The #8 seeded Daniel Hand Tiger Football team will travel to Brien McMahon High School in Norwalk tonight to face the top seeded Darien Blue Wave in the first round of the CIAC Class L playoffs. The game will start at 6:30 p.m. As the #1 seed, Darien had the chance to host one final home game, however their field does not have lights, so the game was moved to their neighbor's field in Norwalk.
The game will be broadcast live by CPTV Sports (channel 966 on Comcast) for local viewers. Those of you from out-of-state can still catch the game streaming live over the internet at CPTVSports.org . Madison Cable TV will not be allowed to show the game live because CPTV has the broadcast rights.
Daniel Hand is the only three-loss team to make the playoffs. That is due to the brutally tough schedule it played this year. Wins over playoff teams Fairfield Prep and North Haven helped to add points and allowed Hand to grab the eighth and final spot in Class L.
Hand needed to beat Guilford last Wednesday to be eligible and they did so convincingly, 41-20. After finishing 8-3 they still had to wait for the outcomes of several games played on Thanksgiving to know whether or not it was time to turn in all their equipment. In the final moments on Wednesday it came down to the outcome of the Hillhouse-Cross game to decide if Hand or North Haven would be seeded 7th. A Hillhouse win then gave that to spot to North Haven.
In the other surprise of the day, Darien stopped the seemingly unstoppable New Canaan 28-24 in their annual Turkey Bowl match-up and claimed the top seed in Class L. This was the final piece of the puzzle of what turned out to be good news, good news... bad news for the Tigers. The good the Tigers get in with the 8th spot and a chance to defend their title. Also good - there won't be a return trip to Dunning Field, scene of our opening night massacre against new Canaan. (Clearly whoever wins Class L will have face New Canaan, but better to do that at a neutral site.) And finally bad... Hand will have to travel to Fairfield County and face the team who BEAT New Canaan!
For comparison, Darien (10-1) and Hand played three common opponents during the year; Hillhouse, North Haven and New Canaan. The Darien win over New Canaan puts them at 3-0 to Hand's 2-1 in those games. Darien's only loss of the year came to St. Joseph's, 28-14 in week 4.
Darien is led by their senior quarterback, Silas Wyper and their "Mr. Everything" all-purpose offense, defense and kick return player, senior, Nick Lombardo. Hand will have to bring their "A" game tonight if they hope to keep these guys in check.
Here are some helpful links to help you follow tonight's action:
CIAC "Game Sheet"
Class L Bracket
Directions to Brien McMahon HS, 300 Highland Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06854
CPTV Sports Website
Good luck Tigers!!
