55-and 100-meter dashes.

Lewis attended Iowa, but his collegiate career was marred by injury. He gained a career-best 709 yards on 123 carries and eight touchdowns as a sophomore for the Hawkeyes.

9. Amari Spievey, Xavier (2005)

Spievey, who led his team to the Class LL state title, finished as the all-time leading rusher in school history with 3,606 yards and 50 touchdowns. He also caught 53 passes for 858 yards.

Spievey returned three punts and two kickoffs for touchdowns. He also played defensive back, where he recorded 87 tackles and 16 interceptions during his career.

At Iowa, Spievey, a junior defensive back, was named a pre-season First Team All-Big Ten by Phil Steele’s College Football and Lindy’s Football, and is listed as a first team corner back following spring practice for the upcoming season.

In 2008, Spievey was a second team All-Big Ten selection by league coaches, an honorable mention All-Big Ten pick by the league media, a second team All-Big Ten selection by Phil Steele’s College Football, a second team sophomore All-American pick by CollegeFootballNews.com and he won a coaches appreciation award for his defensive efforts.

10. Jordan Brown, Glastonbury (2008)

Brown finished his career as the all-time leading rusher in school history. As a senior, he gained 2,134 yards and scored 34 touchdowns while leading the Tomahawks to the Class LL state title.

Brown compiled 4,404 rushing yards and 60 touchdowns, and finished with 6,652 all-purpose yards in his career. Eye-opening numbers considering Brown missed half of his junior season after suffering a knee injury.

He begins his first year of playing collegiate ball this fall at Bryant.

So what do you think?

Please leave your comments.

This week's installment of the Top 10 football topics is all about rivalries. Some are the greatest in state history, others made the list because of longevity, and some appear because of recent memorable moments in the series.

Tell us what is your favorite.

1. New London vs. Norwich Free Academy
The annual Thanksgiving Day game between the two schools is the oldest high school football rivalry in the COUNTRY. The teams will meet for the 148th time on Nov. 26 at 10 a.m. in Norwich.

The longevity of this series makes it the state’s best rivalry. At times, however, football from the Eastern part of the state doesn’t get as much recognition as teams from the south-western sections do.

But this one, between a program (New London) that has a long history of success on the gridiron, and one (NFA) that has been one of the state’s most consistent teams in recent years, is reminiscent of rivalries down in the Valley, in Southern Connecticut and in Central Connecticut.

Both programs are passionate about the sport, and the fans are as crazed as any in the state.
New London has won four of the last seven meetings, including a 21-7 victory last season before the Whalers went on to win the Class SS state title for the program’s fifth championship.

2. Greenwich vs. Staples
While there are several other big games down in the Fairfield County Interscholastic Athletic Conference — New Canaan vs. Staples, New Canaan vs. Greenwich, St. Joseph vs. Trumbull, Darien vs. New Canaan — this one, in recent years, usually has major implications on the state playoff ratings.

Since 2005, this contest has been played on Thanksgiving, and it’s one of the most highly anticipated games of the year. In 2007, Greenwich defeated the Wreckers, 37-0, and also captured the FCIAC title in the process. Both teams earned playoff berths that year.
The winning team in the last four games in this series has won by shutout (Staples in 2005 and 2006, and Greenwich in 2007 and 2008).

This year’s meeting is set for Nov. 26 at 10 a.m. in Westport. It’s been the MSG game of the week the past several seasons.

3. Ansonia vs. Seymour
The Valley has produced several notable rivalries. Ansonia vs. Naugatuck, Ansonia vs. Derby and Shelton vs. Derby immediately come to mind.

But in recent years, Ansonia vs. Seymour might be the most intense, and important, one in this football-rich section of the state.

Ansonia is a founding member of the Naugatuck Valley League, while Seymour joined the NVL in 1994. The teams sometimes played a non-league contest against each other in years when the schedule allowed for an 11th game.

