It’s the question that’s been on the mind of every fan, coach and player this weekend following Central’s 42-7 beating of New Canaan Friday night.
Who’s No. 1 now?
Is it QB Sean McQuillan and Glastonbury (9-0), which now holds the state’s longest win streak at 22 games, including last year’s Class LL championship and a team that has outscored its opponents 308-151 (avg. score 34-17)
Is it Ben Crick and Pomperaug (9-0)? Winners of 10-straight dating back to last year. A team that had crushed its SWC opponents by an average score of 41-10?
Is it Masuk (9-0), another dominant SWC team which is on a 17-game win streak, has averaged 40 points per game this season and has one of the state’s best QB’s in sophomore Casey Cochran and one of its best all-around players in Alex Trump?
Is it Brandon Rankowitz, Jake Santora and Staples (9-0), which boasts statistically the best defense in the state: Just 25 points allowed (that’s under 3-points a game) all season, including five shutouts in 9 games?
Is it Conard (9-0), which has allowed just 53 points all year and, with its ground ‘em out game led by Jon Esposito, outscores its opponents by an average of 37-6?
What about one of the state’s other unbeaten teams? Vinal Tech/Coginchaug (9-0), defending Class SS champion New London (8-0) winners of 11 straight? Bloomfield (9-0)? Ross McDonald and Avon (9-0)?
Now, you could argue there’s a one-loss team out there that may merit consideration. But the simple fact is, they lost — many to teams ahead of them. So let’s put that talk aside unless there are no unbeaten teams left on Championship Saturday.
That said, here’s a list of all these teams. Now it’s your turn to decide.
Who’s No. 1 now?
Loading ...
1)Glastonbury
2)Staples
3)Pomperaug
4)Masuk
Comment by hsff fan — November 15th, 2009 @ 7:38 pm
I think the fciac and swc championships will determine that.. if Pomperaug crushes Masuk or vice versa than they should be number one. If it is a close game and staples dominates central than staples should be number one. All that can be said for sure is that this week we will see some great matchups!
Comment by truth — November 15th, 2009 @ 8:16 pm
Guess what? The state polls come out Monday. Who’s No. 1 now? Not after breakfast. Now.
Comment by Sean Patrick Bowley — November 15th, 2009 @ 8:17 pm
1. Glastonbury
2. Notre Dame of West Haven
3. Bridgeport Central
4. Staples
5. Pomperaug
6. Xavier
I think Notre Dame is the best team in the state, but I feel I have to give it to Glastonbury based on their current winning streak.
Comment by Jack Cochran Wannabe — November 15th, 2009 @ 8:18 pm
1) LL much clearer now. Gbury/Staples, xavier, cheshire control fate while central knocking at the door. Will staples or cheshire let thm in? Staples plays greenwich and cheshire has southington and the westies. Should staples lose central will slip pass them most likely. greenwich LL final is turkey day morning. Oh MY. Be afraid staples, be very afraid.
2) ease of schedule caught up with ridgefield. a fake 9-1 record keeps them out of LL. (thank god)
3) No one should want to play NDWH. this includes u pomperaug and masuk.
4) a 9-1 NDWH or Simsbury will not make the field in L but could finish number one in the state?? doubt it but could happen if things break the right way.
5) Ray brown welcome back. Ansonia is back in class S. Almost.
6) Still can’t believe greenwich and hamden will not make states. I still think GHS is a top 3 team and would win LL if they qualified.
7) Congrats to Bethel. closing in on M state birth.
9) great week coming up with SWC, FCIAC, simsbury vs gbury and cheshire vs west haven. wew i have goose bumps thinking about it. right couzze?
10) Darien vs NC on turkey day and then 4 or 9 days later in MM playoffs?? can u say deja vu (2008).
Comment by Brian — November 15th, 2009 @ 8:31 pm
I had to vote for Glastonbury, but I still don’t get why Conard is ranked below Masuk, and Pomperaug in the state rankings…And, I don’t even know where Conard is!…They have played & beaten 4 Class LL teams (including Manchester who is ranked above Greenwich), and have beaten 4 Class L teams (which is their class)…Masuk hasn’t even played anyone as big as their size yet…They will play Pomperaug for SWC title (same size, but doesn’t count for states), and Newtown (LL)…Pomperaug is not much better with their schedule they already beat Newtown (LL), and New Milford (L)…Yet both these teams are ahead of Conard in state playoff points…Something is really wrong with the point system…If you are in a larger class, you shouldn’t get as many bonus points for beating up on the smaller schools…
Comment by ghsgrandpa — November 15th, 2009 @ 9:02 pm
You can’t go by numbers and which size class school you’ve beaten compared to the others – that means little. You have to see them live, too.
