Here's how I voted for the 2013 New Haven Register Top 10 Football Poll after Week 1.

The Poll will be posted on-line later tonight and appear in Tuesday's print editions.

1. Ansonia
2. Xavier
3. New Canaan
4. NFA
5. Newtown
6. Middletown
7. Southington
8. St. Joseph
9. Greenwich
10. Shelton
11. New London
12. Masuk
13. Darien
14. Fairfield Prep
15. West Haven

Here's how I voted for the 2013 New Haven Register Preseason Top 10 Football Poll.

Each voter is asked to rank their Top 15 teams. The Preseason Poll will be posted on-line later tonight and appear in Tuesday's print editions.

I'm sure my ranking will change after Week 1 and throughout the year, but here goes.



1. Ansonia
2. Xavier
3. NFA
4. West Haven
5. New Canaan
6. Newtown
7. Southington
8. Middletown
9. St. Joseph
10.Greenwich
11. Glastonbury
12. Shelton
13. New London
14. Masuk
15. Hand

Here is the schedule for football games to be broadcast on CPTV.

High School Football (subject to change)

Game	Premiere Date	Repeat Date(s)
Staples at Xavier (LIVE)	Wed., Sept. 11 at 6:30 p.m.	Sat., Sept. 14 at 1 p.m. & Tues., Sept. 17 at 9:30 p.m.
Waterford at Platt (LIVE)	Fri., Sept. 13 at 6:30 p.m.	Sat., Sept. 14 at 10 a.m. & Thurs., Sept. 19 at 9:30 p.m.
Southington at Glastonbury (Sept. 12 game)	Wed., Sept. 18 at 8 p.m.	Sun., Sept. 22 at 10 a.m. & Tues., Sept. 24 at 9 p.m.
Wolcott at Naugatuck (LIVE)	Fri., Sept. 20 at 7 p.m.	Sat., Sept. 21 at 10 a.m. & Thurs., Sept. 26 at 9:30 p.m.
Montville at Norwich Free Academy (Sept. 21 game)	Wed., Sept. 25 at 8 p.m.	Sun., Sept. 29 at 10 a.m. & Tues., Oct. 1 at 9 p.m.
Northwest Catholic at Bloomfield (LIVE)	Fri., Sept. 27 at 7 p.m.	Sat., Sept. 28 at 10 a.m. & Thurs., Oct. 3 at 9:30 p.m.
Cromwell at Ellington/Somers (Sept. 28 game)	Wed. Oct. 2 at 8 p.m.	Sun., Oct. 6 at 10 a.m. & Tues., Oct. 8 at 9 p.m.

 

Ledyard at New London (LIVE)	Fri., Oct. 4 at 6:30 p.m.	Sat., Oct. 5 at 10 a.m. & Thurs., Oct. 10 at 9:30 p.m.
Hyde Leadership at Canton (Oct. 5 game)	Wed., Oct. 9 at 8 p.m.	Sun., Oct. 13 at 10 a.m. & Tues., Oct. 15 at 9 p.m.
Fairfield Prep at Shelton (LIVE)	Fri., Oct. 11 at 7 p.m.	Sat., Oct. 12 at 10 a.m. & Thurs., Oct. 17 at 9:30 p.m.
North Branford at Avon (Oct. 12 game)	Wed., Oct. 16 at 8 p.m.	Sun., Oct. 20 at 10 a.m. & Tues., Oct. 22 at 9 p.m.
Xavier at West Haven (LIVE)	Fri., Oct. 18 at 7 p.m.	Sat., Oct. 19 at 10 a.m. & Thurs., Oct. 24 at 9:30 p.m.
Masuk at Ansonia (Oct. 17 game)	Wed., Oct. 23 at 8 p.m.	Sun., Oct. 27 at 10 a.m. & Tues., Oct. 29 at 9 p.m.
Weston at Newtown (LIVE)	Fri., Oct. 25 at 7 p.m.	Sat., Oct. 26 at 10 a.m. & Thurs., Oct. 31 at 9:30 p.m.
Simsbury at South Windsor (Oct. 26 game)	Wed., Oct. 30 at 8 p.m.	Sun., Nov. 3 at 10 a.m. & Tues., Nov. 5 at 9 p.m.
Oxford at Joel Barlow (LIVE)	Fri., Nov. 1 at 7 p.m.	Sat., Nov. 2 at 10 a.m. &  Thurs., Nov. 7 at 9:30 p.m.
Berlin at Rocky Hill (LIVE)	Fri., Nov. 8 at 7 p.m.	Sat., Nov. 9 at 9 a.m. & Thurs., Nov. 14 at 9:30 p.m.
Naugatuck at Holy Cross (Nov. 7 game)	Wed., Nov. 13 at 8 p.m.	Sun., Nov. 17 at 10 a.m. & Tues., Nov. 19 at 9 p.m.
Derby at Woodland (LIVE)	Fri., Nov. 15 at 6:30 p.m.	Sat., Nov. 16 at 9 a.m. & Thurs., Nov. 21 at 9:30 p.m.
Gilbert/NW Regional at Valley Regional/Old Lyme (LIVE)	Fri., Nov. 22 at 6:30 p.m.	Sat., Nov. 23 at 10 a.m. & Tues., Nov. 26 at 9 p.m.
Middletown at Windsor (LIVE)	Wed., Nov. 27 at 6:30 p.m.	Sun., Dec. 1 at 10 a.m. & Wed., Dec. 4 at 9 p.m.
Capital/Classical at Prince Tech (Nov. 23 game)	Fri., Nov. 29 at 7 p.m.	Sat., Nov. 30 at 10 a.m. & Thurs., Dec. 5 at 9:30 p.m.

