Hand Football Beats Hamden, Remains Undefeated

By Amber Kountz

MADISON — Fresh off an impressive 24-6 victory over Wilbur Cross, the Hamden football team ran into a buzz saw when it traveled to Madison to take on the undefeated Hand Tigers on Saturday.

The Tigers continued its perfect start with a big second quarter en route to a 34-7 victory and improved to 5-0.

Hamden matched Hand early in the game and the score was tied 7-7 at the end of the first quarter.

However, the Green Dragons suffered a key loss in the second quarter when quarterback Angelo DiMonaco was injured.

DiMonaco left the game after suffering an injury after being sacked near the Hamden sideline. The medical staff ushered a stretcher onto the field but fortunately he was able to walk off with his own strength. DiMonaco was out for the remainder of the first half.

Meanwhile, Hand’s dynamic quarterback and wide receiver duo of Nick Van Dell and Ryan Kaufmann connected on a touchdown pass to give the Tigers a 14-7 lead.

Virgil Harrell III, a starting wide receiver, took over quarterback responsibilities for Hamden while DiMonaco was out.

Harrell did a commendable job of holding the offense together, limiting penalties and turnovers, but the Dragons were unable to get into a scoring rhythm.

Hand took advantage of the momentum and piled on two more touchdowns in the second quarter.

Mark Hill and Van Dell connected on a touchdown pass and Van Dell later showed off his running skills and ran for a 13-yard touchdown with 2 minutes, 24 seconds remaining in the half.

Hand held a 27-7 lead heading into halftime.

DiMonaco returned for the start of the second half.

Hamden, however, was plagued by penalties throughout the rest of the game.

The standout moments for the Dragons offense came from running back Diante Perry, who ran for several first down. Many of the positive plays came on defense with interceptions from Hamden’s LeeAndre Burton and Herbie Bagwell.

Hamden led the charge in the first quarter.

Hamden co-captain Kwadir Delgado-McIntyre returned the opening kickoff 78 yards to Hand’s 10-yard line. The dragons went for it on fourth down and were unable to punch the ticket for a score.

Hamden’s defense came up big in the beginning for the first half. Bagwell, a defensive tackle, clogged up the running game for Hand, giving the ball back to the Dragons with 8:37 left in the first at their own 47 yard line. Within eight, the Dragons found themselves one yard from Hand’s goal line.

DiMonaco rushed from the first six points on the board.

The Tigers didn’t remain scoreless for long. Van Dell and Kaufmann connected on a 12-yard pass to even the score.