Logan Phillips
Senior Editor
Over the past five years, Rams football has won four state championships, maintained a .89 winning percentage and averaged less than one-and-a-half losses a year. These numbers are, quite simply, unfathomable. But while you can make the argument that this has been the best football dynasty in New Canaan history, dominating the FCIAC and Connecticut sports is nothing new for the Rams.
In fact, the Rams have been so good that they might be the best high school football franchise in Connecticut history. Since 1950,the Rams have won more state championships (19) than any other Connecticut team. To put that in perspective, that’s more championships than the Celtics or Lakers. That’s more championships than the Steelers, Packers and Cowboys combined. That’s also more championships than the Yankees have won since 1950. Yet despite their incredible achievements, the Rams are by no means the only contenders for the best team in the state.
There have been several teams that have dominated over the past 50 years. Daniel Hand has a higher winning percentage than anyone in the state and nine champions to boot. Stamford has also won 11 championships, although their winning percentage doesn’t approach the Rams.
But the real competition lies in Ansonia. Since 1950, the Chargers have 502 wins compared to New Canaan’s 398. They have a .738 winning percentage to New Canaan’s .732 and they’ve appeared in 25 state championships to New Canaan’s 22. In fact, they best New Canaan in about every major category other than championships, where Ansonia has “only” 16 compared to New Canaan’s 19.
In terms of picking the most successful franchise, it’s really about what types of criteria you value. But in my opinion, at the end of the day it all comes down to who wins the most championships. So while there is room for debate, I believe New Canaan is the most successful high school football franchise in Connecticut since 1950.
