The Hand (Madison, CT) varsity football team will host St. Joseph (Trumbull, CT) in a home playoff game today at 12:30 PM at Hand High School. This game is part of the 2024 Connecticut High School Football Playoff Brackets for CIAC Class M.

St. Joseph vs Hand High School Football Game Info:

What: Connecticut High School Football
Who: St. Joseph vs Hand
When: Sunday, December 8, 2024
Time: 12:30 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 Connecticut High School Football Playoff Brackets: CIAC – Class M
Live stream: Watch here

Game Preview: St. Joseph vs Hand

The Hand (Madison, CT) varsity football team is set to host St. Joseph (Trumbull, CT) in an exciting CIAC Class M playoff matchup today at 12:30 PM. With both teams bringing strong records into the game, this promises to be a thrilling contest in the 2024 Connecticut High School Football Playoff Brackets.

Team Overview:

St. Joseph
St. Joseph enters this game with an 8-3 overall record, having posted a 5-2 mark in league play. The team has been highly competitive, with standout performances both on offense and defense. Their offense is led by quarterback Harry “HT” Jones, who averages 89.3 passing yards per game, and running back Finn Kilmartin, who contributes 54.1 rushing yards per game. The team is averaging 25.5 points per game, with a balanced offensive attack that mixes both the air and ground game. St. Joseph’s defense has been solid, allowing an average of 106 points across their 11 games, giving them an impressive point differential.

Hand
Hand enters the game as one of the top teams in Connecticut, boasting an undefeated 11-0 record. With an 8-0 league mark, they have been dominant in all aspects of the game. Offensively, Hand is a juggernaut, averaging 38.6 points per game. Quarterback Paul Calandrelli, who has been a key figure in their success, averages 141.9 passing yards per game. The team has been equally effective on the ground, with Tyler Narracci contributing 70.4 rushing yards per game. Hand’s defense has been equally formidable, allowing just 154 points on the season. They’ve averaged 49.3 tackles per game and have been highly effective at pressuring opposing quarterbacks.

Head-to-Head:

St. Joseph and Hand have not met yet this season, but both teams have been dominant in their respective campaigns, making this an intriguing first meeting between the two. Hand enters as the clear favorite, given their undefeated record and the offensive firepower they bring to the field.

Key Players to Watch:

St. Joseph:

• Harry “HT” Jones (QB): Jones has been the leader of the offense, contributing significantly through the air with 89.3 passing yards per game. His ability to manage the game and make key throws will be crucial if St. Joseph is to challenge Hand.
• Finn Kilmartin (RB): Kilmartin is the main threat on the ground for St. Joseph, averaging 54.1 rushing yards per game. His success running the football will be key to keeping Hand’s defense honest.

Hand:

• Paul Calandrelli (QB): Calandrelli has been outstanding this season, averaging 141.9 passing yards per game. His ability to execute Hand’s potent passing attack will be critical to their offensive success.
• Tyler Narracci (RB): Narracci is a strong force in the backfield, with 70.4 rushing yards per game. His ability to run the ball effectively will keep St. Joseph’s defense on its toes.
• Conor Casagrande (LB): Casagrande leads the defense with 5.8 tackles per game. He will need to step up in a big way to help shut down the St. Joseph offense.

Team Comparison:

• Offensive Stats:
  • St. Joseph: 199.7 total yards per game (91.3 rushing, 108.5 passing)
  • Hand: 342.7 total yards per game (195.8 rushing, 146.9 passing)

  Hand holds a clear advantage in total yardage, averaging over 140 more yards per game than St. Joseph. Their explosive offense will be a tough challenge for the St. Joseph defense.

• Defensive Stats:
  • St. Joseph: 48.0 tackles per game, 1.5 sacks per game
  • Hand: 49.3 tackles per game, 1.2 sacks per game

  Both teams have strong defenses, but Hand’s slightly higher tackle average and solid pass rush could be key factors in stopping St. Joseph’s offensive playmakers.

Record Breakdown:

• St. Joseph: 8-3 overall (5-2 league, 3-2 away, 1-0 in playoffs)
• Hand: 11-0 overall (8-0 league, 5-0 home, 1-0 in playoffs)

Hand comes into the game undefeated, with an impressive 6-0 record at home. St. Joseph has been strong on the road, with a 3-2 away record, but they will face a tough challenge at Hand’s home field.

Conclusion:

Today’s playoff game between St. Joseph and Hand promises to be an exciting and competitive matchup. Hand enters as the favorite, having dominated the regular season with an undefeated record and a potent offense. However, St. Joseph will look to upset the undefeated team and advance further in the playoffs. With talented players on both sides of the ball, this game is sure to offer plenty of action and drama as both teams fight for a spot in the next round of the 2024 CIAC Class M playoffs. Fans can expect a hard-fought battle as both teams give it their all in this high-stakes contest.