By Doc Cody
The Killingly High School football team, filled with a quiet but confident enthusiasm, is rapidly preparing for its upcoming season under head coach Chad Neal, who enters his sixth season at the helm.  The Redmen are coming off a mixed season in which they were 4-6 overall but 4-2 in the Eastern Connecticut Conference Small Division, good for second place in the division.
“We return a good core group of starters from last season.  If the team remains healthy and our offensive line comes together we will compete for the ECC Small Division title,” said Neal.
The reason coach Neal is optimistic about the upcoming season is the return of three key performers.  Back is junior quarterback DJ Grimes, senior running back Randy Waterman and senior tight end Drew Wilcox.  Grimes has considerable game experience dating back to his freshman season.  As a freshman and sophomore he started a total of 11 games, going 5-6 as the signal caller.
“DJ is a solid signal caller.  His two years of experience position him well for the start of this season,” said Neal.
Last season Waterman teamed with Seth St. Jean to form a very solid running tandem for the Redmen.  With the graduation of St. Jean, Waterman will be counted on to step up his performance and lead Killingly.  He and junior Anthony Tetreault should give Killingly fans some exciting moments.
“Waterman and Tetreault have both returned kickoffs for touchdowns.  Not only should they be good in our offense but they’ll make our special teams strong,” said Neal of the duo.
With the graduation of Kyle Fillmore, who is playing at Western New England College, Wilcox should be one of Grimes’ primary targets in the air.  He’ll see plenty of action at tight end as well as doubling at defensive end.  Other receivers include senior wide receiver Jeremy Rodriguez and newcomers senior Connor Rochefort and juniors Josh Fortin and Josiah Gevry.
On defense the Redmen, who lost a pair of stalwarts in corner back Dan Newland and tackle Jon Hall, return a strong nucleus of players with varsity game experience.  In addition to Wilcox at defensive end and Waterman and Tetreault at linebacker, other returnees are defensive tackles Sean Phongsavad and Andrew Whitehead, both who are seniors.  Junior Collin Beloin will be the other defensive end, while Jeremy Rodriguez, Justen Fisher and Gary Kelley, all seniors, will see plenty of action at defensive back and linebacker.
Many of the players will be expected to play as two-way performers something that worries coach Neal.
“Although we appear well supplied at the skill positions, our O-line lacks depth.  The quick development of the O-line will be crucial to our success,” said Neal.
Killingly will attempt to utilize its offensive talent by operating out of a “Multiple I” offense.  By showing different looks to opponents coach Neal is hoping to open up the running and passing game.  On defense the team will use a “50 Defense” taking advantage of the strength of its returning veteran players.
As usual the Redmen will play a formidable schedule beginning with their opener on Sept. 13 against Bacon Academy on the road.  Coach Neal points to a pair of early season divisional contests that could make or break this team.  Killingly plays Stonington the second week of the season and the always rugged Montville Indians the following week, both teams that figure to be favorites in the Small Division.  The team will also face upstart Woodstock and traditional rival Putnam on Thanksgiving morning.
In his five years as the head coach at Killingly Neal’s record is 9-31.  This year’s team could help him and the program dramatically by recording more wins than losses.  If this should occur it would put the program in an upward direction as well as provide enthusiasm and spirit for the school and community.