Editor’s Note: There’s a new number one team (and just one team) in the Hartford Courant’s state coaches’ poll after Masuk and Windsor each knocked off the co-number one teams, New Canaan and Darien, respectively last Friday. Windsor overcame injuries to knock off Darien, 41-34, in a double overtime thriller. Masuk, meanwhile, went to New Canaan and shut it down, 14-0. Check out the poll — and the new status quo — below.
First place points in parentheses, record through Saturday, points tabulated on a 30-28-26-24-22-20-18-16-14-12-11-10-9-8-7 basis, last week’s ranking and CIAC classification:
1. Greenwich (8) 3-0 374 3 LL
KNOW THIS: The state’s new number one came from behind three times last Friday to edge Bishop Hendricken, the Godzilla of Rhode Island high school football, 21-20. The Cardinals’ MJ D’Angelo threw for 104 yards and ran nine times for 105 yards and two touchdowns, the latter which tied the game at 20 with 1 minute, 15 seconds left. Julian Ravina’s extra point gave the Greenwich its first lead against the Hawks, who have won 12 state titles in the past 14 seasons.
NEXT: vs. Danbury, Saturday, 3:30 p.m.
2. Windsor (3) 3-0 336 6 MM
KNOW THIS: The Warriors began last Friday’s game without starting quarterback AJ Robinson (shoulder). Then John Manning, who had been responsible for most of the team’s total yards through two games, left the game with an undisclosed injury on the first play of Windsor’s next drive. The Warriors wouldn’t be stopped, though. Shawn Adams ran 17 times for 130 yards and four touchdowns and Cashmere Lewis was a workhorse (24 carries for 160 yards; 74-yard interception return for a touchdown) to help Windsor persevere.
NEXT: at South Windsor, Saturday, 11 a.m.
3. Staples (2) 3-0 332 5 LL
KNOW THIS: Kody Goldman celebrated his 17th birthday last Friday by gifting his team with four touchdowns, including the game-winner from a yard out with 8 seconds left, as the Wreckers got past Maloney, 28-21. He finished with 57 yards on 10 carries.
NEXT: vs. Westhill, Friday, 7 p.m.
4. Masuk 3-0 308 8 MM
KNOW THIS: The Panthers’ Ryan Putnam returned a New Canaan fumble for a 35-yard touchdown on the second play from scrimmage in last Friday’s game. Moments later, the Rams fumbled away a punt return, which set up Gavin Walker’s 24-yard touchdown run. It was more than Masuk needed to win, and they earned a 14-0 victory. TRIVIA — the last team to shut out New Canaan was St. Joseph, 42-0, in the 2019 CIAC Class L semifinals (Dec. 9).
NEXT: at Bunnell, Friday, 7 p.m.
5. Hand 3-0 291 4 M
KNOW THIS: The Tigers dropped one spot through no fault of their own. They earned more points from voters this week than last, but Masuk and Windsor received far more of them after their big wins. On the field, Paul Calandrelli completed 10 of 20 passes for 212 yards and three touchdowns and added nine carries for 66 yards as Hand took it to Berlin last Friday, 44-14.
NEXT: at Shelton, Friday, 7 p.m.
6. Darien 2-1 242 T1 L
KNOW THIS: The Blue Wave rallied back from a 28-7 deficit and had a chance to win Friday’s game in the final minute. Windsor wasn’t having it, though.
NEXT: vs. Norwalk, Saturday, 1:30 p.m.
7. St. Joseph 3-0 231 7 M
KNOW THIS: HT Jones threw four touchdown passes, including two to T.J. Wright, as the Cadets routed defending Class S champion Bloomfield last Saturday, 38-0. TRIVIA — the last team to shutout Bloomfield was Berlin, 37-0, on Nov. 2, 2018.
NEXT: vs. Stamford, Saturday, 1:30 p.m.
8. New Canaan 2-1 225 T1 L
KNOW THIS: It’s surprising that the Rams were blanked last Friday given they beat a quality Maloney team, 42-13, 14 days earlier. Football is weird like that, though.
NEXT: vs. Fairfield Ludlowe, Saturday, 6 p.m.
9. West Haven 2-1 164 9 LL
KNOW THIS: Nick Conlan threw for three touchdowns and scored on a 35-yard run as the Westies scored the game’s first 30 points and quashed Hall last Friday, 36-12.
NEXT: at Hamden, Friday, 6 p.m.
10. Newtown 3-0 150 10 LL
KNOW THIS: Caden Cuomo recovered a fumble in the end zone after a botched punt attempt by Southington last Friday and later scored on a 92-yard interception return as the Nighthawks pulled away for a 35-21 victory.
NEXT: at New Milford, Friday, 7 p.m.
Also receiving votes: Bunnell (3-0), 108 points; North Haven (2-1), 97; Killingly (3-0), 76; Ansonia (3-0), 67; Maloney (1-2), 59; Fairfield Prep (2-1), 52; Tie, Naugatuck (3-0) and New Britain (3-0), 38; Brookfield (3-0), 32; Manchester (3-0), 27; Fairfield Ludlowe (3-0), 22; Trumbull (1-2), 16; Windham (3-0), 9; Tie, Bristol Central (3-0), Capital Prep (2-0) and Rockville (3-0), 7.
Voters: Erik Becker, Hand; Tom Brockett; Ansonia; Joe Della Vecchia; St. Joseph; Mike Ellis; Fitch; Rob Fleeting; Windsor; Kevin Frederick, Maloney; Tanner Grove; Montville; Andy Guyon; Xavier; Joe Lato; Woodland; Brian Mazzone; Stafford/East Windsor/Somers; 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 born in Texas thus he was genetically hardwired to love the sport. He enjoys heavy metal, pro wrestling, Jennifer Walters and being adored by cats and dogs everywhere.