The Game of the Year has arrived... again. But this one is bigger.
Unlike in Week 3, when No. 1 Darien defeated No. 3-ranked Newtown 27-13, this matchup will have the coveted No. 1 vs. No. 2 ranking attached to it.
It's now No. 1 Darien (6-0) vs. No. 2 St. Joseph (6-0). Kickoff is Saturday, 2 p.m. at Dalling Field at St. Joseph High School in Trumbull.
These two programs are no strangers to such a ballyhooed matchup.
This will be the first No. 1 vs. No. 2 meeting since then-No. 2 St. Joseph defeated No. 1 Hand 17-13 to win the 2019 Class L championship and its first overall No. 1 ranking.
It's Darien's second No. 1 vs. No. 2 since beating Southington in the Class LL semifinals in 2015.
This is also the first regular-season No. 1 vs. No. 2 meeting since then-No. 2 Xavier kicked off its three-year dynasty by beating then preseason No. 1-Notre Dame-West Haven to start the 2010 season.
Overall, the same teams remain in the Top 10 from a week ago, but with some internal shifting after some unexpected results.
New Canaan lost its first game of the season thanks to a Wilton field goal in the final seconds, pushing the former No. 3 down to No. 5.
Replacing the Rams at No. 3 is Greenwich, which crushed Trumbull, 44-12. Greenwich and New Canaan will face-off this week.
Hall is the only other undefeated team in the Top 10, and moved up two spots to No. 4 after another comeback, single-digit victory.
Fairfield Prep moved up two spots after shutting out Fitch to improve to 5-1. Despite losing to St. Joseph by just two points, Ridgefield falls three spots to No. 7. Ridgefield’s two losses have come against Top 10 opponents Greenwich and St. Joes.
No. 8 Norwalk, No. 9 Shelton and No. 10 Killingly all remained in their respective spots with wins in Week 6.
THE GAMETIMECT TOP 10 FOOTBALL POLL (Week 7)
1. DARIEN (16)
6-0
648
1
LL
The Bottom Line: The Blue Wave took care of business before heading into what will quite possibly be the game of the year. The 1 vs. 2 matchup between Darien and St. Joseph is set to determine the true No. 1.
2. ST. JOSEPH (6)
6-0
628
2
L
The Bottom Line: With 4- and 3-point victories in its last two games, St. Joseph has managed to stay undefeated against Top 10 FCIAC opponents. No. 1-ranked Darien will be the final boss (for now) on Saturday. This is the second No. 1 vs. 2 battle in three years. The No. 2 Hogs beat No. 1 Hand to win the Class L title in 2019.
3. GREENWICH
4-2
472
5
LL
The Bottom Line: Greenwich has beaten No. 5 Fairfield Prep and No. 7 Ridgefield, but has losses to No. 9 Shelton and No. 2 St. Joseph. Could Saturday’s game against No. 6 (previously No. 3) New Canaan provide more clarity? Probably not, but at the very least it will significantly help the Cards' Class LL playoff hopes.
Last Week: Def. Berlin 28-24.
The Bottom Line: With a little help from Matt Farber's nine catches, a TD and a game-sealing interception, Hall rallied from a 10-point deficit to defeat Berlin and stay unbeaten. It was the third game Hall has won by four points or less.
5. FAIRFIELD PREP
5-1
424
7
LL
The Bottom Line: The Jesuits handled Fitch with ease last week for their second consecutive victory since a 14-7 loss to Greenwich. The only remaining Top 10 game on the schedule for the Jesuits will be at home No. 9 Shelton next week.
6. NEW CANAAN
5-1
417
3
LL
The Bottom Line: New Canaan lost its first game of the season due to a Wilton field goal in the final seconds, dropping the Rams three spots in the poll. Previously ranked No. 3, New Canaan will face the current No. 3 Greenwich this week.
7. RIDGEFIELD
4-2
371
4
LL
The Bottom Line: No team put up a better fight against St. Joseph this season than Ridgefield did last week. But it's still a loss that puts the Tigers' Class LL playoff hopes in peril. Ridgefield will need to reassert itself on the road against a hungry Wilton squad which just upset New Canaan and hasn't beaten the Tigers since 1993.
The Bottom Line: Norwalk had a nice, easy Week 6 victory thanks to three rushing TDs by Cam Edwards in a victory over Bridgeport Central. But now the real season begins: Norwalk gets Staples, No. 1 Darien and Wilton back-to-back-to-back.
The Bottom Line: The Gaels have put a 41-7 loss to Trumbull far in the rear-view mirror. Last week they got a measure of payback vs. Alliance rival NFA and now get an anticipated second shot at Newtown, which famously beat the Gaels, 34-24, in 2019. A win here will do wonders going into a showdown at Fairfield Prep next week.
10. KILLINGLY
5-0
237
9
M
The Bottom Line: Killingly took care of Montville early and has not allowed more than 14 points in a single game. RB Jack Sharpe has 14 rushing TDs and is averaging 115.4 yards per game.