In 2007, the teams were put in the Brass Division of the NVL, with the division winner, which has been Ansonia the past two years, moving on to the NVL championship. This has only heightened the rivalry, although since 1994, Ansonia holds a 12-3 series lead against its neighbors.

This year’s contest is set for Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. in Seymour.

To read last season's game story click here.

4. New Britain vs. Southington
This rivalry has become so big, in fact, that last year’s game was played at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, home to the University of Connecticut.

The game will be contested at that site again this year on Oct. 9 at 7 p.m.

Last year, New Britain snapped a three-game losing streak to the Blue Knights with a 3-0 victory.

It is, arguably, the central part of the state’s wildest rivalry. Despite last year’s result, both teams are have a penchant for putting points on the board. The teams combined to score 35 or more points every year from 2003-2007.

5. Bunnell vs. Masuk
It’s what Masuk wasn’t able to do, until last year, that made this rivalry the best in the South-West Conference.

When Masuk defeated the Bulldogs, 42-20, last season, it snapped the Panthers’ five-game losing skid to Bunnell. Masuk had lost six of the last seven to their rivals, including in the 2006 and 2007 SWC championship, and in the 2007 Class L state final.

Masuk’s victory last season snapped Bunnell’s 21-game winning streak dating back to 2006.
This year’s contest is scheduled for Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. in Monroe.

Last season's game story can be found here.

6. Hand vs. West Haven
Two of the Southern Connecticut Conference most prominent programs have played several memorable games recently.

Last year, Hand won 38-20, in the series most lopsided game in four seasons.

In 2007, West Haven scored with 22 seconds remaining to take a 40-34 lead. However, Hand, on just two plays, scored with time winding down. A successful extra point kick by Joe Robichaud gave the Tigers a 41-40 victory and kept Hand’s perfect season in tact.

West Haven emerged with a 14-11 victory in 2006, and a 21-19 decision in 2005.

The teams have split the last six contests. This year’s game is set for Oct. 9 at 7 p.m. in West Haven.

7. Fairfield Prep vs. Shelton
Another one from the SCC that’s just as intense, and rowdy.

Although Shelton has won four of the last five meetings, the last four in this series have been highly competitive.

The rivalry was intensified in 2007 when Prep player Ryan Nolan was quoted as saying that "Shelton should be afraid of us." Shelton came back to win that contest 26-21. Prep emerged with a 14-9 win in 2006.

This year’s game is Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. at Finn Stadium in Shelton.

8. Hillhouse vs. Wilbur Cross
These two New Haven schools first played in 1920. The series then began on Thanksgiving morning in 1984, and was called the Elm City Bowl.

Despite Hillhouse holding a 51-30-6 overall series lead, there have been several close games recently.

Last season, Hillhouse emerged with a 26-20 victory to cap an unbeaten regular season. The Academics trailed 20-12 at halftime, but Brandyn Wright’s 4-yard touchdown run in overtime lifted Hillhouse to victory.

Hillhouse has won the last four in the series, which includes a 7-0 victory in 2007, a 6-0 win in 2006 and a 21-12 victory in 2005. Cross last won in 2004, a 23-21 win.

Last year’s game was the first Elm City Bowl to be played at Wilbur Cross. The game returns to Bowen Field this year on Nov. 26 at 10:30 a.m.

To read last season's game story on the Elm City Bowl, click here.

9. Cromwell vs. Hyde
This rivalry is just eight games old, but it is, arguably, the biggest one in the Pequot Conference.
Cromwell earned two victories over the Howling Wolves last season — a 17-14 win in the regular season, and a 34-9 victory in the Class S state semifinals.

Cromwell leads the series 5-3. Hyde defeated the Panthers in the 2004 Class S championship.

If the first eight games are any indication, this rivalry has the potential to be one of the biggest in the state in the years to come.

The Class S semifinal game story could be found here.
The regular season game story is here.

10. Hartford Public vs. Weaver
This rivalry spans 85 games. Hartford Public leads the series over its fellow city school 43-38-4.

