The 2025 CIAC high school football playoff semifinals brought drama, dominant performances, and a few surprises to fields across Connecticut. Twelve semifinal games unfolded in cold weather from late afternoon into the evening.
There were blowout wins in Windsor and Madison. Defensive slugfests impacted perennial powers like St. Joseph, setting up championship matchups that’ll have fans from Greenwich to Killingly buzzing all week.
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Cold Weather, Hot Stakes Across the CIAC Semifinals
The CIAC shifted kickoff times between 3 and 6:30 p.m. to account for the bitter cold. That didn’t cool the intensity on fields from New Haven County to Fairfield and Hartford counties.
Since the playoff expansion to 48 teams in 2022, 49 different programs have reached the semifinals. That’s a wild stat and shows just how deep Connecticut high school football runs.
Still, a handful of programs keep showing up. Greenwich, New Canaan, and Ansonia have reached the semifinals every year since the expansion—no small feat.
Honoring Dr. Leroy Williams and a Legacy in New Haven
This year’s championships are dedicated to Dr. Leroy Williams, a giant in Connecticut high school football. Williams chaired the CIAC Football Committee for 26 years and spent decades coaching in New Haven schools.
He left a lasting mark on urban football programs and postseason policy statewide. The dedication adds meaning to these playoffs, especially for coaches and athletic directors in cities like Hartford, Bridgeport, and Waterbury who worked with him or benefited from his advocacy.
Digital Tickets and Streaming Bring Fans In
The semifinals reflected the sport’s modern evolution off the field, too. All tickets were sold digitally—pretty standard now for CIAC tournaments.
Fans from Stamford to Norwich could grab their seats online without standing in line at a box office. For those who couldn’t make it in person, the NFHS Network streamed every game via subscription.
Alumni, family, and scouts could follow the action from anywhere. That’s something you couldn’t say a decade ago.
How to Watch and Follow CIAC Football
With championship games looming, fans across Connecticut can tune in via:
Class SS: Hand and Killingly Set Up a Powerhouse Final
In Class SS, two programs with different styles but equally impressive résumés took center stage. Hand and Killingly both imposed their will in the semifinals and now collide in one of the most anticipated finals of the CIAC season.
Hand Shuts Out Nonnewaug Behind Opportunistic Defense
Hand played like a seasoned November contender and dismantled Nonnewaug 42-0. The defense turned the game into a showcase, with multiple interceptions returned for touchdowns by Stone Leckey.
Every time Nonnewaug tried to mount a drive, Hand’s secondary answered. The Madison offense got short fields and made it count, a performance that resonates with fans in towns like Guilford and Branford.
New Canaan Rolls Past Hartford Co-Op
New Canaan continued its postseason tradition with a 43-6 win over Hartford Co-Op. The Rams seized control early and never let up, highlighted by a pick-six from Andrew Esposito.
New Canaan’s playoff consistency stands out, often sharing the limelight with rivals in Darien and Westport.
Killingly Extends Win Streak, Ends Ledyard’s Run
Killingly powered past Ledyard 44-15, stretching its win streak to 25 games. That victory locked in Killingly’s spot in the Class SS final against Hand.
Fans in eastern Connecticut towns like Norwich and Griswold have a lot to cheer for. Killingly’s rise has brought fresh pride to small-town football, showing they can hang with the state’s heavyweights.
Defensive Battle Knocks Out Reigning Champion St. Joseph
One of the night’s biggest shockwaves came in a low-scoring struggle. Brookfield edged St. Joseph 6-3, ending the Cadets’ hopes of a repeat title.
Playoff football is often decided by defense and field position, and this matchup proved it.
Brookfield’s Defense Delivers in Crunch Time
Brookfield’s defense stifled St. Joseph’s usually explosive offense. They forced long drives and limited big plays.
Every possession felt magnified, and a single scoring drive was all Brookfield needed. Fans celebrated from Route 25 to Bethel and Danbury.
Class MM and LL: Windsor, Bunnell, Southington Make Statements
The Class MM and LL semifinals had their own showcases of power, poise, and resilience. Teams from central and coastal Connecticut stepped into the spotlight.
Windsor Dominates Newington Behind AJ Robinson
Windsor was relentless in a 42-0 rout of Newington. Quarterback AJ Robinson put on a show, tossing and running for multiple touchdowns.
His dual-threat presence kept Newington off balance from the opening series. The win energized neighboring football communities in Bloomfield, East Hartford, and the greater Hartford area.
Bunnell Squeaks Past Wilton in a Thriller
In another tight Class MM matchup, Bunnell edged Wilton 21-20. The one-point margin shows just how slim the difference can be at this stage.
Special teams and situational play-calling become huge in late November. Fans in Stratford and Bridgeport know Bunnell’s resilience has been building for years, making this win even sweeter.
Southington Overwhelms NFA in Class LL
In Class LL, Southington showed off its offensive depth, overpowering NFA (Norwich Free Academy) 42-7. Southington’s offense clicked from the start, and the defense did enough to keep NFA from mounting a comeback.
The performance resonates across central Connecticut, especially in football-centric towns like Plainville, Meriden, and New Britain. Southington’s looking like a real threat to bring home a Class LL crown.
What’s Next for Connecticut High School Football Fans
With the semifinals wrapped up, everyone’s focus shifts to championship weekend. The storylines are everywhere: Hand faces Killingly in SS. Windsor’s offense keeps heating up in MM. Southington made a statement in LL. Power programs like New Canaan aren’t going anywhere.
From Greenwich on the shoreline to Killingly out in the Quiet Corner, Connecticut’s high school football community gears up for one last week under the lights. This is where legacies get written and, let’s be honest, somebody’s bound to become the next big name.
Here is the source article for this story: CIAC football playoffs: Live updates from semifinal games across Connecticut
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