NFA debuts at No. 9 in The Day's Top 10 poll

When we last left The Day's Top 10 state coaches' poll two weeks ago, a pair of unbeatens - Norwich Free Academy and Newtown - were on the outside looking in.

Two weeks later, both teams make their Top 10 debut.

Berlin and West Haven both lost over the past two weeks, thus moving NFA to ninth and Newtown to 10th.

Now both teams have to find a way to stay there. NFA (9-0) needs to win at old rival New London on Thanksgiving Day in order to earn a CIAC Class LL home quarterfinal game. The Wildcats have already clinched one of the eight berths.

The Nighthawks play host to No. 5 Masuk of Monroe on Nov. 21 in what could double as the South-West Conference title game.

Both teams are 8-0. The Panthers routed Newtown on the latter's home field last season to win the SWC crown.

Fitch (7-1) is the other area team receiving votes. The Falcons would earn a Class L berth by beating Bacon Academy on Thursday.

- Ned Griffen