GameTime CT

Connecticut's premier high school sports website

  • GIRLS SPORTS
    • Basketball
    • Cross Country
    • Field Hockey
    • Golf
    • Gymnastics
    • Hockey
    • Indoor Track
    • Lacrosse
    • Soccer
    • Softball
    • Swimming
    • Tennis
    • Volleyball
    • Track & Field
  • BOYS SPORTS
    • Baseball
    • Basketball
    • Cross Country
    • Football
    • Golf
    • Hockey
    • Indoor Track
    • Lacrosse
    • Soccer
    • Swimming
    • Tennis
    • Track & Field
    • Volleyball
    • Wrestling
  • Schools
  • Newspapers
    • CT Post
    • The Danbury News-Times
    • Greenwich Time
    • The Middletown Press
    • New Haven Register
    • The Norwalk Hour
    • The Register Citizen
    • The Stamford Advocate
  • Polls
    • Baseball Top 10
    • Boys Basketball Top 10
    • Girls Basketball Top 10
    • Football Top 10
    • Hockey Top 10
    • Boys Lacrosse Top 10
    • Softball Top 10
    • Other Polls
  • Scores & Stats
Football

Hand’s defense scores three times in shutout win over Maloney to reach third straight Class L final

Dave Phillips | December 9, 2019

41
Hand's Colin McCabe cuts through the Maloney defense for a touchdown early in the first half on Monday.
1of41

Hand’s Colin McCabe cuts through the Maloney defense for a touchdown early in the first half on Monday.

Arnold Gold / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
Maloney's Stone Deleon fumbles the ball in the first half against Hand on Monday.
2of41

Maloney’s Stone Deleon fumbles the ball in the first half against Hand on Monday.

Arnold Gold / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
3of41
Hand's Jesse Lutz runs for a touchdown against Maloney in the second half on Monday.
4of41

Hand’s Jesse Lutz runs for a touchdown against Maloney in the second half on Monday.

Arnold Gold / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
Maloney quarterback Angel Arce fumbles the ball as he is being tackled by Hand's Austin Doyle in the second half on Monday.
5of41

Maloney quarterback Angel Arce fumbles the ball as he is being tackled by Hand’s Austin Doyle in the second half on Monday.

Arnold Gold / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
6of41
Colin McCabe of Daniel Hand runs against Maloney in the Class L football semifinal in Madison on December 9, 2019.
7of41

Colin McCabe of Daniel Hand runs against Maloney in the Class L football semifinal in Madison on December 9, 2019.

Arnold Gold / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
Shane Reiner of Daniel Hand runs against Maloney in the Class L semifinal football game in Madison on December 9, 2019.
8of41

Shane Reiner of Daniel Hand runs against Maloney in the Class L semifinal football game in Madison on December 9, 2019.

Arnold Gold / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
9of41
Colin McCabe of Daniel Hand runs against Maloney in the Class L football semifinal in Madison on December 9, 2019.
10of41

Colin McCabe of Daniel Hand runs against Maloney in the Class L football semifinal in Madison on December 9, 2019.

Arnold Gold / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
Colin McCabe of Daniel Hand runs against Maloney in the Class L football semifinal in Madison on December 9, 2019.
11of41

Colin McCabe of Daniel Hand runs against Maloney in the Class L football semifinal in Madison on December 9, 2019.

Arnold Gold / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
12of41
Daniel Hand quarterback Phoenix Billings looks for a receiver against Maloney in the Class L semifinal football game in Madison on December 9, 2019.
13of41

Daniel Hand quarterback Phoenix Billings looks for a receiver against Maloney in the Class L semifinal football game in Madison on December 9, 2019.

Arnold Gold / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
Darrell Brake (center) of Daniel Hand knocks the ball loose from Stone Deleon of Maloney in the Class L semifinal football game in Madison on December 9, 2019.
14of41

Darrell Brake (center) of Daniel Hand knocks the ball loose from Stone Deleon of Maloney in the Class L semifinal football game in Madison on December 9, 2019.

