WALLINGFORD – There was no rain within the forecast when two groups coming off runs to CIAC championship video games collided within the first recreation of the 2026 l season. Nonetheless, there was loads of thunder and most of it was offered by the Sheehan offensive and defensive traces in a powerful season-opening win.
Each Sheehan and visiting Killingly misplaced lots of the star gamers off the groups that helped the Titans win the Class S title and Killingly advance to the Class SS championship recreation in 2025. The 40-6 victory by Sheehan was a case of following a well-known technique of being extra bodily than the opposing staff.
"We labored exhausting within the offseason, we have now been getting ready for this for some time and all of us needed this actually unhealthy," mentioned Sheehan senior working again Zack O'Brien, who ran for 183 yards and two touchdowns. "We performed with a variety of ardour and bought the job accomplished. I’m happy with all of them, they did an ideal job and everyone is doing their half and it’s nice to see."
Quarterback Tyler Costanzo added 83 speeding yards and three extra touchdowns as Sheehan ran for 348 yards. The participant who drew essentially the most reward from Killingly coach Chad Neal was two-way beginning lineman Mason Johnson.
"They (Costanzo and O'Brien) are very robust to take care of," Neal mentioned. "What doesn't get sufficient credit score is their offensive and line of defense. Their traces managed the road of scrimmage, (No.) 58 the (Mason) Johnson child is nearly as good of a lineman on each side of the ball as I’ve seen in a very long time."
Sheehan coach John Ferrazzi mentioned Johnson is the strongest participant he's had in this system. At one level, he was moving into the backfield so typically, a request from the Killingly to "block No. 58" might be heard.
"We performed nice," Johnson mentioned. "Numerous preparation and exhausting work, we have now an ideal group of fellows.
"I like these guys (Costanzo and O'Brien), they’re my folks. I’d do something for them, I’d put my life on the road for them."
Landing runs gave Sheehan a 14-0 lead within the first half. Killingly appeared to realize some momentum on a 40-yard landing go from Jaden Barnett to Braydee Testa with 4:06 left within the first half. It took simply 5 performs for Costanzo to attain from 15 yards out to provide the Titans a 21-6 lead. When Sheehan transformed twice on fourth down on its first drive of the second half, together with Costanzo's third scoring run of the sport, the sport's end result was now not in query.
O'Brien added a 49-yard TD run and Isaiah Forbs completed the scoring with a 74-yard run. Damian Hotchkiss led the Titans with six tackles, Lucas Monthino had 5 tackles and O'Brien completed with two tackles for loss, a fumble restoration and compelled fumble.
Joxel Fuentes Ortiz led Killingly with 53 speeding yards and Jon Palmer got here down with an early interception.
Participant of the Sport
Zack O'Brien, Sheehan: O'Brien, a working again/linebacker ran for 183 yards and two touchdowns and had two tackles for loss.
Quotable
"I’ve to provide a variety of credit score to the offensive line. They did every thing they may, trusted our coaches, our core values." Sheehan quarterback Tyler Costanzo
Sheehan 40, Killingly 6
(At Wallingford)
KILLINGLY 0 6 0 0 – 6
SHEEHAN 7 14 7 12 – 40
S – Tyler Costanzo 25 run (Connor Woolard kick)
S – Zack O'Brien 21 run (Woolard kick)
Ok – Braydee Testa 40 go from Jaden Barnett (kick blocked)
S – Costanzo 15 run (Woolard kick)
S – Costanzo 3 run (Woolard kick)
S – O'Brien 49 run (kick failed)
S – Isaiah Forbs 74 run (run failed)
Group data: Killingly 0-1, Sheehan 1-0
>
This text initially revealed at y.
