Printer Friendly Version - H-K Football Starts Season with 35-8 Victory; Volleyball Loses Five-Setter to East Hampton

Zach Kauffman had a touchdown run in the Haddam-Killingworth football team’s impressive 35-8, season-opening victory over SMSA-University-Classical on Sept. 7. Photo by Susan Lambert/The Source

The Haddam-Killingworth football team started its season by notching a convincing victory last week. The Cougars earned a 35-8 road win versus SMSA-University-Classical in Hartford on Sept. 7.

Dalton Brown scored on touchdown runs of 20, 1, and 39 yards, in addition to grabbing an interception on defense, to lead the Cougars over the Tigers. Zach Kauffman and Tobey Callender added touchdown rushes of 12 and 3 yards, respectively, for H-K.

SMSA-University-Classical scored a touchdown in the first quarter, but was held scoreless by H-K for the rest of the game. The Cougars’ defense forced six turnovers, including four interceptions, in the win.

“It was a total team effort tonight. Dalton Brown had a great game, but lots of kids contributed. Three different players scored touchdowns, and the linemen on both sides of the ball were in constant rotation in and out of the game,” said Head Coach Mike Baklik. “Holding an explosive team like SMSA-University-Classical to one score and forcing six turnovers is a credit to the defense. We couldn’t have asked for more from the kids tonight.”

H-K will host Coginchaug/Hale-Ray/East Hampton (1-0) on Friday, Sept. 14 with a 6:30 p.m. kickoff. Last fall, the Cougars finished at 6-4, producing the program’s first winning season since 2011.

The defending Shoreline Conference champion Cougars began their campaign by playing a five-set match versus East Hampton last week. H-K dropped a 3-2 decision to the Bellringers in their season opener on Sept. 6.

In 2017, Head Coach Robin Callender’s squad finished with an overall record of 21-4. Along the way, H-K made its second straight appearance in the Shoreline Conference Tournament final and claimed the crown by defeating Valley Regional 3-1 for its first league title in three years. After defeating Granby Memorial and Valley Regional in states, the Cougars faced St. Joseph in the semifinals of Class M State Tournament and lost a 3-0 contest against the Cadets, who went on to win the title.

The Cougars opened their season with a game against Weston last week. H-K traveled to Weston took a 6-0 defeat on Sept. 8.

Last year, H-K finished with a record of 3-11-2. The Cougars are welcoming first-year Head Coach Steve Johnstone to the program this season.

Teagan Chrzanowski and the Cougars’ volleyball squad took a 3-2 defeat versus East Hampton in their 2018 season opener on Sept. 6. H-K comes into the season as the defending Shoreline Conference champions. Photo by Susan Lambert/The Source