Ervin Philips

Ervin Philips assured most people he would wait until he made his official visits before deciding on his college.

But on Sunday, a day after attending the Syracuse-Penn State game at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, Philips announce he'd already made his decision.

He's going to Syracuse.

Philips, a 5-foot-11, 180-pound back and one of Connecticut's best players, informed the masses of his decision at approximately 1 p.m. on Twitter.

I Am Proud To Announce That I Am Officially Commited To Syracuse University #CuseNation #OrangeMen I'm With The Orange !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 🏈🍊🍊🙏
— Erv Philips (@Ambition1_) September 1, 2013

Philips, who is about to enter his fourth year as a starter, also had an offer from Temple and was receiving interest from several other schools. He had made unofficial visits to Syracuse and Temple. He had an official visit to Utah scheduled for Sept. 14.

After watching the Orange struggle offensively in its 23-17 loss to Penn State, averaging under 2 yards per carry in 36 attempts, Philips believed he'd fit in nicely.

"I think they could use some help on offense," he told our own Joe Morelli. "And I think I can definitely help them out."

He led the Westies in rushing last year with 1,054 yards and 22 touchdowns. West Haven was 8-2 and reached the Class LL quarterfinals where it lost to Staples.

The Westies have reached the playoffs twice over the last three seasons with Phillips in the lineup.

He's been a New Haven Register All-State back, a Levi Jackson team selection and a CHSCA all-stater.

He listed his 40-yard dash speed at 4.54 last year.

Philips is the third Connecticut back to commit to an NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision program this year. NFA's Marcus Outlow is committed to Boston College. Ansonia back Arkeel Newsome committed to UConn.

Here's his junior year highlight tape:

It felt like the gang was all there at the annual Super Preseason Bowl between West Haven and Ansonia.

Roll call: the Lonesome Polecat (aka Ned Griffen), 'Remmy' (of NVL Football blog fame), Kyle Brennan (of NVL Football Blog and Rep-Am fame), Kevin Duffy (for Hearst CT) and a smattering of coaches of fans, opposing players and former players.

We unnecessarily hyped the game up, and the casual media presence might have hinted this scrimmage was important somehow. But it was just a scrimmage and we used the occasion to size up what should be two of the best teams in the state this season, not to mention get some extra intel from sources who attended.

With the varsity playing a majority of the scrimmage, Ansonia "won" the (ahem) game four scores to two. But it was a pretty even exchange, with hard-hittin' defense a-plenty.

Arkeel Newsome scored a few touchdowns for Ansonia, including a 70-yard run. West Haven's Erv Phillips score on a 30-yard burst. Westies' QB Duane Gary showed some nifty running, as did Ansonia QB JaiQuan McKnight. But overall, it looked like the season was two weeks away.

