NO. 8 MIDDLETOWN AT NO. 5 WINDSOR HIGHLIGHTS H.S. FOOTBALL FEAST

So many rivalries. So many storylines. So many marquee Thanksgiving week games that involve teams ranked in the The Day's Top 10 state high school football coaches' poll.

One hundred and twenty six schools will take part in 63 games over the next three days. Playoff berths and/or bragging rights are at stake. The rivalries lend themselves to wild games and upsets.

There's one game involving two ranked teams — No. 8 Middletown (9-0) at No. 5 Windsor (9-0) on Wednesday night. Windsor has owned the series having won six of the previous seven meetings, including last season's CIAC Class L semifinal. The game is also of great interest to Fitch and other Class L contenders.

Top-ranked Darien (9-0) vs. No. 12 New Canaan (7-2) has been the best Thanksgiving week rivarly the past four years. No game has been decided by more than seven points, and two went to overtime. The Blue Wave, who received all 13 first-place votes from coaches this week, have won the last five regu- lar-season games against New Canaan. The four-time defending Class L champion Rams can't afford another loss because they would likely have their 12-year postseason streak snapped.

An off-the-field incident involving the two towns could change the complexion of both the game and the playoffs. The New Canaan Advertiser reported on Nov. 15 that the New Canaan Police are investigating the Nov. 6 assault of a New Canaan teen. Multiple sources alleged to the Advertiser that the teen was injured by Darien students, including two senior football players.

No. 3 Ansonia travels to No. 18 Naugatuck on Thanksgiving in the 119th game of one of Connecticut's oldest and most passionate rivalries. Both teams are 9-0 and have qualified for the state playoffs. The last time both entered the game unbeaten was 1994.

Fitch (9-0) remains the only area team receiving votes.

— Ned Griffen