Arnold Gold / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
15of41
Daniel Hand looks to recover a fumble by Stone Deleon of Maloney in the Class L semifinal football game in Madison on December 9, 2019.
16of41

Daniel Hand looks to recover a fumble by Stone Deleon of Maloney in the Class L semifinal football game in Madison on December 9, 2019.

Arnold Gold / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
Lukas Wagner (left) of Daniel Hand celebrates a Maloney turnover in the Class L semifinal football game in Madison on December 9, 2019.
17of41

Lukas Wagner (left) of Daniel Hand celebrates a Maloney turnover in the Class L semifinal football game in Madison on December 9, 2019.

Arnold Gold / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
18of41
Colin McCabe of Daniel Hand runs against Maloney in the Class L football semifinal in Madison on December 9, 2019.
19of41

Colin McCabe of Daniel Hand runs against Maloney in the Class L football semifinal in Madison on December 9, 2019.

Arnold Gold / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
Elijah Stevenso of Maloney runs against Daniel Hand in the Class L semifinal football game in Madison on December 9, 2019.
20of41

Elijah Stevenso of Maloney runs against Daniel Hand in the Class L semifinal football game in Madison on December 9, 2019.

Arnold Gold / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
21of41
Elijah Stevenso of Maloney runs against Daniel Hand in the Class L semifinal football game in Madison on December 9, 2019.
22of41

Elijah Stevenso of Maloney runs against Daniel Hand in the Class L semifinal football game in Madison on December 9, 2019.

Arnold Gold / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
Ethan Haberman of Daniel Hand runs against Maloney in the Class L semifinal football game in Madison on December 9, 2019.
23of41

Ethan Haberman of Daniel Hand runs against Maloney in the Class L semifinal football game in Madison on December 9, 2019.

Arnold Gold / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
24of41
Colin McCabe of Daniel Hand runs against Maloney in the Class L football semifinal in Madison on December 9, 2019.
25of41

Colin McCabe of Daniel Hand runs against Maloney in the Class L football semifinal in Madison on December 9, 2019.

Arnold Gold / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
Colin McCabe of Daniel Hand is stopped by Maloney in the Class L football semifinal in Madison on December 9, 2019.
26of41

Colin McCabe of Daniel Hand is stopped by Maloney in the Class L football semifinal in Madison on December 9, 2019.

Arnold Gold / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
27of41
Colin McCabe of Daniel Hand is helped off the field in the second half of the Class L football semifinal against Maloney in Madison on December 9, 2019.
28of41

Colin McCabe of Daniel Hand is helped off the field in the second half of the Class L football semifinal against Maloney in Madison on December 9, 2019.

Arnold Gold / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
Jesse Lutz of Daniel Hand runs against Maloney in the second half of the Class L semifinal football game in Madison on December 9, 2019.
29of41

Jesse Lutz of Daniel Hand runs against Maloney in the second half of the Class L semifinal football game in Madison on December 9, 2019.

Arnold Gold / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
30of41
Maloney quarterback Angel Arce passes against Daniel Hand in the Class L semifinal football game in Madison on December 9, 2019.
31of41

Maloney quarterback Angel Arce passes against Daniel Hand in the Class L semifinal football game in Madison on December 9, 2019.

Arnold Gold / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
Jesse Lutz of Daniel Hand runs against Maloney in the second half of the Class L semifinal football game in Madison on December 9, 2019.
32of41

Jesse Lutz of Daniel Hand runs against Maloney in the second half of the Class L semifinal football game in Madison on December 9, 2019.

Arnold Gold / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
33of41
Kamron Moreno (right)) of Maloney could not hold onto this pass against Daniel Hand late in the Class L semifinal football game in Madison on December 9, 2019.
34of41

Kamron Moreno (right)) of Maloney could not hold onto this pass against Daniel Hand late in the Class L semifinal football game in Madison on December 9, 2019.