Basketball is usually the sport of choice in Hartford, but city schools have enjoyed success on the gridiron over the last 15 years. Hartford Public won the Class LL title in 1994 after a victory over Southington.

Weaver won the Class L title in 1996, and captured Class M crowns in 1997 and 1999. Weaver has advanced to the postseason in five of the last 10 seasons.

The next installment in the Top 10 football topics is all about fields. Some made the list because of the field itself. Others appear because of specific players who once called the field home, a program's traditions or because of atmosphere.

1. Strong Field, Madison
Better known as the Surf Club, Strong Field might be the biggest home-field advantage in the state. It is home to the Hand Tigers.

Situated in close proximity to Long Island Sound, weather conditions certainly factor in to what transpires on the field. Wind and cold, especially in November and December, make it this state’s version of Lambeau Field. Frozen tundra indeed.

The atmosphere is terrific. Clear views of the water, an entertaining halftime show by the Hand band, and, of course, good football.

Hand has won nine state championships, and the flags marking each wave proudly on top of the home bleachers.

The field was built in 1971, when the Hand program started, and lights were immediately added. Night football has been a huge hit on Friday nights in town.

The only major drawback is parking. It’s always difficult to maneuver out of the complex, as there’s only one road in and out. That’s especially tough on a sportswriter trying to make deadline.

The field is also starting to show its age. But a process has begun, through private funding, to make several major renovations, including the addition of a turf field.

2. Veteran’s Memorial Stadium, New Britain
Home to the New Britain Golden Hurricanes, the facility opened in 1982, and it’s massive. There are metal bleachers on both sides of the field that can house over 8,000. An 8-lane oval track surrounds the football field.

The Golden Hurricanes own the state record for career victories. New Britain has won 727 games since the school started playing the sport in 1892.
The school boasts four CIAC state titles, and 27 unofficial championships, for a state-record 31 titles.

Walter Camp, who is known as the "Father of American football", was born in this city in 1859.

3. Strong Stadium, West Haven
Strong Stadium, home to the West Haven Blue Devils, is similar to the Surf Club for its unpredictable field conditions. Strong Stadium is less than a mile from Long Island Sound, and the wind can make it feel downright frigid on most nights in the fall.

The stadium was named after Ken Strong, who played for the Westies, and was later inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

West Haven has won four CIAC titles, and is one of the most consistent programs in the state with a long, and respected, tradition. Legendary coach Ed McCarthy enters his 27th season with the Westies this fall.

Strong Stadium has hosted numerous state semifinal and championship playoff games. Facilities supervisor, Chris Everone, and his staff, truly do a remarkable job. New turf is being installed this summer.

4. Jarvis Stadium, Ansonia
Named after legendary coach Charles "Boots" Jarvis, who won 175 games from 1938-1966 and helped position Ansonia as one of the state’s top programs.

The Chargers rank second in career victories, behind New Britain. Ansonia needs just two wins to reach No. 700.

Since the CIAC instituted a playoff format in 1976, the Chargers have been the state’s most decorated team. Ansonia has won 16 state titles, and has reached 23 finals. The Chargers have advanced to the postseason all but four times in 32 years.

This place is clearly all about tradition. Despite ample parking in a large lot in front of the field, it’s not uncommon for fans forced to park up and down Wakelee Avenue for some of the season’s biggest games. Some spectators could even be seen watching from roofs and decks of houses on nearby Scotland St. in the south endzone.

Some opponents find walking onto the field intimidating. Winning here is often difficult. Current coach Tom Brockett hasn’t lost at home in his three seasons.

5. Bowen Field, New Haven
The PA announcer bills this place as "historic" Bowen Field, and for good reason. Bowen Field is home to the Hillhouse Academics, who started playing football back in 1885. The Academics rank third in the state for career wins.

