Darien Wins, Earns Spot in Football Championship Game

DARIEN, CT — For the fourth straight year, Darien High School has earned the right to compete for a state football championship after crushing Southington, 38-7 in the Class LL semifinals Monday night.

The Blue Wave led 24-7 at halftime en route to their second straight semifinal rout of the previously-unbeaten Blue Knights. In last year's Final Four matchup, Darien prevailed 45-7 on the way to an eventual state title.

Top-seeded Darien (12-0) will face No. 7 Ridgefield (10-2) Saturday at 2:30 p.m. at West Haven High School.

Here are Monday's semifinal results for all four classes, as well as some championship game history.

Class LL
No. 1 Darien 38, No. 4 Southington 7
No. 7 Ridgefield 44, No. 6 Shelton 41
Darien vs. Ridgefield, Saturday, 2:30 p.m., West Haven High School
Rosters and Results
Title game record: DAR 5-8; RID 2-0
Championships: DAR 2015 (LL), 1996 (S), 1992 (SS), 1991 (M), 1979 (L); RID 2002 (L), 1983 (L-II)

Class L
No. 1 Windsor 40, No. 4 Middletown 14
No. 2 New Canaan 20, No. 6 Notre Dame-West Haven 17
Windsor vs. New Canaan, Saturday, 2:30 p.m., Willow Brook Park-New Britain
Rosters and Results
Title game record: WIN 1-3; NC 11-4
Championships: WIN 2014 (L-small); NC 2015 (L), 2014 (L-large), 2013 (L), 2009 (MM), 2008 (MM), 2007 (MM), 2006 (MM), 2002 (M), 2001 (M), 1993 (M), 1982 (L-II)

Class M
No. 2 Hillhouse 49, No. 3 Killingly 28
No. 5 St. Joseph 28, No. 1 Valley Regional/Old Lyme 7
Hillhouse vs. St. Joseph, Saturday, 10:30 a.m., West Haven High School
Rosters and Results
Title game record: HIL 5-1; STJ 12-2
Championships: HIL 2012 (M), 2010 (M), 2006 (M), 2002 (SS), 1985 (M-I); STJ 2014 (M-small), 2013 (M), 2010 (S), 2009 (SS), 1990 (M), 1989 (M), 1988 (M), 1984 (S-I), 1983 (S-I), 1982 (S-I), 1981 (S-I), 1980 (S)

Class S
No. 2 Ansonia 49, No. 6 Cromwell/Portland 28
No. 4 Rocky Hill 42, No. 8 Seymour 7
Ansonia vs. Rocky Hill, Saturday, 10:30 a.m., Willow Brook Park-New Britain
Rosters and Results
Title game record: ANS 19-10; RH 0-0
Championships: ANS 2013 (S), 2012 (S), 2011 (M), 2007 (S), 2006 (S), 2003 (S), 2002 (S), 1995 (S), 1994 (SS), 1989 (S), 1988 (S), 1987 (S), 1984 (S-II), 1983 (S-II), 1982 (S-II), 1981 (S-II), 1979 (M), 1977 (S), 1976 (S); RH none

Photo credit: CIAC