CLASS S CHAMPIONSHIP
Northwest Catholic vs. Sheehan-Wallingford
Records: No. 6 NW Catholic (11-1), No. 5 Sheehan (10-2)
Site: Veteran’s Memorial Stadium, New Britain
Date: Saturday, Dec. 13, 1 p.m.
Tickets (digital only/no cash): Adults $10, Students/Senior Citizens $5
Watch the game: NFHS (subscription)
Rosters and 2025 results: Playoff rosters/results
Road to finals: Quarterfinals — Northwest Catholic 31, Cromwell/Portland 21; Sheehan 42, North Branford 0; Semifinals – Northwest Catholic 21, Ansonia 0; Sheehan 41, Woodland Regional 20
Last CIAC finals appearance: Sheehan – Lost to Killingly in 2024 Class SS final; NW Catholic – Lost to Hyde-New Haven in 2009 Class S final, 12-0
CIAC finals record: Sheehan 2-1, NW Catholic 0-1
Last state championship: Sheehan: 2019. Beat Bloomfield, 64-33 in Class S championship; NW Catholic: Seeking first title
Top players: NW Catholic – QB Vincent Burbank, WR/DB Kayden Davis; WR/LB Kaedean Stewart; WR Patrick Knorr; DE Jacob Krause, Ben Jones; Sheehan – QB Jake O’Brien; RB Joshua Durant; WR Matteo Crispino; OL/DL Richard Van Dyke; LB AJ Tatro
Outlook: The Lions are looking for their first-ever state championship and have ground out tough wins over Cromwell/Portland and Ansonia in their first two games. QB Vincent Burbank never leaves the field is the focal point of the Lions attack. He has thrown for 2,405 yards and 36 TDs but can run, too with 554 yards rushing and seven TDs. Kayden Davis (73-1291, 23 TDs) is the leading receiver for NW Catholic and the leading tackler on the team with 87 tackles (53 solo) through 11 games. Jones (82 tackles), Marc Cheney (76 tackles, 2½ sacks) and Caiden Reese (60 tackles, team-high six sacks) lead the Lions defense. Sheehan is playing in their second straight Class SS final after losing to Killingly a year ago. The Titans have scored an average of 41 points in their past three games (Lyman Hall, North Branford, Woodland) and have pitched two shutouts. RB Joshua Durant ran through the Woodland defense for 264 yards and 5 TDs in the semifinals. He has run for 1,556 yards and 24 TDs this season while QB Jake O’Brien has run for 598 yards and 16 TDs. O’Brien has completed 87-of-132 passes for 1,176 yards and 9 TDs. Sebastian Rosario is O’Brien’s favorite target with 38 receptions for 501 yards and 5 TDs. The key for the Lions is not to let the game get away from them and allow the Titans to build up a big lead.
Of note: Burbank has hit 41-of-43 extra points kicked a field goal this year from 26 yards away, intercepted three passes and is the team’s punter with three punts inside the 20.
CLASS LL
Championship
Saturday, Dec. 13 at Willow Brook Park
Southington (9-3) vs. Greenwich (10-2), 7 p.m.
Of note: Southington has won seven straight and is looking for their first title since 2014. Greenwich is looking for their second Class LL championship.
CLASS L
Championship
Saturday, Dec. 13 at Willow Brook Park
New Canaan (12-0) vs. Cheshire (9-3), 4 p.m.
Of note: New Canaan is looking to be just the seventh team in state history to win four straight CIAC titles. The Rams, who won the FCIAC championship, have won three straight Class L titles and have won 21 in a row. Cheshire is looking for their first championship since 2009 and is playing in their first final since 2009.
CLASS MM
Championship
Saturday, Dec. 13 at Arute Field
Windsor (11-1) vs. Bunnell-Stratford (10-2), 3 p.m.
Of note: Windsor is playing in the final for the second straight year having lost to Masuk, 24-21 in last year’s MM final. The Warriors are seeking their first title since 2014. Bunnell, who has won seven straight, haven’t played for a title since they won in 2007.
CLASS M
Championship
Saturday, Dec. 13 at Artue Field
Berlin (12-0) vs. Brookfield (10-2), 6:30 p.m.
Of note: Brookfield is looking for a title after dropping a 21-20 loss to St. Joseph in last year’s Class M title game. Berlin is looking for their first title since 2009. The Redcoats last played in a final in 2022.
CLASS SS
Championship
Saturday, Dec. 13 at Willow Brook Park
Killingly (12-0) vs. Hand (11-1), 10 a.m.
Of note: Killingly has won 25 games in a row and is looking for their second straight undefeated season. The Trail Blazers were the ECC Division I champions and beat eventual Rhode Island Bishop Hendricksen in their season opening game in September. Hand, the SCC champion, is looking for their first title since beating Rockville in the 2023 Class M final