Yea, there were no fancy schmancy spread offenses in this affair. It was a strap-it-up, dig-in, fire-out, good ol' fashioned smashed-mouth friendly at Jarvis Stadium.

Of course, here were some hints that a few in attendance and on the field might have considered this more than it really was, like this Tweet:

WH player: "We take this seriously! Scrimmage or not, I don't care!" as he fired-up the troops today. #cthsfb #football
— NVL FOOTBALL (@NVLFOOTBALL) August 31, 2013

Overall, there wasn't much to take from this except Newsome and Phillips are good. Ansonia and West Haven are big and are capable of digging in and banging in the trenches with the best of 'em.

In other words, these teams probably can play football.

But, you knew that, didn't you?

Thanks (once again) to YouTube's Rick Volk, you can take a gander at what the Super Preseason Bowl looked like Friday night.

Check it. Let us know what you think:

West Haven's Ervin Phillips during
last year's Ansonia scrimmage.

We're knee-deep in scrimmage season, boys and girls. A few go tonight and then a motherload tomorrow as the final week of preseason begins.

Tonight, 6 p.m. at Jarvis Stadium in Ansonia, your favorite preseason scrimmage (and mine) will kick off (or maybe they'll just start) in front of a larger-than-normal crowd of curious onlookers.

Ansonia-West Haven.

Ah, sweet, sweet Chargers-Westies.

There was a time, not too long ago, that this glorified practice was once the centerpiece of the "Who's No. 1?" argument.

The 2000-era, Kenny Tinney-led Ansonia teams staked their claim to the New Haven Register Poll's top spot by pointing out their team beat the Tommy DeMorro/Desmond Lymon/Rob Jackson West Haven championship teams. Yea, their schedule was 'soft' compared to the Westies' SCC slate, the argument went. But those Chargers could (and would) beat anyone. This scrimmage proved it.

Ansonia's Arkeel Newsome at
last year's  West Haven scrimmage.

Of course, that was quickly countered with It's just a scrimmage! There were coaches on the field, the format wasn't a live game... how in the good Lord's name was this proof of anything other than the lineman got their schemes right in August?

Ah, Chargers-Westies.

Those were the days [Plays the theme to 'All In The Family']

But happy days could be here again.

With Ansonia already early favorite to receive the No. 1 spot in the polls to start the season, and West Haven looking similarly, if not equally strong, will this relatively insignificant clash of CT titans get significant replay come December when we're tallying our final votes?

Of course, there will be a lot of attention paid to how three-time defending LL champion Xavier, or two-time defending Class L champion Hand fares this season, not to mention the usual suspects in the FCIAC, the CCC and ECC and so-on.

Incidentally, West Haven plays both Hand and Xavier all this year. Oh, and they kick off with Greenwich. So if Erv Phillips and the Westies somehow navigate that bloody gauntlet and finish with their first unbeaten season since 2002, you'd think it would be a slam-dunk decision on No. 1 right?

Ah, well, that's where this scrimmage is gonna start getting attention.

Let's say the Westies somehow, miraculously survive... or maybe even lose just one game, en route to a Class LL championship.

Meanwhile, Ansonia smokes through the NVL, Masuk in its SWC-NVL crossover, and then rolls to a third-straight 14-0, Class S championship season.

We'll all be reaching for that Ansonia-West Haven game tape, won't we?

You're damn right we will.

So, Chargers and Westies, while you're minding your stances, your blocking schemes and the play calls while listening to your coaches standing just five yards away in the backfield, make sure to play your best.

Not that it'll really mean anything right? ...right? 

Ah, the good ol' days. They're here again.

As much as things in Connecticut football have changed this past year, nothing really does, does it?

---

In addition to Ansonia-Westies, a full slate of dual scrimmages, tri-scrimmages and full-blown jamborees get underway around the state Saturday.

Then, next week come the final dress rehearsals.

Before you know it, Week 1 will be here.

Can't wait, boys and girls.

Here's the master schedule from CIACSports.com. 

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL: The pitch count grows for top prospects

Decisions, decisions.

