New London vs. Ledyard: Battle of the Unbeatens

Ledyard vs. New London. It’s always one of the Eastern Connecticut Conference’s marquee in-season matchups when the two traditional powers meet tonight at NL’s Cannamela Field, the game carries extra embellishment.

Not only will two 2-0 teams vie for early ECC bragging rights, the game pits two of the state’s best running backs in Ledyard’s Alex Manwaring and New London’s Kyle McKinnon. Both seniors rank near the top of the CIAC rushing charts.

Manwaring is No. 2 state-wide with a 275-yard game average (69 carries for 551 yards and five touchdowns). McKinnon averages over nine yards a carry with 35 carries for 342 yards and six touchdowns. He’s coming off a 27-carry, 221-yard, three-TD performance against Greenwich, a 51-33 NL win that enhanced the ECC’s statewide image better than any six-figure public relations campaign could.

Manwaring and McKinnon, members of the 1,000 yard club as juniors, entered high school with great expectations. As eighth graders, they were stars of undefeated Southern New England Youth Football Conference teams. In an epic 2007 Super Bowl, McKinnon led New London to a high-scoring, one-touchdown win over Manwaring and East Lyme. 

They feature their own distinct style. McKinnon is bigger at 6-feet, 200-pounds than Manwaring (5-8, 175 pounds). McKinnon shows a bit more breakaway speed, while Manwaring runs so hard you would think he’s the 200-pounder.

Manwaring will be severely tested to match his early totals against a physical and quick NL defense. The Whalers figure to pack seven defenders near the line (the box) to dare Ledyard to pass.

The Colonels can’t copy that tact, because New London is fast and explosive in all skill positions with Khaleed Fields (3 TDs) and Jevon Elmore (5 TDs) at receiver. First-year starting quarterback Rob Key (6 TD passes, 400 yards) has been impressive.

Ledyard's defense, paced by first-year starting linebacker Matt Daggett's team-high 27 tackles, will be tested.

“New London presents a very big challenge,” Ledyard coach Jim Buonocore said. “They have size and speed and play with great toughness. McKinnon, Elmore, and Fields are very special players. We want to match their toughness and be able to play our game. Control the ball and clock and play sound physical defense and very smart on special teams. They have the big play ability to make you pay for the slightest mistake.”

New London blanked Woodstock, 44-0, scoring all in the first half before the impressive win over an FCIAC traditional power. Ledyard topped Killingly, 33-8, and rallied to beat Windham, 29-16, two weeks ago before having taking a bye week. Though moving the chains against New London won’t be easy, the Colonels have no other choice but to ride Manwaring. His workhorse efforts early allow numerous first-time starters to develop.

“Alex is off to a fast start for us which has been helpful since we are very young in many key spots,” Buonocore said. “Our offensive line has played well to date. They are all juniors, so they are getting their feet wet and their future is very bright. (Quarterback) John Rainey is maturing and growing into a good leader for us. We need to continue to work towards balance in our offense and try to get more people involved into our attack.”

The Colonels have fared well against New London in recent years, winning in 2008, 2006 and 2004. New London beat Ledyard in 2009 and 2007. The teams did not play last year. A loss in this matchup is not crippling, evidenced by NL losing 27-13 at Ledyard during its '08 state title run and Ledyard losing at NL, 40-8, in its 2007 title run.

"The week off has been beneficial for us," Buonocore said. "It has allowed us to re-focus on our basic fundamentals and techniques and continue to build our conditioning for a full 48-minute game. In the process we have been able to expand upon our offense and defense schemes and improve our special team play."