Here is the ballot I submitted for the New Haven Register Top 10 football poll after Week 7. Voters are asked to vote for 15 teams. Points on tabulated on a 30-28-26-24-22-20-18-16-14-12-11-10-9-8-7 basis.

The poll should be up later tonight on the Register's website and will appear in Tuesday's print editions.


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

Guilford, Torrington highlight Tuesday's notebook

WEEK 7 HIGHLIGHTS

Top offensive players of the week

Cromwell Jr. RB Derrick Villard: Accounted for all five touchdowns in a 41-33 loss to North Branford. Villard rushed 25 times for 129 yards and four scores, and returned an interception 54 yards for another touchdown.

Hand Sr. WR Nick Vitale: Caught eight passes for 117 yards and three touchdowns in a 28-14 win over West Haven.

Notre Dame-West Haven Sr. RB Javon Grey: Rushed 27 times for 204 yards and four touchdowns in a 27-12 win over Wilbur Cross.

Valley Regional/Old Lyme Sr. RB Jordan Saintil: Rushed 18 times for 254 yards and three touchdowns in a 32-0 win over previously unbeaten Coginchaug.

DEFENSIVE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

Haddam-Killingworth Jr. LB Nate Cruz: Returned a fumble 32 yards for a touchdown in a 40-6 victory over Morgan. Cruz also scored two rushing touchdowns.

Hillhouse Jr. DB Andre Anderson: Scored on a 100-yard interception return in a 35-7 loss to No. 1 Xavier.

North Haven Sr. LB Jason Cancel: Made 10 tackles and a sack in a 53-28 win over Bridgeport Central.

Shelton So. DB Eddie Kochiss: Returned an interception 66 yards for a touchdown in a 28-17 win over Amity.

SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

Pomperaug Sr. Matt Paola: Kicked a 54-yard field goal, which tied a state-record, in a 58-20 win over Notre Dame-Fairfield. Current Notre Dame-Fairfield coach Rico Brogna, and Fermi’s Tyler Timion, each kicked a field goal from that distance in 1987.

Ridgefield So. Griffin Jones: Kicked two extra points, including the eventual game-winner in the fourth quarter, in a 14-13 win over McMahon.

Sheehan So. Jeremy Gannon: Scored on an 81-yard kickoff return in a 37-12 win over East Haven.

Stamford Sr. Jake Demetros: Returned a kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown in a 45-0 win over Fairfield Ludlowe.

TEAMS OF THE WEEK

Bethel: Defeated previously unbeaten, and then No. 9, Bunnell 56-46.

Fitch: Defeated then No. 6, and previously unbeaten, New London 14-0 to earn its first win over the Whalers since 2001.

Kennedy: Defeated St. Paul 29-14 to earn its first win of the season.

North Branford: Defeated previously unbeaten Cromwell 41-33 to improve to 5-1.

GET OUT AND GO

Fairfield Prep (5-2) at Shelton (5-2), Friday, 7 p.m.: These two teams are likely playing for second place in the Southern Connecticut Conference Division I West. Division leader Xavier plays Hamden on the same night and a victory by the Falcons would clinch the division. Still, Fairfield Prep and Shelton can continue successful seasons with a victory here.

CHECK OUT THE LATEST TOP 10 POLL

No. 4 Hand stays unbeaten, defeats West Haven

North Branford knocks off Cromwell

No. 1 Xavier rolls past Hillhouse

Torrington runs past Derby

Valley Regional/Old Lyme shuts out Coginchaug

Roundup/Box Scores