McDonough heads list of New Canaan's All-State football players

Written by Dave Stewart
Monday, 02 January 2012 05:00

As a linebacker and running back on a pass-happy, high-scoring football team, the achievements of New Canaan senior Kevin McDonough were sometimes overlooked in the postgame recaps. Make no mistakes about it, however, this kid was among the best all-around players to patrol the gridiron in Connecticut this fall.

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McDonough caught the attention of opposing coaches as he headlined a list of six Rams who received All-State recognition from the Connecticut High School Coaches Association last week.

McDonough, a co-captain, was named to the overall All-State defensive team as a linebacker, while the rest of the Rams received All-State Class L honors, including quarterback and co-captain Matt Milano, receiver Patrick Newton, offensive lineman Kalin Killinger, linebacker Dylan Leeming and kicker Collin Shapiro.

McDonough, who will play lacrosse at Penn next year, led the Rams in tackles with 118, including 25 solo and 93 assists. He also had three interceptions and was the field general for the defense.

As a running back, McDonough rushed 77 times for 491 yards — a 6.4 average — with six touchdowns. His biggest game came in the State quarterfinals, when he ran for 220 yards to lead the Rams past New London.

Milano, who recently committed to Middlebury football, set NCHS career records in passing yards (6,335), TD passes (75), passing attempts (807) and completions (487).

This fall, Milano threw for 2,980 yards, second only to the school-record 3,128 yards he set last season. His 32 passing TDs ranked third in school history — he set the single-season mark with 42 as a junior — and his 807 attempts and 487 completions this year were both season records at NCHS.

The 6-3, 264-pound Killinger was a three-year starter in the offensive line, helping to protect Milano while also opening up holes for the running game.

Newton, who will play football at Trinity College, had a team-high 830 receiving yards for the Rams this season. He racked up 61 catches and scored nine touchdowns. In his career, Newton ranks third at NCHS in career receptions with 104, sixth in receiving yards with 1,389, and 10th in receiving TDs with 12.

Leeming, a 6-5, 229-pound defensive end, totaled 116 tackles, second only to McDonough. He led the Rams in solo tackles with 44 and sacks with 4.5.

Shapiro holds many of the major career kicking records at NCHS, including PATs with 122 and kicking points with 143. His seven career field goals ranks second.

As a senior, Shapiro had 46 PATs, second only to the 47 he kicked last year, and 64 kicking points to set a new single-season record at NCHS.

Shapiro was at his finest during the postseason, when he kicked five field goals on six attempts, including the game-winning 33-yarder in a 27-24 win over Windsor.

All-State Team

All-State Class L Team