Xavier (Class LL), Hand (Class L), Hillhouse (Class M) and Ansonia (Class S) are your 2012 state champions. Below are stories from this weekend's championship games.

FOOTBALL: Hillhouse runs away from Berlin for Class M title

A DAY IN THE LIFE: Hillhouse state champion Andre Anderson

 FOOTBALL: Hand whips Windsor to win back-to-back Class L titles

 FOOTBALL: Ansonia dominates North Branford to win Class S title

 

NOTEBOOK: Ansonia's defense stiffens when it mattered most

 

PHOTO GALLERY

PHOTOS: Check out the scenes from Rentschler Field as No. 1 Hand wins the Class L title.

PHOTOS: Check out some photos from Andre Anderson's day on Saturday.

PHOTOS: Check out the scenes from Rentschler Field as Hillhouse wins the Class M title.

PHOTOS: Check out the scenes from Ansonia's Class S state championship victory.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Register has begun to run state championship previews both in print and on-line. The previews will continue through Saturday.

North Branford's Mark and Brandan Basil
have one game to go for a dream come true

EAST HARTFORD — Mark Basil did more than cheer and offer words of encouragement while watching his son compete at the youth football level.

He also mentally penciled in who he hoped would become his future starters at North Branford High, where he was the head coach.

Brandan and several of his buddies were among the players Mark envisioned as Thunderbirds.

Both Basils dreamed wildly in those days — sometimes Mark imagined Brandan’s senior season ending with a state championship.

The Basils are now one victory away from that dream becoming a reality. Third-seeded North Branford (12-0) faces No. 1 Ansonia (13-0) for the Class S title on Saturday morning at 10:35 a.m. at Rentschler Field.

“(Winning a title with Brandan) was a hope of mine,” Basil said. “Brandan and all these kids go back to the third grade, and I would watch them in youth football every year and I could see certain players fitting in my style of offense.”

Mark didn’t have to look any further than his kitchen table to find his quarterback. Brandan took over as the starter for the Thunderbirds last season.

READ MORE

FOOTBALL: Offensive line key to Xavier's success
FOOTBALL: Ansonia defense vs. North Branford offense — something's got to give
FOOTBALL: Who will win this weekend's championship games? VOTE NOW!

 

 

October win over Hillhouse a turning point for Xavier

EAST HARTFORD — When the Xavier football team gathers to collect the uniforms at the end of the season, it’s likely that the events that transpired on Oct. 26 will be discussed.

It was then that the Falcons rallied from a 28-point deficit and emerged with a one-point victory against host Hillhouse.

If not for that comeback, the helmets and shoulder pads might have already been packed away for the winter.

Instead, the Falcons (11-1) will vie for their third straight Class LL title.

Xavier was among the honorees at Monday’s media luncheon at Rentschler Field, the site of the four state championship games this weekend.

The third-seeded Falcons will face No. 5 Norwich Free Academy (12-0) on Friday night at 7:05.

Earlier in the season Xavier lost to Hand, making the Falcons’ remaining games all the more meaningful. Another loss could have ended Xavier’s postseason dreams.

Since losing to the Tigers, the Falcons have won seven straight and have scored 40 or more points in six of those contests.

 READ MORE

 

 

ALL GAMES AT RENTSCHLER FIELD, EAST HARTFORD

FRIDAY

CLASS LL

 No. 5 Norwich Free Academy (12-0) vs. No. 3 Xavier (11-1), 7:05 p.m.

SATURDAY

CLASS S

No. 3 North Branford (12-0) vs. No. 1 Ansonia (13-0)

CLASS M

No. 4 Hillhouse (10-2) vs. No. 2 Berlin (11-1)

CLASS L

No. 2 Windsor (11-0) vs. No. 1 Hand (12-0)

No. 1 Hand cruises past Masuk into Class L final

WEST HAVEN — It has been one year since the Hand football team defeated Masuk in the Class L state semifinals, snapping Masuk’s 24-game winning streak.