A standout football player, especially an incoming senior, will likely soon decide where to spend the next four years after high school.

Some have already made their choice.

Ansonia running back Arkeel Newsome recently verbally committed to play at UConn. Early this year, St. Paul quarterback Logan Marchi also picked UConn, while Norwich Free Academy running back Marcus Outlow gave his verbal commitment to Boston College.
The recruiting process, though, can often be confusing and overwhelming.

“A little (overwhelming),” West Haven running back Ervin Philips said. “It’s all new. It just takes some time to get used to.”

Philips and Hillhouse running back Harold Cooper are arguably two of the state’s more sought-after players who have yet to commit.

Philips has already taken unofficial visits to Syracuse and Temple, which he lists as his top choices. Both schools have made offers. Philips said he also received interest from Boston College, Maine, Rutgers, UConn, UMass and Villanova.

According to the NCAA rules for football, a student-athlete cannot make an official visit until the start of classes of their senior year, which for West Haven is on Aug. 29.

“As of right now, I want to wait until my senior year actually starts so I can take my official visits to really get the school experience,” Philips said. “From there, that’s when I think I’ll make my decision, so maybe late August into September.”

Ansonia    Tuesday June 18, 6 p.m.
Bassick Thursday June 13, 5 p.m.
Berlin Friday June 14, 5:30 p.m.
Bethel Friday June 14, 6 p.m.
Bridgeport Central    Tuesday June 18, 3:30 p.m.
Coventry Thursday, June 13, 5 p.m.
Danbury Friday June 14, 5 p.m.
Darien Sunday June 16, 5 p.m.
Farmington Saturday June 15, 11 a.m.
Greenwich, Saturday June 15, 10 a.m.
Hand Saturday June 22, 10 a.m.
Kennedy Friday June 14, 3 p.m.
Lyman Hall Saturday June 15, 6 p.m.
McMahon Wednesday June 12, 5:30 p.m.
Naugatuck Friday June 14, 4 p.m.
New Canaan Friday June 14, 7 p.m.
New Milford Friday June 14, 7 p.m.
Newtown Friday June 14, 6 p.m.
North Haven Friday June 21, 6 p.m.
Norwalk Wednesday June 12, 5:30 p.m.
Oxford Saturday June 15, 10 a.m.
Platt Friday June 14, 5 p.m.
Sheehan Friday June 21, 7 p.m.
Shelton Friday June 14, 6 p.m.
Simsbury Saturday June 15, 1 p.m.
Southington Friday June 14, 7 p.m.
Stamford Friday June 14, 7 p.m.
Staples Friday June 14, 5:30 p.m.
Stonington Friday June 14, 5 p.m. (rain date Monday June 17, 5 p.m.)
St. Joseph Friday June 14, 3:30 p.m.
Trumbull Friday June 14, 4 p.m.
West Haven    Wednesday June 19, 6 p.m.
Westhill Saturday June 15, 10:30 a.m.
Wolcott Wednesday June 19, 5 p.m.
Woodland Saturday June 15, 10 a.m.

Guilford High School will host a six-team weight lifting competition featuring teams from the SCC. Guilford football coach Tom Unger billed it as "the Shoreline/SCC Meet".

The event will feature Guilford, Branford, Lyman Hall, Hand, North Haven and West Haven, and is expected to begin at 3 p.m. on Friday March 8.

This is the fifth year that Unger has run the competition at the school and he hopes to expand the event in the future.

Due to the small space in the Guilford weight room, viewing by the public may be limited, although there is no admission fee.

DIVISION I

OFFENSE

OL-Dennis Flanagan, Sr., Amity
OL-John Thomas, Sr., Hamden
OL-Zack Creeron, Sr., Xavier
OL-Greg Purcell, Sr., Amity
K-Ed Groth, Sr., Shelton
WR-Kris Luster, Sr., Xavier
WR-Chris Perry, Sr., ND-WH
WR-Kyle Drost, Jr., Shelton
WR-Kyle Anderson, Sr., Hand
RB-DeAngelo Berry, Sr., Xavier
RB-Ervin Philips, Jr., West Haven
RB-Cameran Tucker, Jr., ND-WH
RB-David Attolino, Sr., Amity
QB-Tim Boyle, Sr., Xavier
QB-Brendan Bilcheck, Sr., Hand

