For the first time since 2003, the Danbury High School football team earned a spot in the CIAC state tournament during the 2025 season. Finishing with a 6–4 record, the Hatters posted their best season in over two decades and reestablished themselves as a competitive presence in the highly demanding FCIAC league.
Statistically, this season marked a turning point for the program. When asked what separated this team from past years, senior captain Rysaiah Saunders pointed to the mindset heading into preseason.
“This was our year,” Saunders said. “Players came into preseason ready to step up and make a statement.”
In the 2024 season, Danbury finished 3–7, losing several close games that ultimately kept them out of postseason contention.
Saunders explained that “we lost games that we shouldn’t have lost, that was the difference between last season and this year. People knew they had to do more.”
Despite facing one of the toughest schedules in Connecticut football, Danbury found success through new found team chemistry and resilience. The FCIAC regularly features powerhouse programs such as New Canaan, Greenwich, Staples, and Fairfield Prep, making a state tournament bid especially difficult. Rather than being discouraged, the Hatters embraced the challenge.
That unity was tested early when injuries sidelined key players. During the season four starters had faced injuries that took them out for weeks, including fellow senior captain Brandon Essen who got injured in week 5.
According to Saunders, these setbacks revealed the team’s character. “Underclassmen stepped up and filled big shoes,” he said. “We were a family, when one person went down, another stepped up. We had each other’s backs.”
A returning player, Johnny Callari, echoed that sentiment, emphasizing how connected the team felt throughout the season. Explaining that “Everyone knew their role and was ready to step in, there were no cliques. Winning early in the season made people excited to be there.”
Several games stood out, including a comeback win against Hamden that surprised many outside the program. Down two scores at halftime, Danbury came out strong in the second half, scoring twice and shifting momentum.
While some losses were expected, the Hatters also fell short in games they believed they could have won. Those losses reinforcing the importance of starting fast and coming out hard in the first quarter, an area both players said the team will continue to improve.
Danbury’s long-awaited postseason in a CIAC state tournament landed against Fairfield Prep. Entering the game as the underdog, the Hatters played freely and confidently. Callari noted that “Coach told us to treat it as a ‘have fun’ game,” to go out there and make a statement with zero pressure.
Danbury kept the game competitive, trailing 17–10 at halftime before injuries and depth ultimately became a factor in the second half. Despite the loss, the energy surrounding the program remained high. “There was nothing to lose,” Saunders said. “Making States for the school after so long was exciting in itself.”
Looking ahead, both players believe this postseason appearance could be the start of something bigger. With much of the roster returning, including a strong defensive core and experienced leadership, expectations are rising.
Callari looks towards this year’s accomplishment as just the start to a more successful program at DHS. “We’re returning a lot of players, and our captains are ready to keep everything tight-knit. We want to make states again.”
The 2025 season didn’t just end a playoff drought; it marked the beginning of a new standard for Danbury football.
“You only need one playoff run to start it off,” Saunders ended with, wishing the best for the program’s future.