Knowing the Panthers would like nothing more than to return the favor and also end Hand’s 24-game win streak, Hand quickly sent a message.

Quarterback Brendan Bilcheck hit Caleb Ewald with a 74-yard touchdown pass on the game’s first play and Hand never slowed down in a 42-23 victory over Masuk in this year’s Class L semifinals at Ken Strong Stadium Sunday evening.

PHOTOS: Hand tops Masuk

Hand (12-0), the top-ranked team in the Register Top 10 poll and the No. 1 seed in Class L, will play No. 2 Windsor in the championship game at Rentschler Field Friday or Saturday at a time and day to be determined. The win, Hand’s 25th in a row, also marked the 200th victory for coach Steve Filippone at Hand.


READ MORE

Arkeel Newsome sets career TD record as Ansonia downs Hyde

MIDDLETOWN — Arkeel Newsome made sure the state record for career rushing touchdowns stayed in the proud Ansonia program. In the process, the junior running back helped lead the Chargers to yet another state championship game appearance.

Newsome rushed 15 times for 207 yards and four touchdowns as top-seeded Ansonia dismantled No. 5 Hyde 41-13 Sunday in the Class S state semifinals at Rosek-Skubel Stadium.

Ansonia (13-0), which has won 27 straight games, will face No. 3 North Branford for the title either Friday or Saturday at Rentschler Field. The Chargers are seeking their CIAC-best 18th title.

On the first play of the third quarter, Newsome scampered 69 yards for a touchdown, his third of the game, and the 115th of his career, breaking the record previously held by former Ansonia standout Alex Thomas.

“It means a lot,” Newsome said. “He was a good back. For me to break that, I think it’s awesome and a great accomplishment.”

PHOTOS: Ansonia triumphs over Hyde

READ MORE

Hillhouse routs Montville to reach title game

MIDDLETOWN — Hillhouse expected to have a speed advantage entering its Class M state semifinal contest against Montville, and it turned out the Academics had too many weapons, namely Harold Cooper and Je’Vaughn Moore.

That duo were each part of three touchdowns for fourth-seeded Hillhouse in a 48-26 victory over No. 8 Montville at Rosek-Skubel Stadium. The Academics (10-2) advanced to the championship game and will face No. 2 Berlin either Friday or Saturday.

Cooper rushed 12 times for 146 yards and two touchdowns and also caught a touchdown pass from Moore to lead Hillhouse to its second final in three years. The Academics won this class in 2010.

“As a whole, we knew our speed was going to be very, very important,” said Cooper, a junior. “We knew coming into this game that they were a little bit bigger, a little bit stronger, so our coaches told us ‘hey, we just got to use our speed’ and that’s what we did.”

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North Branford back in championship game
for first time since 2001 after win over Woodland

MERIDEN — For the first time since 2001, North Branford will play for a state football championship.

The unbeaten Thunderbirds (12-0) took advantage of four Woodland fumbles in the first half and five in the game to knock off the Hawks 62-27 at Falcon Field in a CIAC Class S semifinal game on Sunday.

Third-seeded North Branford will play top-seeded Ansonia (13-0) for the title at Rentschler Field in East Hartford either Friday night or Saturday. Woodland finished 8-4.

PHOTOS: North Branford runs past Woodland

READ MORE 

Xavier beats Glastonbury to reach Class LL final
for third straight year

CHESHIRE — For a brief moment late Sunday afternoon, Tim Boyle let a smile creep across his face.

Despite all sorts of pressure, question marks and injuries — even an unfamiliar regular-season loss — his Falcons were headed back to the state finals.

“It’s tremendous,” the senior quarterback grinned. “We’re very blessed.”

Boyle threw a pair of touchdown passes, DeAngelo Berry rushed for two more and the third-seeded Falcons punched their ticket to the Class LL state football championship game for the third straight year in a 30-13 win against No. 7 Glastonbury in the semifinals at Cheshire High’s Alumni Field.