DEFENSE

DL-Alex Chow-Yen, Sr., Cross
DL-Peter Gerson, Sr., Hand
DL-Eddy Williams, Sr., West Haven
DL-Anthony Palazzolo, So., Fairfield Prep
LB-Nick Crowle, Jr., Fairfield Prep
LB-Matt Walsh, Sr., Hand
LB-Max Tylki, Sr., Xavier
LB-Kadialy Toure, Sr., West Haven
LB-Chris Golger, Sr., Fairfield Prep
DB-Alex Tuccero, Sr., Hand
DB-Jack Cunningham, So., Cheshire
DB-Sam Pascale, Sr., Cheshire
DB-Amore Gee, Sr., West Haven
DB-Vincent Sansone, Sr., Cheshire
P-Ysaan Frazier, Sr., Wilbur Cross

DIVISION II

OFFENSE

OL-Matt Marcarelli, Sr., North Haven
OL-Zach Hubler, Jr., Foran
OL-Nick Casagrande, Jr., Law
OL-George Knoth, Sr., Law
OL-Sean Merrill, Sr., Sheehan
OL-Colton Schilling, Sr., Guilford
WR-Nick Weissauer, Jr., Foran
WR-Ryan Bohne, Sr., Lyman Hall
RB-Harold Cooper, Jr., Hillhouse
RB-Jalon White, Sr., North Haven
QB-Jake Kasuba, So., Foran
QB-Joe Nault, Jr., Guilford
UT-K.C. Horton, Jr., Guilford

DEFENSE
DL-Andrew Klarman, Sr., Branford
DL-Mark Spadacenta, Sr., East Haven
DL-Anthony Jones, Sr., Branford
DL-Teno Simpson, Sr., Hillhouse
LB-Mike Halloran, Jr., North Haven
LB-Ford Linell, Jr., Guilford
LB-Alex Borkowski, Sr., Branford
LB-Terrell Fairweather, Sr., Hillhouse
LB-Quincy Pecora, Sr., North Haven
DB-Je'Vaughn Moore, Sr., Hillhouse
DB-Kyle Paolella, Sr., Sheehan
DB-Darryn Horner, Sr., Hillhouse
DB-Andre Anderson, Sr., Hillhouse

The CIAC state playoffs began Tuesday with quarterfinal round action:

Hillhouse tops St. Joseph to advance to Class M semifinals

EAST HAVEN — A football game might be won on the field, but often its fate is decided during practice.

Hillhouse was certainly well aware of St. Joseph’s potent passing attack, featuring quarterback Jordan Vazzano and a slew of talented receivers.

Leading up to Tuesday’s Class M state quarterfinal contest, the Academics concentrated on containing those weapons.

Practice does indeed make perfect.

The physical Hillhouse defense forced four turnovers and kept the Cadets’ offense out of sync throughout as the fourth-seeded Academics advanced with a 34-14 victory on a snowy Crisafi Field.

PHOTOS: Check out the scenes from snowy Crisafi Field in Hillhouse's Class M quarterfinal win.

Hillhouse (9-2) will face either No. 1 Wolcott or No. 8 Montville in Sunday’s semifinals.

Senior Darryn Horner made two interceptions, including one he returned 97 yards for a touchdown, for the Academics.

READ MORE

Hyde slides into Class S semifinals after blocking Rocky Hill PAT

ROCKY HILL — Chris Young crossed the goal line on a 3-yard touchdown run and all the momentum seemed to be in Rocky Hill’s favor.

Now the Terriers just needed an extra point. That would tie it up at 15 and send the game to overtime.

Instead, with just 17 seconds left, Hyde seniors Ezekiel Nixon and William Burroughs got a hand on Greg Marzilli’s extra-point attempt. The kick fell short and the No. 5 Howling Wolves escaped with a 15-14 victory over No. 4 Rocky Hill Tuesday in the Class S quarterfinals.

“We know every point counts and that’s a prime example,” Hyde coach Melvin Wells said. “In the end we made a great play and we’re moving on.”

