Brian McKean leads surprising Connetquot to 3-0 start
Longwood running back Isiah White shakes off Connetquot defensive lineman Danny Pamianye for the small gain. (Sept. 21, 2012) Credit: George A. Faella
Connetquot had three drives of at least nine plays in the first half that amounted to no points. While the scoreboard showed nothing, it left the Longwood defense on the field for a long time and it paid off later.
Brian McKean threw three touchdown passes on three of the next four drives that went three, three and one play as Connetquot dominated host Longwood in a 27-0 victory Friday night in Suffolk I football.
McKean came out throwing and didn't connect with his receivers early on. As the game went on, he got into a rhythm and wasn't afraid to throw the ball into tight windows. His receivers often made tough catches with defenders close by.
"The receivers we have are great," McKean said. "They made great plays and it makes me look good."
On the second play from scrimmage to open the second half, Will Kistinger intercepted a pass. Three plays later, McKean hit James Higgins for an 11-yard TD to give Connetquot (3-0) a 13-0 lead.
Later in the quarter, it took one play for Connetquot to score when McKean found Tyler Nason, who caught the ball with a defender on him and went 32 yards for a score with 6:32 left to make it 20-0.
While McKean and the offense clicked in the second half, the T-Birds' defense dominated Longwood (2-1).
"The defense and special teams won us this game," Connetquot coach Mike Hansen said.
The defense scored the final TD on a 30-yard fumble return by Sean Moore with 1:01 remaining.
Connetquot had the ball for the majority of the first half but it appeared it would amount to nothing.
Then McKean made a play. He dropped the ball, picked it up, scrambled to his right and connected with Brian Lorentsen in the end zone for a 9-yard score as the half ended to give the T-Birds a 7-0 lead.
Connetquot was 1-7 last season and has surprised many early on, especially with a win over Floyd in Week 1.
"I knew they had it in them," Hansen said. "We had some question marks, but the players have developed well and are off to a good start."
