5 Of 6 Defending Champions Crack Top 10 Of Preseason Football Poll

CONNECTICUT — With a full slate of games scheduled this weekend, high school football season launches in Connecticut with release of the preseason top 10 poll of the state's sports media members.

Despite receiving fewer first-place votes than its two nearest competitors, defending Class L champion New Canaan compiled enough points to top the season-opening rankings. Darien was second, and 2023 Class LL champion Staples placed third.

Among the other champions from last year, North Haven, Daniel Hand and Bloomfield all made the top 10. The only one to miss out was Class SS titleholder Joel Barlow, which received enough points to place in the top 20.

Here are the top 10, with first-place votes in parentheses, as well as all other programs earning support.

1. New Canaan (3)
2. Darien (8)
3. Staples (10)
4. West Haven
5. Greenwich (1)
6. North Haven
7. Maloney (1)
8. Windsor
9. Daniel Hand
10. Bloomfield

Also receiving votes: Newtown, Masuk, Fairfield Prep, Cheshire, Southington, Wilton, Xavier, Ansonia, Joel Barlow, Shelton, Nasugatuck, Notre Dame-West Haven, Killingly, Rockville, Stamford, St. Joseph, New London, Cromwell/Portland, Berlin, Fitch, Trumbull, Manchester.

Voters: Will Aldam, GameTimeCT; Serenity Bishop, Bristol Press; Sean Patrick Bowley, GameTimeCT; Bryant Carpenter, GameTimeCT; Gerry deSimas Jr., Collinsville Press; Justin DeVellis, News 12 Connecticut; Mike DiMauro, The Day of New London; Erik Dobratz, WTNH-8; Scott Ericson, GameTimeCT; Michael Fornabaio, GameTimeCT; Rob Gullo, New Britain Herald; Mark Jaffee, Republican-American of Waterbury; Tim Jensen, Patch Media Corp.; Jonah Karp, Fox61; Gabby Lucivero, NBC CT; Mike Madera, Walter Camp Football Foundation; Joe Morelli, GameTimeCT; Pete Paguaga, GameTimeCT; Dave Phillips, GameTimeCT correspondent; Lori Riley, Hartford Courant; Dave Ruden, The Ruden Report; Dave Stewart, GameTimeCT; Jimmy Zanor, Norwich Bulletin.
Compiled by Michael Fornabaio