READ MORE

Staples rolls past West Haven in Class LL quarterfinals 

WESTPORT — As the seconds ticked away right before the end of the first half, Staples’ Jared Levi delivered a bone-jarring shot to West Haven’s Eddy Williams that sent the back flat down on the cold, snow-flurried turf.

The play was indicative of the first two quarters and the rest of the game, as the Wreckers carried a dominant 35-0 lead into the half and rolled to a 42-20 victory over West Haven in a Class LL state quarterfinal football game at Staples High.

“It’s very difficult to emulate their speed with our scout team,” West Haven coach Ed McCarthy said. “And our tackling was shoddy at best in the first quarter.”

READ MORE

Here is the ballot I submitted for the New Haven Register Top 10 football poll after Week 11. 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.
My Top 10 ballot stays the same from last week.

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

West Haven defeats Prep, earns Class LL state berth

WEST HAVEN – After suffering a complete thumping at the hands of Xavier 10 days earlier, West Haven coach Ed McCarthy was not sure how his team would respond. Up until kickoff against Fairfield Prep, McCarthy still was not sure.

It took the Westies just three series into the game to ease the concerns of McCarthy. Scoring the first three times they touched the ball, the Westies defeated Fairfield Prep 24-7 at Ken Strong Stadium Thanksgiving morning.

With the victory, West Haven improved to 8-2 and clinched the No. 8 seed in the Class LL state playoffs. The Westies will face top-seeded Staples in the quarterfinals Tuesday evening in Westport at 6:30 p.m.






READ MORE

PHOTOS: West Haven defeats Fairfield Prep

 










 

Cooper, Anderson lead Hillhouse over Cross in Elm City Bowl 

NEW HAVEN – The objective was clear and concise for the Hillhouse football team on Thursday.

Beat city rival Wilbur Cross and make a return trip to the CIAC Class M tournament, a division it won two years ago. Lose and, most likely, pack up the equipment.

It took some time to shake the cobwebs of nearly two weeks off, but the Academics left little to doubt. Junior Harold Cooper scored four touchdowns in a 42-0 win in the annual Elm City Bowl at Wilbur Cross.

Hillhouse (8-2) not only clinched a playoff spot, but earns a home game. As the No. 4 seed in the division, thanks to a tiebreaker over St. Joseph, the No. 5 Cadets will make the trip up I-95 from Trumbull.

READ MORE

OTHER ACTION

FOOTBALL: Jalon White leads North Haven over Amity
PHOTOS: North Haven defeats Amity

FOOTBALL: Inspired Cadrin leads Foran past Law
FOOTBALL: Ansonia coaching legend Jack Hunt dies
FOOTBALL: Ansonia tops Naugatuck as Chargers mourn passing of Jack HuntFOOTBALL: Shelton comes from behind to beat DerbyFOOTBALL: Notre Dame-West Haven tops Hamden in Green Bowl
FOOTBALL: Branford blanks East Haven
FOOTBALL: Southington defeats CheshireFOOTBALL: Dominguez dominant in Sheehan win over Lyman HallFOOTBALL: Boyle, Berry lead Xavier over MiddletownFOOTBALL: Graham leads Platt Tech over O'Brien Tech
FOOTBALL: Zelkowitz breaks FCIAC record as Staples defeats Greenwich
FOOTBALL: Justin Potts, Platt rout Maloney in battle of Meriden

CIAC Playoff Pairings

Here is the ballot I submitted for the New Haven Register Top 10 football poll after Week 10. 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.
My Top 10 ballot stays the same from last week.

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

Here is the ballot I submitted for the New Haven Register Top 10 football poll after Week 9. 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 Wednesday's print editions.


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

Here is the ballot I submitted for the New Haven Register Top 10 football poll after Week 8. 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. North Branford
12. Norwich Free Academy
13. Glastonbury
14. Hillhouse
15. Middletown

FRIDAY'S ROUNDUP

 Je'Vaughn Moore had a 99-yard touchdown run, recovered a fumble 36 yards for a touchdown amd Harold Cooper had three touchdowns as Hillhouse routed Lyman Hall 46-0 in a Southern Connecticut Conference Division II game in Wallingford.

Andre Anderson added a 30-yard touchdown of his own for Hillhouse (6-2) in the win over Lyman Hall (0-8).

