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Guilford Football Loses to Hand in Season Finale

The Guilford football team traveled to the Surf Club to face Hand in the squads’ annual Thanksgiving Eve matchup on Nov. 21. The Tigers came away with a 57-21 victory to finish their regular season with a record of 10-0. Despite the defeat, the Indians completed their year with a strong mark of 6-4, having secured the program’s first winning campaign since 2000.

Phoenix Billings got Hand going with a 34-yard touchdown rush to give the Tigers an early lead when they faced Guilford. On Hand’s next possession, Billings found Chris Bartosic on a 6-yard TD pass. Later in the first quarter, Julian Banerji raced 36 yards for a touchdown on a punt return to put the Tigers up by three scores. Billings later took home a 39-yard TD run to make it 30-0 after the first quarter.

Early in the second quarter, Billings and Bartosic connected on an 83-yard TD pass. Later in the frame, Colin McCabe powered his way into the end zone from two yards away to extend the lead to 43-0.

On Guilford’s next series, McCabe blocked a punt by the Indians, and Darrelle Brake scooped up the ball and ran it back for a touchdown to make the score 50-0. Hand increased its lead to 57-0 following a 30-yard interception return for a touchdown by Ian Butler.

The Indians got on the board later in the second quarter, when Charles Walcott ran for an 18-yard TD to make it 57-7 at the half. Walcott ran for a 59-yard touchdown and a 66-yard touchdown for the Indians during the second half for the 57-21 final.

Mark Chapman earned a spot on the All-SCC Tier 3 team as an offensive lineman for the Indians this year. Walcott and Ethan Vashel both made the team as defensive backs.

—John Lecardo