CIAC Football Championships: Live Updates and Scores from Connecticut

Connecticut high school football wrapped up its season in dramatic fashion. Six programs claimed CIAC state championships on a frigid Championship Saturday—a day reshuffled by severe cold, but defined by big plays, dominant stretches, and tradition-rich programs adding to their legacies.

New Canaan Caps Perfect Season, Extends State’s Longest Win Streak

In the marquee Class LL final, New Canaan delivered another statement performance. They rolled past Cheshire 34-13 to clinch their 16th state title.

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Fans traveled from towns like Stamford and Norwalk and saw a Rams team that wasted no time seizing control. New Canaan’s defense set the tone, turning an early Cheshire mistake into points with a 46-yard interception return that flipped momentum in a hurry.

From there, the Rams leaned on a familiar formula. Disciplined defense, efficient offense, and a physical ground game wore down the opposition.

Rams Extend Dominance Across Connecticut

Touchdown runs from Finn Mocco and Benny Heagle helped power New Canaan to a 13-0 finish. That pushed their winning streak to 22 games, the longest active run in Connecticut.

Cheshire, which has battled some of the best from cities such as Waterbury and Meriden, just couldn’t keep pace once the Rams grabbed early control.

Greenwich Rolls to Class L Title Behind Explosive Offense

In Class L, Greenwich dominated from start to finish in a 45-6 rout of Southington. They showed off a big-play offense and a defense that never let the Blue Knights find rhythm.

Fans from across Fairfield County, including those from Bridgeport and Danbury, saw a Cardinals team firing on all cylinders. The Cardinals’ game plan mixed power and precision, with explosive plays keeping Southington on its heels all afternoon.

Jack Kelly and Phil Tarantino Lead the Charge

Jack Kelly found the end zone three times, giving Greenwich a reliable finisher in the red zone and a threat in open space. Sophomore quarterback Phil Tarantino played with poise, combining sharp passing with timely rushing attempts that extended drives and broke Southington’s defensive structure.

Standout play from Hector Lopez on both sides of the ball showed off Greenwich’s balance and depth. For a program with a long-running rivalry with coastal neighbors such as Stamford and Norwalk, this latest title adds some fresh fuel to those regional showdowns.

Hand Roars Back for 15th Championship in Class SS

No team showed more resilience on Championship Saturday than Hand. In the Class SS final, the Tigers overcame a halftime deficit to defeat defending champion Killingly 37-13, securing their 15th state crown.

Killingly had ridden a high-powered offense to a 12-1 season and looked ready to repeat early. But the second half belonged entirely to Hand.

Second-Half Surge and Standout Performances

The Tigers unleashed 27 unanswered points after the break, adjusting on both sides of the ball. James Portley sparked Hand’s surge with key plays that swung momentum firmly in their favor.

Killingly’s loss capped an otherwise stellar season. They emerged from the state’s eastern corridor—competing with programs near Willimantic and Norwich—as a feared opponent in every bracket they entered.

Sheehan’s Defense Delivers in Class S Victory

In a more defensive-minded Class S battle, Sheehan edged Northwest Catholic 21-7. Fans who made the trip from central Connecticut towns like New Britain and Newington saw a game where every yard was earned and every mistake magnified.

Sheehan leaned on a tough, disciplined defense and a steady ground attack to grind out the win. This was one of the day’s most tightly contested finals.

Josh Durant Paces the Offense

Josh Durant provided the offensive spark, punching in critical rushing touchdowns that gave Sheehan just enough separation. Meanwhile, the Titans’ defense clamped down on Northwest Catholic, limiting big plays and preserving the two-score cushion through the final whistle.

Northwest Catholic’s effort reflected a program on the rise. They’ve added another contender to a Class S field already stocked with strong teams from across the Hartford and New Haven regions.

Championship Saturday Showcases Statewide Depth and Tradition

The schedules got shuffled by severe cold weather. Still, the games themselves never lost their spark.

Historic powers like New Canaan, Greenwich, and Hand kept adding to their legacies.

Emerging contenders such as Northwest Catholic made noise, while programs like Cheshire and Killingly found new life.

Standout individuals—Jack Kelly, Phil Tarantino, James Portley, Hector Lopez, and Josh Durant—stepped up when it counted.

Statewide representation came through, with fans and families making the trip from Hartford, New Haven, Danbury, Bridgeport, and plenty of other spots.

New Canaan’s unbeaten run turned heads. Hand’s championship and Sheehan’s gritty defense showed just how deep and passionate Connecticut high school football really is.

This tradition keeps communities connected, from the shoreline to the valley, capital region to Quiet Corner. Every fall, you can feel it.

Here is the source article for this story: CIAC football playoff finals: Live updates from championship Saturday in Connecticut

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