The votes have been cast, the decision made.

It’s Xavier.

By a nosehair.

The Falcons earned the No. 1 spot in the New Haven Register’s Top 10 Poll today, earning 14 first place votes and 700 points to beat Masuk in the court of public opinion.

Masuk received 10 first-place votes (including mine) and finished with 692 points.

First place votes are 30 points each. Second place votes are 28 each.

New Canaan, St. Joseph, Trumbull, Hillhouse, Glastonbury, Hand, Ansonia and Norwich Free Academy rounded out the Top 10.

In the other two polls … Xavier edged Masuk by a mere two points in the Day of New London Coaches Poll.

But Masuk did managed to salvage No. 1 the Connecticut Sports Writers Alliance poll.

Here’s the final poll tallies.

NHR STATE MEDIA POLL

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Day of New London Coaches Poll

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CONNECTICUT SPORTS WRITERS ALLIANCE

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Colin Markus bulls through New Canaan during the Class L championship game Saturday. Masuk won 50-20 and was voted No. 2 in the state writers' poll.

Some final thoughts on this:

I voted for Masuk, No. 1. Because it was one of the most complete, most dominant, and flawless teams I’ve seen in this state during the 10 years I’ve been covering football here.

I saw Masuk seven times this season, and they amazed me every time.

Offense, defense, special teams. Opponents, including two of the FCIAC’s best teams, threw everything they had at the Panthers.  And the closest they could get was 23-20 at halftime in the

Class L championship game. None of Masuk’s second halves were even remotely close. What they might have lacked in size (compared to Xavier), they made up with speed, discipline and flat-out talent.

Masuk trailed just three times this season, only twice in the playoffs (early to Bristol Eastern). It racked up the most

yards, allowed the fewest points, and thoroughly demoralized teams with big plays on offense and defense.

Casey Cochran was the best QB in the state (with St. Joseph’s Joe Della Vecchia a close second). Few teams ever touched him, thanks to his offensive line. His receivers were some of the best in the state.

The defense was one of the best in the state, right up there with Xavier. They pressured, they swarmed, they created countless turnovers and actually contributed to Masuk’s 638 total points with at least one touchdown a game.

And then the special teams. Jon Testani kicked 54 touchbacks this year, pinning opponents at and around the 20-yard line each time. He kicked field goals and boomed punts. Joe Diaz was an incredible kick returner.

No team this year could leave a Masuk game and legitimately say they had a chance to win except, maybe, New Canaan. But Masuk had been bleeding the four-time defending state champions to death until Kevin Macari, one of the state’s top 5 football players, heroically put the dying team on his back. In the second half, after a couple of adjustments, Masuk continued its typical course.

Six sacks, three interceptions, negative-51 yards rushing (negative-2 if you discount the sacks), 29 total yards in the second half against one of the state’s best offenses.

And this was against New Canaan. Four-time defending state champion New Canaan.

You really had to see Masuk in person to gain an appreciation of how good the Panthers were.

I realized just how good it could be the day Masuk scrimmaged Shelton in the preseason. It wasn’t the result – which I believe was 1 score vs. 0. They were without RB Colin Markus and still adjusting the offense. The timing routes were off, Casey Cochran wasn’t on his game yet.

But it was the defense, coached by Chris Gueli … yow, was it good.

Once the season started, and you saw how this team hit and how it smothered opponents, how it scored almost at will — in all three phases of the game — and how put most teams away before the second half kickoff.

After watching teams from all over the SCC, SWC, NVL and FCIAC this season (40 games in all 42 teams) I soon realized nobody was touching this group. When the season was over and I looked back at the wreckage, I could say it was one of the most complete football teams I’ve seen in 10 years.

Xavier might have been just as good, but very different. It was a team that relied on its brute strength, intimidation and big plays to wear down all comers in the SCC — which I believe is the most competitive league in the state because of its proactive scheduling.

Xavier had a college-sized front, tough and aggressive linebackers and defensive backs and a brick walls linemen. It was old school, using its strength to just pound teams into submission. And when the Falcons needed a big play, they always seemed to get it.

Xavier won every week because no team it played could match it physically, and that made it a damn good football team.

My problem with Xavier is this: It far too often shot itself in the foot, many times not of the opponents’ doing, and let lesser teams hang around instead of running them out of the building, like they could have.