FYI – take it from me, Pomperaug’s legit. I’d put them (and I do) over Conard.
Comment by Sean Patrick Bowley — November 15th, 2009 @ 9:05 pm
Having seen New Canaan, Bridgeport Central, Masuk, ND West Haven, Xavier, Shelton, Bethel, Darien, Chesire and St. Joseph live and was most impressed with Central as they absolutely owned New Canaan.
Comment by Dave Choate — November 15th, 2009 @ 9:07 pm
Defense wins Championships,Glastonbury is almost as soft as the New Canaan “D”,they are easily scored upon!
Comment by Clyde — November 15th, 2009 @ 9:43 pm
Right now Glastonbury should be #1.At years end I think New London and Pomperaug(If ND(WH)does not qualify for L playoffs)have the best chance to go undefeated and finish #1.Yet again a non LL school finishes in the top spot but of course they could not play up against larger schools…right ??
Comment by cuoz18 — November 15th, 2009 @ 10:46 pm
DON’T FORGET THE TEAMS WITH 1 LOSS. EAST LYME IS FOR REAL. THERE DEFENSE IS ONE OF THE BEST IN THE STATE..
Comment by anthony — November 15th, 2009 @ 11:14 pm
Sorry, people. Nobody is voting a 1-loss team No. 1 at this point. I’m not saying that half of the unbeaten teams listed are better, I’m just saying you can’t vote for a 1-loss team at this point — especially over a few of the teams in this list.
Comment by Sean Patrick Bowley — November 15th, 2009 @ 11:45 pm
Its so funny how no one ever wants to give Staples #1. They are the best team in the state.
Comment by pla — November 15th, 2009 @ 11:58 pm
You couldn’t vote for NDWH and it lost by one point to Xavier. Even if you thought they could beat an undefeated team?
Comment by Jack Cochran Wannabe — November 16th, 2009 @ 12:11 am
There are a lot of teams I think could beat some of these unbeaten teams. Greenwich for example. Do you think they’re No. 1? No, but you could make the argument, they’re as good as anyone out there.
It needs to be a slam dunk. Right now, it’s not a given that ND beats Pomperaug or Glastonbury or Staples. And those three teams are unbeaten, whereas ND is not.
Besides, if you vote ND No. 1, what about Xavier? They beat ND head-to-head and have a longer win streak. Shouldn’t they be No. 1 then? OK, so now let’s vote Xavier No. 1. Whoops. Xavier has a 27-7 loss to Wilbur Cross. So now what? I think Wilbur Cross, like ND, has potential to beat anyone in their league. Wilbur Cross is 4-5.
So, in this case, no.
This is not a debate about potential. The No. 1 vote is about results.
Comment by Sean Patrick Bowley — November 16th, 2009 @ 12:19 am
gotta be staples,arent they ranked # 2? *staples for a week anyway,check back with me after friday.
Comment by theruler — November 16th, 2009 @ 12:47 am
and if they are ranked # 2,all theyve done is pitch 2 more shutouts since their star qb went down,if thats not enough i dont know what is.
Comment by theruler — November 16th, 2009 @ 12:48 am
This is why you play the game.
I am astonished that Bridgeport Central does not get mentioned in any of the ruminations above.
It goes to show you how much anyone knows about this game or any of these teams.
It is also galling to know that if Bridgeport were to run the table the rest of the way, all of the wise pundits who had New Canaan as the best team in the state for so long will ignore Bridgeport.
I lost interest in this nonsense two years ago when Ansonia was voted #1 over Greenwich because Greenwich went to Florida to find some competition and lost. I think Greenwich beat every CT team they played by at least 14 points.
Good luck with the rest of the season. I hope all the sportswriters pick a good team to be number one. Based on their performance in ranking NC #1, it seems they are better at picking their noses.
Comment by GHS Fan — November 16th, 2009 @ 7:49 am
Hard to determine who the best team in the state is but from what I’m hearing Pompy is legit and must be given considerstion. Based on last years team and this years record Glastonbury should move to the top though they are no where near as good as last year.