Read more 

SATURDAY'S ROUNDUP

No. 9 West Haven 47, Wilbur Cross 12: Eddy Williams carried 14 times for 177 yards and two touchdowns to lead the host Westies to this SCC Division I East victory.

Ervin Philips scored on an 11-yard run, on a 3-yard run and on a 57-yard pass from Javon Taylor for West Haven (7-1).

Kadialy Toure returned a fumble 34 yards for a touchdown for the Westies.

Marshont Little and Stevie Swinson each had rushing touchdowns for the Governors (1-6).

Valley Regional/Old Lyme 41, Lewis Mills 7: Phil Cohen completed 12-of-14 passes for 148 yards and three touchdowns for the visiting Warriors in this Pequot Conference Sassacus Division win at Muzzy Field in Bristol.

Read more

HOW THE TOP 10 FARED


No. 3 Ansonia wallops Wolcott to win NVL Brass Division

ANSONIA — For a few fleeing moments, the Wolcott football team seemed on the verge of making a contest out of its meeting with fellow unbeaten Ansonia despite being down by two touchdowns.

But the Chargers responded to every rally attempt, led mainly by senior Andrew Matos and junior Arkeel Newsome.

Matos and Newsome each scored three times as Ansonia, ranked third in the Register Top 10 Poll, earned a 41-12 Naugatuck Valley League Brass Division victory Friday at Jarvis Stadium.

Read more

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

No. 4 Xavier comes from behind to stun Hillhouse

NEW HAVEN — The Xavier football team responded to its coaches’ challenge at halftime to play more aggressively and as a cohesive unit.

It just wasn’t until early in the fourth quarter, and the Falcons facing an almost insurmountable deficit, that the message finally resonated.

Once it did Xavier, ranked fourth in the Register Top 10 Poll, rallied for a dramatic 50-49 Southern Connecticut Conference interdivision victory over host Hillhouse Friday afternoon at Bowen Field.

Senior DeAngelo Berry scored on a 1-yard run, and then ran in the successful two-point conversion with 51 seconds remaining, to provide the winning score for the Falcons (6-1).

Xavier scored 29 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to erase a 49-21 deficit. Xavier also trailed by 21 points on three separate occasions in the contest.

PHOTOS: Xavier rallies to beat Hillhouse

“There was never any doubt in our minds,” said Berry, who carried 17 times for 90 yards and three TDs. “Every time we come down here it’s always a hard environment; no fans, and they have all their fans. But the coaches let us know that it’s never over until it’s over. We knew we could do it.”


READ MORE

No. 9 West Haven takes out Cheshire 

WEST HAVEN — The Cheshire football team had West Haven right where the Rams wanted it in a Southern Connecticut Conference Division I East contest Friday evening.

Leading in the first quarter and having taken 7 minutes off the clock, momentum was clearly on Cheshire’s side.

Then West Haven, the No. 9 team in the Register Top 10 poll, turned to Ervin Philips and its running game to score 22 unanswered points in a 49-20 West Haven victory in a Southern Connecticut Conference Division I East game at Ken Strong Stadium.

PHOTOS: West Haven takes out Cheshire

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Guilford runs past Branford 

GUILFORD — The Guilford football team came into Friday night’s game wanting to prove that it was better than its 1-4 record.

After close losses to Hillhouse and West Haven, the Indians proved just that by rushing for 483 yards in beating Southern Connecticut conference Division II West rival Branford 41-14 at Kavanaugh Field.

“What I wanted was for our guys to show the fans, their families and the town that they are an excellent team,” said Guilford coach Tommy Unger. “There’s no morale victories, but these kids are really good. I’m happy we got this win tonight.”

PHOTOS: Guilford tops Branford

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ROUNDUP: Amity shocks Fairfield Prep

Here is the ballot I submitted for the New Haven Register Top 10 football poll after Week 6. 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.


Some interesting games last week:

No. 1 Hand survived against No. 8 West Haven
No. 10 Southington edged No. 9 Glastonbury
No. 5 Windsor rallied past previously unbeaten Middletown

With that being said, this week's ballot:

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. Fairfield Prep
15. Glastonbury