Colchester — Student section: packed. Atmosphere: humming. History: happening in driblets. Peter Kazibwe: headed to the end zone.

These were snippets of Saturday afternoon on the back lawn of Bacon Academy, the day the football program, still in relative infancy compared to its counterpart, arrived.

And so now Bacon Academy, a school more noted for soccer and the Shea family, has another sport worthy of attention. The Bobcats defeated New London, 34-18, not merely running their record to 2-0, but defeating a brand name to do so.

Peter Kazibwe, a senior born in town but whose parents came here from Uganda 19 years ago, ran for 170 yards, including touchdown runs of 27, 29 and 51 yards. Two interceptions, too. Quarterback Sean Kelly connected on 14 of 19 passes for 199 yards and two more scores.

"I'm from West Haven so I don't know the whole history of Bacon football," Bacon coach Erik Larka said. "But I know when they made the playoffs (2004) they were in the (ECC) Small Division playing some teams twice. So, yeah, we sold it to the kids if they want to get respect, they have to beat teams like this. For the 55 kids here and coaches, this is the biggest win in program history."

Bacon last defeated New London on Nov. 20, 2004.

Which would have put Kazibwe at roughly six years old.

"I think this establishes us as a program," Kazibwe said. "Years past, we didn't have the greatest teams, like 2-9, 2-8. Then we got coach Larka and we all bought in. This is what happens when you buy in."

Bacon scored on its first three possessions and led 21-0. The Bobcats led two plays into the game when Kelly threw it to an uncovered Dan Narlock, who went 68 yards for the score.

"I'm disappointed in misalignments and poor execution," New London coach Duane Maranda said. "Especially to start the game. Give up a cheap touchdown because you don't align right on a wide receiver."

The Whalers (1-1) managed to rally, getting to 21-12 in the third period, after Melquan Gomez hit Elijah Parker with a touchdown pass and Devon Sousa scored on a 7-yard run. But three failed conversions after scores never allowed the Whalers to within one score. New London also got within 10, 28-18, in the fourth period.

"I felt nervous, I'm not gonna lie," Larka said. "Two years ago, (New London) would have come back and won. Losing was part of the culture here. Once bad things started happening, the kids started quitting. But we have Peter Kazibwe and Sean Kelly. College players. They're not going to let the other kids down."

Sousa ran for 90 yards to lead the Whalers. Gomez, making his second varsity start, went 10-for-25 for 81 yards with a touchdown and four interceptions.

Paul Chasse had two interceptions for the Bobcats, who are back home again next Saturday to play Ledyard.

"I know it's a great victory for them," said Maranda, a former head coach at Bacon, who established much of the program's foundation. "But this game isn't about me coming back here. Not about me at all. It's about the kids that played it on the field. Peter Kazibwe played a great game. Sean Kelly played a great game. They're better up front than we thought they were, especially running the football. We didn't expect that."

m.dimauro@theday.com

Twitter:@BCgenius