Staples could be the best team but have not been tested. Their next two games (Central and Greenwich) will answer a lot of questions.
Comment by jjs — November 16th, 2009 @ 8:31 am
Masuk should be #1 after beating the Bulldogs 49-6! That is two straight wins at Bunnell by a combined score of 91-26.
Comment by MasukRules — November 16th, 2009 @ 9:03 am
I agree that results are what make the #1 team in the state number one. I also think that unless Staples runs the table, the best team in the state may be a class L team. I can’t believe that a Glastonbury team that gave up 46 points to Southington and won 49-46 is the best team in the state. Good defenses don’t give up 46 points to a 4 win team. I don’t think Staples has given up 46 points all season. I also think you can make a case in Class L, the seeds should be opposite. Notre Dame should be 1st, followed by Conard, Pomperaug then Masuk. That division will be exciting come states. I’ll tell you this now, class L teams don’t want to see Notre Dame in the states and Holy Cross doesn’t want to see Saint Joes in class SS.
Comment by Jack Cochran Wannabe — November 16th, 2009 @ 9:12 am
Which one of these teams beats ND-West Haven? SWC is not a top flight league.
Comment by Joe — November 16th, 2009 @ 9:13 am
ghsgrandpa – Conard is in West Hartford. They have played a very soft schedule, so everyone has been hesitant to rank them in the top 10. After what they did to Southington, however, they deserve to be in the top 5. They would have a good shot at beating Glastonbury, if they played them. Esposito is impressive…
Comment by CCC Fan — November 16th, 2009 @ 9:14 am
By the way, the playoff point system works. If you’re beating teams with very few wins, you aren’t going to have as many points as the teams who are beating strong teams. If you pull a soft schedule, it’s unlikely that you’ll make the playoffs with even one loss. That’s too bad, but I still think it makes sense…
Comment by CCC Fan — November 16th, 2009 @ 9:17 am
it would only make sense that staples be #1 considering they were #2 and the #1 team went down whereas staples posted another shutout.
1. staples
2. glastonbury
3. nc
Comment by anon — November 16th, 2009 @ 9:47 am
Having let two games slip away by 1 pt. (Central and NC), and by taking care of St. Josephs (too little too late), this is the most talented GHS team NOT to have the opportunity to show it in the playoffs. The Staples game on Thanksgiving will be their “statement” game, particularly if Staples beats Central Friday night. You have to go with Greenwich now that it has been through the war zone of a second half schedule. Staples has played only one team with a record or more than 5 wins – Ridgefield(Ridgefield also only played one team with a record of more than five wins – Staples), so they won’t know who they are until Friday night. Also, what kind of point system puts Ridgefield ahead of Greenwich? Point systems are supposed to help minimize strength of schedule issues, but it clearly didn’t in this case.
Comment by Roger Knight — November 16th, 2009 @ 9:57 am
Vinal/Tech/Cochinaug nice touch adding them to the choices,is that padded football or futbol?
Clyde
Comment by Clyde — November 16th, 2009 @ 11:01 am
staples-better schedule————–boy the ants come out of the woodwork—-welcome anthony-east lyme no.1?-who did they beat,bacon academy?where are all the scc bloggers bigmike,davek etc.?
Comment by ray brown — November 16th, 2009 @ 11:27 am
Look I have seen Conard play several times, soft schedule yes, but this team is big, strong and physical. Jon esposito is an even better person than he is a football player. All i’m saying there is no way to know who is the best until it is settled on the field. Trust me do not sleep on Conard.
Comment by walter hussey — November 16th, 2009 @ 12:54 pm
I hope that GHS would get a crack at Staples to prove itself to the southern CT boys. Glastonbury seems to be a very well balanced team. As for the defense, it seems to be coached to play prevent because they have slammed many teams in the 1st half and never were too worried. I too question this lodgic ??? Staples was placed as #2 2 weeks ago and still played a very weak schedule. Anyone can beat up on lesser teams. There last game against NC might be a challange for both teams because both really have no soild running game. NC has to play for Pride this week, as 2 loses in a row would make a real big statement.
Comment by Football Bob — November 16th, 2009 @ 12:58 pm
Part of being an elite team is the ability to remain focused for your entire schedule. The ability to get up for each game and show you are the better team, instead of just bragging about it on the internet.
