New London falls to Killingly, 39-16
Killingly — Even in this season, with New London High School a one-win team, Killingly coach Chad Neal reiterated a history lesson that still resonates throughout the Eastern Connecticut Conference.
“I’m not going to beat around the bush,” Neal said Friday night. “New London is the team people think about in the ECC. I have tremendous respect for coach (Juan) Roman and their kids. For us to do what we did tonight says something.”
It says this: The rest of the potential Class M playoff teams better start scouting Killingly. The Redmen ran over the Whalers, earning a 39-16 win on Homecoming Night.
“They’re not a finesse team,” Roman said of Killingly. “They come right at you. And tonight, they did. They should be commended.”
Killingly (6-0) scored the game’s first 39 points.
Spencer Lockwood, who came in averaging 235 rush yards per game, ran for 227 and two scores. Zack Burgess finished with 165 return yards, including a 78-yard punt return for a touchdown. Quarterback Luke Desaulnier completed four passes for 89 yards, including a touchdown strike to tight end Jacob Gauthier.
Lockwood scored twice in the first half, helping the Redmen take a 33-0 lead at halftime.
“Our kids spent a great deal of time in the weight room in the offseason,” Neal said. “I thought that showed up tonight in all aspects of this game. We were very physical tonight.”
New London quarterback Owen George, who missed the last two games, returned from a finger injury. George completed 11 of 20 passes for 198 yards, including touchdown passes to Gio Lopez of 21 and 41 yards. Lopez, whom Roman touted for all-state after the game, has 10 touchdown receptions this season.
But they came after the Whalers trailed 39-0. Still, Roman was encouraged by the second half.
“We stopped standing around and started attacking,” Roman said. “The Killingly kids put in the time in the weight room and it showed. Look at those behinds in those pants. It tells you all you need to know.”
The Whalers (1-5) play Fitch next week, while Killingly has a bye week before it plays host to Trinity Catholic of Stamford.
“Our kids are focused,” Neal said. “They’re taking this one week at a time.”
Comment threads are monitored for 48 hours after publication and then closed.