READ MORE

SUNDAY'S CIAC FOOTBALL ROUNDUP: NFA upsets second-ranked Staples

VIA PRESS RELEASE

Five of the eight CIAC Football Tournament semi-final games taking place Sunday will be broadcast live on various platforms.

The CIAC Network will be broadcasting three games live on-line at www.CIAC.tv while two of those games will also be available live on Connecticut Public Television. MSGVarsity.com will also have live broadcasts of two games.

The semi-final round of the tournament will feature a total of eight games at four sites with three sites hosting two games and single games at two other sites. The full schedule, along with links to the CIAC.tv contests can be found on the CIAC Tournament Central website at http://content.ciacsports.com/tournamentcentral.shtml.

The full schedule of games being carried live is as follows:

Sunday
Class LL semi-final, #5 NFA vs. #1 Staples, 12:30 p.m. (MSG Varsity.com)
Class L semi-final, #4 Masuk vs. #1 Hand, 5 p.m. (CIAC Network)
Class L semi-final, #6 New Canaan vs. #2 Windsor, 12:30 p.m.
(MSGvarsity.com)
Class M semi-final, #4 Hillhouse vs. #8 Montville, 5 p.m. (CIAC Network)
Class S semi-final, #5 Hyde vs. #1 Ansonia, 12:30 p.m. (CIAC
Network and CPTV)

Viewers can consult www.cptvsports.org for re-air schedules for the games as well. All live broadcasts on the CIAC network will also be available on-demand following the conclusion of the matches, and DVDs of all broadcasts are available for purchase at www.CIAC.tv.

This fall marks the first full season of the partnership between the CIAC and PlayOn Sports which provides live broadcast coverage of regular season and CIAC Tournament contests.

 

FOOTBALL: Hand smacks Platt, sets up rematch with Masuk

MADISON — Last year’s CIAC Class L Game of the Century is now this year’s semifinal rematch.

Top-seeded Hand assured itself of a spot in Sunday’s rematch with Masuk with a 55-26 blowout of eighth-seeded Platt Wednesday night at the Surf Club.

“It’s a good matchup for us and for them,” said Hand coach Steve Filippone, whose Tigers beat Masuk, 35-14, last December in the Class L semifinals. “It’s two teams that do basically the same exact thing.”

PHOTOS: Check out Wednesday's action from the Surf Club.


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Basils, North Branford break playoff losing skid
with win over Trinity Catholic

GUILFORD — Brandan Basil called it the curse.

In the 11 seasons that Mark Basil, Brandan’s father, has been the football coach at North Branford, the Thunderbirds have failed to win a state playoff game.

But buoyed by Brandan’s efforts, the curse has been broken.

Basil, a senior quarterback, tossed three touchdown passes — all to fellow senior Joe DeLucia — and third-seeded North Branford remained unbeaten after withstanding a challenge from No. 6 Trinity Catholic, winning 49-28 in the Class S state quarterfinals Wednesday in a game played at Guilford High.

The Thunderbirds (11-0) will face No. 7 Woodland in Sunday’s semifinals.

North Branford hadn’t won a playoff game since 2001, before Basil’s tenure began. Under Basil, the Thunderbirds lost in the semifinals in 2005, 2006 and 2008, and in the quarterfinals last season.

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Arkeel Newsome, Ansonia run all over Prince Tech

ANSONIA — Running back Arkeel Newsome set the tone early for the Ansonia football team against Prince Tech in the Class S quarterfinal game at Jarvis Stadium on Wednesday.

Newsome, who only played in the first half, scored on the Chargers’ first possession of the game and ended up with five touchdowns to lead No. 1 Ansonia to a 53-16 win over No. 8 Prince Tech. The Chargers will play No. 5 Hyde in the semifinals on Sunday at a site and time to be announced. Hyde defeated No. 4 Rocky Hill 15-14 in a quarterfinal game played on Tuesday.

Newsome ended up rushing for 81 yards on 11 carries.

READ MORE

Xavier blows out Greenwich to reach Class LL semifinals,
will face Glastonbury for third straight year

MIDDLETOWN — The Xavier offense is frightening.