Arnold Gold / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
Maloney quarterback Angel Arce (right) fumbles against Daniel Hand in the Class L semifinal football game in Madison on December 9, 2019.
35of41

Maloney quarterback Angel Arce (right) fumbles against Daniel Hand in the Class L semifinal football game in Madison on December 9, 2019.

Arnold Gold / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
36of41
Ben Corniello of Daniel Hand (left) and Maloney quarterback Angel Arce (right) look toward a fumble in the Class L semifinal football game in Madison on December 9, 2019.
37of41

Ben Corniello of Daniel Hand (left) and Maloney quarterback Angel Arce (right) look toward a fumble in the Class L semifinal football game in Madison on December 9, 2019.

Arnold Gold / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
Kuron Wiggins of Maloney runs against Daniel Hand in the Class L semifinal football game in Madison on December 9, 2019.
38of41

Kuron Wiggins of Maloney runs against Daniel Hand in the Class L semifinal football game in Madison on December 9, 2019.

Arnold Gold / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
39of41
Stone Deleon of Maloney makes a reception against Daniel Hand in the Class L semifinal football game in Madison on December 9, 2019.
40of41

Stone Deleon of Maloney makes a reception against Daniel Hand in the Class L semifinal football game in Madison on December 9, 2019.

Arnold Gold / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
41of41

MADISON — The championship game everyone wants to see is set.

Hand vs. St. Joseph.

Second-seeded Hand (12-0) assured itself a berth in Saturday’s CIAC Class L final with a 42-0 victory over third-seeded Maloney Monday night at the Surf Club. The Tigers and top-seeded St. Joseph, who have been ranked 1-2 in the state polls all season, will meet at 3 p.m. at Willowbrook Park in New Britain Saturday for the L title. St. Joseph downed New Canaan 42-0 Monday night in the other semifinal.

It will be the first matchup in a state final with teams ranked 1-2 in the state poll since Xavier defeated Southington in 2005 for the LL title.

CIAC FOOTBALL PLAYOFF SCOREBOARD/SCHEDULE

“We’ve kind of had that idea in our heads all year,” said Hand quarterback Phoenix Billings, who was 5-for-12 passing for 102 yards and 20 yards rushing. “They’re a great team. We have a lot of respect for them and it should be a pretty awesome game.”

Phoenix Billings talks about the winning streak and the upcoming showdown with St. Joseph #cthsfb pic.twitter.com/1Pjp2j0x6G

— Dave Phillips (@davephillips41) December 10, 2019

The heavy rain throughout Monday night made a huge difference in the game as both teams had trouble holding on to the football.

“The weather obviously isn’t ideal when it’s this bad,” Billings said. “I thought we did a great job of just using what we had, trying to get the ball downfield, and our offensive line did a great job of getting that push up front.”

It also extended Hand’s winning streak to 36 consecutive games. The Tigers, who will be going for their third consecutive state championship, are perfect since losing to Shelton, 21-19, in Week 3 of the 2017 season.

Hand football coach Dave Mastroianni talks about Hand’s winning streak and the upcoming showdown with St Joseph #cthsfb pic.twitter.com/cO9qxWXH9Z

— Dave Phillips (@davephillips41) December 10, 2019

“You can’t put that in perspective,” Hand coach Dave Mastroianni said. “Every coach says you try to go 1-0 every week and we’ve been able to string those 1-0’s together. I’m proud of our team and stringing those together.”

And Hand started out with a bang, scoring on its first two possessions.

Colin McCabe (17 carries for 102 yards) scooted off left tackle for a 26-yard run just six minutes into the game. McCabe added the conversion run to make it 8-0.

After Maloney punted, Phoenix Billings finished off a 41-yard drive for the Tigers with a one-yard scamper and with Isaiah McNeilly’s kick, it was 15-0 with 1:26 to go in the first quarter.

Hand had a couple of chances to tack on points in the second quarter, but Ethan Haberman fumbled on the Maloney 1-yard line. The Tigers also had another shot with five seconds left, but McNeill’s 36-yard field goal was short and wide to the right.