Great teams go undefeated in high school football. You only play 13 games max. And even the teams with the toughest schedules have at least 4 easy games. And most teams have more than that.
Bottom line: if you think you are the best team in the state, go out and prove it every week by winning. Don’t lose and then tell everybody how hard your schedule was.
Comment by the rock — November 16th, 2009 @ 1:23 pm
I think Conard (West Hartford) is a great football team. Class L is stacked this year.
Comment by MasukRules — November 16th, 2009 @ 2:35 pm
I think the rock isn’t familiar with SCC fans when he said, “Don’t lose and then tell everybody how hard your schedule was.” That is as much an annual occurrence in the fall as leaves changing color.
Comment by MasukRules — November 16th, 2009 @ 2:41 pm
Football Bob – you may want to try the soccer blog. Staples doesn’t play NC this year – its Greenwich next week. They also have one of the best rushing offenses in the state.
Rock – well put. Those who’ve lost complain about other’s schedules. All will be settled in the next week and a half.
Comment by PatPatriot — November 16th, 2009 @ 2:56 pm
I rarely post and always add the disclaimer: I am from Texas, I moved her awhile back and LOVE High School football. I think that the system that you guys have here is crazy and makes little sense. But I love the game and go to as many games a year as I can go to. I have seen about 25 games this season. Here is my take:
Glastonbury is the best team that I have seen this year. I saw them twice and they dominated. Their QB is a monster. They will go undefeated and win the LL. The only team that I think can beat them would be Xavier in a physical game.
Central is amazingly athletic but a little undisciplined, Staples will beat them. Staples is a legit #2. They will win out but lose to Glastonbury.
Masuk keeps getting better but they are young. They maybe just cocky enough, or not know any better, and just keep winning. But I don’t think so. They lose to Pomperaug on Thursday in a close mid scoring game….24-21.
Pomperaug always seems to build a team not a program. They have a great team. Good enough to beat everyone, and they will, and win the L.
Simsbury loses to Glastonbury. Simsbury out, ND West Haven in. Unless ND loses to Hamden…and that could happen. ND Westhaven is really good, but that’s it, really good. Pomperaug will beat them if they stay in.
New Canaan still wins the MM. They are also really good, and a little lucky. No competition in the MM for them.
Saw New London, they looked good. Saw Bethel, they looked really good, I think that Bethel upsets New London and wins the M.
Cross beats Wolcott. Wolcott out, St. Joe’s in. St. Joe’s wins the SS over Cross, suprisngly easily.
Ansonia has gotten it together. After all of the crying about Brocket, he brings home a Championship in the S.
All that said….today it is:
Glastonbury
Staples
Pomperaug
Masuk
Central
ND West
Thats today. It will be different by Friday!
By the way, I live in Shelton. That is the team that I follow the closest, but don’t really have a rooting interest.
Comment by No Axe To Grind — November 16th, 2009 @ 2:58 pm
My vote is Glastonbury. they are the defending class LL champs and are undefeated. Ray, I would vote for Xaviar 1 and NDWH 2 being an SCC guy but since we are invoking a one loss and you can’t be number 1 rule I have to go with the tomahawks. The SCC teams will have to win out and wait for the final poll.
Comment by Dave k — November 16th, 2009 @ 6:25 pm
No axe to Grind, Have you seen any of the other teams in MM. I’m just curious if NC is going to blow everybody out?
Comment by John D — November 16th, 2009 @ 7:04 pm
Arguing who is number one in week nine is fun, but what’s even better is that we’ll actually get to see alot of these teams in question play against each other. There are some great contest left, I can’t wait!
Comment by John D — November 16th, 2009 @ 7:09 pm
A lot will be said once this Thursday & Friday night Title games are played.The only team in question will be Glastonbury.
Comment by PBL — November 16th, 2009 @ 7:57 pm
davek–what about your shelton gaels?
Comment by ray brown — November 16th, 2009 @ 7:58 pm
No Axe to Grind,
I agree this is a crazy system, and doesn’t make much sense to me, either…I’m curious how they do it in Texas?…Texas, along with Florida, and California are like the High School football capitals of the USA…It would be interesting to learn a different state’s method of determining who makes the playoffs…
Comment by ghsgrandpa — November 16th, 2009 @ 8:44 pm
PBL, Glastonbury will be tested by Simsbury, that will be a big game!
