Defending Champs Hand Tigers Face Tougher Schedule With Larger-School Opponents

The Hand Tigers football team, winners of 15 state titles, will take on a beefed-up schedule in 2026 with many games against larger schools.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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The Hand Tigers football program, the defending Class SS state champions, will face a challenging 2026 schedule that includes five playoff teams from last season and two out-of-state matchups. The Tigers, who captured their 15th state title in 2025, will look to repeat as champions despite facing a schedule filled with larger-school opponents from the Southern Connecticut Conference.

Why it matters

As a Class SS school, Hand is stepping up to face larger programs every week in the Southern Connecticut Conference. This will test the Tigers and prepare them for potential playoff competition, but also presents a significant challenge as the defending champions.

The details

Hand's 2026 schedule includes five playoff teams from last season, including two out-of-state matchups. The Tigers will travel to Rhode Island to face Bishop Hendricken in their season opener, and will also take on the Nonnewaug Chiefs, a team they beat 42-0 in the Class SS semifinals last year. The Tigers will be at home for three of their first five games before a midseason bye.

  • The Tigers will open their season on September 11 against Bishop Hendricken in Rhode Island.
  • Hand will face Nonnewaug, a team they beat in the 2025 playoffs, on September 18.
  • The Tigers will have a bye week in Week 6 on October 16.

The players

Erik Becker

The head coach of the Hand Tigers football program, which has won 15 state titles.

Bishop Hendricken

A high school football program in Rhode Island that Hand will face in their season opener.

Nonnewaug Chiefs

A team Hand beat 42-0 in the 2025 Class SS semifinals that they will face again in 2026.

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What they’re saying

“We are proud to have earned the hardest schedule in the SCC. As a SS school, we are proud to step up against larger teams every week. The SCC schedule is a prize fight every week. We realize we will get everyone's best game and we welcome that. If we can endure our regular season schedule, we will be battle tested, and ready for playoff competition.”

— Erik Becker, Head Coach (si.com)

“The out-of-state game will be our second all-time, our first was game one against Mount Everett, Massachusetts in 197. Bishop is a phenomenal program and will be a monumental challenge.”

— Erik Becker, Head Coach (si.com)

What’s next

The Tigers will look to continue their success from the 2025 season and defend their Class SS state championship, despite facing a tougher schedule in 2026.

The takeaway

Hand's willingness to take on a challenging schedule against larger schools, including out-of-state opponents, demonstrates the program's confidence and desire to be tested as the defending champions. This approach should prepare the Tigers for a potential playoff run and the opportunity to repeat as state titlists.