Still… I love the SCC, I think it’s the most competitive league in the state. Every week is a big game and teams in the SCC make each other better. Coming out of the SCC 10-0 and then winning a state championship is an impressive, impressive feat.

Their No. 1 ranking is well deserved.

I saw Xavier four times, I saw Masuk seven times.

Personally, putting the two teams together in my head I still think Masuk was better.

And that’s how I voted: Masuk, No. 1.

In my 10 years covering high school football, I’ve come to a couple of conclusions. Excellent teams are excellent teams. Any team that goes 13-0 and wins a state championship is an awesome team. And I also believe the league-vs.-league comparisons, while useful sometimes, can be misleading. It should never be X team plays in a better conference, therefore it’s better than Y.

In 2004, Branford came into the Class MM championship game as a heavy favorite over Pomperaug. There was no way, we said (me included), an SWC team could matchup with a battle-tested team from the SCC (Branford was Division II, but handily beat both Shelton and Fairfield Prep). I was wrong. Pomperaug 35, Branford 7.

In an even better example, in the 2006 Class L title game we all thought two-time defending state champion Staples, out of the mighty FCIAC and a team coming off a 24-7 beat down of West Haven in the semifinals, would wipe the floor with poor-little Bunnell out of the SWC – a team that just barely got into the state playoffs after losing to Stratford 40-8.

Wrong again: Bunnell 28, Staples 26

I learned a valuable lesson that evening at Ken Strong Stadium. Your premonitions are never as good as you think. They’re never as bad as you think. Great teams are great teams.

Masuk’s location in an too-often disregarded league killed them in the eyes of those beyond this region. Masuk was product of their schedule. They won big because the other teams were weak. They couldn’t possibly do that in the SCC or FCIAC.

A few SCC coaches said under their breath that Masuk wouldn’t amount to jack in their mighty league and couldn’t dominate the playoffs like they did the regular season. I actually had one SCC coach scoff at me when I said the Masuk would beat New Canaan by at least two touchdowns in the state title game.

“What?” he said. “No way. Not against New Canaan.”

We were both wrong: Masuk won by four touchdowns.

The next day, the same SCC coach apologized: “I was wrong. I’m awestruck.”

To be dismissive of Masuk solely because of where they come from is wrong, and in my opinion, ignorant unless you watched them, live and up close. What they did to two of the best teams in the FCIAC was incredible: Masuk 91, FCIAC 20.

And didn’t New Canaan just beat up the SCC’s second best team to get to the title game?

It wasn’t proof, just validation for me as I cast my final vote.

The bottom line is this: These were two excellent football teams. A majority of voters believe it was Xavier.

I disagreed. I think I’ve seen enough teams and enough games this year to have an educated opinion on the matter.

But of course, nobody’s really wrong. Nobody’s really right. There’s no clear-cut pick. Both teams won state championships Both were fabulous teams in their own way.

And, like the Ansonia-Greenwich debate from 2007 (I voted Ansonia), we’ll never know the answer.

So stand proud, hold that championship trophy high, and show off your rings for the rest of your lives.

No votes can take away your State Championship.

Let the debate begin… or at least continue for a few more days.

Masuk shook off a dicey second quarter, in which it relinquished two long pass touchdowns to Kevin Macari and allowed 20 points,

and got back to work in the second half with a dominant effort — just 29 total offense allowed — and an eventual 50-20 victory over the four-time defending state champion New Canaan.

Here are more opinions on the state champions’ performance vs the once four-time defending champs.

Ruden: New Canaan gets hammered by Masuk

Elsberry: Defense does it for Masuk in second half

A few of the state voters attending last night’s Xavier-Trumbull Class LL final — won 24-13 by Xavier – anointed the Falcons the top team in the state, regardless of today’s finals. But will the majority follow their lead? That was the question last night and it remains the question right now, with the confetti still unsettled from Masuk’s victory.

We wonder what you think? Did Masuk do enough to snatch the top spot?

Columnist Kevin Duffy of the NewsTimes thinks so.

Meanwhile, in an even better story, St. Joseph survived a absolutely heroic effort by back Montrell Dobbs and won its second-consecutive state championship, 49-28.

The season’s over. But we’re far from done.

Videos and highlights from both our regional state championship games coming Sunday.

ADD Sunday: We’re just about ready to start adding videos. Masuk-New Canaan up first.

And, how’d I forget to put this to a vote?

We start with the carnage up at Rentschler Field for the Class LL championship game.