Comment by John D — November 16th, 2009 @ 8:45 pm
Darien and NC posses a lot of questions. What a great rivalary! SPB, what game are you going to for Turkey day, or do you just bounce around?
Comment by John D — November 16th, 2009 @ 8:46 pm
I have no clue where I’m going on Thanksgiving. I can only go to one game.
Comment by Sean Patrick Bowley — November 16th, 2009 @ 10:41 pm
And finally: They determine the state playoffs in Texas the same way they do it in 95 percent of America:
Everybody is grouped into classes, like us. Then those classes are divided into regional “sections.” Then those sections are divided into districts of anywhere between 5 or 6 games. You play a few out-of-league games to start the year, then get into your District schedule. Whoever wins the district qualifies for the playoffs (sometimes the runner-up qualifies, too).
The playoffs are usually monstrous affairs that begin in November and continue well into December. First, between two and four games determine the sectional champion. Then (give or take a round depending on the size of the state) the sectional champions play down with quarterfinals, semifinals and the championship.
Comment by Sean Patrick Bowley — November 16th, 2009 @ 10:46 pm
No system is without its loopholes and quirks: this year Plano (5A – largest division in TX, city north of Dallas) made the playoffs with a 5-6 overall record. How? Like in the NFL, they won their division!
Plano plays this week at Trinity-Euless. BTW, that is the team with a lot of students of Polynesian descent and they do the Haka warrior dance before the game. Search “Trinity-Euless haka” if you have never seen it!
I know a little about TX football and quite a bit about the WPIAL in Western Pennsylvania… Pittsburgh area. There the tournament is a 16 team bracket for each class, finals played at Heinz Field, and then the winners advance to the Pennsylvania state playoffs! Big time stuff…
Comment by FauxRealism — November 16th, 2009 @ 11:09 pm
John D. I have not seen Vinal Tech play. I did go to the East Lyme-Fitch game. East Lyme has a really good defence but they are weak on the offensive side of the ball. They are a good team, but not near the calibur New Canaan. Same goes for St. Paul. A good team, but wont even be in the game with New Canaan. New Canaan will make the teams in the MM look like Masuk did last year in the L. All routs.
SPB is very correct about Texas football. Their State tournament is huge affair that lasts 3 weeks. A lot more teams qualify because there are alot more schools. Your State tournament is like our Sectionals, so more teams get a chance to advance and the better teams can move on, even if they lost a game or two along the way.
FauxRealism is right, no system is perfect, however a slip like Central’s this year vs. Trumbull rarely eliminates a team in Texas.
Comment by No Axe To Grind — November 17th, 2009 @ 8:25 am
Gotta love someone who takes time out of their day to single out a 9-0 team and call them soccer players but doesn’t take the time to spell the school’s name right.
Go Hawks. The class S school playing in MM is having a great year. Not a single player on that team will say they deserve to be in the top ten let alone the top team in the state. But I can promise you that not a single team in the state works harder than the kids from Durham & Middlefield. Get a life and go hate on someone else.
Comment by Who names their kid Clyde? — November 17th, 2009 @ 7:02 pm
Who, all love for Vinal it’s a great story and I wish them the best, but they are an MM school, the numbers don’t lie
Comment by John d — November 17th, 2009 @ 7:20 pm
John,
It takes till you get four deep on the V/C depth chart to find a player who isn’t from Durham/Middlefield (the Regional School District served by Coginchaug Regional High School). Coginchaug is smaller than its Shoreline/Pequot rivals such as Cromwell, Morgan, North Branford, HK, etc.
I’d wager they’ll do as well in MM as New Canaan or East Lyme would do in LL.
Comment by Who names their kid Clyde? — November 17th, 2009 @ 8:04 pm
anybody got any info about bloomfields qb denzell jones? fFrom what i know 6″5 2 sporth athlete d 1 recruit.i actually know his family fairly well,im gonna get some more info later,his father is boss at wzmx hot 93.7 in farmington,great guy
Comment by theruler — November 18th, 2009 @ 11:08 am
It would make sense to have league affiliations according to class with one or two outside games against long standing rivals. The winners from every division would be invited to the playoffs with the higher seeds hosting home games and the final played at a neutral site.
Comment by greendragon84 — November 18th, 2009 @ 1:08 pm