NOTES: Hand-Xavier lived up to big billing



On a weekend when several streaks were snapped, the most noteworthy was Hand’s 40-20 victory over Xavier on Friday that ended the Falcons’ 30-game winning streak.

The meeting between Xavier and the Tigers at Palmer Field in Middletown, then ranked No. 1 and No. 3, respectively in the Register Top 10 Poll, certainly lived up to the hype.

It’s not always the case. Sometimes a game billed as a future classic can fall short of expectations. Not this one.

From the crowd — estimated at 4,500 and featuring a raucous student section — two top-notch bands and, of course, the action on the field, the atmosphere was electric.



HAND takes over No. 1 spot in Register Top 10 Poll


CIAC Playoff RATINGS

Who will win Friday's HAND-WEST HAVEN game. VOTE!

WEEK 5 HIGHLIGHTS

OFFENSIVE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

♦ Cromwell Sr. RB Derrick Villard: Ran for 215 yards and three touchdowns, had a touchdown reception and scored on a kickoff return in a 52-6 win over Nonnewaug on Saturday.

♦ Hamden Hall Jr. QB T.J. Linta: Completed 25 of 38 passes for 408 yards and four touchdowns in a 55-32 loss to Hackley on Saturday.

DEFENSIVE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

♦ Branford Jr. DB Charlie Boyd: Returned an interception 60 yards for a touchdown in a 47-13 win over Sheehan on Friday.

♦ Hyde Sr. FS Ezekiel Nixon: Returned an interception 73 yards for a touchdown in a 28-13 win over Valley Regional/Old Lyme on Friday.

SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

♦ Capital Prep/Classical Magnet/Achievement First Sr. Daquan Clarke: Returned a kickoff 65 yards for a score in a 42-0 win over Whitney Tech on Saturday. Clarke also caught a touchdown reception.

♦ Foran Jr. Zachary White: Scored on a punt return of 70 yards and a kickoff return of 81 yards in a 51-12 victory over Lyman Hall on Friday.

ON THE AIR

♦ West Haven at Hand, Friday, 7 p.m.: 960-WELI, 960WELI.com, iheart radio

GET OUT AND GO

♦ No. 8 West Haven (5-0) at No. 1 Hand (5-0), Friday, 7 p.m.: Westies will try to snap Hand’s 18-game winning streak.

♦ No. 5 Windsor (4-0) at Middletown (5-0), Friday, 7 p.m.: This is a much-anticipated Central Connecticut Conference Division II West showdown.

♦ No. 9 Glastonbury (5-0) at No. 10 Southington (5-0), Saturday, 7 p.m.: Southington has allowed just 28 points, while the Tomahawks have surrendered only 55. This should be a defensive struggle. 

MORE HIGHLIGHTS

The Day here. Xavier vs. Hand. No. 1 vs. No. 3.

Here are some preview stories on tonight's big game.  (7 p.m. at Palmer Field, Middletown)

 Tigers defense faced with toughest test

MADISON — If any opponent has the personnel to slow down Xavier’s potent offensive attack, it may just be Hand.

The Tigers defense features two players headed to Division I schools next fall in linebacker Matt Walsh (UConn) and lineman Peter Gerson (Yale).

The rest of the unit, including senior strong safety Alex Tuccero, certainly has the talent to play at the next level, too.

It will likely take a Herculean effort from a defense to derail the Falcons. Hand gets that chance tonight at 7 at Palmer Field in a much-anticipated Southern Connecticut Conference showdown.

Read more here.

Marinan, Falcons loving the spotlight: Read more from the Middletown's Press' Jim Bransfield

Connecticut sports writers pick the winner: Find out their  picks 
  
TALE OF THE TAPE: A comparison between the two storied programs
  
Ticket, parking, radio and TV information: Get informed here

Planning on attending Friday night’s much-anticipated Hand/Xavier football game (who will win?, VOTE) at Palmer Field in Middletown?

According to the Southern Connecticut Conference website, tickets will be $5 for adults and $3 for students and senior citizens. Xavier students can enter free with a school ID. Children under 10 are free.

The athletic complex at Palmer Field holds about 5,000.

Nearby Veterans Park will be made available for parking. Portable lighting will be installed in the park and at the footbridge that links the park with Palmer Field. Xavier will have a ticket booth stationed at the footbridge.
Parking at nearby businesses on streets next to the field is not recommended.

Kickoff is at 7 p.m.


TALE OF THE TAPE

HAND — XAVIER

Rank in Register Top 10 poll: No. 3 — No. 1

Record: 4-0 — 4-0

Coach: Steve Filippone — Sean Marinan

Conference: SCC Div. I East — SCC Div. I West

Location: Madison — Middletown

Mascot: Tigers — Falcons

Consecutive wins: 17 — 30

Program wins: 333 — 31

Class: L — LL

State titles: 10 — 3

State finals: 16 — 5

Last meeting: Hand won 31-16 in 2007

Series history: Hand leads 14-6