Xavier, top-ranked and unbeaten Xavier, made a strong case for holding on to its No. 1 ranking with a thunderous 24-13 victory over Trumbull in the Class LL state championship game.

Mike Mastroianni ran for 279 yards and two touchdowns, Pat D’Amato and Kosi Broderick hooked up four times for 162 yards and a touchdown, and the Xavier defense held Trumbull to 26 yards rushing and intercepted three passes en route to its second straight championship.

Xavier’s offensive and defensive lines were the show. That’s all Trumbull could talk about afterward, leading to this great quote from Trumbull junior FB/RB Don Cherry (who had himself a fine day in defeat with 15 tackles and a touchdown), “”If you were out there you’d see that they move like robots. They all move in sync. It was tough dealing with those almost robotic linemen. …They were the best line we’ve seen all year.”

So Xavier stated it’s case emphatically, “I think we made a pretty good statement about that tonight,” coach Sean Marinan said.

He was joined by many (perhaps all) of the SCC aficionados and cheerleaders, who joined Xavier in wagging their index fingers into the air and in cyberspace.

Still three more to go, particularly the one game that may (or may not) have an effect on the No. 1 vote: The Class L championship game between New Canaan and Masuk. That kicks off at 3 p.m. today.

It’s preceded by the Class M final between Hillhouse and New London at 11 a.m. and proceeded by the Class S championship between St. Joseph and Ansonia at 7 p.m.

Live Blog is Below. Share with us your thoughts on all of Friday’s and Saturday’s action during and after the games.

Apologies for last night’s live broadcasts. I misspoke that the games would be shown on video feeds. Only audio was available (and even that apparently shorted out). I’m sure they’ll give it another shot. You can  listen to the games and watch the live blog here .

If that doesn’t work, you can also catch “The Coach” George DeMaio and Nick Aprea, who will take you through all of the remaining action on WELI 960-AM (weli.com).

Or you can watch the CIAC’s live stat tracker here: Class M | Class L | Class S

<a href=”http://www.coveritlive.com/mobile.php/option=com_mobile/task=viewaltcast/altcast_code=0e4167a1bf” mce_href=”http://www.coveritlive.com/mobile.php/option=com_mobile/task=viewaltcast/altcast_code=0e4167a1bf” >High School Football Live Scoring Updates</a>

Tonight, we begin.

Tonight the first high school football teams will make their final preparations, pack up their equipment, load up their buses and settle in for the ride up to Rentschler Field in East Hartford for the first of four state championship games.

Trumbull (11-2) and Xavier (12-0) face off in the Class LL title game tonight at what is expected to be a frigid, but snow-free championship game.

Tomorrow, we kick off at 11 a.m. with Class M, followed by our first dream final in Class L and then wrap it all up with our second dream final in Class S.

Without question, we can say these teams are the best of the best. Unlike previous years, we know there aren’t any deserving teams sitting home. We’ve whittled away the pretenders, leaving only the contenders to duke it out for a coveted state championship in one of this state’s finest football facilities.

This might be the best CIAC state championship round since the tournament’s inception 34 years ago. Those who wear the crowns this season can truly say they are among the elite.

In the post below, we go in-depth to all four state championship games and pick our winners. If you haven’t picked yours, you may do so below each capsule. Give us your picks, tell us your reasons.

At right is our video player, with interviews from many of the championship game participants. We’ll continue to add new videos throughout the day and into tomorrow, so keep checking back for interviews and highlights.

Here’s a running list of stories and previews written by the staff of Connecticut Post and Stamford Advocate in advance of the title games:

• Schools get in the spirit of CIAC championships
• Trumbull looks to make most of Class LL final vs. No. 1 Xavier
• Ansonia, St. Joseph a battle of high-powered offenses
• Family Feud: New Canaan’s Shullman, Masuk’s Duigan finally meet on a football field
• RUDEN: New Canaan has few peers in Connecticut football
• State finalists eager to play at Rentschler

Then either bundle up and head to Rentschler for the title bouts. Or you can choose to stay home, plug your computer into your TV and watch the games and the live blog here courtesy of Sportingnewsct.com and Birdseyesports.com.

Or you can let “The Coach” George DeMaio and Nick Aprea take you through the action on WELI 960-AM (weli.com).

And, finally, a quick poll before we get started, because we’re so curious.

