The CIAC moved Saturday’s Class SS state football championship game between Killingly and Hand from the Coast Guard Academy to Veterans Stadium in New Britain after people complained about not being able to get into the stadium to watch the game.
Access to the Academy’s grounds requires a Real ID or a passport for anyone over 18, including coaches and fans, and school officials in Killingly were concerned their fans wouldn’t be able to go to the game because they didn’t have proper identification.
“While I understand the game is scheduled at a military installation, we are fully aware that not all of our families have access to a Real ID or passport in time for Saturday’s game,” Killingly Superintendent of Schools Sue Nash told WINY Radio Wednesday morning before the game had been moved. “We can’t have our players worrying if their mom or dad or grandparents can’t attend a game. We need to find a solution whether that is an alternate venue or a relaxing of the ID requirements so that all of the families can attend.”
Moving the game necessitated a schedule shift in New Britain, where there will now be four games on Saturday. The game between Killingly and Hand will take place at 10 a.m. and the Class S championship between Sheehan and Northwest Catholic will now be at 1 p.m. The Class L game between New Canaan and Cheshire will now take place at 4 p.m. and the Class LL final between Southington and Greenwich will be at 7 p.m.
“The Real ID requirement to access the Coast Guard Academy grounds was significantly limiting access to the game,” CIAC executive director Glenn Lungarini said in a text. “Therefore, the game was moved to Veterans Stadium.”
Tickets purchased for the game at Coast Guard will be honored at Veterans Stadium.
Playoff Breakdown
Class LL
Semifinal results: Southington 42, NFA 7; Greenwich 31, Fairfield Prep 10
Championship: No. 3 Greenwich (8-2) vs. No. 4 Southington (7-3), Saturday, Willowbrook Park, New Britain, 7 p.m.
Class L
Semifinal results: New Canaan 43, Weaver/Hartford Public/Classical 6; Cheshire 21, Ridgefield 0
Championship: No. 3 Cheshire (7-3) vs. No. 1 New Canaan (10-0), Saturday, Willowbrook Park, New Britain, 4 p.m.
Class MM
Semifinal results: Windsor 42, Newington 0; Bunnell 21, Wilton 20
Championship: No. 3 Bunnell (8-2) vs. No. 1 Windsor (9-1), Saturday, CCSU, 3 p.m.
Class M
Semifinal results: Brookfield 6, St. Joseph 3; Berlin 49, Holy Cross 7
Championship: No. 2 Berlin (10-0) vs. No. 5 Brookfield (8-2), Saturday, CCSU, 6:30 p.m.
Class SS
Semifinal results: Killingly 44, Ledyard 15; Hand 42, Nonnewaug 0
Championship: No. 2 Daniel Hand (9-1) vs. No. 1 Killingly (10-0), Saturday, Willowbrook Park, New Britain, 10 a.m.
Class S
Semifinal results: Sheehan 41, Woodland 20; Northwest Catholic 21, Ansonia 0
Championship: No. 6 Northwest Catholic (9-1) at No. 5 Sheehan (8-2), Saturday, Willowbrook Park, New Britain, 1 p.m.