TRUMBULL, Conn. -- Third-ranked Daniel Hand finished the season undefeated and craving a state title -- but defending Class MM champion New Canaan stood in the way.

Hand of Madison hungered to secure a second state championship in three years. The Tigers met the New Canaan Rams at McDougall Stadium on Saturday.

It was the Rams that got started first, when senior quarterback Charles Westfal, off the high snap, went up top to find senior wideout Ryan Kilbane for a short touchdown strike.

The Rams played without senior tailback Ted Finan, who went out with a broken wrist on Tuesday.

In the second quarter, Daniel Hand sophomore quarterback Nick Merullo aired it out to senior receiver Mike Conti, who was then able to walk his way into the end zone. The Tigers were fired up as they took a 22-7 lead into the locker room.

The Tigers delivered more in their quest for the title in the second half. On the pitchout, juhior Brendan Maghini took it in for the score, putting Daniel Hand further out front, 30-7.

The fourth quarter, however, belonged to New Canaan.

Westfal again led his team down the field, eventually finding Kilbane on the touchdown pass. The Rams trailed by 17 going into the fourth quarter before taking the lead.

Daniel Hand's last chance came when the pass went up top but was picked off by Rams senior corner Cleveland Donald. The Rams would run out the clock after that.

New Canaan came from behind and held on to win its second consecutive Class MM state title, 34-30.

"I am so proud of this group of kids, I can't tell you," New Canaan head coach Lou Marinelli said through tears after the game. "The bad thing is that the football season's over because I love these kids."

Westfal finished the game with 369 passing yards and four touchdowns.

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