If you can’t watch the games live for whatever reason (technical difficulties hampered our efforts in the semifinals) you can always stay on top of the action on the trusty live blog:

Class LL

No. 3 Trumbull vs. No. 1 Xavier

WHERE — Rentschler Field, East Hartford
WHEN — Friday, 7 ; TICKETS – $10
ON THE AIR — WELI 960-AM; Sportingnewsct.com
COACHES — Trumbull: Bob Maffei (13th year, 97-31); Xavier: Sean Marinan (9th year, 65-32-2).
RECORDS — Trumbull 11-2 (FCIAC runner-up); Xavier 12-0 (SCC Division I West champion)
HOW THEY GOT HERE – Trumbull defeated Conard 27-9 in quarterfinals, defeated NFA 21-6 in semifinals; Xavier defeated West Haven 28-7 in quarterfinals; defeated Glastonbury 24-13 in semifinals.
STATE TITLES — Trumbull (3): 1978-LL, 1985-LI, 1986-LI. Xavier (1): 2005-LL.
TOP PLAYERS — Trumbull: Sr. WR/DB/KR Phil Terio; Sr. QB/DB Ian Milne; Jr. FB/LB Don Cherry; Sr. FB/LB Matt Lena; Sr. OL/DL Brian Barnash (6-0, 215); Sr. C Joe Riehl (6-0, 220); Sr. QB Brian Gallo; Sr. WR/DE Tom Pauciello (6-6, 235); Sr. G/DT Will Testani (5-10, 240); Sr. DT Ryan Monaco (5-11, 212); Xavier: Sr. LB/TE Graham Stewart (6-1, 220); Sr. TE/DE Eric Mischke (6-3, 230); Jr. FB/LB Mike Mastroianni (1,500+ yards rushing); Sr. LB Austen Ahern; Jr. WR/CB Ryan Jacobucci; Jr. TE/SS Ryan Murphy (6-2, 193); Jr. G/NG Austin Wezneski (6-1, 220); Jr. G/DE Sean Marinan (6-1, 220); Jr. QB/FS/WR Pat D’Amato.
WORTH NOTING — Xavier averages 27.8 points scored, 8.6 points allowed. … Trumbull averages 28.6 points scored, 12.8 allowed. … Xavier has been ranked No. 1 in the New Haven Register media poll for 13 consecutive weeks since defeating No. 1 Notre Dame-WH 22-15 in Week 1. … Stewart is committed to Boston College. … This is Trumbull’s first trip to the playoffs since 2005, when it lost to Xavier 20-7 in the Class LL semifinals. … Trumbull claims a fourth state title, in 1980 when it finished 10-0 and was voted No. 1 in the state despite not qualifying for the Class LL final.
OUTLOOK — Armed with a new offense and a dedicated class of seniors, Trumbull is back in the state championship game for the first time since Jerry McDougall retired after 1997. The Eagles face a formidable foe in top-ranked and unbeaten Xavier. The Falcons are big, fast and physical. Its defensive line is a brick wall, allowing talented linebackers led by Stewart and Ahern and the strong secondary to roam free and cause havoc. It will try to pressure and intimidate Trumbull’s backs and receivers. Offensively, Xavier is old school. It pounds Mastroianni behind a massive line, mixing in timely passes from emerging QB Boyle to receivers Murphy and Stewart. The offense has been mistake prone at times, but has gradually improved. Trumbull isn’t as big, but no team has intimidated the Eagles all year. They must match Xavier’s intensity, keep its playmakers out of the backfield, play focused and mistake free to pull the upset. Most important, Trumbull can’t squander any of the few scoring chances it gets.
OUR PICK–Xavier 22, Trumbull 14

