News Summary

The CIAC has announced significant divisional changes for the 2025 high school football season, with notable team movements and the introduction of new co-ops. Teams like Notre Dame-West Haven and Waterbury Career Academy will be competing at higher levels, while Daniel Hand drops to Class SS. The season promises to be thrilling with playoffs around the corner, and fans can expect intense competition among returning champions and new teams alike. Mark your calendars for the kickoff in August!

Exciting Changes on the Horizon for High School Football in 2025

As fans gear up for the 2025 high school football season, some major shake-ups have been announced that are sure to stir excitement across the state. The CIAC revealed the new divisions for the upcoming season on November 8, 2024, and there’s plenty to dive into!

New Faces and Promotions

First and foremost, let’s talk about the teams on the move! The well-known powerhouse, Notre Dame-West Haven, is making a leap up to Class LL this year. Alongside them, Waterbury Career Academy is making an impressive jump, hopping over two divisions to join the ranks of Class LL. Talk about making a splash!

On the flip side, there are some teams on the downward trajectory. Daniel Hand, having previously raised the trophy as Class M champions just two seasons ago, will now be competing in Class SS. That’s right, it’s a big change for a team that has known the thrill of victory not too long ago!

Playoff Season Plot Thickens

For those curious about the brackets, Class L is bringing in the most action this year with a whopping 24 teams competing. Coming in just behind are Classes SS and S, each with 23 teams. Meanwhile, Classes LL, MM, and M will be hosting 22 teams each. With the competition heating up, it’s shaping up to be an unforgettable season!

A notable mention is Sheehan, which just so happens to be the only team that was a state finalist last year that is moving down. As the runner-up from Class SS, they will now be facing challenges in Class S, where they’ll definitely want to prove themselves again.

Returning Champions Hold Their Ground

This year, fans can rest easy knowing that all six state champions from last season will be returning to defend their titles in their respective divisions. These teams include: Greenwich (LL), New Canaan (L), Masuk (MM), St. Joseph (M), Killingly (SS), and Ansonia (S). The title defense promises to be ferocious!

New Co-ops Join the Fray

New partnerships are also blossoming this season! Three exciting new co-ops have emerged, helping teams come together for better chances of success. In Class MM, the Valley Panthers — a team formed by Plainfield, Ellis Tech, Putnam, and Tourtellotte — will be joining hands with a co-op of Lewis Mills and Wolcott Tech from Torrington. These collaborations are sure to bring fresh energy and competitiveness to the league.

While the Nonnewaug, Shepaug Valley, and Lakeview teams will be staying put as independents in Class SS, other teams are making notable transitions that fans will want to keep an eye on!

Class Movements and Expansions

In a bit more movement, Class L will be adding Cheshire and Hillhouse from Class MM, while bidding farewell to Norwalk and Bassick. Over in Class MM, we see Fitch, Simsbury, and the VG Titans co-op moving down from Class L, while East Haven from Class M and both new co-ops jump in to round things out.

Class M is welcoming a host of new teams including Guilford, Holy Cross, and Platt Tech from Class MM, and exciting co-ops from Coventry and Windsor Locks coming in from Class SS. Meanwhile, Class SS will see new faces like Hand, Law, RHAM, and others joining in the fray.

Mark Your Calendars!

The new season kicks off with official practices starting on August 14, 2025, gearing up for an exciting game weekend from September 11-13. And for those fans looking forward to playoff action, make sure to save the dates: quarterfinals on December 2, semifinals on December 7, and the championships on December 13. Don’t forget that the top eight teams based on playoff point averages will earn their spot in the state tournament!

With all these changes and new beginnings, the 2025 season is shaping up to be an absolute thrill ride for high school football aficionados. Stay tuned, and get ready for an action-packed year ahead!

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