Image courtesy of Greenwich HS football
Poll put together by Jake Klein, NEFJ Correspondent

1. New Canaan

The Rams got off to a fast start and never looked back in their 45-0 Week 6 blowout win over Norwalk. Regular quarterback Ty Groff—who’s been essentially relegated to kicking duties this season due to injury—forced a fumble on the opening kickoff. It was one of four takeaways for the New Canaan defense, which has now allowed 21 points in five games, including three shutouts. Alex Russey went 10-14 for 90 yards. Hunter Telesco ran seven times for 62 yards and two touchdowns.

Next Up: at Wilton, Fri., 7 p.m.

2. Greenwich

The Cardinals took a huge step Friday towards proving their Week 4 loss to Southington was nothing more than a fluke, fending off a St. Joseph comeback to win 36-26 over the Hogs. Greenwich, which lost 24-21 to St. Joseph last season, saw its 16-point lead reduced to three, but quarterback Jack Wilson’s third rushing touchdown put the game too far out of reach. Wilson ran six times for 83 yards and three scores, going 16-23 through the air for 242 yards and another touchdown.

Next Up: No. 5 Trumbull, Thu., 7 p.m.

3. Maloney (IDLE)

Next Up: at Bristol Central, Fri., 6 p.m.

4. St. Joseph

The Hogs rallied back to make an interesting game out of what once looked like a Greenwich blowout, but ultimately failed to beat the Cardinals and stay undefeated. Will Singewald went 18-37 passing for 249 yards and three touchdowns—one to Brandon Hutchison, one to Keenan Fraczek, and one to Mickey Corvino. The St. Joe’s track record is still there; they sit 4-1 having faced five different opponents who have appeared in the Top 25 this season. Of their five remaining games, three are against Top-17 opponents.

Next Up: No. 17 Ridgefield, Sat., 1:30 p.m.

5. Trumbull

After a Week 4 loss to Staples and a BYE in Week 5, the Eagles got back on track in a 42-14 beatdown of Stamford to move to 4-1. Hunter Agosti was 13-27 for 185 yards, 3 touchdowns and a pick, but Rowan Johnston carried the offensive load—he ran 23 times for 172 yards and three scores. Astonishingly, Johnston has run for at least 130 yards and at least three touchdowns in every game, bringing his season totals to 878 yards and 19 touchdowns through five games. With a solid quarterback and a star runner, Trumbull will be a playoff nuisance for any opponent.

Next Up: at No. 2 Greenwich, Thu., 7 p.m.

6. Darien

Darien squeaked by an unranked (but previously undefeated) Wilton team, advancing to 3-2 with Friday’s 18-15 road victory. Quarterback Simeon Doll was 18-27 for 219 yards, two touchdowns and a pick. Jake Wilson ran 29 times for 120 yards and a TD. The Blue Wave continue to show inconsistency, but certainly have the talent to do damage if they’re hot down the stretch.

Next Up: at Ludlowe, Fri., 6 p.m.

7. Killingly

Riding a 16-game win streak overall and a 34-game win streak on its home field, Killingly was upended in grand fashion by Windham, which won 41-26 Friday. It’s a shock for the Redmen, who never led in the second half and are now out of room for error on their weak schedule. They clearly game-planned for a heavy dose of Soren Reif (as usual), because he ran 18 times for 97 yards, but fell behind and weren’t equipped to get back into the game; Thomas Dreibholz threw 11 passes, completing seven for 125 and two touchdowns.

Next Up: at Branford, Fri., 7 p.m.

8. Fairfield Prep

The Jesuits finally got a signature win, thrashing then-Top-10 Cheshire 33-10. It was a ground attack all day for Prep; Wally Wuchiski took 18 carries for 125 yards and a score while Malachi Mercer-Robinson had 17 chances, 108 yards and two touchdowns. They sit at 2-3, but their losses are to a team from Miami and two more in the Top 25 and, with just one team inside the Top 20 left on the docket, they’re certainly capable of running the table.

Next Up: at Hand, Fri., 7 p.m.

9. Hamden

The Green Dragons stayed unbeaten and advanced to 5-0 Friday, cruising to a 54-26 win over Amity Regional. It was another huge day for the Hamden backs: Tyshaun Davender (6 carries, 104 yards, 2 TDs), Shawn Mills (4 carries, 74 yards, 3 total TDs), and Camren Kemp (9 carries, 96 yards). They’re in a pretty good spot—undefeated, tied atop the standings, and they’ve got just one Top-25 opponent (No. 19 West Haven in Week 10) left to play.

Next Up: at Sheehan, Fri., 7 p.m.

10. Shelton

Shelton looked like their early-season selves Friday against Norwich Free Academy, winning 49-28 on the back of their run game. David Dojilidko’s eight carries went for 145 yards and two scores. Ayden Sepkaski was out, but Tyler Desousa took his place, running for 106 yards and two more touchdowns on six attempts. Michael Kinik went 9-15 for 176 yards and a touchdown and an interception. Shelton’s 4-1 but they’ve got a daunting series of Top-25 matchups across the next three weeks.

Next Up: at No. 19 West Haven, Fri., 7 p.m.

11. Masuk – Next Up: Stratford, Fri., 7 p.m.

12. Cheshire – Next Up: Notre Dame-West Haven, Fri., 7 p.m.

13. Southington (IDLE) – Next Up: No. 20 Windsor, Fri., 7 p.m.

14. Bloomfield (IDLE) – Next Up: at Hartford Public, Fri., 7 p.m.

15. New Fairfield – Next Up: at No. 25 Joel Barlow, Fri., 7 p.m.

16. Cromwell/Portland (IDLE)

17. Ridgefield – Next Up: at No. 4 St. Joseph, Sat., 1:30 p.m.

18. Newtown – Next Up: at Bunnell, Fri., 7 p.m.

19. West Haven – Next Up: No. 10 Shelton, Fri., 7 p.m.

20. Windsor (IDLE) – Next Up: at No. 13 Southington, Fri., 7 p.m.

21. Staples – Next Up: at Stamford, Sat., 1 p.m.

22. Wethersfield (IDLE) – Next Up: at Hall, Fri., 7 p.m.

23. Berlin (IDLE) – Next Up: Tolland, Fri., 7 p.m.

24. North Haven – Next Up: Xavier, Fri., 7 p.m.

25. Joel Barlow – Next Up: No. 15 New Fairfield, Fri., 7 p.m.