OAKLAND — Running hard, making plays through the air, and stopping the opposing ground game almost to a screeching halt. The Cony football team did it all on Saturday in a 34-6 blowout win over visiting Brunswick at Messalonskee High School.
Cony sophomore quarterback Davyn Flynn, who was making his first career varsity start under center after James Presti went down in Week 1, rushed for three touchdowns and threw for two more, both to senior Ashton Dennett.
“That was a heck of a game from him (Flynn),” said Cony head coach B.L Lippert following the game. “We tried to keep it simple early and let him get comfortable back there, but that’s not a bad way to start it off.”
Flynn looked comfortable almost instantly. He finished 8 of 14 through the air for 178 yards and two touchdowns and added 25 yards on the ground on eight carries. He had touchdown runs of 7, 5, and 1 yard and had touchdowns throws of 22 and 56 yards.
“That was a great team win, I thought we played amazing defense,” said Dennett, who finished with four catches for 120 yards to go along with his two touchdowns.
Cony took control from the start when Wes Cooper of Brunswick fumbled on the first play of the game. Flynn found Dennett for a 22-yard touchdown just two plays later to give Cony a 7-0 lead just 55 seconds into the game.
“We came out hot early, that gave us all the momentum we needed,” said Flynn, who admitted he was a bit nervous to start. “I was nervous, but after the first touchdown all of that went away and I just played football.”
Cony running back Elijah Klaiber leaps over a fallen Brunswick defender during a football game Saturday in Oakland. Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal
The Dragons fall to 1-2.
“We didn’t really help ourselves out much,” said Brunswick head coach Dan Cooper following the defeat. “We had a few miscues early, but Cony was good. They were physical up front and we had a tough time matching that.”
Wes Cooper paced the Brunswick ground game with 12 carries for 101 yards. He scored the lone Brunswick touchdown, a run from 8 yards out. Wes’ twin brother, Dalton, returned after missing the first two games while he was away at basic training for the Marines. He carried the ball 16 times for 55 yards.
“It was nice to have Dalton back, but it surely didn’t make a difference today,” said Dan Cooper. “We battled hard today, we played four quarters and kept our heads in it. I’m really happy with what I saw in the second half.”
Brunswick starting quarterback Sam Cassidy went 0 for 3 on passes.
Despite being down a few starters for various reasons, the Rams were hungry after they saw their game last week with Mt. Blue abruptly canceled.
“I was a little nervous about coming out here in the beginning, we hadn’t played a game in two weeks,” said Lippert. “Once we got the turnover on the first play and punched it in I think it settled our nerves a bit more.”
Brunswick linebacker Matt Duhaine, left, reaches for Cony running back Elijah Klaiber during a football game Saturday in Oakland. Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal
The Rams also got contributions on the ground from Elijah Klaiber (19 rushes for 108 yards).
After the Dragons punched it in on Wes Cooper’s 8-yard run, the Rams slammed the door on defense and didn’t allow a single point the rest of the way.
“That just says a lot about the guys on this team,” said Dennett. “I think we picked up a lot of momentum next week heading into our game with Messalonskee.”
Cony would add to its lead in the second quarter while shutting down the Brunswick offense. The play of the game came when Flynn found Dennett on a deep post on a floating pass down the middle of the field that hit Dennett in stride for a 56-yard touchdown. It was the longest play from scrimmage for the game by either side.
“You never know what to expect when Brunswick and Cony meet on the field,” added Lippert. “We’re feeling pretty good about that performance, but we also know there’s room to improve at all times.”
Cony will play Messalonskee (2-1) next Friday at Messalonskee High School. Brunswick’s schedule doesn’t get any easier as it will play host to Lawrence (2-1) next Friday in Brunswick.
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