Greenwich, losers only to undefeated and second-ranked Staples, became the latest team to get run over by the Falcons.

Led by another brilliant passing performance from Tim Boyle (16-for-22, 263 yards), third-seeded Xavier piled up 505 yards of total offense in blasting No. 6 Greenwich 55-14 in front of 1,000 at Palmer Field Wednesday night in the Class LL quarterfinals.

The Falcons will play seventh-seeded Glastonbury, a 23-14 winner over No. 2 Southington, in the semifinals Sunday at a time and site to be announced. It will be the third consecutive year the two teams have met in the LL semis.

READ MORE 



FOOTBALL: OTHER QUARTERFINAL RESULTS AND BOX SCORES


FOOTBALL: Sites, times announced for semifinal contests

ALL GAMES ON SUNDAY

Class LL

No. 1 Staples vs. No. 5 NFA at West Haven, 12:30 p.m.
No. 3 Xavier at No. 7 Glastonbury at Cheshire, 12:30 p.m.

CLASS L

No. 1 Hand vs. No. 4 Masuk at West Haven, 5 p.m.
No. 2 Windsor vs. No. 6 New Canaan at Bunnell (Stratford), 12:30 p.m.

CLASS M

No. 4 Hillhouse vs. No. 8 Montville at Middletown, 5 p.m.
No. 2 Berlin vs. No. 6 Weston at Bunnell (Stratford), 5 p.m.

CLASS S

No. 1 Ansonia vs. No. 5 Hyde at Middletown, 12:30 p.m.
No. 3 North Branford vs. No. 7 Woodland at Falcon Field, Meriden, 12:30 p.m .

Hillhouse hoping to duplicate 2010 run to Class M title

NEW HAVEN — Je’Vaughn Moore hasn’t forgotten how last season ended.

Despite a solid 7-3 season, the Hillhouse football team failed to qualify for the Class M playoffs.

As a result, the Academics were not be able to defend the championship they won in 2010.

In recent years, anything short of a state playoff berth is considered a disappointment at Hillhouse.

“Most of us know that feeling of how it felt when we found out that we missed the playoffs last year,” Moore said. “We just hate that feeling. That feeling, that motivation, just made us want to come out and get back to the playoffs.”

Part one of that mission is complete.

The road to part two — a state championship — begins tonight when the fourth-seeded Academics face No. 5 St. Joseph in the Class M quarterfinals at 6:30 at East Haven High. Both teams are 8-2.

READ MORE 

 PREVIEW CAPSULES

CAPSULES: Class LL 

CAPSULES: Class L

CAPSULES: Class M 

CAPSULES: Class S   

FOOTBALL: Middletown opens playoff campaign tomorrow with Masuk
FOOTBALL: Xavier's road to 3-peat starts with Greenwich

LATEST TOP 10 POLL 

The official CIAC state playoff pairings.
First round games will be played Tuesday. All games 6:30 p.m. 

CLASS LL

No. 8 West Haven at No. 1 Staples
No. 7 Glastonbury at No. 2 Southington
No. 6 Greenwich vs. No. 3 Xavier at Palmer Field, Middletown
No. 5 Norwich Free Academy at No. 4 Newtown 

CLASS L 

No. 8 Platt vs. No. 1 Hand at Surf Club, Madison
No. 7 Fitch at No. 2 Windsor
No. 6 New Canaan vs. No. 3 Avon at Simsbury
No. 5 Middletown vs. No. 4 Masuk at Bunnell High, Stratford

CLASS M 

No. 8 Montville at No. 1 Wolcott
No. 7 Bullard Havens at No. 2 Berlin at Sage Park
No. 6 Weston vs. No. 3 Ellington/Somers at Enfield
No.  5 St. Joseph vs. No. 4 Hillhouse at East Haven

CLASS S 

No. 8 Prince Tech at No. 1 Ansonia (Nolan Field)
No. 7 Woodland vs. No. 2 Capital/Classical/Achievement at Dillon Stadium, Hartford
No. 6 Trinity Catholic at No. 3 North Branford
No. 5 Hyde at No. 4 Rocky Hill

Three state titles were decided on Saturday. Here's the recap.

