Third Straight Championship For St. Joseph Football

NEW BRITAIN, CT — The Daniel Hand Tigers and St. Joseph Cadets met in one of the most anticipated football championships in recent history at Veterans Stadium in New Britain. A battle of the #1 and #2 ranked, undefeated teams ended with the Cadets emerging as the Class L football state champion.

Following an undefeated 12-0 season in the FCIAC East, the Cadets have won their 3rd state title in as many years. After winning the state championship in Class S in 2017, and Class M in 2018, St. Joe’s has accomplished the feat in Class L, winning by a score of 17-13 . With victories over Wilton in the quarter final and New Canaan in the semi final, the Cadets secured the 15th championship in school history.

Featuring 3 turnovers between the two teams with back and forth action, the 1st quarter featured no scoring, ending in a 0-0 stalemate. Great defensive play was the theme throughout the quarter and translated into more of the same in the 2nd quarter. The Cadets scored in the first minute of the 2nd quarter with a Preston Kral interception off a pass from Phoenix Billings to break the deadlock. The Cadets lead would be diminished by a TD pass from Billings to Isaiah McNeilly with 30 seconds remaining evening the score, 7-7. St. Joseph missed a last second 50-yard field goal to end the quarter even at 7-7.

The Cadets struck first after the half with a 37-yard field goal by Austin Jose halfway through the quarter. The score remained 10-7 in favor of the Cadets until Senior Captain Jaden Shirden scored on a 15 yard TD run to extend the lead 17-7 with just 5 minutes left in the 4th quarter. With 37 seconds left, following a miracle completion on a 4th & 22, Billings keeps the ball for a QB Keeper to push the score to 17-13. With the Tigers failing to complete a successful onside kick, the Cadets recover and secure their victory.

CLASS L CHAMPIONSHIP
St. Joseph 17, Hand 13

Daniel Hand (12-1) 0 7 0 6 -- 13
St. Joseph (13-0) 0 7 3 7 -- 17

SCORING SUMMARY
Second quarter
S-Preston Kral 41 interception return (Jose Aldo kick), 11:04
H-Isaiah McNeilly 6 pass from Phoenix Billings (McNeilly kick), 0:31
Third quarter
S-Aldo 38 FG, 6:26
Fourth quarter
S-Jaden Shirden 15 run (Aldo kick), 4:47
H-Phoenix Billings 1 run (kick blocked), :37

STATISTICS
Rushing
Hand - Colin McCabe 19-59, Phoenix Billings 10-2, Jesse Lutz 3-1
St. Joseph - Jaden Shirden 32-179, Jack Wallace 2-9-(-19)
Passing
Hand - Phoenix Billings 14-24-167-1
St. Joseph - Jack Wallace 13-21-154-1
Receiving
Hand - Ethan Haberman 6-100, Isaiah McNeilly 4-25, Jesse Lutz 2-2, Seth Sweitzer 1-46, Colin McCabe 1-4
St. Joseph - Brady Hutchison 6-91, Will Diamantis 5-51, Jaden Shirden 2-8

Story written by Zach Gosselin