The Guilford football team traveled to the Surf Club to face Hand in the squads’ annual Thanksgiving Eve matchup on Nov. 21. The Tigers came away with a 57-21 victory to finish their regular season with a record of 10-0. Despite the defeat, the Indians completed their year with a strong mark of 6-4, having secured the program’s first winning campaign since 2000.

Phoenix Billings got Hand going with a 34-yard touchdown rush to give the Tigers an early lead when they faced Guilford. On Hand’s next possession, Billings found Chris Bartosic on a 6-yard TD pass. Later in the first quarter, Julian Banerji raced 36 yards for a touchdown on a punt return to put the Tigers up by three scores. Billings later took home a 39-yard TD run to make it 30-0 after the first quarter.

Early in the second quarter, Billings and Bartosic connected on an 83-yard TD pass. Later in the frame, Colin McCabe powered his way into the end zone from two yards away to extend the lead to 43-0.

On Guilford’s next series, McCabe blocked a punt by the Indians, and Darrelle Brake scooped up the ball and ran it back for a touchdown to make the score 50-0. Hand increased its lead to 57-0 following a 30-yard interception return for a touchdown by Ian Butler.

The Indians got on the board later in the second quarter, when Charles Walcott ran for an 18-yard TD to make it 57-7 at the half. Walcott ran for a 59-yard touchdown and a 66-yard touchdown for the Indians during the second half for the 57-21 final.

Mark Chapman earned a spot on the All-SCC Tier 3 team as an offensive lineman for the Indians this year. Walcott and Ethan Vashel both made the team as defensive backs.

—John Lecardo