St. Joseph Wins, Earns Berth in Football Championship Game

DEEP RIVER, CT — Seeking its fifth state championship in eight years, St. Joseph High School toppled top-ranked Valley Regional/Old Lyme, 28-7 in a Class M football semifinal matchup Monday night.

Quarterback Cory Babineau connected for 226 passing yards for the Cadets, with 115 of them going to Jared Mallozzi.

Fifth-seeded St. Joseph (10-2) will face No. 2 Hillhouse (11-1) Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at West Haven High School. The Cadets have won their last 12 title game appearances, dating back to 1980.

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