'They left everything out on the field': Killingly football can't keep up with New Canaan
After addressing his team and talking to a reporter, New Canaan coach Lou Marinelli walked across Dunning Field’s frozen tundra towards Killingly’s players and coaches. The Rams had just rolled to another big playoff win and Marinelli wanted to offer Killingly some encouraging words.
Seems the winningest coach in Connecticut football history is also the most gracious.
“Soren Rief’s a really good player and Killingly is very well coached,” Marinelli said. “We’re fortunate to have a couple of kids that can run.”
No. 2 New Canaan built a big early lead and overwhelmed No. 7 Killingly, 49-14, in the Class L quarterfinals Tuesday night at New Canaan High School.
“Once we jumped on them early, they’re not really a throwing team, so it put them behind,” Marinelli said. “The speed factor really helped us. So I don’t think we are quite as good as the score would indicate.”
The Rams (10-1) ended Killingly’s streak of reaching the state semifinals for seven consecutive seasons.
“What this group accomplished this season, I can’t be more proud of what they did,” Killingly coach Chad Neal said. “Moving up three classes and getting back to the state playoffs says a lot about the character of the players on this team.”
“New Canaan’s just a really good football team,” Neal said. “I can’t fault our kids. They left everything out on the field. We were just overmatched today.”
New Canaan exploded for three touchdowns in the first six minutes. Alex Benevento returned the opening kickoff 80 yards for a touchdown. Benevento then set up the Rams second score - a 4-yard run from quarterback Luke Robinson - with a 54-yard run.
On the Rams next possession, Robinson hit Cooper Smith with a 7-yard TD toss for a 21-0 lead with 6:11 left in the first quarter.
More: Killingly football ready for 'big test' from New Canaan in Class L playoffs
Killingly (7-4) answered with its best drive of the night. Sophomore quarterback Quinn Sumner completed a pair of passes to tight end Hunter Allard. Sumner also found Aiden LaMotte for a pass play deep into New Canaan territory.
Killingly senior Soren Rief capped the drive with a 1-yard TD plunge, closing the gap to 21-7.
While the Rams’ defense was making life miserable for Killingly’s vaunted rushing attack, New Canaan added three more touchdowns in the second quarter. Luke Reed scored from three yards out and Robinson tossed long TD passes to Alex Russey and Andrew Esposito for a 42-7 halftime advantage.
The second half was played with a running clock. Benevento returned an interception for a touchdown, while Rief scored on a 3-yard run late in the third quarter.
Rief rushed for 126 yards on 34 carries, finishing with a state-leading 2,488 yards and 38 touchdowns.
“I can't say enough about those Killingly kids,” Marinelli said. “They battled and never gave up. And Rief drove us crazy trying to bottle him up.”
New Canaan will host Maloney in the state semifinals on Sunday.
This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: Killingly football eliminated in Class L quarterfinals by New Canaan