Class LL: Xavier wins second straight title, tops Staples 42-7



Class L: Hand wins 10th title after 34-10 win over New Canaan



Class M: Ansonia shuts out Ledyard 38-0



VOTE for Saturday's STAR. Nominees include Ansonia running back Arkeel Newsome and Hand running back Kevin Frey.

Holy Cross defeated Cromwell 34-27 to win the Class S title on Friday.
Three more champions will be crowned today. Below is a preview of those games.

Class M: Ansonia's offensive line one of the state's best
Class L: Hand, New Canaan to meet again
Class LL: Xavier, Staples to vie for title

State Championship Preview Capsules

State Championship Scoreboard. Follow the action here.

Scout Team: The Register football show

Mike Wollschlager and Mike Pucci are back for The Scout Team's Playoff Edition as four state champions will be crowned this weekend. This edition features interviews with Xavier coach Sean Marinan and receiver/defensive back Ryan Jacobucci, Hand coach Steve Filippone and lineman Joe Demichele, and Ansonia coach Tom Brockett, fullback Dennis Danley and lineman Dylan Vano. Check it out:




Class LL: Xavier earns rematch with Staples
Class S: Championship Day Capsule

By Mike Pucci, Register Staff
mpucci@nhregister.com / Twitter: @MikePucciNHR

EAST HARTFORD — Two of the state’s most revered programs, and their legendary coaches, will square off to determine the Class L football champion.

The contest was set up in dramatic fashion.

Collin Shapiro kicked a 33-yard field goal with four seconds remaining as Lou Marinelli’s New Canaan team derailed Windsor’s unbeaten season with a 27-24 victory in the semifinals.

In the other semifinal, Steve Filippone’s Hand squad knocked off previously unbeaten Masuk 35-14, shutting out the Panthers in the second half. The result ended Masuk’s 24-game winning streak and the chance to defend its state title.

According to Marinelli, Hand’s victory changed the whole dynamic of the Class L tournament.

“All of a sudden, when (Hand) did that, we became the hunted instead of the hunter,” Marinelli said.

You see, there’s a bit of a history between the Rams and Tigers.

Click here to read more.

I was too busy at the CIAC finals luncheon on Tuesday to get a chance to talk to Paul Hoey, the Associate Executive Director CAS-CIAC, and ask him what the CIAC's process is when scheduling state championship game days and times.

He did, however, respond to an e-mail I sent him on the subject. Below is his reply.

"The (football) committee looks at many factors when deciding which games are played when - one of which is travel/traffic on Friday evening. The committee realizes that Fairfield County traffic on Friday makes it difficult for students, families and fans to get to a 6:30 (p.m) or 7 (p.m.) game in the Hartford area. If there are two teams that are closer to the Rent they most likely will be scheduled for Friday evening."

Holy Cross and Cromwell will square off for the Class S title on Friday at 6:30 p.m.

Saturday's schedule
Class M: Ansonia vs. Ledyard, 10:30 a.m.
Class L: Hand vs. New Canaan, 2 p.m.
Class LL: Xavier vs. Staples, 5:30 p.m.

By Mike Pucci, Register Staff
mpucci@nhregister.com / Twitter: @MikePucciNHR

EAST HARTFORD — How do you stop Ansonia running back Arkeel Newsome and the rest of the unbeaten Chargers?

Ledyard coach Jim Buonocore has a simple strategy.

“First thing we have to try to do is have someone take out the Ansonia bus on the way to the Rent,” Buonocore laughed. “Or at least make sure Arkeel doesn’t make the bus.”

The Colonels will certainly have their hands full with Newsome, a sophomore who’s rushed for 3,399 yards and 55 touchdowns, during Saturday’s Class M state championship game.

Kickoff between top-seeded Ansonia (13-0) and No. 3 Ledyard (11-1) is set for 10:30 a.m. at Rentschler Field.

