Lyman Hall quarterback Ryan Casey has thrown for 1,113 yards and 11 touchdowns while rushing for 366 yards and nine more scores this season, leading the Trojans into a Friday night clash against Guilford. Both teams enter the game undefeated, with Guilford at 5-0 and Lyman Hall at 6-0, setting the stage for a matchup that has not seen such stakes since the mid-1980s and early 1990s.
The game kicks off at 6:30 p.m. in Wallingford and carries significance well beyond the current season. Guilford last held a 5-0 record halfway through a football season in 1993, while Lyman Hall’s comparable high water mark dates back to 1985. Players and fans alike are aware of the historical context, but both squads have concentrated on the present. “We understand the magnitude of this game,” said Casey, a senior quarterback. “It’s a great opportunity for this school, this program, and I couldn’t be more excited.”
Guilford senior linebacker Bryce Perry described the contest as a “playoff, make-or-break type of game” and confirmed the team’s preparedness. The Grizzlies hold the No. 2 spot in the Class M playoff rankings, trailing only Lyman Hall. Lyman Hall earned the top ranking largely due to the strength of their opponents, who have combined for 16 wins against 10 losses.
Guilford’s path to 5-0 included a 35-24 victory over perennial power West Haven two weeks ago, a result that drew attention given West Haven’s traditional standing even in a down year. The Grizzlies’ defense has been strong throughout the season, allowing just 13 points in four games and shutting out two opponents entirely. Defensive linemen Chase Hall, Jayden Gravel, and Obi Obuekwe have combined for 11 sacks.
On offense, Guilford relies heavily on junior running back Shane Connelly, who has rushed for 883 yards and 14 touchdowns on 126 carries. The team’s sophomore quarterback, Ryan Lynch, has thrown for 637 yards and six touchdowns this year, stepping up at an early stage in his varsity career.
Lyman Hall coach C.J. Monroe acknowledged the challenge Guilford presents, especially on defense. “There’s much respect for them as a team. Defensively, they’re holding teams down. So it’s quite a challenge, one that we’re ready to face.”
The Trojans have developed their offense around Casey’s dual-threat capabilities. Standing 6-foot-2 and weighing 210 pounds, Casey has been central to Lyman Hall’s dominance, with a season average score margin of 36-12. The Trojans have won four games in a row against Guilford, often by large margins: 48-8 in 2025 and 41-0 in both 2023 and 2022.
Guilford’s coach Brian White pointed out that recent encounters have brought some of the best performances of the season. “It’s not really a knock on them in any respect. We kind of had some of the best games of the season against them on those days, which is great because they’ve been a pretty talented group,” White said.
Lyman Hall senior wide receiver Logan Michaels reflected on the team’s progress since their last playoff appearance in 2010, when he was just a year old. “Yes sir, it’s been a long time,” Michaels said. The Trojans are aiming to build on last year’s 7-3 record, their best since the 8-3 playoff run of 2010, and secure a playoff spot this season.
Casey emphasized the team’s growth and preparation compared to previous years. “This year we’re a hell of a lot better team than we’ve been in the past,” he said. “We didn’t come to that game prepared last year. Guilford’s a great team; I have a lot of respect for them. But if everybody comes ready to play and we play tough, I have no doubts we can stay in this game and win this game.”
Guilford junior lineman Ty Ludington noted the advantage of having an extra week to prepare due to a bye. “The coaches are definitely hyped up; the boys are hyped up. It’s always a good matchup with them, and it’s usually a tough game, too,” Ludington said.
The game will test whether Guilford can extend their winning streak over Lyman Hall to five years or if the Trojans can break through and reclaim momentum in this decades-old rivalry. Both teams have shown resilience and skill, setting up a contest that has drawn attention despite neither team currently being ranked in the GametimeCT state poll. The latest confirmed development is the buildup of anticipation around the 6:30 p.m. kickoff on Friday, with both squads ready to stake their claim in this historic encounter.
According to Yahoo Sports.
