Mae Flexer

Killingly Football Champions Celebrated at the State Capitol

Senator Mae Flexer (D- Killingly) welcomed the entire Killingly High School football team to the Connecticut Senate Chamber today to celebrate their achievements throughout the season on and off the field.

After an undefeated season, the Killingly football team won the 2017 Class M High School Championship. They were the only team in Connecticut to go undefeated and were named Eastern Connecticut Conference Champions. They were also finalists for Connecticut Team of the Year and a finalist for Walter Camp All-America Team. In honor of these achievements, Sen. Flexer and Senator Carlo Leone (D-Stamford), both proud Killingly alums, and Representative Danny Rovero (D-Killingly) presented individual players, coaches, and the team with official citations from the Killingly state delegation.

“These young students are role models for their fellow peers and the entire community, not only because of their undefeated record and championship title, but also because of the way they conduct themselves in the face of adversity,” Sen. Flexer said. “One of the most inspiring things about this team is seeing how they rallied around their teammate Vasileios ‘V.P.’ Politis as he battled cancer; a teammate who ultimately recovered and caught a touchdown pass in the championship game. That’s just one of the many examples of why this team is so deserving of this recognition. I’m so grateful to have the opportunity to honor them today at the State Capitol in front of my legislative colleagues.”

“The Killingly football program was honored today to be guests of Killingly Alum State Senator Mae Flexer and to be recognized by her and the State Senate for all of our accomplishments this past season,” Head Coach Chad Neal said. “We are also thankful to Representative Danny Rovero and Killingly Alum State Senator Carlo Leone for their recognition of our success.”

Following the recognition in the Senate Chamber, the team toured the State Capitol building with Sen. Flexer and Rep. Rovero.

Individual Citations:

• Zach Caffrey for being named to the 2017 Walter Camp All Connecticut SecondTeam.
• Alex Fontaine for being named to the Walter Camp All Connecticut First Team.
• Spencer Lockwood for being named Walter Camp 2017 Player of the Year, as well as being named to the Walter Camp All Connecticut First Team. His hard work and dedication have made him an invaluable member of his team.
• Vasileios Politis for his incomparable strength and bravery in the face of seemingly impossible challenges. Vasileios was diagnosed with non-hodgkins lymphoma in March of last year and returned for the 2017 football season after recovery. His national recognition as the Generation UCAN Inspire Award Winner is only one example that demonstrates how deeply he has inspired those around him.
• Head Coach Chad Neal for being named the 2017 Walter Camp Coach of the Year, as well as his contributions to the Killingly community through outstanding leadership. Coach Neal’s talent and dedication resulted in a stunning undefeated 14-0 season for the Killingly High School football team, and he has proven himself an invaluable community leader.