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Amazing run for Killingly ends with loss to North Haven in Class MM football final

jimmy zanor, the bulletin
·4 min read

EAST HARTFORD ― Killingly’s bid to become the first team in school history to win back-to-back state football championships ended with a 51-34 loss against North Haven in the Class MM final Saturday at Rentschler Field in East Hartford.

But what an amazing run it has been for Killingly. With four state finals appearances in five seasons, including winning titles in 2017 and 2021, and seven straight trips to the state semifinals, Killingly has emerged as one of the top programs in the state.

Killingly reached Saturday’s final with stirring playoff victories over Wethersfield and Masuk. But North Haven’s relentless ground attack proved to be too much.

“We were able to hang with them at least for a little while,” Killingly coach Chad Neal said. “We did what we could. We tried to win the game but the better team won today.”

Killingly (11-2) fell behind 14-0 and 21-14 in the first half before tying it at 21 on a six-yard TD pass from senior quarterback Thomas Dreibholz to senior Keith Perry.

Killingly senior Noah Colangelo makes the catch against North Haven's Joey Mastroianni during the Class MM championship game Saturday at Rentschler Field in East Hartford.
Killingly senior Noah Colangelo makes the catch against North Haven's Joey Mastroianni during the Class MM championship game Saturday at Rentschler Field in East Hartford.

North Haven (11-2) took the lead for good in the third quarter on a five-yard TD run from Adam Pandolfi. A safety and an eight-yard TD run from Jeff Karavas gave North Haven a 44-21 advantage midway through the fourth quarter.

“We knew North Haven was a special team,” Neal said. “They’re well coached. I thought we went blow for blow with them for a good part of the game. They made plays when they needed to make plays. In the end, they were just more physical and took care of business.”

Dreibholz threw late TD passes to Braden Pederson and Noah Colangelo but Killingly couldn’t convert a pair of onside kick attempts.

“That’s the toughest team we’ve played,” Dreibholz said. “I never thought we were out of it. We always fight to the end and that’s what we did.”

Killingly senior Ben Jax (6) leads the team onto Rentschler Field for the Class MM championship game Saturday.
Killingly senior Ben Jax (6) leads the team onto Rentschler Field for the Class MM championship game Saturday.

What It Means

This was North Haven's first state football title. The Nighthawks, who are coached by Tony Sagnella, was one of three teams from the Southern Connecticut Conference.

“They’re a great football team,” Killingly senior Ben Jax said. “We always thought we could come back. We believed in ourselves the whole time and sometimes stuff happens. They played great defense. Hats off to them.”

By the Numbers

Killingly quarterback Thomas Dreibholz completed 18 of 31 passes for 303 yards with four touchdowns.

Killingly junior running back Soren Rief rushed for 52 yards on 14 carries.

North Haven senior Jeff Karavas rushed for 157 yards on 19 carries with two TD’s.

North Haven junior Adam Pandolfi gained 99 yards on 11 carries with two TD’s.

North Haven attempted just one pass.

Killingly senior Keith Perry eyes the end zone against North Haven in the Class MM championship game.
Killingly senior Keith Perry eyes the end zone against North Haven in the Class MM championship game.

They Said It

“It was breathtaking. Coming down the tunnel and just seeing the whole field. Even the fans. It was just a great atmosphere. It was incredible.” - Ben Jax on playing at Rentschler Field, home of the UConn Huskies football team.

What’s Next

Killingly (11-2) returns a solid nucleus of players next season, led by Rief and an experienced offensive line.

“I can leave here today knowing that we gave everything we can to try and win this football game,” Neal said. "We had no regrets today. Our kids battled. They have a lot of fight in them and I’m proud to walk off the field with them today.”

Killingly senior quarterback Thomas Dreibholz looks downfield against North Haven during Saturday's Class MM championship game at Rentschler Field in East Hartford.
Killingly senior quarterback Thomas Dreibholz looks downfield against North Haven during Saturday's Class MM championship game at Rentschler Field in East Hartford.

Box Score

North Haven: 14 (first quarter), 7 (second quarter), 7 (third quarter), 23 (fourth quarter), 51 (final)

Killingly: 0 (first quarter), 21 (second quarter), 0 (third quarter), 13 (fourth quarter), 34 (final)

First quarter

NH: Brian Lastomirsky 14 run (Declan Finkle kick)

NH: Jeff Karavas 6 run (Finkle kick)

Second quarter

K: Noah Colangelo 31 pass from Thomas Dreibholz (kick failed)

K: Keith Perry 5 run (Perry pass from Ben Jax)

NH: Lastomirsky 29 run (Finkle kick)

K: Perry 6 pass from Dreibholz (Dreibholz kick)

Third quarter

NH: Adam Pandolfi 5 run (Finkle kick)

Fourth quarter

NH: Pandolfi 19 run (Finkle kick)

NH: Safety (intentional grounding in end zone)

NH: Karavas 8 run (Finkle kick)

K: Brady Pedersen 45 pass from Dreibholz (Dreibholz kick)

NH: Trysten Dos 1 run (Finkle kick)

K: Colangelo 38 pass from Dreibholz (kick failed)

This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: Killingy loses Class MM final game to North Haven at Rentschler Field