Class L

No. 6 New Canaan vs. No. 1 Masuk

WHERE – Rentschler Field, East Hartford
WHEN – Saturday, 3; TICKETS – $10
ON THE AIR — WELI 960-AM; Sportingnewsct.com
COACHES – New Canaan: Lou Marinelli (30^th year, 244-83-7); Masuk: John Murphy (14^th year, 136-31-1)
RECORDS – New Canaan 11-1; Masuk 12-0 (SWC Champions)
HOW THEY GOT HERE – New Canaan: def. Naugatuck 21-12 in QF, def. Hand 39-21 in SF; Masuk: def. Bristol Eastern 49-23 in QF, def. Darien 41-0 in SF.
STATE TITLES – New Canaan (8): 1982-LII, 1993-M, 2001-M, 2002-M, 2006-MM, 2007-MM, 2008-MM, 2009-MM. Masuk (2): 1998-L, 2008-L.
TOP PLAYERS – New Canaan: Sr. WR/DB/KR Kevin Macari (50 catches, 1,065 yards, 18 TDs); Sr. QB Matt Milano (2,766 yards, 39 TD passing); Sr. TE/DE Connor Kilbane; Sr. OL/DL Conor Hanratty (6-5, 310); Sr. RB/DB Joe Costigan; Sr. NG Ryan Schullman (12 sacks); Sr. OL/DL Jack Atchue (6-6, 280); Sr. Masuk: Sr. WR/DB/K Jon Testani (5 TDs, 3 FG, 5 INT, 53 touchbacks); Jr. QB Casey Cochran (3,036 yards, 37 TD, 7 INT passing); Jr. RB Colin Markus (1,362 yards rushing, 22 TDs); Soph. WR Tom Milone (40 catches, 877 yards, 9 TD); Sr. WR Tyler Perimenis (644 yards, 9 TDs receiving); Sr. WR/S/KR Joe Diaz; Jr. DB Shawn Flynn; Sr. LB Anthony Calabrese; Jr. LB Matt Duigan; Sr. DL Tim Allen (6-1, 230 – 7 sacks); Sr. OL Dan Minardi (6-3, 280); Sr. OL Evan Kollmann (6-0, 210).
WORTH NOTING – New Canaan is 56-5 with four straight state championships since 2006. …The Rams have won titles with four different QBs. …Masuk’s Cochran is the 2010 Gatorade Player of the year. …New Canaan averages 40 points scored and 13 points allowed per game. …Masuk has scored a state-best 588 points, and allowed a state-lowest 86. …Masuk’s has 39 sacks, and forced 35 turnovers (16 interceptions, 19 fumbles). …New Canaan has made a state-best 41 sacks.
OUTLOOK — Masuk is one victory away from completing its best season in school history. Led by Cochran and his quick-strike offense, an aggressive defense and superhuman kicking from Testani, Masuk has crushed everyone in its path by an average score of 49-7, including a 41-0 rout of FCIAC champion Darien in the semifinals. Standing in their way is their toughest opponent yet, four-time defending state champion New Canaan, which is practically Masuk’s mirror image. The Rams, armed with an all-purpose threat in Macari a flawless QB in Milano and an underrated defense, can be just as potent. New Canaan fell just one point short of an unbeaten regular season and won’t go down lightly, if at all. Given Testani’s uncanny knack for kicking touchbacks, New Canaan will have to somehow force punts and turnovers, shorten the field and put Masuk’s defense to work. That’s easier said than done. As good as the Rams are, Masuk looks like the total package.
OUR PICK – Masuk 38-28

Class M

No. 8 Hillhouse vs. No. 2 New London

WHERE – Rentschler Field, East Hartford
WHEN – Saturday, 11 a.m.
TICKETS – $10
ON THE AIR — WELI 960-AM; Sportingnewsct.com
COACHES – Hillhouse: Tom Dyer (4^th year, 32-12); New London: Jeff Larson (2^nd year, 20-3)
RECORDS – Hillhouse 9-3; New London 10-2
HOW THEY GOT HERE – Hillhouse: def. Berlin 33-30, def. Gilbert/Northwestern 42-14; New London: def. Platt 53-14; def. Brookfield 30-12.
CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY – Hillhouse (3-1): 1985-MI, 2002-SS, 2006-M. New London (5-5): 1983-MII, 1989-SS; 1991-S, 1992-S, 2005-S, 2007-SS.
TOP PLAYERS – Hillhouse: Fresh. RB Harold Cooper (1,254 yards rushing, 13 TD); Sr. RB/LB Taurese Washington (511 yards, 9 TDs rushing); Sr. WR/DB/K Steven Dejournett (279 yards receiving, 3 INT); Sr. OL/DL Tyvon Williams (6-0, 365); Soph. QB Je’Vaughn Moore. New London: Sr. QB Josh Clements (1,400 yards, 20 TDs); Jr. RB/DB Jevon Elmore; Jr. RB/LB Kyle McKinnon (1,056 yards rushing, 15 TD); Sr. FB/LB Stefan Dance (9.1 tackles/gm; Jr. WR/DB Garrick McQueen; Sr. LB Carlos Lozada.
WORTH NOTING –Hillhouse is playing in its second state final in three years under Dyer. …New London is playing in its fourth final in six years, the first under Larson. …Hillhouse averages 24.5 points per game, and allows 15.6 points per game …New London averages 34 points per game, and allows 12 points per game. …The Whalers won eight straight during the season, its only losses were to Montville in the season opener and NFA on Thanksgiving.
OUTLOOK — A tournament once referred to as Berlin invitation will now be won by one of these two proud city programs. Hillhouse is the most unlikely of the two, having gone 7-3 in the regular season with a team that starts a freshman RB and sophomore QB. But here the Acs are, having upset Berlin 33-30 in the quarterfinals and rolling through Gilbert/Northwester. Their opponent, a talented New London squad making up for last year’s upset loss to Bethel. Both teams have speed, although Hillhouse might be the larger of the two. New London might be the more dynamic and more experienced.
OUR PICK – New London 28, Hillhouse 18

