Printer Friendly Version - Tigers Ready to Roar on the Football Field This Fall

The Hand football team will begin its quest for another solid season when the Tigers hit the gridiron to face East Lyme in their opener this week. Pictured are Hand’s senior captains: Ryan Milliard, Alex Cushing, and Sam Sisk. Photo courtesy of Erik Becker

Erik Becker is eager to begin his second campaign as head coach of the Hand football squad this fall. The Tigers went 7-4 and made the playoffs in Becker’s first season at the helm last year. Photo by Wesley Bunnell/The Source

Since the Daniel Hand football program was founded in 1970, the Tigers have won 408 games, 27 division titles, and 13 state titles. As his team enters the upcoming season, Head Coach Erik Becker said the championship expectations remain the same for Hand and that the Tigers’ identity will play the biggest factor in their success.

Hand finished with an overall record of 7-4 in Becker’s first season as head coach last year. The Tigers qualified for the Class L State Playoffs and took a 21-20 overtime loss to St. Joseph in the quarterfinals. Hand opens the 2022 campaign with a home game versus East Lyme at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 9.

Coach Becker said that Hand has looked impressive throughout the preseason. In addition to their practices, the Tigers also participated in a scrimmage with Norwich Free Academy and then competed against Greenwich and Hamden in another scrimmage. While preparing for the first whistle of the season, Becker has been looking for the athletes on this year’s team to come together and enjoy the building process toward success.

“It has been great so far. We have had a great summer of work. It’s about getting better every day. It’s cliché to some, but it’s true,” Coach Becker said. “It’s about trusting the process, loving each other, and loving the work. When we stack good days, that leads to something special.”

Still, Coach Becker said that the Tigers are still searching for what their identity will be this season. Each team is different to Becker, and he feels that it’s up to the athletes to decide the type of squad they want to become. Of course, there are always some constants with a program as successful as Hand football, and Becker wants his athletes to adhere to those characteristics as they pursue a successful season.

“We’re a tough, physical football team. We always pride ourselves on being fundamentally sound. We’re aggressive,” said Becker. “It’s who we’ve been for 50 years, and it’s who we’ll be this year.”

Hand graduated four senior captains who earned All-SCC Tier 1 honors from last year’s team. The Tigers’ captains for the 2021 season were Patch Flanagan, who went All-Conference as a quarterback, along with Ethan O’Brien (running back), Seth Sweitzer (wide receiver), and Brendan Walsh (offensive line).

This season, Daniel Hand will be led by a trio of senior captains in Sam Sisk, Ryan Milliard, and Alex Cushing. Sisk, who is committed to play lacrosse at Babson College next year, plays wide receiver and safety for the Tigers. Coach Becker said that Milliard, a running back/safety, is a tone setter with his physical play on the field. He added that Cushing, a wide receiver/outside linebacker, “runs like a deer” in his 6-foot-4, 200-pound frame. Overall, Becker feels that all three captains are tremendous leaders who are exemplifying what it means to be a Tiger on a daily basis.

“Those are our guys. They’re outstanding young men,” Becker said. “They bring it every day and set the example. They embody our culture perfectly.”

Senior Will Kleine will be suiting up at quarterback for Hand this season. Kleine is a left-handed QB who played defensive back last year and has committed to play lacrosse at Mount Saint Mary’s in Maryland. Becker said that Kleine is a strong athlete who has grown both physically and mentally on the field. He feels that Kleine has been trending in a positive direction and is improving every day. Sophomore Paul Calandrelli will serve as Hand’s backup quarterback.

The Tigers will have Milliard and junior Gavin Wagner in the backfield at the running back position this year. In the passing game, Kleine will be throwing to a cast of receivers that includes Sisk, Cushing, senior Nick Lombardi, and junior Owen Preskar. Coach Becker said that Lombardi has some of the best hands he’s seen and added that Preskar has quickly become an impressive route runner.

In the trenches, Hand’s offensive line features seniors Cole Daignault, Wesley Selmani, and Jack Drought, along with junior Bryce Malary and sophomore Nick Pompilli. Junior Aidan Dolan will also be tasked with paving the way as a blocker while starting as the Tigers’ fullback.

Coach Becker is looking for Hand’s offense to spread the ball around the field this season. Becker wants to use the entire length of the field to ensure that the Tigers are getting the football to their playmakers in space.

Hand football alum Mike Davis is serving as the Tigers’ defensive coordinator. Becker calls Davis the best defensive coordinator in the state. Hand will run a 3-4 defense this year while featuring a unit that’s filled with talented players at multiple grade levels.

It all starts up front with sophomore nose tackle Trevor Cash. With Cash at 6-foot-1 and

240 pounds, Becker said that he needs to be unmovable up the middle. Dolan and freshman Tom O’Malley will be flanking Cash as defensive ends. Becker described Dolan as a phenomenal athlete and, in terms of O’Malley, he said that, “You can count the number of freshmen who have started for Hand on one hand and still snap your fingers.” Becker feels that O’Malley is a profound talent and should play a massive role for the Tigers as a freshman.

Coach Becker called this year’s linebacking corps among the best that he’s ever seen at Daniel Hand High School. Selmani and senior John Hayden will serve as the inside linebackers, while Cushing, junior Will Patla, and sophomore Owen Donahey are playing outside linebacker.

Sisk and Milliard are Hand’s starting safety combination and will be backed up by sophomore Ken Carter. At cornerback, the Tigers will start Wagner and sophomore Tyler Narracci at cornerback, both of whom Becker refers to as “super athletic” players.

Hand is playing a schedule that features a difficult SCC Tier 1 slate to go along with several formidable non-conference opponents, such as Newtown. Coach Becker said that the Tigers are ready to embrace that challenge and have the talent to win every game they play.

“Tigers are apex predators. We expect to win every game. We’re really proud of our résumé. That’s who we are,” said Becker. “Our schedule is very challenging, but we embrace that. There’s no easy weeks, and that’s something we hang our hat on. We’re looking to compete every week and love this journey.”

The Hand football team is perennially one of the premier football programs in Connecticut, but Coach Becker feels that there is something special about each specific team. Every year, a new team identity is born. Becker is excited to see what this year’s identity will be and just how far the Tigers can go in 2022.

“Every team is different. Every team has its own personality and character. The identity of this team will be unique to all the other Hand teams,” Becker said. “This is their team. These seniors have prepared for this moment their whole lives. Now, it’s their turn. I’m so excited to keep seeing who this team will become. I think we have the potential to be a great football team.”