Buonocore talked more strategy at the CIAC football luncheon honoring the eight state finalists Tuesday at the Club Room at Rentschler Field.

Read more here.

The eight teams that advanced to the state championship games were honored at a luncheon Tuesday in the Club Room at Rentschler Field.

Among the highlights:

Ledyard coach Jim Buonocore on how to stop Ansonia, which the Colonels will face for the Class M title (Saturday, 10:30 a.m.):

"First thing we have to do is have someone take out the Ansonia bus on the way to the Rent, or at least make sure Arkeel (Newsome) doesn't make the bus."

Ansonia sophomore running back Arkeel Newsome has rushed for 3,399 yards and 55 touchdowns.

New Canaan coach Lou Marinelli on how the Rams were able to defeat Hand, which New Canaan will compete with for the Class L title (Saturday, 2 p.m.), three straight times:

"We were lucky".

Xavier senior WR/DB Ryan Jacobucci and the rest of the Falcons are well-aware there's a target on their backs by being the state's No. 1 team. Xavier (12-0) has won 25 straight games and is the defending Class LL champion. The Falcons will face Staples (11-0) on Saturday at 5:30 p.m.

"At Xavier, we're from all over," Jacobucci said. "A lot of the kids have friends back on the schools that we play, and we hear all the time that the teams that we play go so much harder, and they take it much more personally when they play Xavier. Not only do we have to play our 'A' game, but we have to practice so much harder. That keeps us on edge, and that's what keeps the whole team going. We have to keep the train going and keep getting the 'W'."

Class S finalist Cromwell will take on Holy Cross on Friday at 6:30 p.m. Cromwell coach Chris Eckert, in his first year with the Panthers, knew Cromwell had plenty of talent returning, including senior quarterback Anthony Morales and senior receivers Mike Antonio and Brett Director.

"Hearing from other coaches from around the league," Eckert said, "they let me know that we had a great group of seniors coming back and a great group of juniors coming up. The thing we needed to do as a staff was make sure they bought into our style of coaching and bought into our scheme early enough to make sure we were successful on the field. If they didn't buy into it, we had no shot. That was our major focus coming into spring camp and into the fall season."

From the Commish: Al Carbone

Two SCC teams – Xavier (Class LL) and Hand (Class L) – have earned a spot in their respective CIAC state championship games at Rentschler Field in East Hartford.

Xavier (12-0), who has defeated Glastonbury (34-6) and Norwalk (55-14) so far in the 2011 playoffs, will meet Staples (11-0) in the Class LL final on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. Xavier last met Staples in the 2009 Class LL semifinals – a 31-28 Wreckers’ victory. That is the Falcons’ last loss – a winning streak of 25 games.

Hand (12-0), who defeated Coventry/Windham Tech (35-12) and Masuk (35-14) so far in the 2011 playoffs, will face New Canaan (11-1) in the Class L final at 2 p.m. The Tigers lost to New Canaan, 35-21, in the 2010 Class L semifinals.

Xavier and Hand are attempting to become the third and fourth SCC teams to ever win 13 games in a season (Hand, 13-0 in 1997; Xavier, 13-0 in 2010).

It is the third straight season two SCC teams will play in their respective championship games.

2009 – Cheshire (LL) and Notre Dame (L) – both won state titles

2010 – Xavier (LL) and Hillhouse (M) – both won state titles

It is the ninth time in the 18 years of the league that at least two SCC teams have reached the championship round. Overall, SCC teams are 21-8 in state championship games, and that includes two All-SCC matchups (Hand vs. Hillhouse in Class M, 2005; Cheshire vs. Hamden in Class LL, 1996).

History of Success:

Since the league’s inception in 1994, SCC teams have won 21 state titles. Cheshire (5) has the most state titles, followed by Hand (4) and Shelton (3), Hillhouse (3). In those 17 seasons, league teams have combined to win two or more state titles, seven times including each of the last two seasons.

