NEW HAMPTON — While some classmates sharpen their ice skates in the rink and others prepare for the ski season, the New Hampton School football team is prepping for its final test in what has been a special season.
The Huskies, who helped secure the Powder Keg for the school with a 42-0 victory over Tilton last week, will meet Canterbury School (Conn.) in the New England Prep School Athletic Conference Austin Bowl at Williston-Northampton at 2 p.m. on Saturday. Both teams are 7-1, and it is expected to be a great matchup between two teams that each barely missed finishing undefeated in the regular season.
New Hampton makes the three-hour jaunt to Western Massachusetts with the satisfaction of a rain-soaked, blowout victory over Tilton in the rearview mirror and fueled by team chemistry that second-year head coach Ed Kiley calls remarkable.
"This is the closest team I've ever been a part of," said Kiley, who has played and coached on the high school and college level for more than two decades.
That chemistry has been a constant with the help of the leadership of two returning seniors who have overcome injuries to enjoy standout senior seasons.
Running back Jet Kollie appeared in only six of the Huskies' eight games because of a serious ankle sprain, but has rushed for 800 yards and eight touchdowns on 45 carries. Kollie has run two kickoffs back for touchdowns and a punt for another score. At 5-foot-5 and 160 pounds, he find holes in the defense like a water bug and makes Barry Sanders-like cutbacks that leave defenses tackling raindrops. He is that elusive.
And, despite his diminutive frame, Kollie never avoids contact in an effort to get an extra yard.
If Kollie is the most dynamic offensive weapon, former Gilford HS star back Eric Dean has proved to be the irreplaceable leader on the defense.
An accomplished basketball player with a nose for the ball, Dean has game-changing instincts from his linebacker position and an unparalleled physical toughness. He left the game against Pomfret on October 24, with a dislocated elbow that left coaches cringing, but returned two weeks later to play in an epic game with Kimball Union that ended in a 27-26 loss.
Dean has amassed a team-leading 56 tackles and showed an indefatigable work ethic that has been contagious. On offense, he has been no less impactful, catching nine passes for 191 yards and three touchdowns and rushing for 284 yards and nine touchdowns on 35 carries.
As numerous coaches around the Evergreen League will attest, this is a team that is blessed with multiple options on the offensive side, and despite a lack of depth, players that can multi-task and play on both sides of the ball.
Senior Al-Tawan Jenkins and postgraduate Alex White have added their own running styles to the package. Jenkins has rushed for 702 yards and four touchdowns on 65 carries, while White has 338 yards and four touchdowns on 27 carries.
Sophomore quarterback Jake Kiley (Plymouth) has shown his versatility throughout the season, completing 45 of 81 passes for over 600 yards and 11 touchdowns. Paul Brown (Dover) has been his popular target with 11 catches, including four for touchdowns. Kiley also has rushed for 144 yards and five touchdowns on 41 carries. His playmaking on defense, though, has provided the biggest boost. The 6-1, 160-pounder has picked off seven passes in the secondary.
With Jenkins (32 tackles), White (45 tackles), and Tyler Hill (Plymouth) adding 21 tackles, the Huskies have a defense that has been stubborn all season. They bring a blend of power up front and speed around the edges, including sophomore defensive end Abner Logan, who has a team-leading six sacks and the capacity to be an elite college program recruit.
While the offense has racked up 355 points in eight games, the defense has allowed only 75 points.
A big reason why is the play of postgraduate defensive lineman Andrew Lebowitz. The 6-foot, 265-pound Lebowitz has 53 tackles, including a team-leading 14 for a loss, three sacks, and two fumble recoveries. Lebowitz's vocal leadership and physical toughness have added a confident and resilient side to this Husky squad.
There was no clearer illustration of this than the team's Powder Keg performance. The shutout of a strong Tilton squad came one week after one of the most heartbreaking losses in program history. New Hampton had a 26-20 lead over KUA and its chance for an undefeated season evaporated with less than five seconds left when a Hail Mary pass from 49 yards out deflected off some Husky fingertips and into a KUA receiver's hands.
Despite the heartbreaking loss, the Huskies remained focused and showed a mature approach to the week of practice heading into the Tilton game.
"That loss actually brought this team closer together," Kiley said.
Saturday's game will not be an easy one for the Huskies. Canterbury is 7-1 and its only loss was a 16-0 defeat to Suffield Academy. The Saints are led by 6-2 quarterback Dean Kennedy and 6-foot, 190-pound running back Richie Edwards.
Alumni, students, parents, and faculty are all encouraged to make the trip. This team will not disappoint with its effort over spirit.
