MILTON – There is no such thing as an easy NEPSAC football game, especially now.
With a talent like Qur’an McNeill, however, it can appear so at times. The Buffalo commit turned in another incredible performance, completing 17 passes for 202 yards and a pair of touchdowns Saturday as Milton Academy dispatched a tough Loomis Chaffee squad with an impressive 24-6 victory.
“I think the key was hard work, consistency, and having fun out there,” McNeill said. “I know a lot of times in the first quarter, everybody has jitters. But it was very important that we relaxed, calmed down, and played the game we know.”
It was the first time Milton Academy had faced off with Loomis Chaffee since 2021, when the Mustangs fell 21-3 to the Pelicans in the Todd Marble Bowl. Milton Academy (3-1) was able to strike on its opening possession, as junior Dante Berger took a handoff and sprinted up the sideline for a 43-yard touchdown rush. Right out of the gate, the Mustangs seized a 7-0 advantage.
However, both teams would struggle to find a rhythm offensively, at least in the first half. The score would hold until the final minute of the second quarter, when Jonah Selter drilled a 32-yard field goal to provide the Mustangs a 10-0 edge at intermission.
After the Pelicans (2-3) turned it over on downs to open the second half, McNeill began to heat up. The senior captain broke off a 25-yard scamper with a keeper to set his team up in enemy territory, then hit Ben Allen for a 26-yard touchdown pass on the next play as the Mustangs increased their lead to 17-0 with eight minutes left in the frame.
Then, with 1:35 to go in the third quarter, McNeill fired a pass downfield. The attempt was tipped by a Loomis Chaffee corner, only to be caught off the ricochet by Mustang senior Kash Kelly. The wideout collected himself and sprung free for a 45-yard touchdown reception, breaking things open at 24-0.
“Kash got a little lucky on that one,” chuckled Milton Academy coach Mike Mason. “A little tip, but he’s always fighting. So he found it, then ran it in. Q just makes those plays. Q’s been unbelievable so far this year. He’s had an unbelievable first four games.”
Loomis Chaffee got on the board in the final quarter as highly-touted quarterback Romy Jain connected with Jeremiah Robinson for a 39-yard touchdown pass, but that was the bulk of what the Pelicans could muster.
In addition to McNeill’s heroics, Milton Academy was also propelled by Allen. The sophomore wideout had nine receptions for 77 yards and a touchdown, while Kelly had four catches for 86 yards and a score. Defensively, the Mustangs were led by Gio Joseph (two interceptions).
The victory sets up a highly-anticipated matchup with BB&N (also 3-1) next week for the Mustangs.
“We know what they’re going to do,” said Mason. “They’re not going to change. I know they don’t have Bo (MacCormack) this year, so it’s a little different, but (Mike Willey) is going to run the same offense for the most part. You’ve just got to match them. You’ve got to match the physicality and go after it. That’s our plan.”