Hillhouse has a long, and rich, tradition. Albie Booth, Levi Jackson, Floyd Little and Vern Hargreaves are just some of the names to have donned an Academics’ uniform.

There are no lights on site, so Hillhouse home games usually take place on Friday afternoons. The late-fall sun is a welcomed reprieve from the bitter cold that is common during night games at other sites. There is plenty of seating, and parking. The rustic wooden bleachers give this field an added charm.

Hyde, a magnet school in Hamden, also plays its home games here, usually on Saturday afternoons. Hyde’s been successful on the gridiron ever since the program was established in 1998. Hillhouse has reemerged as a state power since the start of this decade.

6. Palmer Field, Middletown
The huge light towers greet you upon entering this facility off Route 66, home to the Xavier Falcons.

Xavier was once one of the state’s most dominant programs. The Falcons won 42 games in the 1960s, and recorded the best winning percentage (.850) of any team during the 1970s.

Xavier went to the Class L final in 1977, and played for the Class L-II championship in 1981.
Despite some lean years during the late 1980s and 1990s, Xavier football is once again solid.
The 2005 edition won the Class LL title and finished as the No. 1 team in the Register Top 10 Poll.

Coach Sean Marinan, and his staff, have positioned the Falcons as one of the most consistent teams in the Southern Connecticut Conference.

7. Muzzy Field, Bristol
Several of the state’s best players called this field home. Muzzy Field, an old baseball park, is the home field for the Bristol Central Rams, Bristol Eastern Lancers and the St. Paul co-op program. The field was built in 1939, and can hold close to 5,000 people.

From 1998-2001, Tim Washington amassed 7,712 yards, which was then a state record before Ansonia’s Alex Thomas broke the mark in 2007. Washington scored 101 career touchdowns.
D.J. Hernandez, who later played at UConn, was one of the state’s most heralded quarterbacks while at Central.

D.J.’s brother, Aaron, holds state records for receiving yards in a career, season and game. Aaron also holds state records for career touchdowns and touchdowns in a season. Aaron currently plays for the Florida Gators, who are the defending national champions.

8. NFA Sports Complex, Norwich
While Norwich Free Academy has never won a football state championship — although it did play for the Class LL title in 1998 — the Wildcats have recently been one of the most consistent programs in the Eastern Connecticut Conference.

But the impressive part is the school’s campus, which includes a turf football field. The school’s been in operation since 1856. The football team’s Thanksgiving Day rivalry with New London spans 147 games, which is the oldest high school football rivalry in the country.

The field is surrounded by many of the school’s buildings, which is similar to that of a small college campus. Building include several that house classrooms, some for administration affairs, and one, Slater Hall, that holds a theater and an art museum.

9. Maclary Complex, Cheshire
This was the place to be in the fall during the 1990s. The Cheshire Rams won 95 games in that decade, including a state-best 49 in a row.

The Rams also won six straight state titles from 1992-1997. Cheshire suffered through some down years in the late 1990s and early 2000s, but advanced to the Class LL final last season.

The football field, set in the back of the complex, is visually stunning, especially when in late fall when the leaves change colors on the abundance of trees that surround the field.

Add in the band, a large, and hearty concession stand and a boisterous partisan crowd, and the Maclary Complex is still an exciting place to watch a game.

10. Mignault Field, Ledyard
The field was named for legendary coach Bill Mignault, even before he retired in 2007.
Mignault is the winningest coach in state history.

He was the only coach in school history before his retirement. He coached the Colonels for 42 seasons, beginning in 1966 when the school opened. He won 303 games and four state titles.

Mignault also coached at Waterford. His career record is 321-130-5, and includes eight appearances in state title games.

Other notable fields include the one at Greenwich, located on a sprawling, college-like campus. The Cardinals have won seven state championships. McDougall Stadium in Trumbull also has a rich history. The newly refurbished Municipal Stadium in Waterbury hosted the Class M state championship last season.

Your favorite field not on the list? Feel free to comment below.

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.