Class S

No. 4 St. Joseph vs. No. 3 Ansonia

WHERE — Rentschler Field, East Hartford
WHEN – Saturday, 7; TICKETS — $10
ON THE AIR — WELI 960-AM; Sportingnewsct.com
COACHES–St. Joseph: Joe Della Vecchia (13th year, 68-69); Ansonia: Tom Brockett (5th year, 57-6)
RECORDS–St. Joseph (9-3), Ansonia (11-1, NVL runner-up).
HOW THEY GOT HERE–St. Joseph: def. Woodland 42-12; def. Valley Regional 44-7. Ansonia: def. Hyde 47-26; def. Montville 46-15.
STATE TITLES — St. Joseph (9): 1980-S, 1981-SI, 1982-SI, 1983-SI, 1984-SI, 1988-M, 1989-M, 1990-M, 2009-SS. Ansonia (16): 1976-S, 1977-S, 1979-M, 1981-SII, 1982-SII, 1983-SII, 1984-SII, 1987-S, 1988-S, 1989-S, 1994-SS, 1995-S, 2002-S, 2003-S, 2006-S, 2007-S.
TOP PLAYERS–St. Joseph: Sr. FB/LB Tyler Matakevich; Sr. QB Joe Della Vecchia (2,864 yards, 35 TD passing, 586 yards rushing, 5 TD); Sr. RB/DB Jerry Kramer (625 yards, 5 TDs receiving); Sr. WR/DB Quinn Irwin (616 yards, 5 TD receiving); Sr. WR/DB Joe Burns; Sr. WR/DB Pat Mulligan (867 yards, 12 TDs receiving); Sr. RB/LB L.J. Hunt (881 yards rushing, 5 TD); Sr. LB Sean Chinova; Sr. G/DL Nick Adzima (6-1, 254). Ansonia: Sr. RB Montrell Dobbs (354 carries, 3,140 yards rushing, 42 TDs); Jr. QB Eliot Chudwick (884 yards, 22 TD passing); Fr. RB/DB Arkeel Newsome (787 yards, 12 TDs rushing); Jr. TE/DE Sean Rowley; Jr. LB Tyler Wood; Soph. WR/DE Andrew Matos (7 TDs).
WORTH NOTING–St. Joseph leads the state in total offense, with 424 yards per game. …The Hogs have won 8 of 9 games going into the championship. … Ansonia leads the state in rushing with 329 yards per game. … Dobbs’ season rushing totals are the second best in Connecticut history (Ansonia’s Alex Thomas had 3,596 in 2007), his season total touchdowns (42) is tied for second best in state history and his career rushing total of 5,166 yards is fifth best in state history. … Dobbs has run for over 300 yards six times this year.
OUTLOOK–Perhaps no player has done more for his team than Ansonia back Montrell Dobbs. The team’s only senior, Dobbs has led an assault on the state record books, leading the Chargers into their record 24th state championship game. He’s carried this young club on his back. Then again, so has St. Joseph’s versatile QB Della Vecchia, who kept the Hogs afloat while injured starters and stars became healthy enough to return. Since starting the season 1-2, St. Joseph has put up big numbers on its way to its second straight state title game. Prone to teams who can run the ball, St. Joseph’s defense will have its hands full trying to stop Dobbs. Same goes for Ansonia’s defense, which has allowed 21.8 points per game this season. It will have to contend not only with Della Vecchia and his corps of receivers, but big backs Matakevich and Hunt as well. Dobbs figures to get his yards (and touchdowns), but so will St. Joseph. Look for a shootout in this dream matchup between two powerful local programs and a second consecutive title for the Hogs.
OUR PICK–St. Joseph 35, Ansonia 26

Check out the video player at right for interviews from all of our regional championship game participants.

