Doug Reilly
Senior Editor
On a wet, windy night in New London, the Rams came out on top of a seesaw battle that featured four lead changes, holding off the fourth seeded New London Whalers in dramatic fashion, 27-26, to advance to CIAC Class L Semi-finals. After a touchdown with 1:45 remaining in the game by Kyle McKinnon, New London’s star running back, the Whalers decided to go for the two-point conversion that would’ve given them the lead over the Rams and essentially won the game, but came up short when the Rams’ defensive end, senior Dylan Leeming knocked McKinnon out of bounds just short of the end zone, sealing the victory for the New Canaan, sending the Rams’ faithful into euphoria.
Not even a flat tire on the bus ride to the game could stop the Rams, as senior captain Kevin McDonough, as well as big plays on defense led the team to a remarkable victory last night, Tuesday November 29th. McDonough, better known as one of the state’s best linebackers, carried the ball on offense 22 times for an astounding 230 yards with one touchdown and what proved to be the game’s deciding two-point conversion late in the fourth quarter. Kevin also made his presence known on the defensive side of the ball, as usual, intercepting Whalers’ quarterback Robert Key as well as making several tackles.
New London opened the scoring on the game’s first drive, driving down the field before McKinnon plowed his way into the end zone on a three-yard run. The Whalers’ had their point-after-touchdown (PAT) attempt blocked, and the scoreboard read 6-0 before the Rams’ offense had even touched the field. The aforementioned high powered offense of the Rams responded, getting on the board with a touchdown of their own, from senior captain quarterback Matt Milano to senior receiver Peter Kraus on fourth down. The five-yard score capped a nice drive, highlighted by a 45-yard run by McDonough, and senior kicker Collin Shapiro tacked on the extra-point, 7-6 Rams. Milano had a rare off-night in the passing game, only completing nine of 27 passes with one touchdown. Matt was under duress all night, as the Whalers’ defensive front was constantly in the backfield, and, combined with tight coverage in the secondary, Milano couldn’t do much.
On the ensuing Whaler possession, senior Patrick Newton intercepted Key’s third down pass near midfield, giving the Rams offense the ball right back. Milano and company took advantage, with McDonough scampering 14 yards to paydirt, and the Rams held a 13-6 lead after a failed two-point conversion attempt with 3:05 remaining in the first quarter.
The Rams forced a New London punt, and after a Louis Hagopian 40-yard run, Shapiro nailed a 37-yard field goal, into the rain and wind, giving the visiting team from New Canaan a 16-6 lead early in the second quarter. The teams traded turnovers on the next two possessions, with Kevin McDonough intercepting Key in Whaler territory, setting up another field goal attempt from Shapiro, but this time, the senior kicker missed wide right from 38 yards.
With 7:44 left in the first half, New London’s offense finally made some more noise, as Key hooked up with receiver Jose Garcia for a 41-yard touchdown. Trying to make it a two-point game, the Whalers went for two, but could not convert, and the Rams held their lead, now at 16-12. Both teams couldn’t cash in on their next two drives, and at halftime, the higher-seeded Rams lead New London by that same score.
After deferring their option to the second half in the pregame coin toss, the Rams opened the second half with a solid drive, setting up a 28-yard field goal from Shapiro that added to their lead, now 19-12. With the field goal, Collin set a new NCHS record for career kicking points, 132, breaking Bob Warden’s old mark of 129.
The Whalers responded, knocking on the doorstep of the end zone, but a goal-line stand by the Rams’ defense made New London turn it over on downs, inside the five-yard line. The Rams took over on downs, but McDonough proved that he was indeed human, losing a fumble on the Rams’ own 30. But, on third down, the defense stepped up again, with sophomore Michael Root picking off Key’s pass, ending New London’s threat. Root’s interception was the Rams’ eighth interception in the last two games.
With just over 11 minutes left in the fourth quarter, New London got the ball back with a chance to tie the game. This time, Key lead the offense 80 yards down the field, hitting Khaleed Fields for 20 yards and a touchdown with 6:43 remaining, energizing the home town crowd. Rather than kicking a PAT, the Whalers decided to keep the offense on the field for a two-point conversion attempt, and they cashed in, giving them their first lead since the opening drive 20-19.
Starting at their own 10, with rain starting to fall heavily, the Rams sought to counter New London’s touchdown with a score of their own to take the lead late in the fourth quarter. A sparkling pass and catch from Milano to Kraus deep down the right sideline sent New Canaan across midfield to New London’s 30. Three plays later, on 3rd and 11, Milano took it himself, sprinting straight through the defense untouched into the end zone for a 31-yard touchdown, putting the Rams ahead once again with 4:17 to play, 25-20. McDonough converted the two-point conversion on a give from Milano, and the Rams led 27-20.
The game was not over, however, as the Whalers took the ensuing kickoff back near midfield, putting them in prime position for a comeback. Needing just two minutes, the Whalers responded on another McKinnon touchdown run, cutting New Canaan’s lead to just one, 27-26. It was decision time for New London, but everybody in the stands last night knew they’d go for the two point conversion. After a timeout, with 1:45 left on the clock, Key tossed right to McKinnon before he reversed field and sprinted toward the left pylon in the end zone. Dylan Leeming, chasing McKinnon across the field, met the big running back before the goal line, and drove him out of bounds half a yard short of the end zone. With rain pouring down at this point, the Rams, along with their dedicated fans, celebrated the game-saving play.
The Whalers had no choice but to attempt an onside kick, trailing 27-26, with less than two minutes left. The kick went out of bounds, however, giving the Rams the ball, sealing the win. A first down by McDonough and a few kneel-downs by Milano capped the thrilling victory for the Rams. The win sends New Canaan onto the Class L Semi-finals against top-seeded Windsor. The game will be played this Saturday, December 3rd, at a neutral site, but the time and place of the game are still to be determined.
GREAT JOB DOUG
Great article and great game