Conard beat East Hartford on Saturday, 80-74, in the highest-scoring game in state high school football history, according to the Connecticut High School Football Record Book.
It still wasn’t the most noteworthy game of the day.
New Canaan, Staples and Wilton all impressed in victory — and in different ways — that afternoon.
St. Joseph did, too, in a loss.
No. 1 New Canaan, the three-time defending CIAC Class L champion, edged defending Class M champ St. Joseph in a defensive pit-fight, 7-3.
Senior Andrew Esposito, the Rams’ All-State receiver, scored the only touchdown on a 62-yard interception return with 3.2 seconds left in the first half.
Staples overwhelmed then-fifth ranked Darien on the road, 31-6. It moved up to fifth this week.
Wilton outlasted Fairfield Ludlowe, 35-23, in a matchup of unbeaten teams. The Warriors make their Top 10 season debut at No. 9 this week.
St. Joseph, despite its loss and 2-2 record, not only kept the respect of voters — it moved up one spot to sixth.
The Cadets weren’t punished for their losses because they’re by a combined six points to two teams ranked in the top three. They lost on the game’s final play to No. 3 Hand, 30-28, on Sept. 13. They also shut down the top-ranked Rams’ offense on Saturday.
Darien (3-1), on the other hand, fell out of the Top 10 after being so thoroughly beaten. The Blue Wave had just two first downs in the first half against Staples, including one by penalty, and trailed 17-0.
High School Football Coaches’ Poll
Listing record, total points with first-place votes in parentheses, previous ranking and CIAC class. Points tabulated on a 30-28-26-24-22-20-18-16-14-12-11-10-9-8-7 basis:
1. New Canaan, 4-0, 382 (11), No. 1, Class L
KNOW THIS: The Rams defense continues to impress as they’ve allowed just two touchdowns and 20 points. New Canaan also picked up an extra first-place vote this week.
NEXT: vs. Danbury (2-2), Friday, 6 p.m.
2. Greenwich, 4-0, 358 (2), No. 2, Class LL
KNOW THIS: The Cardinals scored 56 in the first half of Saturday’s 63-6 rout of winless Westhill. Senior Hector Lopez ran eight times for 104 yards and three touchdowns.
NEXT: vs. Trumbull (2-2), Saturday, 2 p.m.
3. Hand, 4-0, 324, No. 3, Class SS
KNOW THIS: Junior Lucca Boyce ran eight times for 68 yards and a score and added a 12-yard touchdown reception as the Tigers downed Hamden on Friday, 32-7.
NEXT: vs. Cheshire (2-2), Friday, 7 p.m.
4. Killingly, 4-0, 322, No. 4, Class SS
KNOW THIS: Senior Quinn Sumner threw three touchdown passes as the Trailblazers overwhelmed New London, 62-6, on Friday.
NEXT: vs. Masuk (2-2), Friday, Oct. 17, 6:30 p.m.
5. Staples, 4-0, 285, No. 6, Class LL
KNOW THIS: Senior Nick Weil hurt Darien with his arm (17-of-24 passing for 231 yards and two touchdowns) and his legs (two touchdown runs). And look who the Wreckers get this week.
NEXT: vs. No. 9 Wilton (4-0), Friday, 7 p.m.
6. St. Joseph, 2-2, 195, No. 7, Class M
KNOW THIS: An example of the things one doesn’t get from looking at a game score — one of the Cadets’ best receivers beat a New Canaan defender late in the third quarter and was streaking towards the end zone. The pass was a bit off the mark, however, and the ball bounced off the receiver’s hands.
NEXT: at Ridgefield (3-1), Friday, 7 p.m.
7. Windsor, 4-0, 192, No. 9, Class MM
KNOW THIS: The Warriors rolled past winless Bristol Central on Friday, 42-0.
NEXT: at Enfield (2-2), Friday, 6 p.m.
9. Fairfield Prep, 3-1, 178, 10, Class LL
KNOW THIS: The Jesuits beat Shelton on Friday, 26-14.
NEXT: at West Haven (3-1), Friday, 6 p.m.
9. Wilton, 4-0, 150, NR, Class MM
KNOW THIS: Dennis Dustin had touchdown runs of 12, 14 and 4 yards and scored on a 30-yard pass from Charlie Calabrese in the Warriors’ win over Ludlowe.
NEXT: at No. 5 Staples (4-0), Friday, 7 p.m.
10. West Haven, 3-1, 142, 10, Class LL
KNOW THIS: This week’s schedule isn’t as stacked as this past one, but Westies v. Jesuits is obvs a big one.
NEXT: vs. No. 8 Fairfield Prep (3-1), Friday, 6 p.m.
Dropped out:
Darien (5).
Also receiving votes:
Darien (3-1), 126 points; Maloney (4-0), 116; Woodland (4-0), 94; Berlin (4-0), 83; North Haven (3-1), 69; Brookfield (3-1), 67; Bunnell (3-1), 57; Newtown (2-2), 55; New Britain (3-1), 24; Sheehan (3-1), 17; Fairfield Ludlowe (3-1), 16; Masuk (2-2), 15; Middletown (4-0), 12; Holy Cross (3-1); 10; Tie, Ansonia (2-2) and Seymour (4-0), 9; Cheshire (2-2), 8.
Voters:
Erik Becker, Hand; Jason Bruenn, Platt; Joe Della Vecchia; St. Joseph; Mike Ellis; Fitch; Kevin Frederick, Maloney; Tanner Grove; Montville; Keith Hellstern, Fairfield Prep; Erick Knickerbocker, Rockville; Joe Lato; Woodland; John Mihalko, Ansonia; Bryan Muller; Brookfield; Marce Petroccio; Trumbull; Nathan Tyler, Stratford.
Ned Griffen has obsessively covered state high school football since the mid-nineties, back when Dan Orlovsky was just a wiry teenager at Shelton High School. He was genetically hardwired to love the sport having been born in Texas. He enjoys heavy metal, pro wrestling, the wit and wisdom of Jennifer Walters and being adored by cats and dogs everywhere.
A record-breaking evening for this CT female football player: “We all wanted this for Molly”
