Tigers Will Seek Rare Win Against Notre Dame In Game Rescheduled To Saturday

Editor's note: The DHHS-Notre Dame-West Haven game has been rescheduled to Saturday, Oct. 15 at 5 p.m. If you're going to go, be sure to take lots of pictures and upload them to Patch after the game!

Last year’s Tigers made it to the State Semi-Finals with a regular season record of 10-1.  Their only blemish was a 38-14 drubbing by Notre Dame at Veteran’s Stadium in West Haven.  

The Tigers last loss at the Surf Club took place on October 30, 2009.  Who was it?  Notre Dame 28, Hand 14.

In fact, the last time Hand defeated Notre Dame was during the 2007 season when they edged them 22-20.  This happened when this year’s senior class was in eighth grade.  Not one current Hand player has had the experience of walking off the field victorious after playing Notre Dame.   

If the 2011 Tigers want to change their recent history, they will have their hands full with yet another talented Notre Dame team.  There is good news and bad news for Hand.  The good news is that ND quarterback Sean Goldrich has graduated.  The bad news is that their leading rusher Amihr Bess is back for his senior season.  And even more bad news, sophomore running back Cameron Tucker has emerged as a rising star to give Notre Dame a formidable one-two punch.  Tucker was the leading rusher in last week’s 28-15 win over previously undefeated West Haven.  He averaged over ten yards per carry gaining 162 yards in 16 attempts.

Notre Dame has won three in a row after dropping their season opener to number one ranked Xavier, 36-7.  They can’t afford a second loss if they want to remain in the hunt for a Class L playoff berth.  There are currently 12 undefeated teams in Class L fighting for 8 playoff spots.  An 8-2 season will likely put them on the outside looking in for the post-season.  

The Hand defense was the star of the show last week in their 31-14 win over Cheshire.  They will have to play like that again and the offense will have to get on track for them to have any chance of slaying this dragon (or knight).  A loss will not necessarily eliminate the Tigers from playoff contention, but a win here will put them in great shape to finish the second half of the regular season and grab a spot in the post-season.

So... will it be the continued dominance of Notre Dame, or payback time for the Tigers? It should be a great game.  

Patch Player of the Week

The entire defense played well against Cheshire with several standouts.  Linbacker Matt Walsh with (unofficially) 18 tackles. Clogging the middle is  Nose guard Joe Demichele who looks like the “mayhem” guy from the auto insurance commercials.  The brutal hits dished out by safety Vance Giarratana against any receiver who dares to come across the middle.   

But the Player of the Week has to be outside linebacker Eddy O’Neill.  His second half interception and forced fumble (see photos above) iced the game for the Tigers.   

Around the SCC

The game of the week is at the Surf Club.  The game will be broadcast live on the internet at www.sportingnewsct.com .  

Coach George Demaio will be at the Guilford/Shelton game broadcasting live on 960 WELI.   

Congratulations to North Haven for making a return appearance in the polls at #10.