We’re updating this player all day, every day until the finals. Use the scrollbar to cycle down. Also embedded into the video player are all our completed videos throughout the 2010 season.

Currently uploaded: From Class LL, interviews with Trumbull’s Ian Milne, Phil Terio, and coach Bob Maffei. Xavier’s Mike Mastroianni and Eric Mischke.

From Class L, interviews with Masuk’s Anthony Calabrese, Jon Testani, Colin Markus and coach John Murphy.

We’re adding New Canaan interviews sporadically throughout the day. St. Joseph and Ansonia interviews after that.

So enjoy.

You can also find these on our high school football page.

Xavier (left) and Masuk (right) are the two only remaining undefeated football teams in Connecticut. If they both win their championship games, who would deserve to be called No. 1 by the state voters?

Just three more days before the kick off of the CIAC football championship round at Rentschler Field. Three more days before we find out who the best four teams in the state will be.

On Friday night at Rentschler, FCIAC runner-up Trumbull (11-2) takes on top-ranked and undefeated Xavier of Middletown (12-0).

On Saturday we play three. At 11 a.m., it’s New London (10-2) vs. Hillhouse (9-3). At 3 p.m., New Canaan (11-1) plays Masuk. At 7 p.m., St. Joseph (9-3) takes on Ansonia (11-1).

After all the games are played, and we get to look back at the season the voters in the state media and among some select coaches will cast their votes for the best team in Connecticut.

Who will be No. 1?

There are two unbeaten teams remaining in the state, who stand to be considered if they win their championship game.

Will it be Xavier, which has answered every challenge in the  rugged Southern Connecticut Conference Division 1, winning by an average margin of 28-9 against the likes of Notre Dame-WH, Cheshire, Shelton and West Haven?

Will it be Masuk, which hails from the oftentimes less-regarded South-West Conference, but has crushed every opponent it’s faced by an average score of 49-7 — including Class M semifinalist Brookfield, Newtown, Bristol Eastern and FCIAC champion Darien?

Or will it be New Canaan, on the chance that it defeats Masuk and Xavier defeats Trumbull?

We actually had a pretty intense debate about this on Twitter the other day. And again at the state championship luncheon at Rentschler Field.

There are those who believe that Xavier, without question, deserves No. 1 if it defeats Trumbull on Friday. There are others who believe Masuk is the more deserving if it defeats New Canaan.

There’s lots to consider and each voter is unique in what he or she looks at when deciding their No. 1 vote.

What do you think?

Who would you choose No. 1 if both these teams finished unbeaten?

Here’s are the resumes of both Xavier and Masuk, the two unbeaten teams.

We’ll skip New Canaan for now, seeing that the Rams would probably need Xavier to lose, too, to be considered (or … can anyone make the case the Rams deserve the trophy merely for winning? How about Ansonia or Trumbull or…?)

XAVIER (12-0)
Points scored: 333 (27.8 per game). Points against: 103 (8.6 per game).
Victories: at Notre Dame-WH (7-3), 22-15 | Foran (5-5), 37-0 | at Cheshire (5-5), 9-6 | at Amity (4-6) 41-7 | Fairfield Prep (3-7), 34-0 | Shelton (6-4), 14-7 | at Hillhouse (9-3, in Class M final), 9-6 | Hamden (0-10) 46-0 | West Haven (8-3) 42-28 | vs. Middletown (7-3), 27-14. Playoffs: West Haven 28-7 | vs. Glastonbury (10-2), 24-13.

MASUK (12-0)
Points scored: 588 (49.0). Points against: 86 (7.2 per game)
Resume: New Milford (2-8), 49-7 | at Pomperaug (8-2), 42-0 | at New Fairfield (3-7) | Brookfield (9-3, Class M semifinalist), 49-7 | at Bunnell (7-3), 45-0 | at Weston (6-4), 56-7 | Bethel (6-4), 45-0 | Oxford (5-5), 69-28 | at Immaculate (0-10), 54-14 | at Newtown (8-2), 42-0. Playoffs: Bristol Eastern (9-2), 49-23 | Darien (11-1), 42-0.

