There was little in the way of disappointment when the Woodstock Centaurs football team left the field on Thanksgiving Day shortly after noon time.
There was nothing unexpected about the 55-6 loss to the Killingly Redmen at the Bentley Athletic Complex.
“We knew (Killingly) had this potential,” said Centaurs coach Sean Saucier.
In fact, he and Killingly coach Chad Neal had a very cordial meeting at midfield as halftime was coming to a close.
Before Saucier went and addressed his team following the game, Saucier went over to the Killingly huddle to congratulate them.
“I told them that they have a really special group and they need to take advantage of the next week and a half and get it done because they are a state championship caliber team. There are a lot of gentlemen on that team, a lot of kids that play with sportsmanship. I have a lot of respect for Chad Neal and his team and what they have been able to accomplish,” Saucier said.
One of those being Spencer Lockwood who waited at the end of the line for Centaur senior Kameron Janice to come through the line. The former youth football teammates shook hands and exchanged a quick embrace.
Neal did the same with Janice after both teams had left the field.
“There is a lot of respect between these two teams. I think it starts with the coaching staffs. It’s no secret the history between Sean and I (the two were teammates on the Putnam Clippers football team in 1993) and (Killingly assistant and Woodstock Academy paraprofessional) Gary Brine and the kids and stuff. I think it’s going to be a good tradition. The get-together the Tuesday before. The kids know each other and I thought the crowd was excellent (Thursday). We have a lot of respect for them and what they’re doing. It’s not where they are now, it’s where they are going to be. That is what they are aiming for is their future,” Neal said.
The Redmen will move on to another football game.
The top-seeded Redmen will host No. 8 Jonathan Law on Tuesday in a Class M state playoff quarterfinal.
On Thursday, they became the first Killingly team to finish undefeated in a regular season since 1953.
They did so in dominant fashion.
It was clear from the start that the speed and power of the Redmen was better than the Centaurs had seen previously.
That produced trouble on the first play from scrimmage in the game.
The Centaurs won the toss and took the football believing that keeping the Killingly offense on the sideline was going to be their best defense.
Killingly’s defense had other ideas.
The Redmen got into the backfield almost as soon as quarterback Derek Thompson took the snap and the ball popped loose.
It was picked up by Killingly defensive end Quinn Gervasio who carried it home from 15 yards out for the score.
“We practice the scoop-and-score drill often. The kids love practicing it and we use it as a conditioning drill and we talk about it. Scoop-and-score is a chance, especially for those who aren’t getting the ball all the time, to score,” Neal said.
It was the first of three turnovers by the Centaurs (4-6), all of them led to touchdowns by the Redmen.
“I don’t know if it was nerves, but certainly there were some silly mistakes, but I’m not down on my guys right now. I can point out a number who battled, played hard and did what I asked them to do. I have a lot of pride in my heart right now for these guys,” Saucier said.
Lockwood, who scored on a 20-yard run in Killingly’s first possession, added another touchdown when the Centaurs turned over the ball on a fumble on their own 22-yard line.
The other turnover was on a fumbled kickoff which was picked up by Killingly’s Jackson Lopes on the 5-yard line and he carried it into the end zone on another scoop-and-score event.
Woodstock Academy did move the ball, almost entirely through the air.
While Janice, who came in with 2,240 yards rushing, was held to 30 yards, Thompson and Luis Miranda combined for 149 yards in passing.
Miranda accounted for the only touchdown of the game.
The Centaurs used a little trickery, giving the ball to receiver Jacob Straub going from right to left, who handed it to Miranda on the double reverse and he threw the football downfield for a 41-yard score to Janice.
“It wasn’t pretty but it got us in the end zone. It was neat and it was nice to put up, at least, six (points),” Woodstock Academy coach Sean Saucier said.
Thompson completed 5 of 15 passes for 108 yards.
Miranda finished with 68 yards in two receptions while Travis White added two catches for 32 yards.
It may be a source of concern for the Redmen in the state playoffs. Killingly (10-0) gave up 445 yards passing to the Capital Prep/Achievement First in a 41-32 win the week before.
“It’s something we have to work on,” Neal said. “(Woodstock Academy) did a great job hitting the quick slants over the middle. Our backers were (blitzing), we didn’t away the inside, the safety didn’t get there, hats off to them. Great play call, they executed it.”
Lockwood was named the Most Outstanding Player of the game for the Redmen, finishing with 177 yards and four touchdowns in 15 carries, but he knows where his bread is buttered- his offensive line has opened holes for him all season.
“I plan on taking the line to dinner soon. We’ve talked about that. They have had a great year,” Lockwood said.
“That is a special offensive line and when you throw in the tight end (Jake Gauthier) with those backs, it’s tough to stop. They communicate so well,” Neal said.
Even when they’re not at 100 percent.
Ethan Canova, whom Neal believes is an All-State caliber player, didn’t suit up for the Thanksgiving Day game.
Janice was named the Most Outstanding Player for the Centaurs.
“It was my last high school game. It’s been a long journey, but I was just blessed to have these guys here,” Janice said.
Marc Allard
Sports Information Director

..