Senior Matt Walsh scored on a 1-yard run with 5:54 remaining to break a tied game, and then sophomore Tyler Phan booted the successful point after kick, as No. 1 Hand prevailed with a 21-20 SCC Division I East victory over the No.8 Westies Saturday at the Surf Club in Madison.

On the ensuing West Haven possession, Ervin Philips scored on a 1-yard run, but the pass on the 2-point conversion fell short, and the Tigers (6-0) survived.

Walsh carried six times for 51 yards and two scores for Hand. Ian O'Toole had a four-yard touchdown run and Brendan Bilcheck completed 22-of-27 passes for 169 yards.

Philips finished with 86 yards on 17 carries and two scores. Eddy Williams rushed six times for 59 yards and a touchdown for West Haven (5-1).

Hand has won 19 straight games.

Ian O'Toole rushed 23 times for 102 yards and two touchdowns and Matt Sullivan added 139 yards on 10 carries and one touchdown to lead the visiting Tigers to this SCC interdivision win on Friday afternoon at Bowen Field.

Brendan Bilcheck threw a 63-yard touchdown pass to Kyle Anderson and Bilcheck also scored on a 3-yard run for Hand (2-0), which is ranked third in the Register Top 10 Poll.

Tyler Phan kicked a 24-yard field goal for the Tigers.

Andre Anderson (seven carries, 82 yards) scored twice, while Je'Vaughn Moore had a 66-yard touchdown run for the No. 7 Academics (1-1).

HAND

Coach: Steve Filippone (23 rd year, 188-66-6)

League: SCC

Last season: 13-0 (Class L champions)

Top offensive players: Kyle Anderson, 6-4, 190, Sr., WR; Ian O'Toole, 5-9, 175, Sr., RB

Top defensive players: Matt Walsh, 6-1, 225, Sr., LB (also a fullback); Peter Gerson, 6-3, 215, Sr., DE

Key losses: Henry Foye, QB; Kevin Frey, RB; Joe DeMichele, OL/DL; Vance Giarratana, DB; Nick Vitale, WR

Inside the huddle: Graduated 16 starters, relative inexperience on offense at key positions, tradition and defense will be a team strength.Walsh made over 60 unassisted tackles last season and was a Register All-Area selection. Gerson made 56 solo tackles, 15 sacks and recovered two fumbles in 2011. Filippone calls Gerson the most explosive player he's ever coached. Senior strong safety Alex Tuccero made three interceptions as a junior. Seniors Cam Gravina and Matt Saganelli will anchor the offensive line. Anderson, who made 49 catches and seven touchdowns in 2011, is one of the SCC's top receivers. O'Toole is expected to take over the running back duties full-time after Frey graduated. Senior Brendan Bilchek is expected to be the team's starting quarterback. Filippone says Bilchek has good arm strength and is a capable decision maker.

Recruiting watch: Walsh has given his oral commitment to play at UConn. Gerson will attend Yale next fall.