Of course, you can’t look at just final scores. You really have to immerse yourself in the team’s entire season. How did they win, what happened, who did they play, etc…

Anyway, understanding that this is a decidedly pro-Masuk region (although I do understand we have plenty of Xavier fans/parents/coaches who visit and maybe partake in our discussions here), we turn the debate over to you fine folks.

As always, keep it civil and understand that, since we won’t see these teams do battle on the field, there’s no right and wrong just opinion.

Awright? Have at it…

Coach Tom Dyer (center) and the Hillhouse football players gaze out onto Rentschler Field during the CIAC football luncheon Monday.

Rentschler Field, five days before the first CIAC state championship game. CIAC Executive Director Paul Hoey said the field's grounds crew was busy resodding the field (that's fertilizer sprinkled across the surface) and by game time, "it will be the best grass field you've ever played on."

Here are the dates and times for the four high school football state championships at Rentschler Field, announced Monday morning at the annual CIAC football championship luncheon in East Hartford.

After years spent at CIAC headquarters in Cheshire, and then two years at banquet halls in Simsbury and Southington, this was the first time the annual luncheon was actually held at the title game site.

This gathering felt significantly different than all the others.

The Rentschler Field’s luxury boxes and dining pavilion overlooking the field was a first-class setting for the elite eight teams and coaches. Heck, they even had a first-class speaker: former NFL and University of Notre Dame quarterback Joe Theismann.

You could feel the anticipation and anticipation hanging in the air, ready to be plucked from the tree and devoured by the players.

They walked up to and inside the stadium, wide eyed, some of them speechless. They took turns sitting in the suite’s stands, gazing down at their soon-to-be championship stage.

Sure the field looked beat up after hosting two football seasons (the Big East champion UConn Huskies and the UFL’s Hartford Colonials) but officials assured everyone the grass turf would be in tip-top shape come Friday night, when Trumbull and Xavier kicks off the four-game title round.

All of the kids we talked to didn’t seem to care much.

They were just thrilled to be here, thrilled to have the opportunity to play the biggest games of their lives in such a colosseum.

This was a championship atmosphere.

Just four more days, four fabulous matchups. We’re almost there.

Ladies and Gentlemen: The title schedule.

Note: Tickets to the games will be $10 for each day the games are played.

CLASS LL

No. 3 Trumbull vs. No. 1 Xavier

Friday, 7 p.m., at Rentschler Field

Class L

No. 6 New Canaan vs. No. 1 Masuk

Saturday, 3 p.m. at Rentschler Field

Class M

No. 8 Hillhouse vs. No. 2 New London

Saturday, 11 a.m. at Rentschler Field

Class S

No. 4 St. Joseph vs. No. 2 Ansonia

Saturday, 7 p.m. at Rentschler Field

ESPN analyst and former NFL QB Joe Theismann talks to St. Joseph QB Joe Della Vecchia during Monday's CIAC football luncheon at Rentschler.

Theismann talks to Masuk quarterback Casey Cochran during the CIAC's football championship luncheon at Rentschler Field.

NEWS AND NOTES

St. Joseph senior L.J. Hunt shows off a signed necktie he swapped with former NFL quarterback Joe Theismann during Monday's CIAC state championship at Rentschler Field.

We’re adding some videos from today’s luncheon, including the coaches from Class LL and L and the speech from former NFL quarterback Joe Theismann, who, on his way to cover the Monday Night Football game between the Patriots and Jets, popped in to speak to the championship participants.

Later, Joe chatted with players from Masuk and St. Joseph — particularly QBs Casey Cochran and Joe Della Vecchia.

St. Joseph senior L.J. Hunt (somehow) swapped neckties with Theismann, which had Hunt and the St. Joseph players all fired up (right).

It didn’t dawn on me until later that, as Theismann was giving his speech, Conor Hanratty was sitting right in front of him. Hanratty’s dad, of course, is Terry Hanratty, the quarterback who preceded Theismann at the University of Notre Dame. Conor will be playing there next year.

We’ll have expansive video previews up later in the week.

Until then, keep looking back here for updates.

VIDEO: Class LL championship coaches remarks (Trumbull’s Bob Maffei and Xavier’s Sean Marinan)

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VIDEO: Class L championship coaches’ remarks (Lou Marinelli and John Murphy)

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VIDEO: Joe Theismann’s speech to the eight state championship participants.