Sheehan football powers past Killingly behind dominant ground game and line play

WALLINGFORD - There was no rain in the forecast when two teams coming off runs to CIAC championship games collided in the first game of the 2026 high school football season. However, there was plenty of thunder and most of it was provided by the Sheehan offensive and defensive lines in an impressive season-opening win.

Both Sheehan and visiting Killingly lost many of the star players off the teams that helped the Titans win the Class S title and Killingly advance to the Class SS championship game in 2025. The 40-6 victory by Sheehan was a case of following a familiar strategy of being more physical than the opposing team.

"We worked hard in the offseason, we have been preparing for this for a while and we all wanted this really bad," said Sheehan senior running back Zack O'Brien, who ran for 183 yards and two touchdowns. "We played with a lot of passion and got the job done. I am proud of all of them, they did a great job and everybody is doing their part and it is great to see."

Quarterback Tyler Costanzo added 83 rushing yards and three more touchdowns as Sheehan ran for 348 yards. The player who drew the most praise from Killingly coach Chad Neal was two-way starting lineman Mason Johnson.

"They (Costanzo and O'Brien) are very tough to deal with," Neal said. "What doesn't get enough credit is their offensive and defensive line. Their lines controlled the line of scrimmage, (No.) 58 the (Mason) Johnson kid is as good of a lineman on both sides of the ball as I have seen in a long time."

Sheehan coach John Ferrazzi said Johnson is the strongest player he's had in the program. At one point, he was getting into the backfield so often, a request from the Killingly to "block No. 58" could be heard.

"We played great," Johnson said. "A lot of preparation and hard work, we have a great group of guys.

"I love those guys (Costanzo and O'Brien), they are my people. I would do anything for them, I would put my life on the line for them."

Touchdown runs gave Sheehan a 14-0 lead in the first half. Killingly appeared to gain some momentum on a 40-yard touchdown pass from Jaden Barnett to Braydee Testa with 4:06 left in the first half. It took just five plays for Costanzo to score from 15 yards out to give the Titans a 21-6 lead. When Sheehan converted twice on fourth down on its first drive of the second half, including Costanzo's third scoring run of the game, the game's outcome was no longer in question.

O'Brien added a 49-yard TD run and Isaiah Forbs finished the scoring with a 74-yard run. Damian Hotchkiss led the Titans with six tackles, Lucas Monthino had five tackles and O'Brien finished with two tackles for loss, a fumble recovery and forced fumble.

Joxel Fuentes Ortiz led Killingly with 53 rushing yards and Jon Palmer came down with an early interception.

Zack O'Brien, Sheehan: O'Brien, a running back/linebacker ran for 183 yards and two touchdowns and had two tackles for loss.

"I have to give a lot of credit to the offensive line. They did everything they could, trusted our coaches, our core values." Sheehan quarterback Tyler Costanzo

KILLINGLY 0 6 0 0 - 6 SHEEHAN 7 14 7 12 - 40

S - Tyler Costanzo 25 run (Connor Woolard kick) S - Zack O'Brien 21 run (Woolard kick) K - Braydee Testa 40 pass from Jaden Barnett (kick blocked) S - Costanzo 15 run (Woolard kick) S - Costanzo 3 run (Woolard kick) S - O'Brien 49 run (kick failed) S - Isaiah Forbs 74 run (run failed)

Team records: Killingly 0-1, Sheehan 1-0