SCC > News Releases

12/22/04

Daniel Hand High School, which was ranked No. 1 in the New Haven Register, New London Day, and Hartford Courant season-ending polls, is the Walter Camp Football Foundation's choice to receive the Joseph W. Kelly Trophy, which is awarded annually to Connecticut's top high school football team.

Hand captured the Southern Connecticut Conference Division I East title on its way to a perfect 12-0 record and the Class M state championship. It was the Tigers' second consecutive state title and their third since 1997.

The Tigers defeated Brookfield, 35-6, in the Class M title game on December 4. In the victory, quarterback Ryan Foder completed 15 of 20 passes for 188 yards and two touchdowns. Hand had previously defeated Berlin, 41-14, in the semifinals. Under the direction of head coach Steve Filippone, the Tigers now hold the state's longest current winning streak (17 games).

It is the second time that Hand has earned the Joseph W. Kelly Trophy. In 1997, Hand also won the award after finishing 13-0 on its way to the Class L state title. It also marks the fifth time since 1994 that a SCC school has earned the Kelly Trophy (Cheshire 1994 and 1995; Hand 1997 and 2004; West Haven 2002).

"Daniel Hand certainly distinguished itself as the premier Connecticut high school football program in 2004," said Walter Camp Football Foundation President Kenneth A. Dagliere. "We salute Coach Filippone, his staff and players on a spectacular season and a job well done."

Filippone and the captains of Hand squad, as well as all of the major award winners and members of the 2004 Walter Camp All-America team, will be honored at the organization's 38th annual national awards banquet on Saturday, February 12 at the Yale University Commons in New Haven.

In addition, the Foundation will hold its annual Fan Fest on Friday, February 11 at the Connecticut SportsPlex on Route 80 in North Branford from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Dinner ($250.00) and Fan Fest tickets ($10.00) can be purchased by calling (203) 288-CAMP.

#