Staples and New Canaan both claimed state championships with close wins in the CIAC finals on Saturday.
Staples defeated West Haven 21-20 in the Class LL final as Max Maurillo tackled Armani Reid at the one-yard line on a two-point conversion attempt with 1:15 remaining.
It was the Wreckers’ first state championship since 2005.
In Class L, New Canaan scored twice in the final 5:03 to come from behind and defeat Darien 28-21 in an all-FCIAC title game.
Luke Robinson threw a 12-yard TD pass to Will Langford for to tie the score, and after the Rams forced a turnover, Alex Benevento scored the game-winner on a six-yard run with 2:33 to go.
It was New Canaan’s second consecutive state championship and its 14th overall.
In Class MM, North Haven shut out Wilton 21-0 for a repeat title.
The Warriors trailed in a tight game 7-0 after three quarters, but North Haven scored two touchdowns in the fourth to nail down the win.
Four FCIAC football teams will bid for state championships when the CIAC finals are held Saturday at Rentschler Field in East Hartford and Arute Field in New Britain.
In Class LL, top-seeded Staples (11-1) faces No. 3 West Haven (10-2) at 5 p.m. at Arute Field. The Wreckers faced the Blue Devils back in Week 1 and lost 33-23, but have since reeled off 11 consecutive wins. Staples’ last state championship was in 2005.
In Class L, two rivals square off as No. 2 New Canaan (11-1) faces No. 8 Darien (9-3)at 1:30 p.m. at Rentschler Field. New Canaan, which has won 11 straight games, defeated Darien 31-17 on Thanksgiving. The Rams are looking for their second straight title and have won 13 titles in their history, while the Blue Wave has won eight titles, the last coming in 2021.
In Class MM, No. 3 Wilton (10-2) takes on No. 5 North Haven (10-2) at 10:30 a.m., at Arute Field. The Warriors are looking for their first state championship since 1995.
Here’s the schedule and links to NFHS streams which require a subscription.
Class LL Final
No. 1 Staples 21, No. 3 West Haven 20
Class L Final
No. 2 New Canaan 28, No. 8 Darien 21
Class MM Final
No. 5 North Haven 21, No. 3 Wilton 0