With renovations still not complete at the Surf Club in Madison, Hand, the defending Class L champion, will now travel to New Canaan for its season opener on Sept. 11. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.

The game was originally scheduled for Sept. 12 at 6 p.m. at the Surf Club. The home-away series between Hand and New Canaan as part of the SCC-FCIAC challenge will continue next season, but with the game at the Surf Club in 2014.

"The field (Surf Club) is not ready," Hand athletic director Craig Semple said. "We thought it would be a well-attended game, so we wanted to have the best situation for the safety and security of the players and fans."

After visiting New Canaan, the Tigers visit Hillhouse on Sept. 20. Semple said the Surf Club will be ready for Hand's home opener against Wilbur Cross on Sept. 27 at 7 p.m. 

Semple added that bleachers on the home side still need to be installed, which will "take a week to assemble". The new bleachers will accommodate 2,000 fans. 

Other renovations at the Surf Club include an artificial turf playing surface. 

 

Updated SCC-FCIAC Challenge Schedule

Wednesday, Sept. 11

Law at Harding – 6 p.m.

Staples at Xavier – 6:30 p.m.

Hand at New Canaan – 6:30 p.m.

Warde at Foran – 7 p.m.

Thursday, Sept. 12

Hillhouse at Darien – 4 p.m.

Bassick at East Haven – 6 p.m.

Cheshire at Ridgefield – 6 p.m.

Ludlowe at Lyman Hall – 6 p.m.

North Haven at Bridgeport Central – 6 p.m.

West Haven at Greenwich – 6 p.m.

Danbury at Hamden – 7 p.m.

Fairfield Prep at Stamford – 7 p.m.

Trumbull at Shelton – 7 p.m.

Wilbur Cross at McMahon – 7 p.m.

Wilton at Guilford – 7 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 13

Trinity Catholic at Sheehan – 6 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 14

Notre Dame at St. Joseph – 1:30 p.m.

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.