Sure, Ansonia High School’s football team isn’t in the South-West Conference so a win over Newtown High in the October 17 game (7 pm kickoff at Blue & Gold Stadium) would only impact Newtown’s state playoff positioning. But a victory by the Nighthawks would mean more than just impacting state postseason seeding for Ansonia. Newtown’s opponent has won 48 straight games — just one shy of tying Cheshire’s state record, set in the early/middle 1990s.

“We know and the whole state knows how good of a team Ansonia is,” Newtown wide receiver and defensive back Julian Dunn said. “I think it’ll be a heavyweight fight.”

After all, Newtown is seeded third in the Class LL state playoff point rankings and Ansonia is fifth in Class S. Those numbers may be slightly skewed, given points are earned on a basis of strength of schedule. There are seven unbeaten teams in Class S and Ansonia is really the team to beat since it is the three-time Class S state champion. Newtown is one of six unbeatens in the LL division.

Both teams have been playoff-tested throughout the years.

The Ansonia Chargers have appeared in four consecutive state championship games and also won the last three Naugatuck Valley League championships. Newtown has been close to as good as Ansonia — in terms of overall wins and losses and in-conference celebrations — claiming two straight South-West Conference championships, and appearing in four straight SWC title games. The Nighthawks haven’t lost a regular season game since the finale of the 2011 campaign, and has only had trouble in the state playoffs in recent years.

Given that the teams compete in different conferences and are not the same school sizes, thus in different state divisions, there is little common ground on which to evaluate how these teams should match up head-to-head. A year ago — the first in which the SWC and NVL scheduled crossover games — Newtown clobbered Wolcott 56-14. A week later, Ansonia handed Wolcott a similarly lopsided defeat, 62-27. Take it for what it is. Newtown Coach Steve George pretty much dismisses it.

“Last year’s last year,” said George, noting that his team has different strengths and weaknesses than it had a year ago. “It’s very hard to gauge when you’re in interleague play.”

Both teams have dominated opponents during the regular season in recent years. Newtown’s closest games of this fall were consecutive 20-point triumphs over Joel Barlow of Redding (34-14) and Bethel (27-7)

“Next week, we’re definitely going to have a challenge,” NHS running back/ linebacker Jaret DeVellis said after the win at Bethel on October 10.

Ansonia’s closest game of the season, at least in terms of the final score, was last week’s 61-35 thrashing of St Paul Catholic. As George points out, the Chargers could be feasting on weaker teams than Newtown faces or better teams than Newtown sees. There’s no way to tell, so the speculation is there for coaches, players, fans, and media alike.

Newtown has a strong core of returning players at almost every position, but has a first-year varsity starting quarterback. That QB, Jacob Burden, has stepped in admirably and led the Nighthawks to lopsided wins in each of his starts.

The Chargers, George notes, possess a lot of quickness. Having seen some game film on his opponent, George notes that the Ansonia has more all-around speed than any team Newtown has faced this fall.

“Speed is definitely their strength. They’re fast all over the ball — on offense, defense, special teams,” the Newtown coach says.

George speaks highly of Ansonia Coach Tom Brockett and his players — as well as the program’s rich history.

“The first thing you think of when you think of Ansonia football is the pride and tradition of winning there,” he said.

Ansonia has won 19 state championships going back to 1976, and appeared in 27 pinnacle games during that time.

The postseason may be a few weeks away, but this is almost like a playoff game for both teams.

“I think without the state record it would be a huge game,” Brockett said. “It’s such a big game for so many reasons. Newtown has such an unbelievable senior class.”

The state record, undefeated seasons for both teams, bragging rights, momentum, state playoff positioning, and pride are all on the line.

George believes his players will benefit from having played in so many big games, in the SWC and state playoffs, during the past few seasons.

“I think the experience helps in that situation,” the coach notes.