Darien Stays On Top Of Football Poll; 5 Teams Improve Positions

CONNECTICUT — The top two teams in the Connecticut high school football preseason poll maintained their positions after the first week of games, but a big upset caused some juggling within the top 10, as five schools improved their spots.

Darien stayed on top, collecting 11 of 21 first-place votes from members of the state sports media. St. Joseph remained in second with four top nods. Previously unranked Fairfield Prep claimed a top 10 spot after defeating former No. 3 Daniel Hand.

Here are the top 10, with first-place votes and last week's ranking in parentheses, as well as all other programs receiving support.

1. Darien (11) (lw: 1)
2. St. Joseph (4) (lw: 2)
3. Greenwich (2) (lw: 4)
4. Newtown (4) (lw: 5)
5. New Canaan (lw: 6)
6. Southington (lw: 7)
7. Fairfield Prep (lw: NR)
8. Xavier (lw: 8)
9. Daniel Hand (lw: 3)
10. Killingly (lw: 10)

Also receiving votes: Ansonia, Cheshire, Staples, Berlin, Sheehan, Windsor, Shelton, Simsbury, Maloney, Bloomfield, Masuk, Ridgefield, Norwich Free Academy, Naugatuck, Trumbull, Holy Cross, Newington, Valley Regional/Old Lyme, Quinebaug Valley.

Voters: Tim Jensen, Patch Media; Bill Bloxsom, Hearst Connecticut Media; Sean Patrick Bowley, GameTimeCT; Erik Dobratz, WTNH-8; Scott Ericson, Stamford Advocate; Michael Fornabaio, Connecticut Post; Ned Griffen, The Day of New London; Mark Jaffee, Republican-American of Waterbury; Kyle Maher, Journal Inquirer; Joe Morelli, New Haven Register; Pete Paguaga, GameTimeCT; Dave Phillips, Shoreline Newspapers; John Pierson, WTNH-8; Dave Ruden, The Ruden Report; Rich Zalusky, The Chronicle of Willimantic; Jimmy Zanor, Norwich Bulletin; Mike Madera, Walter Camp Football Foundation; Gerry deSimas Jr., Collinsville Press; Will Aldam, News Times; Jeff Jacobs, GameTimeCT; Greg Lederer, Cheshire Herald.
Compiled by Will Aldam

Don't miss local and statewide news from all across Connecticut. Register for free Patch alerts and daily newsletters.