It's the game everyone thought would happen in Class L. St. Joe's vs. Hand. The @HandTigersFB with an impressive win over Maloney tonight to get to this point. @AndrewFBrill with the recap @WFSBnews #cthsfb @HandTigers pic.twitter.com/cTHqCrh3KP

— Elliott Polakoff (@ElliottPolakoff) December 10, 2019

The Tigers added two touchdowns in the third quarter to break wide open.

Conner Quinn picked off an Angel Arce pass and returned it 40 yards for a touchdown midway through the quarterback and Jesse Lutz added a 4-yard run late in the period to make it 29-0.

Hand’s defense put tons of pressure on Arce (5-for-19 passing for 73 yards) in the fourth quarter and forced him into back-to-back fumbles which the Tigers returned for touchdowns by Kevin Nizolek and Ben Cornelio.

The only setback for Hand came when McCabe left the field with assistance with an apparent leg injury late in the third quarter.

“I’m not a doctor, so I don’t know,” Mastroianni said about whether McCabe will play in the state final. “Jesse Lutz has proven he can play and I have every confidence in him.”

Maloney finished 10-2 with the loss.

“I don’t think the score indicates the final outcome,” Maloney coach Kevin Frederick said. “Defensively, we played awesome. Offensively, we struggled and couldn’t hang on to the football.”

PLAYER OF THE GAME

Hand’s defense which kept Maloney off the scoreboard throughout the game and turned three turnovers into touchdowns.

QUOTABLE

“It’s a good feeling to get back to the championship game regardless of who we are playing. That was our goal all year. Now, we’re playing St. Joe’s ….okay.”

— Hand coach Dave Mastroianni

HAND 42, MALONEY 0

Maloney 0 0 0 0 — 0
Daniel Hand 15 0 14 13 — 42
H — Colin McCabe: 26-yard run (Colin McCabe run)
H — Phoenix Billings: 1-yard run (Isaiah McNeilly kick)
H — Conner Quinn: 40-yard interception return (Isaiah McNeilly kick)
H — Jesse Lutz: 4-yard (Isaiah McNeilly kick)
H — Kevin Nizolek: 60-yard fumble return (Isaiah McNeilly kick)
H — Ben Cornelio: 12-yard fumble return

About Dave Phillips

Newsletter Signup

Don't strike out on CT high school sports news. Sign up for The Whistle newsletter from GametimeCT

You agree to our Terms of Use. Your information will be used as described in our Privacy Policy.

Spring Sports Quick Links

Spring Sports Quick Links

BASEBALL 2021: PRESEASON TOP 10 | PLAYERS TO WATCH | GAMES TO SEE
SOFTBALL 2021: PRESEASON TOP 10 | PLAYERS TO WATCH | GAMES TO SEE
BOYS LACROSSE 2021: PRESEASON TOP 10 | PLAYERS TO WATCH | GAMES TO WATCH
GIRLS LACROSSE: PLAYERS TO WATCH | GAMES TO SEE
Spring Sports Schedules

Winter 2021 Preview Links

Winter Sports 2021 Links

2021 ALL-STATE TEAMS

GTCT: BOYS BASKETBALL | GIRLS BASKETBALL | BOYS HOCKEY | GIRLS HOCKEY
CHSCA: GIRLS BASKETBALL | GYMNASTICS | BOYS HOCKEY | CHSGHA: GIRLS HOCKEY

TeamPlayer Scores and Stats search

Scores and Stats

Video

Podcasts

Fall Sports Quick Links

Fall Sports Quick Links

2021 FOOTBALL COLLEGE RECRUITING LIST
2020 GAMETIMECT ALL-STATE TEAMS
BOYS SOCCER
GIRLS SOCCER
FIELD HOCKEY
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
BOYS CROSS COUNTRY
GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY
2020 LEAGUE PLAYOFFS:
Central Connecticut
Fairfield County
Shoreline Conference
Southern Connecticut
South-West Conference

Twitter

Tweets

Polls

Sorry, there are no polls available at the moment.
Follow Us
© Copyright 2017 Hearst Media Services Connecticut, LLC