Give them a Hand:

Hand is making its seventh championship appearance since joining the SCC in 1994… The Tigers won the 1997 (Class L), 2003 (Class M), 2004 (Class M) and 2005 (Class M) titles…. Hand’s last championship game appearance came against New Canaan in the 2007 Class MM final, a 34-30 Rams victory at Trumbull HS.

The Tigers won the SCC Division I East title (4-0) in 2011 – arguably the state’s toughest division with Class L playoff participant Notre Dame, high-scoring West Haven and perennial Class LL power Cheshire. All three teams averaged over 30 points a game in 2011 - and Hand allowed just 42 points in those three victories.

Hand enters the Class L title game averaging 36.3 points a game, while allowing just 9.8.

The X-Men Are Back AGAIN:

Under the direction of head coach Sean Marinan, Xavier (12-0) is looking for its second straight Class LL state title. Last season, the Falcons defeated SCC-rival West Haven, Glastonbury and Trumbull and earned the state’s consensus #1 ranking. The Falcons also won the 2005 Class LL title.

During the 2011 regular-season, Xavier won the Division I West title for the third straight season (4-0) allowing just 14 points in four games.

Xavier is the first SCC team to score 500 points in a season... The Falcons have 512 points through 12 games (42.7 ppg). The previous record was held by Notre Dame (468 points in 12 games in 2009). Defensively, Xavier is allowing just 8.0 points a contest.

All-SCC Honorees:

Both teams had ample representation on the recently-released All-SCC Division I football team.

Xavier had seven honorees: WR Ryan Jacobucci, TE Ryan Murphy, OL Austin Wezenski, RB Mike Mastiroanni, QB Pat D’Amato, DL Sean Marinan, Jr. and LB Jovan Santos-Knox.

Hand had four players recognized, including WR Nick Vitale, DL Joe Demichele, LB Matt Walsh and DB Vance Giarratana.

Best in the State:

The SCC has proved, once again, it is one of the most competitive and balanced football leagues in the state of the Connecticut. Ten of the 19 football-playing schools won at least five games in 2010 with seven recording winning seasons.

Since 2004, twelve different SCC teams have qualified for the state playoffs, and six different teams have won a total of nine state titles during that span. Only the FCIAC has more (10) titles, but won by only four teams.

at Rentschler Field

Friday

Class S

No. 2 Holy Cross vs. No. 8 Cromwell, 6:30 p.m.

Saturday

Class M

No. 1 Ansonia vs. No. 3 Ledyard, 10:30 a.m.

Class L

No. 2 Hand vs. No. 5 New Canaan, 2 p.m.

Class LL

No. 1 Xavier vs. No. 2 Staples, 5:30 p.m.

VIDEO: Recap of Class LL: Xavier vs. Norwalk

Class LL: No. 1 Xavier stuffs No. 5 Norwalk

Class L: No. 2 Hand ends No. 3 Masuk's 24-game winning streak

Class M: Newsome, Ansonia roll past Berlin

Class S: Valley Regional falls short against Holy Cross

Class LL: Massie leads Staples over Newtown

Class S: Cromwell rallies past NW Catholic

Class L: New Canaan edges Windsor

Class M: Ledyard shutouts Wolcott

No. 2 Hand ended No. 3 Masuk's 24-game winning streak after this Class L semifinal victory at Ken Strong Stadium in West Haven before an estimated 4,000 fans.

The game was tied at 14 at halftime.

Matt Walsh scored on a 1-yard run in the third quarter to give the Tigers (12-0) the lead for good.

Kyle Anderson and Nick Vitale (12 receptions, 148 yards) had touchdown passes from Henry Foye in the fourth quarter for Hand.

Foye completed 23-of-31 passes for 253 yards and two touchdowns. Kevin Frey ran 27 times for 153 yards and one score for the Tigers.

Casey Cochran completed 35-of-61 passes for 277 yards with one TD and two interceptions for the Panthers (11-1), the No. 2 team in the Register Top 10 Poll. Cochran connected with Jason Pointkowski on an 8-yard TD pass in the first quarter. Colin Markus had a rushing touchdown for Masuk.